quote:

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The best songs should NOT be used in commercials. It ruins them.

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I quite disagree! I love the song in the Excel gum commercial! (It's also in Moulin Rouge, but I don't know what it's called.) Out of Your Mouth did a way better Madonna song than Madonna did ("Music"). They turned it into a rock song, which made me happy. (Confession: I even liked it when Madonna sang it .)
 

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Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
 
Here are my selections:

• Johnny Cash version of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails
• Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer version of Redemption Song by Bob Marley
• The Flaming Lips version of Wonderful World is interesting if not better than the original.
• Joey Ramones version of Wonderful World is quite enjoyable
• Apocalyptica does interesting versions of songs by Metallica, Pantera, Slayer and others
• The Barenaked Ladies do a great version of Bruce Cockburns Lovers In A Dangerous Time
• Me First And The Gimme Gimmes do great punk versions of many songs including some personal favourites - Rainbow Connection, Mandy, Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone, One Tin Soldier, Country Roads, and many others
• Dynamite Hack does a great acoustic version of Boys in the Hood
• Relient K does a hilarious version of The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

• Hall and Oates's version of "That Lovin' Feeling" is better than the original, imo
• Indigo Girls (or, more accurately, Amy Ray) have a great, raw remake of Dire Straits' terrific "Romeo and Juliet" (One of their live albums also includes a fantastic cover of Dylan's "Tangled Up In Blue," but I'm not sure that counts.)
• Gloria Estefan had a remake of a Carole King song . . . was it "It's Too Late" or something like that?
• John Mellencamp's cover of Van Morrison's "Wild Night"
• Percy Sledge's remake of "When A Man Loves a Woman"

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Me First And The Gimme Gimmes do great punk versions of many songs including some personal favourites - Rainbow Connection, Mandy, Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone, One Tin Soldier, Country Roads, and many others

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A few years ago, a dreadful remake was issued of Gloria Gaynor's "I WIll Survive."

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If you're referring to Cake's version, I must disagree. While it may not have had the same appeal as the original, the music and vocal enunciations were so drastically altered from Gaynor's version that it was a different experience altogether.

Anyway, there are so many remakes of "Yesterday" that one of them has to be better than the original.

I'd like to second "I Will Always Love You" and "Hurt".

I also enjoy "Walk This Way" by RunDMC/Aerosmith, if only because it was a cool idea.
 

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Posted by Ryuko (Member # 5125) on :
 
God, I can almost hear Cake doing "I Will Survive"

Someone's going to hate me for saying this, but I love Alien Ant Farm's version of "Smooth Criminal," lots more than the MJ version.

Also, give Frou Frou its cred for doing that Shrek 2 cover. (hugs Imogene Heap)
 

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Posted by Damien (Member # 5611) on :
 
Ryuko, I like AAF's Smooth Criminal better, too.

EDIT-more better. much lots more better goodly. next week i try for _actual_ english.

[ June 11, 2004, 02:00 AM: Message edited by: Damien ]
 

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Posted by porcelain girl (Member # 1080) on :
 
covers can be quite good, or at least fun. as far as recorded covers go, i love when tori amos does them.
i don't know how i feel about the cover of "miss jackson" i heard last summer. but i did like that someone tried it, even if it wasn't snazzy in its own right.

one cover that i absolutely loathe is the wallflowers' version of "heroes" by david bowie. it was downright awful and stripped any passion or life whatsoever from it.
i love when david bowie messes with his own songs, though. changes is one of my favorite songs, and i really like the version from shrek 2 he did with...butterfly bouche?
when i saw him live a couple summers ago on the heathen tour (which has a great version of "cactus" by the pixies)he totally tricked out the crowd when he and his band came back on stage for an encore. they started playing this really slow song and david was crooning softly, almost mournfully. i had no idea what song he was singing when suddenly i realized i knew the words as he sang "if you could fall..into my arms... and tremble like a FLOWER!"
then the lights started flashing and they burst into a really happy and high spirited version of "let's dance."
it was hilarious. that was such an awesome concert.

edit: had to fix the lyrics, how embarrassing.

[ June 11, 2004, 02:27 AM: Message edited by: porcelain girl ]
 

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Posted by ReikoDemosthenes (Member # 6218) on :
 
Paint it Black by Tea Party is much better than any other version I've heard of it...
 

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Posted by Da_Goat (Member # 5529) on :
 
Yeah, I like Alien Ant Farm's version of "Smooth Criminal" better, too.
 

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Posted by Narnia (Member # 1071) on :
 
(has anyone pointed out that Dagonee is a guy yet?)

So I'm baffled that a bunch of these are remakes. I'm a silly.

I DO like Erasure's remake of "Rapture" though I don't know if I should admit that....
 

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Posted by Damien (Member # 5611) on :
 
The Blondie song?
 

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Posted by plaid (Member # 2393) on :
 
There's a collection of Beatles covers from the "I Am Sam: music from and inspired by the motion picture" CD that's pretty good. They don't replace the originals, but most of them are decent and fun to listen to, with only a few bad ones:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00005TT77/qid=1086938472/sr=2-1/ref=sr_2_1/103-7662675-9629454
 

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Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
 
Rufus Wainwright does a great cover of "Across The Universe" on the I Am Sam soundtrack, and I think the only reason I don't like Ben Folds' "Golden Slumbers" off the same album at least as much as the original is because it's not followed directly by "Carry That Weight".

Someone up there talking about Billy Joel reminded me how much better Garth Brooks' version of "Shameless" is.

And it may be just because I like Darius Rucker's voice, but I enjoy his covers of REM's "Driver 8", Led Zeppelin's "Hey, Hey, What Can I Do", and Radney Foster's "Fine Line".

Although I enjoy Sheryl Crow on some level, she should be taken out back and shot for covering "Sweet Child O' Mine".

I second Johnny Cash's remake of NIN's "Hurt", and would probably add his cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water", which I like better than the original.

I love Willie Nelson's "Night Life" (I think he wrote it, but I'm probably wrong), but when he remade it as a duet with B.B. King, it got even better.
 

