|
Post by John Steed on Dec 2, 2017 20:41:11 GMT
Which cover versions of songs do you think are an improvement to the original version of the song?
A couple which spring to mind for me are firstly,The Happy Mondays song "Step on" (1990) which is a cover of the 1971 single by John Kongos called "He's gonna step on you again." (I bought the Happy Mondays version on 7" vinyl back in the day!)
Another song which I think is a massive improvement on the original is "Word Up" by Scottish rock band Gun, which is a 1994 cover of the original 1985 version released by American funk band Cameo.
There must be some more but these are the first couple that I immediately think of!
Steed
|
|
Vienna
Verified
Curled up on Miss Jones' lap
Posts: 3,173
Online Status:
|
Post by Vienna on Dec 2, 2017 22:57:56 GMT
Great idea for a thread Mr Steed One that comes to mind is Spirit in the Sky by Dr and the Medics from 1986, which, IMO, is better than the original by Norman Greenbaum. Vi
|
|
Bojan Scores
Cameraman
Terry you’re very devious when a bird’s involved...
Posts: 448
Online Status:
|
Post by Bojan Scores on Dec 3, 2017 10:07:04 GMT
'With a little help from my friends' by Joe Cocker is a rock and vocal tour de force. Compare and contrast with the happy go lucky sing along original by the Beatles. Incidentally Jimmy page and B J Wilson (drums) play on this record. Wilson was the original choice on drums for Led Zeppelin, but elected to stay with Procul Harum.
|
|
Cartman
Producer
Posts: 4,018
Online Status:
|
Post by Cartman on Dec 3, 2017 18:58:00 GMT
Randy Edelman’s 1976 cover of Concrete and Clay I think was much better than the 60s original, as was Wet Wet Wet’s version of Love is all around.
|
|
|
Post by Charles Bronson on Dec 3, 2017 19:03:56 GMT
I heard a version of John Lennon's 'Happy Christmas (War Is Over)' the other evening that I quite liked. The guy sang it a little slower than the original, playing an acoustic guitar. I heard the recording at a Christmas market abroad, perhaps the setting made it seem so nice.
Unfortunately I don't know the singers name. I was looking on YouTube earlier but I didn't see it there.
One good thing was that Yoko Ono was of course absent from the version I heard.
Charles.
|
|
The Saint
Moderator
Swinging London - 1967
Posts: 5,418
Online Status:
|
Post by The Saint on Dec 3, 2017 21:53:38 GMT
I have always thought that The Carpenters cover of Superstar, written by Bonnie Bramlett & Leon Russell, was by far the best version The Saint
|
|
Vienna
Verified
Curled up on Miss Jones' lap
Posts: 3,173
Online Status:
|
Post by Vienna on Dec 4, 2017 19:31:41 GMT
I have always preferred The Sensational Alex Harvey Band's version of Delilah to the more well known Tom Jones' version, although PJ Proby recorded the original I believe in 1967.
Vi
|
|
Del Boy
Moderator
Posts: 9,899
Online Status:
|
Post by Del Boy on Dec 4, 2017 22:16:30 GMT
It's a rare beast indeed when a cover sounds better than the original. Those above are great examples.
How about these: I Will Always Love You - Dolly Parton. Its a great original but is bettered by Whitney Houston's 1992 version.
Chris Farlowe's version of Handbags and Gladrags is good but for me is bettered by Rod Stewart's version. Rod Stewart's version versus The Stereophonics 2001 effort was a score draw.🤣
Could it be that if a cover comes out in the era you grow up in or by a band you're into you tend to prefer that version ?
|
|
|
Post by Arthur Pringle on Dec 4, 2017 23:05:01 GMT
I seem to remember we had a thread some time ago about cover versions vs the original & I think I mentioned this song. Bit of an obscure one with a Sweeney connection. The Small Faces did a song called 'Sorry She's Mine' which was covered by Jimmy Winston & The Reflections, Winston was the original Small Faces keyboard player. Two Sweeney connections- Winston appears in 'Hearts And Minds' & the writer of the song is Kenny Lynch from 'Down To You Brother'. Anyway, I prefer Winston's harder edged version of the song.
|
|
|
Post by Sam Tyler on Dec 5, 2017 12:01:23 GMT
There are a number of cover versions that I prefer to the original. A couple I have mentioned previously in the Songs By Artists You Don't Like thread: Money's Too Tight To Mention - the original by the Valentine Brothers was good but I think Simply Red's version was better. Everybody's Talkin' - I've never been a fan of either Van Morrison or The Beautiful South but do like the latter's version. Whiskey In The Jar - originally by The Dubliners and also covered by Metallica but for me Thin Lizzy's version is the best. I Fought The Law - the original 1959 version by The Crickets and the 1966 version the Bobby Fuller Four were both very weak. It was also covered by The Stray Cats but The Clash's version was infinitely better. And of course the intro was brilliantly used in Ashes To Ashes: Sam.
|
|