In January’s Music Mix Spacey noted that Clapton’s cover of ”Sweet Home Chicago” was not as good as the original by Robert Johnston – but I think Clapton’s version is actually better. The main reason being the quality of the sound and the band behind it which is just superb – with even Ken agreeing with me.
So it got me thinking about the many cover versions that have been released and what songs have been covered well and what songs have been murdered.
My initial thoughts turn to
Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
One by Johnny Cash
Red Red Wine by UB40
Tainted Love by Soft Cell
Sea of Love by The Honey Drippers
as covers that have, if not bettered the original, have certainly done it justice.
And covers that should not have seen the light of day include for me;
First Cut is the Deepest by Sheryl Crow
No Quarter by Tool,
Crossroads by John Mayer
Pretty Woman by Van Halen
I’m sure that you have your favorite song covers and those that should go straight to karaoke – do let me know
Photo – tastingnotes.vox.com
Maybe the best idea is to leave the Peter Green/Clapton/Johnson discussion to our other post and introduce something new here.
So my first suggestions come from Vanilla Fudge. Overblown, bombastic and totally over the top they may be, but You Keep Me Hanging On is simply stunning. Follow that up with Bang Bang and, for me anyway, we have the nirvana of cover songs.
Also worthy of note is the Sensational Alex Harvey Band’s rendition of Jethro Tull’s Love Story. And let’s not forget Marianne Faithfull’s Working Class Hero from Broken English. Some months ago I think we also discussed various versions of Mercy Seat, including Nick Cave’s and Johnny Cash’s. Still trying to decide who done it best. I think today I prefer Nick Cave, could well change my mind tomorrow though.
Mrs SP loves Ozzy’s take on Eric Burdon’s Good Times from the Under Cover CD. Just as well, because the remainder of the tracks are somewhat less than abysmal. As if murdering 21st Century Schizoid Man and Rocky Mountain Way weren’t bad enough, he then has to include that cringe-worthy version of Sabbath’s own Changes along with that irritating produce of his loins on vocals!!!
There will be plenty more suggestions no doubt, but those are just the first that spring to mind as being either outstandingly brilliant or just plain awful.
Madonna’s version of “American Pie”.
Uuuurrggghhhh !!!!
It was voted the worst ever cover version in a poll in January 2007 by BBC 6 Music (and deservedly so).
And you’re so right about Mayer’s version of “Crossroads”. You could have a whole, separate, website just dedicated to blues covers – and I reckon this Mayer travesty would feature right at the top of the “Worst Covers” list there.
I’m totally unqualified to comment on this except for one song:
Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah . I even thought of setting up a website just to keep track of all the covers I’ve collected, both good and bad.
Is Jeff Buckley’s the definitive cover? Rufus Wainwright? John Cale? From the wikipedia article:
“Welsh singer-songwriter John Cale, formerly of The Velvet Underground, recorded a cover version of “Hallelujah”, which appeared on the 1991 Leonard Cohen tribute album I’m Your Fan and on his 1992 live album Fragments of a Rainy Season. Cale’s version featured vocals, piano, and lyrics Cohen had only performed live. Cale had watched Cohen perform the song and asked him to send the lyrics.[8] Cohen then sent Cale fifteen pages of lyrics. As Cohen described it, Cale then “went through and just picked out the cheeky verses.” Heh.
Did you shudder in horror on hearing that the 2008 X Factor winner would get to record it for the (then guaranteed!) Christmas No 1? (Yeah me too. And I shuddered a lot more when I heard the abysmal track – Alexandra Burke is a good singer but the production is hideous imho).
And what about when you hear it referred to as “The Shrek Song“? Aaaaggghhhh!
And talking of Shrek… wait, this song needs a post all to its itself – dear laughing dog, can we? Can we?
No
Great website for song covers and other things – makes me want to investigate some further. Some examples being Redemption Song by Joe Strummer & the Mescalaros and Blue Bayou by Linda Ronstadt as she has such a good voice – I seem to remember Liefste zus having this song when I was a wee lad.
One more thing – best version of Crossroads (another song covered to death) has to be by Cream from the live part of “‘Those Were The Days’ with Jack Bruce in fine form – what you reckon Spacey and Ravey Davey
oooh the version by Rush on Feedback is also very good – not as good as Cream but……….close
Aargghh Uncle RD, I had conveniently manged to forget about Madge’s travesty. Thanks a million for reminding me (not).
Another couple of good ones:
I Put A Spell On You – Audience (not sure if you guys know this band, if I had won the right to make up the February music mix, they would have been on it)
We’ve Gotta get Out Of This Place – Crazy World of Arthur Brown (nutter supreme)
Most of the ones that Hendrix covered
And some more real horrors:
Hole In My Shoe – The Young Ones
Comfortably Numb – Scissor Sisters (come the glorious day, up against The Wall – pop pop!!)
I don’t have that Cream boxset Mr LD so I can’t comment on the version of Crossroads on it. I can’t believe however that it will be anything less than awesome.