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Posted by Frisco (Member # 3765) on :
 
Great minds think alike, plaid. I was surprised that no one had mentioned the album. Of course someone would while I was posting.
 

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Posted by esl (Member # 3143) on :
 
I like both Tears for Fears and Gary Jules' versions of "Mad World". They're distinct. Whereas Love Split Love's "How Soon Is Now" is way too similar to the original by The Smiths. Then t.A.T.u. remade it, and it's nice.
 

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Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
 
Tina's "Proud Mary" even Fogerty (I think) said it was the best.
 

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Posted by celia60 (Member # 2039) on :
 
I like the Cake version of "I will survive." It's not better than the original, but it's funny.

Hmm...Bill prefers the Placebo version of "Bigmouth" to the original. Bah!

I have a special place in my heart for the Boingo cover of "I am the Walrus" and the Monopuff version of "Oddballs."

Oh, and the Richard Cheese cover of "Closer" makes me laugh out loud every time I hear it.
 

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Posted by Fishtail (Member # 3900) on :
 
Some country singer out now does a tremendous version of Marc Cohn's "Walking in Memphis." Can't remember who.
 

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Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
 
Lonestar. And yes, it's amazing.
 

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Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :
 
I agree with Da Goat on the RunDMC "Walk This Way."

You know somebody that should never have been allowed to do remakes? David Lee Roth. Ugh.
 

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Posted by Ben (Member # 6117) on :
 
*shivers as he mentions these two*

Smash Mouth did a stellar remake of Why Can't We Be Friends originally by War.

and Sugar Ray *cringe* did an amazing cover of Stand and Deliver originally by Adam Ant.

The Specials remade Pressure Drop and did a damn fine job with it.

Beach Boys reworking of Sloop John B. is considered far superior to the original traditional arrangement.

and i perosnally believe that the best version of Don't Think Twice was done by Mike Ness even though people consider it a Bob Dylan classic.

let the stoning begin.
 

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Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
 
I can't believe I forgot Paint It Black by The Tea Party.

Another one I like a lot is Drift Away done by Uncle Kracker.

Lagwagon does a pretty good version of Brown Eyed Girl.

Snuff does I Think We're Alone Now and I Can See Clearly Now that are a lot of fun.
 

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Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
 
The Uncle Kracker remake makes my ears bleed.
 

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Posted by Chris Bridges (Member # 1138) on :
 
Certain artists, on the other hand, shouldn't be allowed to do their own songs. I like quite a few of Bruce Springsteen's songs as long as he's not the one singing them.

See also: Steve Miller. Great guitarist and writer, but he sings like a guy doing karoake.
 

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Posted by Space Opera (Member # 6504) on :
 
I'm with ya, Icky. As a matter of fact, I suffered severe ear blood loss b/c the radio stations felt compelled to play it every 5 minutes. ugh!!!

space opera
 

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Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
 
I do agree that it was/is overplayed but I don't listen to the radio much.
 

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Posted by Raia (Member # 4700) on :
 

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Anyway, there are so many remakes of "Yesterday" that one of them has to be better than the original.

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Rush has an entire album of cover material coming out this summer.

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This is the band equivalent of Jumping the Shark.
 

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Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
 
I'm sure many people thought they jumped it long ago...

Personally, at their ages and given the recent tragedies Neil has experienced, not to mention the couple of hundred great songs they have written in the past, I'm willing to give them a little time for self-indulgence. This might, however, be the first album of theirs I don't buy.
 

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Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
 
Memorable Remake:

Sid Vicious doing "My Way"


 

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Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
 
"Lean on Me" -- Club Nouveau.
"Crimson and Clover" -- whoever it was that remade it.
"Venus" -- Bananarama.

I also like Amy Grant's remake of "Big Yellow Taxi," but she actually made two of them, and I know which I like when I hear it.

--Pop
 

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Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
 
Moose, would that be Joan Jett's remake of "Crimson and Clover"?
 

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Posted by Bob the Lawyer (Member # 3278) on :
 
Whatever you might think of the guy, Manson took Sweet Dreams and transformed it into a completely different listening experience.

And to echo what someone else said, Cash's Hurt is on of the best covers of all time.

edit: Was that written in English? I certainly couldn't tell.

[ June 11, 2004, 04:27 PM: Message edited by: Bob the Lawyer ]
 

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Posted by celia60 (Member # 2039) on :
 
Man, that means the Pixies jumped the shark before their reunion tour and Lennon did after his death.
 

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Posted by Ophelia (Member # 653) on :
 
After passing the afternoon discussing song lyrics with my little brother, I remembered another one:
The Harvey Danger song "Underground" is a cover, although I don't think I've ever heard the original and I don't think I know who it's by anyway. But the HD version is wonderfully creepy.
 

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Posted by Armoth (Member # 4752) on :
 
Im just gonna mention American Idol because its obviouslly so full of remakes. Most of the top 3s in each season remade many MANY of the songs better than the original, most notably Clay Aiken.
Remember Jennifer Hudson's Circle of Life? Elton admitted that it was better than the original.
I agree, AAF's smooth criminal was great.
 

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Posted by Sweet William (Member # 5212) on :
 
I liked Cake's version of "Sad Songs and Waltzes" (Willie Nelson originally did it, I think).

I like Willie's "Georgia on my mind," but I like Ray Charles' version very much, as well.

I think I'm really going to miss Ray Charles. Most recently, I really enjoyed Ray's live performance of "Behind Closed Doors." (it was on some "greatest country songs of all time" show).
 

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Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :
 
I was trying to think of something by Ray Connick, Jr., but I don't really know his stuff very well. Then it hit me.

Luis Miguel! Does anybody here listen to him? He has the most incredible voice, absolutely amazing. In recent years, he has recorded several albums full of remakes of old Mexican love songs. Many of these were originally (?) recorded by trios of vocalists/instrumentalists, and were really quite lovely. But when they are done in the voice of Luis Miguel, watch out. The only way it could fail to make a woman swoon, or a romantic man go all wistful, is if you don't understand the language, and even then just the melody and the voice could do it.
 

