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Covers better than the original

Has this been discussed before? I have heard many songs over the years that are so much worse than the original versions but what about those that are better? Here are a few that I rate:

With a little help from my friends - Joe Cocker (obvious choice)
Always on my mind - Pet Shop Boys
Rocket man - Kate Bush
This flight tonight - Nazareth 
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Comments

  • Henry Irving
    Henry Irving Posts: 85,222
    Yes, it has but worth doing again.

    I'd disagree on all but the Joe Cocker version although I like the other covers.

    The one most people miss is Respect because most people don't realise Aretha's version is a cover.
  • Lordflashheart
    Lordflashheart Posts: 5,622
    Steps, Tragedy !!
  • Blinded by the light - Manfred Mann's Earth band
  • cafcdave123
    cafcdave123 Posts: 11,491
    It must be love , madness cover is better imho but do still enjoy the original by Labi Siffre
  • Henry Irving
    Henry Irving Posts: 85,222
    Blinded by the light - Manfred Mann's Earth band
    Noooooooo
  • blackpool72
    blackpool72 Posts: 23,675
    Sound of silence 
    By Disturbed 
  • Hurt - Johnny Cash
  • killerandflash
    killerandflash Posts: 69,846
    An obvious one, The Beatles Twist and Shout
  • MrOneLung
    MrOneLung Posts: 26,853
    Under the bridge - All Saints
  • SuedeAdidas
    SuedeAdidas Posts: 7,741
    Almost any cover originally sung by Bob Dylan 😄
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  • AddicksAddict
    AddicksAddict Posts: 15,791
    Since You’ve Been Gone - Rainbow. 
  • Algarveaddick
    Algarveaddick Posts: 21,153
    Has this been discussed before? I have heard many songs over the years that are so much worse than the original versions but what about those that are better? Here are a few that I rate:

    With a little help from my friends - Joe Cocker (obvious choice)
    Always on my mind - Pet Shop Boys
    Rocket man - Kate Bush
    This flight tonight - Nazareth 
    Fuck off! Then come back in, so I can tell you to fuck off again....  :D

    Once for Willie Nelson and once for Elvis Presley. 
  • fadgadget
    fadgadget Posts: 1,391
     Bryan Ferry version of  , Jealous Guy
  • Clem_Snide
    Clem_Snide Posts: 11,737
    Carter USM cover of Rent (The Pet Shop Boys)
    Carter USM cover of Bedsitter (Soft Cell)
    Lemonheads cover of Mrs Robinson (S&G)
    Lemonheads cover of Layin' Up With Linda (GG Allin)
  • Clem_Snide
    Clem_Snide Posts: 11,737
    Snuff cover of Brand Flakes Advert, Shake and Vac Advert, Quick fit Advert and In Sickness and in Health Theme Tune.
  • Clem_Snide
    Clem_Snide Posts: 11,737
    Extreme Noise Terror cover of 3am Eternal
    Napalm Death Cover of Nazi Punks Fuck Off (Dead Kennedys)
  • Walk on by - The Stranglers
  • Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
    Handbags and Gladrags - Stereophonics
  • Hal1x
    Hal1x Posts: 4,265
    Shipbuilding - Robert Wyatt
  • cafctom
    cafctom Posts: 11,370
    edited May 2024
    Metallica are a brilliant covers band. 

    Their most known one is Whiskey In The Jar by Thin Lizzy, but they also played a great version of Funeral For A Friend/Loves Lies Bleeding by Elton John recently. 
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  • Chunes
    Chunes Posts: 17,349
    I have an Uncle that says Rolf Harris does the best version of Stairway to Heaven. 
  • PopIcon
    PopIcon Posts: 5,970
    Hal1x said:
    Shipbuilding - Robert Wyatt
    Great tune. Have you heard the Suede version? It was on the 1995 War Child record, Help. One of best ever compilation albums.
  • Wonderwall - Mike Flowers Pops
  • Clem_Snide
    Clem_Snide Posts: 11,737
    cafctom said:
    Metallica are a brilliant covers band. 

    Their most known one is Whiskey In The Jar by Thin Lizzy, but they also played a great version of Funeral For A Friend/Loves Lies Bleeding by Elton John recently. 
    Damaged Case by Motorhead is a great Metallica cover.
  • fadgadget
    fadgadget Posts: 1,391
    Martin Gore - Never Turn Your Back On Mother Earth
  • JohnnyJoeyDeeDee
    JohnnyJoeyDeeDee Posts: 1,040
    Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor although arguably it’s not a cover
  • Hal1x said:
    Shipbuilding - Robert Wyatt
    I thought he murdered the song. Elvis Costello's vocal was far better.
  • hoof_it_up_to_benty
    hoof_it_up_to_benty Posts: 22,447
    edited May 2024
    The Clash - I Fought the Law
    The Jam - Stoned out of my mind
  • Killarahales
    Killarahales Posts: 1,057
    Dream Baby Dream cover by Bruce Springsteen. His live version of Twist & Shout is pretty damn good too!
  • Henry Irving
    Henry Irving Posts: 85,222
    Nothing Compares 2 U by Sinead O’Connor although arguably it’s not a cover
    Think it is a cover.