Cover versions
I have to say I’m a sucker for a good cover version (and regular readers will know we once had a covers band). A classic 80s pop tune reworked can be just the ticket as you’re storming through town with your ‘personal music player’ dishing you up the tunes like the radio used to.
However, there appears to be a tendency amongst those in the covers industry, so to speak, to go down one of two roads.
The first is an entirely acoustic road where they strum their guitar and sort of sing in a whiney voice. These are generally very irritating although can be all right from time to time (witness Luka Bloom’s crazy version of ‘When doves cry’).
The second appears to be making a thrash metal version of whatever song they’re covering. These groups in particular appear to think it’s tremendously ironic to sing songs like Candle in the Wind or some other piece of crap that no self-respecting musician would touch with a ten foot pole.
There’s another vague sub-genre which is to get an old man in ill-health to do versions of modern songs before he dies although this has yet to be properly exploited.
Where’s the improvisation? The interpretation? The putting your own stamp on the song?
Maybe I’m looking in the wrong place. So today I will scour the web upon your recommendations.
What’s your favourite cover version?
May 30th, 2007 at 9:41 am
“There’s another vague sub-genre which is to get an old man in ill-health to do versions of modern songs before he dies although this has yet to be properly exploited.”
i beg to differ….
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/6698221.stm
May 30th, 2007 at 9:44 am
RE: exploiting old folks. They’re working on it, apparently…
Best cover version? A toss-up between that Cash fella’s version of Hurt and Screeching Weasel’s version of I Can See Clearly Now, I reckon.
May 30th, 2007 at 9:55 am
Check out Mad World the theme from Donnie Darko. Originally the work of Tears for Fears in the early 80’s. It was subsequently revamped for the movie in 2001…. a cracking version by Gary Jules (in my opinion).
May 30th, 2007 at 9:58 am
Check out Mad World, originally by Tears for Fears in the early 80’s. Revamped for the movie Donnie Darko, Gary Jules brings us a great version in 2001 (in my opinion anyway).
May 30th, 2007 at 10:03 am
There ya go
Beat that!
May 30th, 2007 at 10:10 am
So many choices here…. apart from Cash’s version of Hurt, Ben Folds does great versions of “In Between Days” (The Cure), “Bitches Ain’t Shit” (N.W.A) and “Tiny Dancer” (Elton John). Nina Gordon does a great cover of “Straight Outta Compton” (check out NinaGordon.com for a download) and finally (until I think of others) I’ll say “All Along the Watchtower” by Hendrix.
Do I have to pick just one?
May 30th, 2007 at 10:11 am
What a beautiful voice you have Grandad.
How about this though – http://youtube.com/watch?v=2u6k-99qcCE
May 30th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Nouvelles Vagues have done a few decent covers, (if your’re into your loungecore maaaaaan) but they’re on every second ad these days.
http://www.nouvellesvagues.com/english/music.html
May 30th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Sublime: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHe-iwAI9BE
Ridiculous: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjeMDvCdrtc
May 30th, 2007 at 10:21 am
I’d have to go for Tainted Love by Softcell, one of the few covers better then the original. All along the Watchtower by Hendrix is also a great cover and all round better then Tainted Love, but in terms of improvement over the original Tainted love gets my vote
May 30th, 2007 at 10:22 am
Bruce Springsteen’s It’s Hard to Be A Saint In The City, performed by David Bowie does it for me. Good for storming through town, I find.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:23 am
Metallica, Whiskey in the Jar
Horslips, Shakin all over
Ironhorse covers of Metallica
J.Cash, Hurt
there are tonnes of good covers, however tonnes of crap too, but its all down to personal taste,
May 30th, 2007 at 10:24 am
One of my faves that, Hugh.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:26 am
That new cover of Let’s Dance on the Ballygowan advert is very very cool….
May 30th, 2007 at 10:27 am
Who is that doing it?
