Topic: Cover > Original? Buh? (Read 31909 times)

GG Crono 4 · « **on:** 07 Apr 2005, 18:34 »

Have any of you ever heard cover songs that you liked better than the original versions?

For me, it's two Helloween songs, I Want Out and I'm Alive.

I heard the covers (By Sonata Arctica and Luca Turilli, respectively) before I knew they were covers, so of course, when I found out I had to seek out the originals. But I must say, I was dissapointed. They just didn't measure up to the covers. In my oppinion, they were quite bland in compairison.

Though, credit where credit's due, both songs have great lyrics.

Johnny C · « **Reply #1 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 18:36 »

Johnny Cash's "Hurt" > NIN's "Hurt."

Empty Friend · « **Reply #2 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 18:41 »

Vehemently disagree.

Psiogen · « **Reply #3 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 18:47 »

Usually, whichever version of a song I hear first becomes my favorite...except in those happy cases where I like the cover and the original equally for different reasons.

GG Crono 4 · « **Reply #4 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 18:54 »

Quote from: Empty Friend

Vehemently disagree.

Mind elaborating on that a bit more?

I'm not going to argue with you, I'm just interested.

a pack of wolves · « **Reply #5 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 19:03 »

Pretty much anything from Dynamite With A Laserbeam. It's a load of 31G-related bands doing Queen covers, about half of which are unrecognisable. Melt-Banana's annihilation of We Will Rock You and The Oath battering We Are The Champions into submission are particular highlights.

kilconey · « **Reply #6 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 19:04 »

i've always been partial to oasis's version of "i am the walrus" versus the original. i just like louder guitars.

Empty Friend · « **Reply #7 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 19:10 »

While I have to give it up to Johnny for having more actual feeling in his version than the Rez (angst-tastic), I guess I just don't like the feel as much. I guess I lean more towards the industrial sound on this one because the music itself on Rez's version seems to convey the real feeling where his lyrics don't completely cover. Slightly detuned guitar, creepy white noise... the imagery I get when listening to it just seems so much more hopeless, kinda like silent hill in "evil nighttime mode" type scenery. For Cash, it feels like a cowboy on his horse walking into a dark sunset after he didnt save the day. (which is appropriate for what he was goin for.)

But like I said, it's preference. If you want raw feeling and the simple rhythm then I completely understand going with Cash, but NIN's version seems more well rounded and in the right key for what I got out of the song.

Didn't mean to sound like a prick with the short answer before.

Empty Friend · « **Reply #8 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 19:13 »

the Replicants' version of Silly Love Songs is awesome.

BrittanyMarie · « **Reply #9 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 19:54 »

Lou Barlow covering Round N' Round is WAY better than the RATT original.
Jimi Hendrix covering All Along the Watchtower is better than Bob Dylan's original.
The Decemberists covering Bridges and Balloons is SLIGHTLY better than Joanna Newsom's original... but that one's pretty close.
Yo La Tengo's cover of Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? is better than the original by Rod Stewart.

Empty Friend · « **Reply #10 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 20:13 »

You know the cover is better when the original artist starts playing it the way it was covered. |mL is for Hendrix

siobhan · « **Reply #11 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 20:25 »

gary jules version of 'mad world' is infinately better than the tears for fears version

LightThievesAll · « **Reply #12 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 20:32 »

Sheer Terror's "Boys Don't Cry" eviscerates the Cure's.

Burninated Peasant · « **Reply #13 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 20:41 »

Quote from: BrittanyMarie

Yo La Tengo's cover of Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? is better than the original by Rod Stewart.

The Revolting Cocks' version is the best of all.

Empty Friend · « **Reply #14 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 21:03 »

Quote from: siobhan

gary jules version of 'mad world' is infinately better than the tears for fears version

Seconded. And thirded too for emphasis.

emopants · « **Reply #15 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 21:17 »

cake - i will survive
johnny cash - hurt

Johnny C · « **Reply #16 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 21:43 »

Damn right.

El Opium · « **Reply #17 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 22:54 »

Big Black covering Heartbeat by Wire. Their cover of The Model by Kraftwerk is darn close to being as good as the original but does not surpass it.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #18 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 23:27 »

Cradle of Filth-For Those Who Died (Not a strict cover, as it involves a duet between Dani Filth and Martin Walkyier, Sabbat's original vocalist, but damn is it awesome.)
Similiarly, though it amounts to heresy, Cradle of Filth-Hallowed Be Thy Name . Screaming works better as a vocal style for the song, and the production on the original hasn't aged well: CoF make it rock as hard as it should.
Entombed-The Ballad of Hollis Brown. Very few Dylan covers work. None as well as this.
Dimmu Borgir-Burn in Hell This cover is just cheeky and brilliant. You can tell everyone was having a shitload of fun doing it, and the way Shagrath clears his throat politely before screaming 'YOUR GONNA BURN IN HELL!' is simply inspired.
Johnny Cash-Hurt I simply don't like subdued music. The NIN version sounds like it's got a duvet over half of it. I no likey.

Due to my musical tastes, pretty much every decent metal cover of a soft rock or pop song will be liked by me more than the original. This includes Amorphis-Light My Fire, Graveworm-Losing My Religion and Overlord-Sound of the Underground, but disregards both Turisas' and Star One's attempts to cover 'Space Oddity'. Both are good, but neither tries to be different enough to be better.