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Posted by Sweet William (Member # 5212) on :
 
So there are actually good MEXICAN songs? I find that almost impossible to believe.

Now, South American music, sure. But most of the crap they play at La Frontera or La Puente just pretty much makes my ears bleed.

And those Linda Ronstadt albums should be eradicated from the face of the earth.

So, (please) name a good Luis Miguel album that is as good as Jose Luis Perales (although I think he is officially Spanish and not South American) and I'll give it a try.
 

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Posted by UofUlawguy (Member # 5492) on :
 
My favorite Luis Miguel album is Aries, which was nominated for a Grammy when it was release in 93 or 94. But it doesn't have any remakes that I know of. For his great remakes, try Mis Romances, or Mis Boleros Favoritos.

I know what you mean about Mexican music. But what you recognize as Mexican music is only one small, though popular, segment of Mexican music. I have heard it referred to broadly as Tex-Mex, although there are a few other related types of music that are similar enough for me to lump them together, such as Ranchero. Tex-Mex is the stuff with the relentless tuba in the background. I think of it as Mexico's version of country music.

Mexico has produced some really great pop and rock artists. Luis Miguel is my favorite singer, but my favorite Mexican rock band is Mana. There are many others. (Ricardo Montaner, Juan Luis Guerra, etc.)

[ June 11, 2004, 07:09 PM: Message edited by: UofUlawguy ]
 

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Posted by littlemissattitude (Member # 4514) on :
 
Metallica's cover of "Turn the Page" is much better than Bob Seger's version. And U2's cover of "Helter Skelter" on "Rattle and Hum" is wonderful.
 

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Posted by Jalapenoman (Member # 6575) on :
 
Okay, I started the thread and have waited for over 60 postings to see if anyone would remember the worst cover of all times....and no one has!

Okay, does anyone remember the movie version of Sgt. Pepper? All of the songs for it were redone by the BeeGees. The main characters were played by the BeeGees (I guess that in addition to the worst album, worst cover, and worst sountrack of all times, this may also be the worst movie of all times), Sorry, but I don't remember all of that falseto coming from Paul, George, Ringo, and John.
 

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Posted by Professor Funk (Member # 5608) on :
 
You know, I don't think we really appreciate music interpretation like it used to be appreciated. All of the "American standards" were written in an era when everyone sang everyone's stuff and what sold was who did the best job. I'm not discounting the importance of good songwriting abilities and originality to make a good musician, but there's a lot to be said for the band that can do a great cover.

Jalapeno mentioned that Roberta Flack does a great "Killing Me Softly" cover, which I must agree with, but I have to admit that Lauryn Hill's version can send shivers up me spine.

David Bowie does a great trippy version of Cream's "I Feel Free."

I once made an entire CD of different covers of "Happy Together" by the Turtles which ranged from reggae to lounge (Mel Torme?) to bluegrass to Captain & Tenile to A New Found Glory. While I admit that none of these covers would be as brilliant without the strength and addictive popiness of the original, it's really fun to listen to them all and some come close to being really great.

On the soundtrack to 50 First Dates, the sick but somehow brilliantly funny Adam Sandler serves up a selection of 80's pop songs re-done as reggae and Hawaiian. The reggae "Every Breath You Take" is pretty darn great.

I must say (fangrrrrl that I am) that the way U2 does covers is brilliant. They don't ever release them as singles and profit off of recognizability (and it's not like they have to with their distinctive style), but they do a lot of them as B-sides and concert pieces, and quite often will transition into a cover in the middle of a jam on one of their songs (a la "Ruby Tuesday" in Rattle and Hum). They've done great covers of "Fortunate Son," "Annie's Song" ( ), "Can't Help Fallin' in Love," "Break on Through," "Invisible Sun," "Get Up, Stand Up," "Stand By Me," "New York, New York," and the oh-so-fabulous "Satellite of Love." You appreciate a group even more for their inspirations and the music they're drawing on, and covers are a great way to convey this.
 

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Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
ha. You remind me of Del McCoury's bluegrass version of Richard Thompson's "Vincent Black Lightning 1952."
It is awesome, but completely different.
(love that song-sends shivers every time)
 

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Posted by punwit (Member # 6388) on :
 

quote:

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Metallica's cover of "Turn the Page" is much better than Bob Seger's version

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quote:

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Metallica's cover of "Turn the Page" is much better than Bob Seger's version
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Sorry but I have to take exception to this. I realize that is simply your opinion but I've long considered Bob's rendition to be a true Rock Classic.

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Well, so did I until I heard Metallica's version.
 

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Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
 
My favorite remakes of all time:

1) Gloria by Patti Smith. Trust me, it grows on you.

2) Red, Red Wine by UB40. Neil Diamond now does the song with a touch of reggae...

3) Satisfaction by DEVO.

4) Superstition by BBA (Beck, Bogart & Appice).

5) She's Leaving Home by Bryan Ferry

6) Where Did Our Love Go? by Adam Ant live at Motown 25

7) No More I Love Yous by Annie Lennox

And the most amazing fete of recording covers ever done:
Todd Rundgren's Faithful in which he recorded original 60's tunes and worked at it until he got it to sound EXACTLY LIKE the originals. I mean exactly. You can't tell the difference. Which might explain why it didn't sell very well. But what an amazing fete.

Worst remake by someone who should've known better:

#1 and forever top of the list: I Shot the Sheriff by Eric Clapton.

Although,Mae West's Rock & Roll album is a close second.

Amazing.

I heard someone try to do a Peter Gabriel tune once. It was horrible.
 

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Posted by Synesthesia (Member # 4774) on :
 
Was it In Your Eyes?
I don't know who does that cover, but I wish they WOULDN'T!
 

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Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
 
Actually, my old band had a really nice version of "In Your Eyes" worked up, but we never got to play it for anyone.