May 30th, 2007 at 10:31 am
“Hand In My Pocket” by whinging Canadian harridan Alanis Morissette has been covered by Rolf Harris and by some big fat black mental patient whose name escapes me. The latter versions was quite entertaining, I’ve been trying to find it on the interweb but without success.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:32 am
If we’re gonna talk about loungecore comedy then I have to mention Richard Cheese’s cover of “Down With The Sickness” – a mediocre (not to say shite) original nu-metal-by-numbers song turned into an actual piece of entertainment. Or the Doves’ live cover of Independent Woman (pretty much the same deal except mediocre pop-by-numbers to start with).
May 30th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Tainted Love by softcell one of the few covers to be better then the original. All Along The Watchtower by Hendrix.
There is an album knocking about that some Canadian school kids did back in the seventies called ‘The Langley Schools Music Project: Innocence and Despair’ were their music teacher was showing them how an album is recorded and made. Some of the stuff on it is really good, especially Space Oddity of which Bowie said “The backing arrangement is astounding. Coupled with the earnest if lugubrious vocal performance you have a piece of art that I couldn’t have conceived of, even with half of Colombia’s finest export products in me.”
They also do a version of Desparado which is actually good, showing up the Eagles.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Among the best…
Billy Bragg doing The Smiths ‘Jeane’
The Divine Comedy doing The Smiths ‘There Is a Light That Never Goes Out’
Ryan Adams doing Hank Williams ‘Lovesick Blues’ (he does a great Wonderwall too)
The The doing Hank Williams ‘There’s A Tear In My Beer’
Sonic Youth (as Ciccone Youth) doing Robert Palmers ‘Addicted to Love’
The La’s doing Buddy Holly’s ‘That’ll be the Day’
The Byrds doing Bob Dylan’s ‘Mr Tambourine Man’
The Blue Aeroplanes doing The Velvet Underground’s ‘Sweet Jane’
The White Stripes doing Dolly Parton’s ‘Jolene’
The Clash doing Sonny Curtis and The Crickets (post Buddy Holly) ‘I Fought The Law’
I could be here all day, there’s a lot when you get thinking but I HATE the ‘oh so post modern it’s really a great song earnest cover version of some pop shit’. See Travis doing Britneys ‘Hit me baby one more time’. Hey! but with acoustic guitars so it’s meaningful maaaan.
See also covering shit kylie songs…
May 30th, 2007 at 10:33 am
God Save The Queen by the Sex Pistols.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:35 am
ooh ooh oooh… I just remembered, the last time I went to see The Divine Comedy they played a great cover of Prince’s Raspberry Beret.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:38 am
Prince is a stunted tosser – he even shagged Sheena Easton FFS!
May 30th, 2007 at 10:40 am
Aimee Mann does a good cover of The Scientist (I’m no Coldplay fan either). If you’re looking for something odd, the Lemonheads take a stab at Knowing Me Knowing You, and Nina Gordon does a really girly acoustic version of Straight Out of Compton.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:41 am
Nirvana did a version of Velvet Underground’s “Here She Comes Now” which is fantastic.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:52 am
Jeff Buckley doing Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. And some might say it’s whiny, but to you I say feck off.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:59 am
Kyle I was trying to remember him and Mike Flowers kept popping into my head…. Yeah Richard Cheese is great. Love his version of creep.
J.
May 30th, 2007 at 11:10 am
Some of Hayseed Dixie’s bluegrass covers of AC/DC songs were quite clever. (A lot of them were shit, though.)
This is one of the better ones
You shook me all night long
May 30th, 2007 at 11:11 am
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dc45zHdfRg
For the love of God man, this is it!
May 30th, 2007 at 11:14 am
Hey wait, that might not actually be a cover if they’re still doing it. Hummmm, I don’t know then, those chaps that do The Hounds of Love. It’s quite good.
Travis doing ‘Hit me baby one more time’.
May 30th, 2007 at 11:16 am
Futureheads are the Kate Bush coverers.
May 30th, 2007 at 11:22 am
William Shatner doing Common People
May 30th, 2007 at 11:27 am
The absolute king of whiney covers done by the Queen of Whinge herself.
