Covers that beat the Originals

Mersozz · Postby **Mersozz** » Mon May 09, 2011 10:41 pm

Dave Edmund's cover of Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk"

pkalata · Postby **pkalata** » Mon May 09, 2011 10:56 pm

Jimi Hendrix's cover of "All Along the Watchtower." Dylan may have written beautiful lyrics but, to me, it wasn't until other musicians put those words with enchanting instrumentals that that music comes alive. The greatest example of this is Watchtower.

McNutcase · Postby **McNutcase** » Mon May 09, 2011 11:03 pm

pkalata wrote:Jimi Hendrix's cover of "All Along the Watchtower." Dylan may have written beautiful lyrics but, to me, it wasn't until other musicians put those words with enchanting instrumentals that that music comes alive. The greatest example of this is Watchtower.

As I recall, Dylan himself regards the Hendrix version of Watchtower as the definitive. That's a compliment, people.

pkalata · Postby **pkalata** » Mon May 09, 2011 11:34 pm

McNutcase wrote:
pkalata wrote:Jimi Hendrix's cover of "All Along the Watchtower." Dylan may have written beautiful lyrics but, to me, it wasn't until other musicians put those words with enchanting instrumentals that that music comes alive. The greatest example of this is Watchtower.

As I recall, Dylan himself regards the Hendrix version of Watchtower as the definitive. That's a compliment, people.

Thank you for reminding me, McNutcase! Here's another cover that was ceded by the author. Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" originally by Nine Inch Nails/Trent Reznor. Trent was quoted in at least one interview saying, "[Hurt] is Johnny's song now." That's right, a septuagenarian known for a different genre of music did the definitive version. There's something hypnotic about Johnny's version... Slow, mournful, and contemplative but also relentless and hopeful.

Zhimar · Postby **Zhimar** » Tue May 10, 2011 2:40 am

I liked Gary Jules version of mad world better than the original.

Too Tall · Postby **Too Tall** » Tue May 10, 2011 2:46 am

A. Listen to Coverville if you don't already

B. It's hard to come up with a song to follow Hendrix's Watchtower, arguably the greatest cover of all time, AND Johnny Cash's Hurt. searching my library.....

EDIT:

Zhimar wrote:I liked Gary Jules version of mad world better than the original.

Good Call!

Too Tall · Postby **Too Tall** » Tue May 10, 2011 2:55 am

Maybe going out on a limb but I'd take Nirvanna over David Bowie

Not Better than the Originals but these make me happy
Madeleine Peyroux covers Elliot Smith's Between the Bars
Shiny Toy Guns cover Peter Schilling'sMajor Tom
Emiliana Torrini covers Jefferson Airplane's White Rabbit
Kate Rusby covering the Kinks' Village Green Preservation Society

Xer0 · Postby **Xer0** » Tue May 10, 2011 8:11 am

Diamond Dave makes everything better:

DrMikey · Postby **DrMikey** » Tue May 10, 2011 8:41 am

On my phone, so no links, but:

Aerosmith's version of Come Together trumps the Beatles'.

Almost ANYONE'S version of Hallelujah trumps Leonard Cohen's, but in particular, the version by Lind, Fuentes, Nilson, and Holm rules.

Alien Ant Farm's Smooth Criminal beats Michael Jackson's.

Manfred Mann's cover of Blinded By The Light beats Springsteen's like Ike beat Tina.

And Ace Frehley's KISS version of 2000 Man is actually listenable and catchy, while the Rolling Stones' original can barely be considered music.

Mersozz · Postby **Mersozz** » Tue May 10, 2011 9:22 am

It's a testament to Dylan's brilliance that so many of his songs were covered.

Totally agree on the Hendrix example.

And, while this might not be the same slam-dunk as Watchtower, the good Captain didn't hold back in this cover of Mr. Tambourine Man.