Also, I do like Eddie Murphy's take on "I'm a Believer" from Shrek (*not* the Smashmouth version, though I do think that they backed him on his).
 

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Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
"I don't know who does that cover, but I wish they WOULDN'T!"

ha ha ha.
 

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Posted by Yozhik (Member # 89) on :
 
Here's another one:

Flowers on the Wall--the Eric Heatherly version.

Ditto to Moose's praise of Club Nouveau's "Lean on Me." I have that on my "happy music" CD, along with the Nylons' version of "Kiss Him Goodbye."
 

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Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
 
It was indeed In Your Eyes and it sounded so bad. It was just awful.

So...is no-one familiar with the ones I listed as "good?"

I can't believe no-one commented on those yet. C'mon! "Gloria" is just classic.

G...
L...
O...
R...
I I I I I I AAAAAAAA

G
L
O
RIA

Gloria
G
L
O
RIA

Gloria!
 

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Posted by Taberah (Member # 4014) on :
 
. . . in Excelsis Deo.

Okay, I know that one. A classic.
 

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Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
 

 

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Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
 
When I read the first post, the song that came to mind initially was Jimi's version of All Along the Watchtower, so right on, all of you who said it.

Speaking of Jimi, Little Wing has to be one of the most covered songs of all time. I personally have about seven different versions. Many are quite good, but the best by far is the Stevie Ray Vaughan instrumental version. Seven minutes of the most soulful guitar playing ever experienced.

And while we're on the subject of great guitar playing, don't forget the Santana version of Tito Puente's Oye Como Va. It's now the definitive version, and a classic rock classic.

Talking Heads only ever did one cover, as far as I know. It was Al Green's Take Me To the River, and it was very good.

And of all the people that ever did covers of Talking Heads songs, the best one I've ever heard by a long shot is Shawn Colvin's version of This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody). It's one of the best songs Talking Heads ever did, and I never would have thought anyone could do it justice. But Shawn completely changed the vibe of the song and made another that was just as good in an entirely different way. The very definition of a good cover.

Phish has always done great covers. My favorite is Gin and Juice. I just about wet my pants the first time I heard that one.

Bebel Gilberto does a very good version of So Nice (Summer Samba).

Don't forget Walter Murphy's classic disco cover of Beethoven's Fifth Symphony, A Fifth of Beethoven. No, it's obviously not as good as the original. But it's much funkier.

Some of the best jazz tunes ever recorded have been covers of Gershwin songs. And I can't help but think that George himself would have approved of many of them. Ever heard Miles Davis' album of arrangements of the songs from Porgy and Bess? Classic.

I always liked what Camper Van Beethoven did with O Death. Can arrangements of folk songs be considered covers?

Earth Wind and Fire did a classic version of Got To Get You Into My Life by the Beatles.

I love Chris Isaak, and my favorite of his albums, Baja Sessions, is at least half covers. Only the Lonely, South of the Border, Return to Me... all well worth adding to the list.

Who can dispute how great James Taylor's version of You've Got a Friend is? Even Carole approved.

The song that originally turned me on to Cowboy Junkies was their version of Sweet Jane. I may get some crap for this, but it's still the version that I prefer.

Bobby McFerrin and his multi-track recorder did an absolutely stunning version of Sunshine of Your Love on his Simple Pleasures album. What that guy can't do with his voice shouldn't be done.

It is evidence of Tom Waits' songwriting powers that even a smeghead like Rod Stewart can't screw up his song. I remember hearing his version of Downtown Train many long years ago, and being surprised at liking a Rod Stewart song. Then I got Rain Dogs and heard the original, and thought, "...oh, that explains it."

Creedence's version of I Heard It Through the Grapevine can give Marvin Gaye's original a run for it's money any day. 11 minutes never goes by so quickly as when I'm grooving to that track.

One of the best tracks Red Hot Chili Peppers ever recorded was a version of Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground.

The CSNY version of Joni Mitchell's Woodstock is definitive, and for good reason.

Some people do great covers of their own material. Eric Clapton's unplugged version of Layla and Sting's version of Shadows In the Rain from "Dream of the Blue Turtles" come to mind.

Speaking of Clapton, one of his best tracks ever was the version he did of I Shot the Sherrif.

Emerson, Lake and Palmer's cover of Pictures At an Exhibition by Mussorgsky is a landmark in the history of prog-rock.

Anyone ever heard the Gypsy Kings version of Hotel California. If you've seen The Big Lebowski, you'll know what I'm talking about, and I'll need say no more.

One of the most powerful movie music moments I ever experienced was at the end of Finding Forrester. I don't know the name of the Polynesian dude that did the medley of Over the Rainbow/ What a Wonderful World, but he nailed it.

Speaking of movies, the version of Tequila from Strictly Ballroom is fantastic.

Stanley Clarke does a great version of Mothership Connection.

Here's an addition just for me, since none of the rest of you will ever have heard of it. There's a band from Colorado called The Atoll. One of my all time favorite bands. They did a version of The Jungle King from The Jungle Book that was unbelievable. I can't find a copy of that track (other than on my hard drive, and I'm not going to publicly post copy protected material, no matter how much I wish you all could hear it.) But if you want a taste of why I like the band, ***this*** is from their website, so it's kosher. Listen to it and tell me it's not great. Keep in mind, it's a 3-piece band, playing live (so if Elizabeth at least doesn't listen, I'll be very disappointed ). I love how the guitar and the drums play off each other on this track. Now with that tangent taken care of...

I dig The Black Crowes, and the song that made me a fan was their version of Otis Redding's Hard to Handle.

Don't forget that They Might Be Giants' classic Istanbul (not Constantinople) was a cover.

Still think that covers are rarely as good as the original? Just as a sidenote, I disagree with one statement in the original post. The Beatles version of Twist and Shout was nowhere near as good as the Isley Brothers' original.

[ June 19, 2004, 09:46 AM: Message edited by: Speed ]
 

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Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
 
ELP did other awesome renditions of symphonic pieces too:

Hoedown, Fanfare for the Common Man, and Mars Bringer of War come immediately to mind.
 