Gotta give her credit for a bit of tongue in cheek, all the same.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W91sqAs-_-g
May 30th, 2007 at 11:28 am
There’s a shitload… But a couple of standouts that would be near the top of my list would be:
Ryan Adam’s doing Willy Nelson’s “Always on my mind”
Rufus Wainright doing “Across the Universe”
Then there’s the Red Hot Chili Pipers doing bagpipe versions of classic rock tunes… See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwrvHnYpwkk
Forget Hayseed Dixie – go back to the original and best – Run C & W doing all the old Motown classics – Bluegrass style…
May 30th, 2007 at 11:32 am
I second all of Andy’s recommendations re the Ben Fold’s covers and also strongly urge you to check out Mr. Fold’s version of Iron & Wine’s ‘Such Great Heights’. Very different to the original but terrific all the same.
May 30th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Also, there was an Australian TV program back in early 90’s which every week had a slot featuring “Stairway to Heaven” done in a different style…
Ranged from Welsh Male Voice Choir through Opera, Folk and whatever you’re having yourself and included Rolf Harris doing it with his wobble board…
May 30th, 2007 at 11:32 am
Has to be Squarepusher’s version of ‘Love Will Tear us Apart’, or The Chameleon’s take on ‘Tommorow Never Knows’
May 30th, 2007 at 11:33 am
Lung – those Black Eyed Peas sure know how to write lyrics that speak to a generation.
May 30th, 2007 at 11:34 am
My current favourite covers are The Zimmers’ version of “My Generation”, and Mark Ronsons’ version of “God Put a Smile Upon Your Face”.
May 30th, 2007 at 11:35 am
Wait! Johnny Cash doing NIN Hurt!!!
May 30th, 2007 at 11:36 am
Ah crap, Tim already nailed it.
May 30th, 2007 at 11:38 am
Actually Ryan Adams version of Wonderwall isn’t bad either. Much better than the original one which I can’t stand!
May 30th, 2007 at 11:39 am
M Ward was the first to do the countrified acoustic version of “Let’s Dance”. Also, it stomps all over that Ballygowan version’s balls by virtue of the fact that M Ward is amazing.
Also, another deadly cover is The Wedding Present doing a cover of Take That’s “Back For Good”.
The Foo Fighters covering the Angry Samoans’ “Gas Chamber”. They also doubled the length of the tune by playing it twice over.
An example of a terrible cover version is Chris Cornell’s take on Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean”. Better left avoided.
Oh, and another thing, the strangest covers of Metallica’s music is done by those Apocalyptica lads. Their version of “Enter Sandman” is crazy.
May 30th, 2007 at 11:40 am
What does the M stand for in M Ward?
May 30th, 2007 at 11:41 am
M stannd for Matt
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M_Ward
May 30th, 2007 at 11:42 am
It’s so weird that you posted this today – I just listened to James Yorkston’s new album this morning and there’s a hideous cover of Tim Buckley’s ‘Song to the Siren’ on it. No one can cover that any better than Liz Fraser of the Cocteau Twins (with This Mortal Coil) – it’d break your heart.
The Slits (punk girl trio) do a brilliant reggae version of ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’ which is one of my favourites.
The Raconteurs do justice to ‘Floating’ by Dublin’s very own Jape.
As has been pointed out above, Neil Hannon/Divine Comedy does tons of great covers (Life on Mars by Bowie, Party Fears Two by The Associates on his latest album). He did a great version of Outkast’s ‘Hey Ya’ on Ray Darcy’s show once.
Also someone mentioned ‘Sweet Jane’, I love the Cowboy Junkies version.
Can’t remember who asked but the Ballygowan ad is Nouvelle Vague doing Let’s Dance. Like their versions of the Dead Kennedy’s ‘Too Drunk To Fuck’ and Echo & the Bunnymen’s ‘The Killing Moon’.
For something completely different, also check out the Scala women’s choir (http://www.myspace.com/scalachoir) who do versions of indie hits like ‘Creep’, and The Cure’s ‘Friday I’m in Love’.
Also like Nick Cave’s version of ‘In the Ghetto’, Devo’s cover of the Stones ‘Satisfaction’, The Wedding Present doing Cockney Rebel’s ‘Come Up and See Me (make me smile)’, and The Dead Kennedy’s doing ‘They’re Coming to Take Me Away (Ha Ha Hee Hee).