Joe Strummer’s take on Redemption Song is nothing less than mind-blowing. I hesitate to say that he has outdone Marley with it, but I certainly do listen to Strummer’s version more often than Marley’s.
LZ, I sure didn’t shudder when I was told that some X Factor warbler was to record Cohen’s Hallelujah. I’m not sure how you guys react to such banality, but I find it incredibly easy to ignore. Besides, I don’t think (personally speaking) that being No 1 carries the kudos as it did even 5 years ago.
Great website that Mr Dog discovered there by the way. Loads of good ones on it I have never heard and some that I didn’t even realise were covers.
Hey Mr LD great discussion
Couple of My favs
The Books + Jose Gonzalez — “Cello Song” from Dark Was the Night (Originally by Nick Drake)
Taken By Trees — “My Boys” from East Of Eden (Originally by Animal Collective)
Mr SP dont think you cant beat the original version of Redemption Song
BTW – more to come
Hey guys, this is my first post, I have decided to back up my uncle’s (UncleRaveDave) more bluesy suggestions… In case he felt too much like the lone voice here
In terms of great covers, Gary Jules’ cover of Tears for Fears’ Mad World in my opinion is FAR better than the original…. And when comparing with the original, Clapton’s cover of Freddie King’s I’m Tore Down is great, especially since in my mind its impossible to see a good song in the original!
OK, bad covers… (where to start) – Eric C’s version of I Shot the Sheriff… and John Mayer’s version of Crossroads is shocking, as Laughing Dog has mentioned
Hi Wezside and welcome to musicforthemonth.com
You are most welcome especially if you bring as much taste and sophistication as your uncle. I’m not too big on the blues and would be grateful for any recommendations you can suggest – anything – as I hope you will see that my taste in music is quite varied and and as long as it makes me go”mmm…..I like this” then its OK.
You may find a like-minded soul here in the shape of Spacepig who does tend to grump a bit (in a nice way) but loves music, especially the blues and I’m sure you will get along with him fine. I would also like your views on my music mix for January – as this is my focal point for the blog and the reason why I do this – the music.
Currently listening to both versions of Mad World – first thing I had forgotten is how good the original is and Tears for Fears should be remembered as being a good band. The second thing is that Gary Jules version is excellent – slower more atmospheric and I cant decide which I prefer so I’ll stay neutral on this and ask you a question – whats you favourite version of Crossroads?
Hi Sinny
The cover of Cello Song is amazing – one that definaltey gives the original a run for its money.
Don’t know the other one so well but I agree with you; as good as Strummers version of the redemption song is – you can’t beat the original.
Hey Mer LD glad you like the Cello song
Also hello to Mr WZ glad you could you join us. I think I prefer Tears for Fears with their song Mad Mad World the cover versiion that you like is too slow for me.
More form me
Nirvana’s cover of “The Man Who Sold the World” by David Bowie
Marilyn Manson’s cover of “Sweet Dreams” is pretty creepy/great.
Jessica Simpson’s cover of “These Boots Are Made For Walking.” for obvious reasons
Hi Wezzie, welcome along. You’ll soon find that I am only a bit of a grump when I have something to grump about, and now that the Blues contingent is building up there shouldn’t be too much more bleating from me.
Sinny – well remembered about Nirvana’s ‘Man Who Sold the World’. I have to agree, much better than Bowie’s (although I don’t really have anything against Bowie per se). Also quite liked the Cello song, had never heard that version before, well spotted.
Okay dokey, another couple of suggestions, I’m in a good mood tonight so I’m not going to suggest any rotters.
Govt Mule – Spoonful
The Men They Couldn’t Hang – No Man’s Land / Green Fields of France
Jethro Tull – John Barleycorn ( jury is still out on whether or not it’s better than Traffic’s version though)
Mr SP we must try to remember this moment lol (us both agreeing on a song we like) there must be hope for me!!! It is a great song and Nirvana were agreat band
Absolutely agree with Wezside (welcome!) that Gary Jules’ cover of Mad World is superb. It kind of took the internet by storm with the video too.
If I were in the confession box right now I’d also cough up to loving Adam Lambert’s version.
I’ll get my coat…
Forgot to say that a good way to find covers (good and bad) is to search for a specific song in something like GrooveShark. For example, if you search for Wuthering Heights, you come across the hideousness that is…. well I’ll leave you to discover that for yourselves.
Best covers -
Johnny Cash’s cover of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails – think this is a very rare occurance where the cover is better than the original…..
Eric Clapton – Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door
Jimi Hendrix – Born Under A Bad Sign
Axis Bold As Love – John Mayer
Lust For Life – The Bad Livers
Worst covers –
All Saints cover of ‘Under The Bridge’ – you total bunch of fcksticks!! You killed it!
American Pie – Madonna
Lust For Life – The Bad Livers – never heard of these must be good to beat the original. Agree with others especially Hurt.