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Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
 
Don't forget Nutcracker and Bolero. But a whole album of it was pretty bold. And pulled off surprisingly well.
 

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Posted by Alucard... (Member # 4924) on :
 
This thread has had me thinking of a few remakes that are more fun than anything, not a remake that redefines the song, that has been expressed as the preferred way to remake a song.

But here is a list anyway:

Ring Of Fire by Social Distortion
Hey Ya! by The Supersuckers
The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite by Dashboard Confessional
Bizarre Love Triangle by Frente!
The Boys Of Summer by The Ataris
Our Lips Are Sealed by Bikeride
She Bangs by William Hung
Smooth Criminal by Alien Ant Farm

I love song remakes, sort of like Bean's version of EG as ES, there is a new spin on a familiar tale. I even blow the dust off an old album to hear the original once in a while.

BTW, I got most of these remakes from iTunes, if you are searching.
 

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Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
"Phish has always done great covers. My favorite is Gin and Juice."

Speed, you must check out The Gourds' cover of "Gin and Juice!" It is awesome.

By the way, Bob Scopatz, that is a good Texas band for you! I saw them last year at the Rythm and Roots festival in Rhode Island.

Speed, I will go listen now. Thanks for thinking of me.

Edit: Dang it, Speed, I cannot get it to work. I will keep trying. is the song called "The Jungle King" or maybe "Monkey?"

Aha! Fixed it. Steve was doing a BitTorrent, and I guess you can't listen and download more than one thing. I like it!

[ June 26, 2004, 05:39 PM: Message edited by: Elizabeth ]
 

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Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
For the record, I think if a traditional song is "covered," it is considered an "arrangement." Not 100 percent on that, but there you have it.

Also, I forgot if i mentioned this cover on this thread, and am too lazy to check, but I LOVE Del McCoury's bluegrass cover of Richard Thompson's "Vincent Black Lightning 1952"

(Good motorcyle song, Bob)
 

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Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
 
I don't know if it would be considered a cover or if it has already been mentioned, but Jimi Hendrix's "Star Spangled Banner" is absolutely one of the most breathtaking things I have ever heard. My dad has always talked about the time he saw him live, and I was was a little curious so I found a place to download the the star spangled banner from woodstock, and i just can't stop listening
 

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Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
Speed,
I am listening to a song that is "pretty only gets you so far..." I don't think it is the one you linked to, so I am not sure what I did, but I love it. I was listening, and thinking, now who does this remind me of? And then I got it: David Lindley!!(whom I love, in particular "El Rayo X.")

Edit: I LOVE these guys! Thanks, Speed!

[ June 26, 2004, 07:55 PM: Message edited by: Elizabeth ]
 

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Posted by Alcon (Member # 6645) on :
 
Anyone know who did the orginal version of The Boys of Summer? I've heard two or three version of it, and I can't figure out which was the original. The Ataris version of it is by far my favorite. Maybe thats just cause I like The Ataris a lot though
 

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Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
Don Henley!
(I think. I am old, and so is the song, but I guess it could be older)
 

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Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
 

quote:

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Speaking of Clapton, one of his best tracks ever was the version he did of I Shot the Sherrif.

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Gah!!!

By the way, we've all forgotten the most amzing cover version of all time. Ike & Tina Turner's version of Proud Mary.
 

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Posted by breyerchic04 (Member # 6423) on :
 
not true, I mentioned Proud Mary, I think on the first page.
 

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Posted by Little_Doctor (Member # 6635) on :
 
Guns N' Roses' version of live and let die was pretty sweet.
 

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Posted by Little_Doctor (Member # 6635) on :
 
Oh and Van Halen's version of "You Really Got me", originally performed by The Kinks.
 

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Posted by weezer (Member # 6643) on :
 
[QUOTEThe best songs should NOT be used in commercials. It ruins them.
] [/QUOTE]

I agree! One or two years ago McDonalds used the Better Than Ezra song "Misunderstood" in a commercial, and so now whenever I listen to that song I think of that. I HATE it!
 

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Posted by Jalapenoman (Member # 6575) on :
 
Worst use of a song was not in a commercial, it was in a movie (and it was sung by the original artists).

I cannot hear Bohemian Rhapsody without seeing Wayne and Garth in their Pacer banging their heads. It is a disgusting sight that ruined a really great song.

As far as Proud Mary goes, I still prefer CCR and think that Ike and Tina destroyed the song.
 

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Posted by Bob_Scopatz (Member # 1227) on :
 
Breyer...so sorry! Great call!

Jalapenoman. You are wrong. You are just plain wrong. And I happen to be a HUGE CCR fan, but their version of Proud Mary is not as good. Nope.

Oh, and by the way, I second the nomination of Clapton's unplugged version of Layla as a wonderful remake by the same artist. So amazing that he can still bring something new to that song after all these years.

I haven't heard the Van Halen version of You Really Got Me but I'm certain I would hate it.

As for Bohemian Rhapsody being used in the Wayne's World movie, it was brilliant. It's exactly what that pretentious load of crap (the song) inspired in bone-headed kids all over the world. It sounds like it's deep and meaningful, and basically it is tripe. Now, don't get me wrong, Queen had some great songs, and Freddy Mercury had a great voice. But their lyrics? Dopey and pretentious. And Bohemian Rhapsody was the worst of all.

I laughed so hard when that came on in the movie. It was a perfect moment.
 

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Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
Bob, as a woman struggling with losing wieght, I really disagree with your assessment of Queen as having shallow lyrics. I think the song "Fat-bottomed Girls" is absolutely brilliant, and explores a topic many would shun.

"Are you gonna take me home tonight
Ah down beside that red firelight
Are you gonna let it all hang out
Fat bottomed girls
You make the rockin' world go round"
http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Fat-Bottomed-Girls-lyrics-Queen/01FECDA021BB25A84825689400039B68

See what I mean? Brilliant!
 

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Posted by Jalapenoman (Member # 6575) on :
 
Nope, Bob, still gotta go with CCR.