And lastly one to get the hairs on the back of your neck standing up: Rebekah Del Rio’s Spanish accapella version of Roy Orbison’s ‘Crying’ (’Llorando’), as used in David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive. Her voice is unbelievable. Watch out for the high notes at the end.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oddg6dCB7FE
May 30th, 2007 at 11:47 am
Oh yeah, those Apocalyptica guys are amazing. In small doses, mind you.
May 30th, 2007 at 12:02 pm
I like this I have to say, Giuliano Palma and the bluebeaters doing Black’s Wonderful Life.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=daX5XlOFvIM
May 30th, 2007 at 12:16 pm
Ryan Adams, wonderwall.
I know its been mentioned already,
but its definitely the best
May 30th, 2007 at 12:20 pm
Barefoot covering Underworlds Born Slippy.
And Springbreak are the ultimate 80’s cheese rock cover band!
May 30th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
step on by the happy mondays, definitely one of my favourites
May 30th, 2007 at 12:30 pm
Sinead,
I think you might be wrong about the Ballygowan add.
She was on the Ian Dempsey show last week. I cant remember her name but it wasn’t Nouvelle Vague
May 30th, 2007 at 12:33 pm
I just remembered
Acid Brass. They did a load of covers of classic acid house. Pacific state is a personal favourite, although, the original was pretty brassy in the first place.
J.
May 30th, 2007 at 12:34 pm
Nina Simone doing Leonard Cohen’s Suzanne.
You can catch it on Rhapsody:
http://www.rhapsody.com/ninasimone/lovesongs
May 30th, 2007 at 12:36 pm
Peadar, forgive my hazarded guess, it’s probably not. But it’s some lass jumping on the “girls doing loungey covers like NV” bandwagon!
May 30th, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Wilco doing Big Star’s “Thirteen”. It’s on the album “Big Star, Small World.”
May 30th, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Cat Power covering “Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones.
On an album called “Covers” amazingly enough
May 30th, 2007 at 1:06 pm
Albert Niland’s cover of Wuthering Heights is good but falls into the Luka Bloom category I suppose.
May 30th, 2007 at 1:20 pm
christy moore doing a cover of johnny cash doing a cover of nin’s hurt. fantastic tribute at a gig a month after jc’s death.
May 30th, 2007 at 1:21 pm
Sinead O’Connor made “Nothing Compares 2 U” totally her own song.
May 30th, 2007 at 1:23 pm
I would like to nominate 1970s pub rockers Any Trouble’s cover of Abba’s Name of the Game, or Devo’s take on The Rolling Stones’ Satisfaction.
Child-botherer Jonathan King, using the alias Nemo, did a cover of The Sun Has Got His Hat On but it is best avoided.
May 30th, 2007 at 1:31 pm
new winner for nin hurt cover
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57ta7mkgrOU
May 30th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
And of course Sid Vicious with his version of My Way …
May 30th, 2007 at 1:40 pm
Johnny Winter did a great cover of Jumpin Jack Flash.
May 30th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcEk0Oq62M8
May 30th, 2007 at 1:59 pm
And the original
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7iyjsLlsyk
May 30th, 2007 at 2:10 pm
The best part of Charlotte Church’s show are the cover version duets at the end. She’s done some great ones. Her house band are awesome.
May 30th, 2007 at 2:12 pm
Sinead – that lass doing Lets Dance is Paula Flynn, who usually sings like Jinx Lennon.
Cover versions – people keep mentioning Ryan Adams and hes done a boss version of Brown Sugar with whats her name, Beth Orton
Beth Orton teamed up with Terry Callier to do an amazing version of Dolphins, the fred neill song which every lame-ass irish singer-songwriter has a go at butchering. This, though, was premium meat
Schneider TM did a version of the Smiths “There Is A Light..” called “The Light 3000″ which is deeply lovely
Theres also some great Kraftwerk cover versions done by the Balanescu Quartet.
My Bloody Valentine’s version of We HAve All The Time in The World is pretty cool.
And then there’s Andrew Loog Oldham’s cover of “The Last Time”, which The Verve, silly muppets, nicked for Bitter Sweet Symphony and ended up having to pay an arm, a leg and a kidney to the Stones over.
My fave cover version though is Jerry Lee Lewis doing Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Truly up there and out there
May 30th, 2007 at 2:13 pm
of course, that should be “who usually sings with Jinx Lennon”. doh.
May 30th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
I also like Johnny Cash’s cover of the Sting song I Hung My Head.
May 30th, 2007 at 2:58 pm
The Balanescu Quartet album of Kraftwerk covers is masterful! There again, Señor Coconut also have a bunch of great ones, Computer Love being my personal favourite…
May 30th, 2007 at 3:02 pm
probably heard it through the grapevine by creedence, excellent into, fogarty doing a knockout job on the vocal, all round quality. although they may have lost the run of themselves with the extended version
tuesdays gone by metallica, not sure if its been said already.
oh and tie me kangaroo down sport by pavarotti.
May 30th, 2007 at 3:09 pm
see also liverpool fans version of boney m’s daddy cool. I may be pushing the definition of cover version so please, feel free to rant impotently.
May 30th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
There’s a young kid (18 or 19 I think) called Peter Grant – he’s got the most amazing voice. He does a great cover of Kaiser Chiefs ‘Modern Way’.
May 30th, 2007 at 3:48 pm
Mississippi Queen by OZZY Osbourne
May 30th, 2007 at 3:50 pm
Jimi Hendrix doing Bob Dylan’s “All along the Watchtower”.
May 30th, 2007 at 4:10 pm
Ute Lemper doing Nick Cave’s Little Water Song. But the greatest of all time has to be Jeff Buckley’s version of Hallelujah as Kav said.
May 30th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
My favourite is Creedence’s cover of ‘I heard it through the Grapevine. Great vocals and one of the greatest and longest guitar solos ever.
May 30th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Paul Anka did a cover album recently, most of which was sh|te, but his big swing band version of Wonderwall was good craic.
May 30th, 2007 at 4:29 pm
Jim, I wish she DID sing like Jinx Lennon (totally forget to watch the Arts Lives doco on him last night).
Totally agree re Schneider TM’s There is a Light that never goes out. Now there’s an inspired Smiths cover. Are you listening Mark Ronson?
The Senor Coconut/Kraftwerk stuff is great – it’s got an innocence rather than that ironic post-modern thing going on as someone mentioned about Travis above.
Has anyone seen Mr. Hopkinson’s computer on myspace? I’ve mentioned him before on the blog. I love his bleepy computer versions of ‘Fake Plastic Trees’ and ‘Where Is My Mind?’
Check them out: http://www.myspace.com/computersings
May 30th, 2007 at 4:40 pm
Darius Dinesh doing Britney – Hit me baby one more time – the visual version. Snarf.
On a more serious note, any cover by Jimmy Hendrix is better than the original.
May 30th, 2007 at 5:29 pm
Fucking karaoke bullshit. If you can’t perform your own material go back to singing in your local.
Covers bands are cunts. Unemployed, uninspired musos looking to turn a buck off dead people.
Write your own songs, you wankers.
May 30th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Check these 2 covers out
Acousticy Cover NWA straight outta compton:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9sbXc741n6I
Crazy choral cover of sonic youth, Schizophrenia:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBeFL3qI-n8
i think the surprise element is important in a cover!
May 30th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Oooh, what a great post! Here are some that spring to mind:
The Fall – Victoria (The Kinks)
The Byrds – Tambourine Man (Bob Dylan)
The Bangles – Hazy Shade of Winter (Simon and Garfunkel)
Nouvelle Vague – In a Manner of Speaking (Tuxedomoon)
Kirsty McColl – A New England (Billy Bragg)
Schneider TM – There is a Light (The Smiths)
The Specials – A Message to you Rudy (Dandy Livingstone)
May 30th, 2007 at 6:05 pm
The Mighty Stef did a cover of ‘The River’ by Springsteen that kicks much ass. I doubt you’ll find it about the net so I’ve gone to the trouble of sticking it on megaupload for your listening pleasure. He’s a local fella ya see – recently got robbed in the United States but that’s beside the point. Check him out.