"First I'm gonna do it soft, then I'm gonna do it hard" (Tina says something like that) would have worked for me at a live concert, but I hate that whole thing in the song. She screams part of the song, instead of singing it. CCR's version combines good music with good singing, which only exists in the softer part of Tina's version.

The thing that I hate most in singing is when an artist screams their lyrics instead of singing them, and she screams these as bad as any American Idol contestant.
 

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Posted by punwit (Member # 6388) on :
 
I just heard a remake of Simple Man by a group called Shine Down. I'm quite impressed. The original by Lynyrd Skynryd is one of my all time favorites and I usually don't like remakes of beloved songs. If you haven't heard it yet I recommend looking for it.
 

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Posted by TheTick (Member # 2883) on :
 
Speed, I missed your earlier post, about Baja Sessions. Great album.
 

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Posted by AmkaProblemka (Member # 6495) on :
 
I personally think that the Mad World remake by Gary Jules is much, much better than the Tears for Fears original.
 

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Posted by Icarus (Member # 3162) on :
 
I think I may have already said this in this thread when it was brought up before, but I'll say it again: CCR's version is better. Ike and Tina didn't ruin the song, but they certainly didn't improve it.

And "Bohemian Rhapsody" is freaking brilliant. Did you not get that the song is intended to be tongue in cheek?
 

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Posted by Glenn Arnold (Member # 3192) on :
 
Kinda late getting in on this thread, but I prefer Phil Collins' version of "Tomorrow Never Knows." Full credit to the Beatles version, I simply think the technology to record it properly didn't exist when they did it.

Also, virtually anything Bob Dylan wrote is likely better done by someone else, with the exception of "Rolling Stone" (All Along the Watchtower has been noted here already) My mother's entire guitar class in 1970 did "Blowin' in the wind" for their recitals, and every one was better than Bob's.
 

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Posted by Glenn Arnold (Member # 3192) on :
 
"Bechstein Debauchery" and all.

Yes, and speaking of Bohemian Rhapsody, I heard a fantastic instrumental version - solo classical guitar. I can't remember the guitarist, but it was amazing.
 

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Posted by Telperion the Silver (Member # 6074) on :
 
A great one is "Here Comes the Rain Again" remake by Cruxshadows. SUPER COOL.
 

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Posted by IanO (Member # 186) on :
 
I have to second the Gary Jules remake of "Mad World" as superior.

Ryan Adam's "Wonderwall" is very well done, as is Alanis Morrisette's "King of Pain."

A good remake is good enough and original enough that you can like them at least as much as the original. You stop trying to compare them because they are different and valid interpretations (as opposed to, say, the Atari's lifeless "Boys of Summer" compared to Don Henley's plaintive one).
 

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Posted by Annie (Member # 295) on :
 
I just heard a version of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight" by Yma Sumac. FanTABulous!
 

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Posted by Mike (Member # 55) on :
 
Apparently Phish never did cover "Gin and Juice": http://www.phish.net/faq/ginandjuice.html

I'll agree with the mentions of Hendrix's version of "All Along the Watchtower" -- that was the first thing I thought of when I first saw this thread. I kinda like Dylan's version, though. Even though it's rather unremarkable. Dave Matthews Band also covers this (as do many others, I've heard), but I don't particularly care for it.

I do like Dave Matthews Band's cover of "Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard". Makes me want to hear them cover "Late in the Evening", but that'll never happen.
 

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Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
Jim Miller of Donna the Buffalo sings "Mississippi," a fairly new Dylan song. He does it so very much better than Dylan.

Bob S. or Myr, do you have a "Mississippi" on any of the cds I sent you?
 

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Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
RE: Gin and Juice

"covered by a bluegrass band from Texas called the Gourds."

The Gourds are no bluegrass band. They are bluegrassish, but they are more Southern rock, and they do rock. They do a killer Gin and Juice. I missed them this year at Rhythm and Roots, but they were the highlight for me last year.

Edit: Mike, I love the Matthews version, too.

[ September 11, 2004, 12:34 AM: Message edited by: Elizabeth ]
 

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Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
 
For the last year or two, music-listening has kind of fallen out our lives (mine and Diane's). The old stereo system is kaput and we haven't bothered to get a new one. I think we're finally going to get something - on the cheap side - to replace it.

But what started this new urge to fill the gap is relevant to this thread. One remake that never made the list is the version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

I'm not sure what took me so long to have the song register (I think it might have been used in a "Cold Case" episode recently.), since it didn't register when I saw "Finding Forrester."

I'm currently in love with the song, which is a beautiful rearrangement and interpretation of the original.

Definitely gotta get the house wired for sound - soon.
 

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Posted by Elizabeth (Member # 5218) on :
 
Stephen, can you listen to cds on your computer, until you get wired up?
 

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Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
 

quote:

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One remake that never made the list is the version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow by the late Israel Kamakawiwo'ole.

---

Check my post about 2/3 of the way down page 2 of this thread. It's kind of a long post, but that song is, in fact, there.
 

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Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
 
Speed,

I dunno how I missed that - I reviewed the whole thread before posting just so I would avoid making that kind of mistake.

Oops.


 

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Posted by sndrake (Member # 4941) on :
 

quote:

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Originally posted by Elizabeth:
Stephen, can you listen to cds on your computer, until you get wired up?

---

Elizabeth, I can listen here at work - the situation with the home computer is not so good.
 

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Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
 
I really like songs being covered in completely different genres, especially rap songs like the aforementioned Gin & Juice. I highly recommend Nina Gordon (of Veruca Salt) singing Straight Outta Compton, available on her site, here.

Language Warning! In case you are not familiar with the song, it is by Ice Cube and NWA. Hence: swear words.

--Enigmatic
 

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Posted by Glenn Arnold (Member # 3192) on :
 
Oh! I've been trying to remember where I heard that version of "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" before. They used it exactly the way it appears in "Finding Forrester" in the credits of "Meet Joe Black."