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=WWIE8JGS
I also love Israel Kamakawiwo’ole’s cover of ‘Over the Rainbow’ – nice feel to it indeed.
I think everyone likes talking about what music they like…
May 30th, 2007 at 6:31 pm
Take Me To The River – Talking Heads. I don’t know what the original sounded like – all I know is that it was a cover.
May 30th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Some many good ones out there.
Radiohead – Nobody Does it Better (live version)
Muse – Feeling Good
Honourable mention to Motorhead for Louie Louie
May 30th, 2007 at 6:38 pm
The Pixies made their version of Leonard Cohen’s I Can’t Forget truly their own. If you like Leonard Cohen at all, there is a great tribute album to him called I’m Your Fan with John Cale and REM and Nick Cave and a whole bunch of others. ’svery good.
People have mentioned it already but Soft Cell’s Tainted Love cover is stellar.
May 30th, 2007 at 6:45 pm
The Love Cats by Tricky
Black Steel by Tricky
Children’s Story by Tricky
Judas by Tricky
Ghost Town by Tricky
When Doves Cry by Tricky
Dear God by Tricky
…anything by Tricky really.
May 30th, 2007 at 7:26 pm
I’m not reading 80 odd comments so if nobody’s mentioned Nirvana’s version of Bowie’s The man who sold the world, I just have anyway.
Also, Johnny Cash’s rendition of NIN’s Hurt but I think you may have touched on that in your post.
May 30th, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Best cover ever is V/VM’s cover of Christy Burger’s “Lady in Red”. I kid you not. Positively disturbing but in a good way.
May 30th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
Ohhhh….
Beastie Boys with the Diabolical Biz Markie on vocals doing Elton John’s “Benny and the Jets”. Has to be heard to be believed.
Johnny Cash “Run On (God’s gonna cut you down)”
Jinx Lennon doing Public Enemy’s “Brothers Gonna Work It Out”
That autistic japanese kid doing Super Mario Brothers theme on his piano
May 30th, 2007 at 9:09 pm
John Cale doing Lenny Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ – the only version worth bothering with.
Teenage Fanclub’s little-known ‘Like a Virgin’, fun, yet respectful.
CSS doing a smart cross between Blondie’s ‘One Way or Another’ and Derry’s Finest’s ‘Teenage Kicks’.
Robert Wyatt covering Elvis Costello’s ‘Shipbuilding’; the original is great, the cover is better.
Kim Deal has done a number of great covers in her time, such as The Beatles’ ‘Happiness is a Warm Gun’, Hank Williams’ ‘I Can’t Help It If I’m Still in Love With You’, Sebadoh’s ‘Free Pig’ but best of all is her and Tanya Donnelly’s reprise of Chris Bell’s ‘You and Your Sister’, recorded as This Mortal Coil.
Jackie Brown’s ‘Light My Fire’ is the best version there is, closely followed by José Feliciano.
More recently, a couple of tracks on that Mark Ronson album, such as Ol’ Dirty Bastard doing Britney’s ‘Toxic’ and Amy Winehouse rejuvenating The Zutons’ redundant ‘Valerie’.
Creedence’s ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’.
There’s a whole book to be written on great covers from the 60s alone. Happy hunting. :)
May 30th, 2007 at 9:31 pm
The Ramones’ version of Chris Monte’s “Let’s Dance” is skill.
Also, The Clash “I fought the law” and Shane McGowan “Cracklin’ Rosie”.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:06 pm
Fragrant Pete:
’some big fat black mental patient’ is Wesley Willis, who passed away a couple of years back after releasing a couple of albums on Alternative Tentacles (he was matey with Jello Biafra). Something like an Afro-American Daniel Johnston, though some might argue that his life was a lot tougher than Danny’s.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Aztec Camera’s cover of Van Halen’s Jump, recorded only six months after the original, as the B-side of All I Need Is Everything.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:08 pm
Shaun Colvin’s version of Tom Wait’s Ol’ 55. Superb.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:31 pm
Liza Minnelli’s version of the Pet Shop Boys “rent” produced by the Pet Shop Boys…brilliant and Luka Bloom’s cover of “I need Love”
May 30th, 2007 at 10:44 pm
Australia’s favourite son Rolf Harris doing De Zepplin’s Stairway to Heaven. Bleuuugghhhh !!!!! There’s a lady who knows (wobble wobble) all that glitters is not gold (wobble wobble) …..etc etc…..pause and eject. Prick.
May 30th, 2007 at 10:58 pm
Jimi Hendrix doing All along the watch tower, G’N'R doing Knocking on heavens door, Jeff Buckley doing Hallelujia. He’s dead 10 years today too.
May 30th, 2007 at 11:29 pm
Impossible to guess what this track is going to be until 28 seconds in …Larrikin Love – Horse With No Name (America).
I have over 3,000 cover tracks.
Yes I’m sad.
May 30th, 2007 at 11:43 pm
Bryan Ferry’s version of Hard Rain.
May 31st, 2007 at 8:10 am
Michael Stipe, et al, “In the Sun.” And Smashing Pumpkins, “Landslide.”
May 31st, 2007 at 8:54 am
Maybe you should post this blog entirely on YOUTUBE and be fuckin finished with it!
May 31st, 2007 at 9:20 am
I quite like Dame Kiri Te Kanawa’s version of Rhe Ramones “Blitzkrieg Bop”.
May 31st, 2007 at 10:45 am
Would have to be Westlife – The Rose.
May 31st, 2007 at 10:53 am
Elbow do a brilliant version of Destiny’s Child’s Independent Women.
Nicely animated here: http://www.rathergood.com/independent_woman/
May 31st, 2007 at 10:58 am
Ben Folds’ version of the DC’s Songs Of Love, Johnny Cash doing Love’s Been Good To Me and I’m a sucker for the Beautiful South’s proto-country version of Blitzkrieg Bop….
May 31st, 2007 at 11:11 am
The Fall do a great version of Sister Sledge’s Lost In Music. failing that Arab Strap’s version of You Shook Me All Night Long
May 31st, 2007 at 11:29 am
You’ll love this one twenty – Damien Rice doing Hallelujia
May 31st, 2007 at 11:41 am
echo and the bunnyymen cobering bob dylan’s “it’s all over now baby blue” check it.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:41 am
aztec acmera covering van halen’s “jump”. slow and bluesey version.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:48 am
Fuck off Peadar you despicable bastard.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:49 am
Jaysus Twenty
What’s it like to be so popular?
May 31st, 2007 at 12:02 pm
Husker Du – Eight Miles High
May 31st, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Anyone ever heard Le Tigre’s version of I’m So Excited by the Pointer Sisters- pretty fun stuff. Otherwise, I’m with everyone that mentioned Jeff Buckly’s Hallelujah(far better than Rufus Wainwright’s version) and the bold and fabulous Rufus’ version of I’m your Man is a personal fave.
May 31st, 2007 at 12:04 pm
Enjoy:
http://undersea.wordpress.com/2007/05/31/a-couple-of-covers/
a hippy guitar fest from Iron & Wine with Calexico, and
a more rocking racket from Ladytron covering the Tweets.
great tunes!
May 31st, 2007 at 12:26 pm
micah p hinson’s cover of jeff buckley’s ‘yard of blonde girls’ – countrytastic….
May 31st, 2007 at 12:37 pm
The Who – Summertime Blues
May 31st, 2007 at 12:37 pm
The Rolling Stones – Like A Rolling Stone
May 31st, 2007 at 2:14 pm
that dance version of “Country Roads”, by John Denver
is rather catchy.
May 31st, 2007 at 3:16 pm
Blancmange did a brilliant version of “The Day Before You came”, originally by Abba.
Lulu covered Bowie’s The Man Who Sold The World, too, but I prefer the original in that case!
May 31st, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Zoom – the boo radleys.
May 31st, 2007 at 3:49 pm
we have all the time in the world – MBV
I forgot that – someone else with great taste mentioned it.
May 31st, 2007 at 11:17 pm
Thanks to everyone for your recommendations.