Talk about a Deja vu. The credits roll and I'm going: Wait, I've heard this before, exactly like this, but I've never seen this movie before. Hmm, what movie was it in before?

Ok, so thanks for reminding me.
 

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Posted by Enigmatic (Member # 7785) on :
 
Forgive me if this has already been mentioned and I missed it, but one of my absolute favorite cover artists would be Richard Cheese and Lounge Against the Machine. They do lounge-act covers of popular songs, and it is absolutely hilarious. Several of these qualify for "better than the original" status in my book.

--Enigmatic
 

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Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
 
Speaking of people remaking rap songs, Ben Folds just released a single in which he remakes Dr. Dre's Bit**es ain't s**t. I haven't heard it yet since it's only available for download, and I'm not into that, but I like Dre and Ben Folds quite a bit so I'm going to have to check it out sometime soon.

I've got a couple more that I just picked up. I was listening to a bit on NPR about people remaking entire classic albums, and they mentioned two examples that sounded so cool I had to hear them, so I picked up both the discs. The first one was a Phish cover. Apparently every Halloween Phish polls their fans to pick an entire album, then they learn it and play it live. One of these made it onto a concert album. Phish releases altogether too much live material... they've got at least 24 live box sets of 3-4 discs each. But somewhere in there included a remake of the entire Talking Heads album "Remain in Light". That's one of the best albums of all time, and I dig Phish, so I had to hear it. It was very interesting. Of course, without Brian Eno's masterful over-production, there's no way they could match the perfection of the original. But it was still quite good in a jam-band sort of way. Phish is an incredibly tight band, so if anyone is up to the task of a live version of a studio-production masterpiece like "Remain in Light", it's them. Kind of a new perspective on one of my favorite pieces of music ever. The rest of the quadruple-album had some really great stuff as well, but the Talking Heads cover remains the best reason to buy the set.

The other album I picked up I wasn't so sure about. The market is flooded with crappy remakes and tribute albums. Sucky bands no one has ever heard of (usually for good reason) doing orchestral Sting or a bunch of Zeppelin covers, trying to make money off music better than they could ever make. So I'd run across the album "Dub Side of the Moon" by the Easy Star All-Stars before, and I'd always dismissed it. Until I heard the piece on NPR. These guys got together a group of really stellar reggae musicians, of all different sub-specialties, and remade "Dark Side of the Moon" in its entirety, as a reggae album. It sounds really weak, and there's no way I'm going to be able to describe it that's going to change that, but they really managed to pull it off. Yes, it's a step down from the original, but considering the original, a step down from that is still an amazing recording. They change to various sub-styles of reggae and meticulously maintain the tone of the original while giving it a total stylistic facelift. Well worth the $15. If it sounds at all interesting to you, I suggest you get it... I knew it was a risk when I was buying it, but it really paid off. I actually liked it better than the Phish, which surprised me.

By the way, if you're curious to hear how it turned out, go to the Easy Star website. There's a little radio toolbar in the middle of the page. The first four tracks are from "Dub Side of the Moon", three being the regular remakes and the fourth being a bonus track. Or you can go to the NPR website and hear some audio archives of the bits they did on Easy Star and Phish that made me get those two albums.
 

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Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
 
I love Maura O'Connell's version of "I Will" and "For No One".
 

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Posted by Ophelia (Member # 653) on :
 
In the movie The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, Seu Jorge does David Bowie songs in Portugese, and they are spectacular!
 

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Posted by Hamson (Member # 7808) on :
 
The remake of 'Mrs. Robinson' by The Lemonheads from 92'. The Greenday remake of 'I fought the lawsong. The Ataris 'Boys of Summer'. There's more, I just can't think of them.
 

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Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
 
not sure if it counts as a remake, but I heard a rap version of Bruce Hornsby's "The Way It Is", don't know who did it. It was excellent, and notably, unlike a lot of rap, it didn't have samples from the song... it actually did new takes on the melodies and accompaniment.
 

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Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
 
James Taylor's son, Ben Taylor, covered I Will (Beatles), and it's eerie how similar him and his dad's voice is.

I just discovered a version by the Fugees of A Change is Gonna Come that makes me happy just listening to it. If I could sing like anyone, it'd be Lauryn Hill (even though she's a total nutjob).

Other Beatles Covers that I really like:

Yesterday - Donny Hathaway

Something - Musiq Soulchild

While My Guitar Gently Weeps - Kenny Lattimore

Across The Universe - Fiona Apple

In case you can't tell, I listen to a lot of R&B.

Oh yeah, I've also been listening to Toby Lightman - Real Love (an old Mary J. Blige song) a lot.
 

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Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
 
I just realized that one of my favorite remakes ever isn't on this thread yet. I don't know if anyone has ever heard the Public Enemy song Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos, or Tricky's version, just called Black Steel. A classic example of an original you don't think could be improved upon, until you hear the new version.

If you haven't heard it, here are some clips:
Public Enemy
Tricky

Just click on the "Black Steel" sample on each page. Of course, 30 seconds at high compression won't do either song justice, but it'll give you an idea what I'm talking about.
 

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Posted by kojabu (Member # 8042) on :
 
Enigmatic, Richard Cheese is great.

Also, I second the Fiona Apple version of Across the Universe, as well as the Rufus Wainwright version (it's great!).
 

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Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
 
I'm not such a huge fan of Fiona Apple's cover of Across the Universe, although I generally love her stuff. The first time I was exposed to it was watching the video, though, so it's quite possible that that colored my perception of her performance.

Stephen Bennett has an album of accoustic Beatles covers that is quite good. It doesn't look like it's available on his website yet though.
 