June 1st, 2007 at 12:04 am
Little known version of Madonna’s “Borderline” on the B-side of Something Happens! debut single “Burn Clear” From 1987/88 (I think) is very cool
June 1st, 2007 at 12:07 am
Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah? It might sound good in The Dame Tavern on open-mic night but great cover version? Puhhleeeaaase…
June 1st, 2007 at 9:24 am
What’s worse is the shitload of craptastic Euro-dance versions of 80’s tunes that just keep on coming. Favourite cover? Dylan’s ‘When I Paint my Masterpiece’ as sung by The Band.
June 1st, 2007 at 9:33 am
Creedence’s ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’ – FUCK YEAH!
June 1st, 2007 at 2:15 pm
Picturehouse’s cover of Rachel Stevens’ Sweet Dreams My LA Ex. This is off a collection of albums called Even Better Than The Real Thing which has some wicked moments, Maria Doyle Kennedy’s take on This Is How You Remind Me by [insert generic AOR bad here] is also worth a goo.
Sinead O’Connor’s version of Nothing Compares 2 U is an obvious great, as is Tainted Love and Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah.
June 4th, 2007 at 10:30 am
The Hoax – Superstition
June 4th, 2007 at 3:44 pm
Too many to mention but saw Tuxedomoon mentioned and had to throw in Martin Gore’s two covers albums and the NZ label Flying Nun’s ‘Abbaesque’.
For more – http://copycommaright.blogspot.com/
There was a brilliant Japanese cover of the Jams ‘That’s Entertainment’ a few years back.
June 4th, 2007 at 9:16 pm
I love The Bangles’ version of September Gurls, the Big Star song. It’s better than the original, in my opinion. And I absolutely love Jeff Buckley’s Hallelujah, and Lilac Wine. Both excellent covers.
Couldn’t be arsed to read the previous 131 comments to see if I was replicating an opinion though, sorry. Beer is calling.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:16 am
A whole other post idea: fantasy cover versions…
June 5th, 2007 at 11:20 am
Oooh, good one.
Probably worth a new post rather than updating here. Leave it with me.
June 5th, 2007 at 11:22 am
Grrr, no html allowed I’m guessing.
http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/music/2007/06/my_fantasy_cover_versions.html
June 7th, 2007 at 10:59 pm
The Gourds – Gin N’ Juice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1XcY8nAdsM
End of discussion..
June 8th, 2007 at 8:29 am
Flying pickets Only you
Maralyn Manson Tainted love
Gary Jules Mad world
Kermit the Frog Hurt
June 8th, 2007 at 9:41 am
[...] 1969, belting out a rendition of “With a little help from my friends.” In the spirit of cover versions week I thought this was [...]
June 8th, 2007 at 1:41 pm
Anything by Hayseed Dixie, the hillbillie cover band. They do a mean Comfortably Numb and a kicking Ace of Spades.
June 13th, 2007 at 12:24 pm
Irish band The Pale do a Kicking version of Walking On The Moon by The Police on Policia a Police tribute album!
My top spot goes to Jimi Hendrix who made Dylans All Along The Watchtower his own.
June 13th, 2007 at 9:13 pm
Johnny Cash’s version of The Mercy Seat by Nick Cave is great, as is his We’ll Meet Again. Brad Mehldau’s scorching jazz piano versions of Paranoid Android and Dear Prudence off his Largo album are superb. Agree re Tainted Love and The Gourds. Al Green’s version’s of For The Good Times by Kris Kristofferson, Light My Fire by the Doors and Oh Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison are all magical. St Etienne turning Neil Young’s Only Love Can Break Your Heart into a widescreen glamourous ballad. Patti Jo’s uptempo version of Curtis Mayfield’s Make Me Believe In You. Baby Huey and the Babysitters doing Curtis Mayfield’s Hard Times. Dub Syndicate tripping out the Doctor Who Theme Tune. There’s just too many!
March 14th, 2008 at 7:20 pm
free ringtones from jamster
Their application loan payday ca in loan payday software
June 29th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
[...] lists of best cover versions [...]