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Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
 

• Elton John's "Lucy in the Sky" and "Pinball Wizard"
• Manfred Mann's "Blinded by the Light" and "I Came (for You)"
• Aaron Neville and Ernie's "I'd Like to Visit the Moon"
• Joe Cocker's "A Little Help From My Friends"
• Bananarama's "Help!"
• The Bangles' "Hazy Shade of Winter"
• Eric Clapton's "Layla" (from Unplugged)

quote:

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Eric Clapton's "Leila" (from Unplugged)

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• Deftones - The Chauffer - originally done by Duran Duran
  Strung Out - Every Breath You Take
  Korn - Another Brick in the Wall - Pink Floyd
  Wyclef Jean - Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd
  Less Than Jake - Entire Greased Soundtrack - kind of funny although lacking in anything remotely resembling talent
  50 First Dates Soundtrack has many interesting renditions of song
  Zebrahead - Wannabe - Funny, but just as irritating as the Spice Girls version
  Jem - Maybe I'm Amazed
  Down By Law - I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)
  
  And I'm going to mention Gary Jules version of Mad World again just because there seems to be some controversy about which version is better, and since my opinion is definitive, I'm going to set the record straight by saying that Gary Jules' version is superior.

quote:

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Originally posted by AmkaProblemka:
I personally think that the Mad World remake by Gary Jules is much, much better than the Tears for Fears original.

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Is that the one that was in Donnie Darko? If so, I totally agree.
 

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Posted by Jim-Me (Member # 6426) on :
 
Elizabeth, I'm with starLisa on this one, Manfred Mann is much better on Blinded By the Light than Bruce.

In fact that, and Hazy Shade of Winter from her list are ones I noted a few pages ago
 

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Posted by El JT de Spang (Member # 7742) on :
 
Jeff Buckley's take on the Leonard Cohen song, Hallelujah.

It's a haunting and beautiful song.
 

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Posted by JLM (Member # 7800) on :
 
Three covers I like:

Failure's cover of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy the Silence"

Erasure's cover of ABBA's "Lay All Your Love on Me"

311's cover of the Cure's "Lovesong"
 

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Posted by Paul Goldner (Member # 1910) on :
 
Manfred Mann's cover of blinded by the light is infinetely better then Bruce's original. What a TERRIBLE song in Bruce's hand.

And whoever it was on the front page who said cheryl crow's version of Sweet Child O mine is better then the GnR version should be flogged 50 times with a wet noodle. Cheryl Crow should be drawn and quartered for perpetrating that crime on Rock and Roll.

Oh yeah. Some dumbass groups covered Behind Blue Eyes recently.

There are some truly abominable covers out there. Don't cover it unless you have a new take on the song, OR, the original sucked eggs but you liked the idea. If you're just going to re-play the song... don't cover it. Bad idea.
 

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Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
 

quote:

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Aaron Neville and Ernie's "I'd Like to Visit the Moon"

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quote:

---

And camus, Less Than Jake have plenty of talent (even on the Greased album).

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I agree. I've been to their show, and I have a lot of their songs.

It's just that I've had to listen to so many people complain about their supposed lack of talent for so long that I've just come to accept that most people are probably not going to like them. What I said was more of a disclaimer for what I think is the majority of people's reaction to Less Than Jake.
 

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Posted by solo (Member # 3148) on :
 
Yeah, I can see that opinion being common. I really like them. Especially the Borders and Boundaries album and the song they did with Billy Brag.
 

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Posted by IanO (Member # 186) on :
 
Gary Jule's "Mad World" (Donnie Darko, Smallville ST) is much better than Tears for Fears techno version.

Whitney Houston "I will always love you" is better than Dolly Parton.

Orgy's "Blue Monday" is much better than the original by "New Order"

"Time After Time" by Eva Cassidy is AS GOOD as Cyndi Lauper's.

"Don't Dream it's Over" by Six Pense None the Richer is pretty good. Maybe not as good as Crowded House.

"Wonderwall" by Bryan Adams is AS GOOD as that by Oasis.
 

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Posted by Glenn Arnold (Member # 3192) on :
 
Well, if you're talking parody covers, ya gotta check out Dread Zeppelin. They have several albums, but Un-Led-Ed is beyond belief.

For the uninitiated, the band is a punk reggae band fronted by an Elvis impersonator impersonator.

Songs include: "Heartbreaker (at the end of lonely street)", Black Dog, Living Loving Maid, Your time is gonna come, Bring it on home, Black mountain side, I can't quit you baby, Immigrant song, Moby Dick (complete with clueless dramatic reading of "the chase" by Tortelvis)

What's amazing is that despite being ridiculously tongue in cheek, they're REALLY good, and they aren't disrespectful of the originals (Zeppelin or Elvis). The whole effect grows are the songs keep coming. It's hilarious!

[ September 28, 2005, 10:23 PM: Message edited by: Glenn Arnold ]
 

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Posted by starLisa (Member # 8384) on :
 
The song Star Wars Cantina is better than Manilow's Copa Cabana. Sounds like him singing, too.
 

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Posted by Zamphyr (Member # 6213) on :
 
Funny, I just heard Dar cover 'Comfortably Numb' and thought it was pretty good.
 

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Posted by Ryan Hart (Member # 5513) on :
 
The Nickel Creek version of Dylan's Tomorrow Is a Long Time is incredible.
 

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Posted by Speed (Member # 5162) on :
 

quote:

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"Don't Dream it's Over" by Six Pense None the Richer is pretty good. Maybe not as good as Crowded House.

---

Hey, thanks for mentioning this. I got Sixpence None the Richer's first album five years ago or so and I always really liked it. Obviously I wasn't a totally rabid fan, though, because I never even realized they made a second album until you mentioned it. So I looked it up on Amazon, ordered it, and I'm now listening to the Don't Dream It's Over cover you referenced.

This is another good album, and well recommended. While SNTR may not be my favorite band of all time, they are consistently very pleasant to listen to. If nothing else, they are by far the best Christian rock band I've ever heard in my life. Of course, the fact that I didn't know they were Christian rock until a few years after I bought their first album helps.
 

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Posted by Baron Samedi (Member # 9175) on :
 

quote:

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The Bangles Version of "Hazy Shade of Winter" was better than the original

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quote:

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The great Louis Armstrong song "What a Wonderful World" is currently being used in a TV commercial, and is performed woefully. That song needs the every man, gravelly voice of Armstrong to be believable.

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