LightThievesAll · « **Reply #19 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 23:44 »

Quote from: KharBevNor

Similiarly, though it amounts to heresy, Cradle of Filth-Hallowed Be Thy Name . Screaming works better as a vocal style for the song, and the production on the original hasn't aged well: CoF make it rock as hard as it should.

Yeah, I'd call that fucking heresy. "Hallowed Be Thy Name" is my favorite Iron Maiden song, hands down.

Amsterdarn · « **Reply #20 on:** 07 Apr 2005, 23:53 »

I'm frankly amazed that this thread has gotten this far without any nods to Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah. Depending on my mood, I might or might not prefer Iron & Wine's Such Great Heights. And screw my avatar, I can't not mention Guns 'n Roses' Live and Let Die.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #21 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 00:05 »

Quote from: LightThievesAll

Yeah, I'd call that fucking heresy. "Hallowed Be Thy Name" is my favorite Iron Maiden song, hands down.

Never seen it myself...of course, I heard Cradles version before Maiden's, so that's probably got something to do with it. Maiden's version seemed to lack punch afterwards. Tbh, I often find I like Maiden covers with growly vocals as much or more than the original: Aces High remains immune despite competent assaults from Arch Enemy and Children of Bodom, but I'll come out and admit that I probably prefer Dark Tranquillity's version of 22. Acacia Avenue. Again I gotta say though, production's a huge part of this: live, Maiden's versions must kick ass.

Guy Smiley · « **Reply #22 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 09:11 »

Quote from: Amsterdarn

I'm frankly amazed that this thread has gotten this far without any nods to Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah.

Despite the fact that he omits my favorite verse, I'm inclined to agree. I'll also add Bruce Springsteen's cover of "Jersey Girl" to the list. And I'm tempted to state the obvious Dylan covers - The Byrds' "Mr. Tamborine Man" and Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower" - no matter how much I love the originals.

maxusy3k · « **Reply #23 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 09:15 »

Iron Maiden + Nightwish - Phantom of the Opera and The Clash - I Fought The Law get my vote as covers I like more than the original. Also very much like Me First & The Gimme Gimmes version of Nothing Compares To You, since I learned to hate that song while with one of my old girlfriends who used to listen to it. All. The. Time.

rynne · « **Reply #24 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 10:12 »

Aretha Franklin's cover of "Respect" >> Otis Redding's original. That is an undeniable fact.

Quote from: Burninated Peasant

Quote from: BrittanyMarie
Yo La Tengo's cover of Do Ya Think I'm Sexy? is better than the original by Rod Stewart.

The Revolting Cocks' version is the best of all.

*agrees* Rod Stewart even likes the RevCo version.

ucfgeek · « **Reply #25 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 10:19 »

Most of the songs on the Tori Amos album "Strange Little Girls".
Especially the cover of "97' Bonnie & Clyde" - orig. by Emenem

KharBevNor · « **Reply #26 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 10:23 »

Quote from: maxusy3k

Iron Maiden + Nightwish - Phantom of the Opera

Umm, the Iron Maiden track 'Phantom of the Opera' is a totally different song, you know that right?

The best version of PotO is by Lacrimosa anyway

siobhan · « **Reply #27 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 10:35 »

i occasionally enjoy the shins cover of 'we will become silhouettes' better than the original. depends entirely on the mood im in though...

maxusy3k · « **Reply #28 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 10:52 »

Quote from: KharBevNor

Quote from: maxusy3k
Iron Maiden + Nightwish - Phantom of the Opera

Umm, the Iron Maiden track 'Phantom of the Opera' is a totally different song, you know that right?

The best version of PotO is by Lacrimosa anyway

No... didn't know that... but there is a Nightwish / Iron Maiden PotO in existence.

Mnementh · « **Reply #29 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 11:16 »

I've never found the Phantom of the Opera Nightwish on an album or on their site, but I do have the track and it sounds a lot like Tarja. Must be a B-side.

Oh to covers, it isn't greater than the original, but it's damn close to being on par. Back in 2001 at the y100 FEZtival in Camden, NJ the band Ours performed a cover of Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. Johnny Neico is one of the few people who do Freddie Mercury justice.

Earlier that same day Pete Yorn did a decent cover of Springsteen's Atlantic City too. Nothing beats the Boss though.

maxusy3k · « **Reply #30 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 11:22 »

ON the topic of live ones... when I went to see Velvet Revolver in January they did a cover of Mr. Brownstone... know it's kinda cheating since 3 out of 5 band members are ex GnR anyway, but I thought it sounded way better with Scott Weiland singing.

Even my GnR hating best friend thought it was fantastic.

nickyandthefuture · « **Reply #31 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 12:08 »

The Red House Painters cover of "Silly Love Songs" beat up the original version by Wings so hard that Paul McCartney still can't pee straight.

Mnementh · « **Reply #32 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 12:21 »

Well, Wings sucked, so that isn't too hard to do.

Burninated Peasant · « **Reply #33 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 12:52 »

Quote from: ucfgeek

Most of the songs on the Tori Amos album "Strange Little Girls".
Especially the cover of "97' Bonnie & Clyde" - orig. by Emenem

The Eminem cover is fucking wicked! It's remarkably creepy with her vocals. I've never actually heard the original, but since it's Eminem, I'm gonna go out on a limb and say Tori Amos' version is better.

In related news, I was in the music store the other day and saw a Warren Zevon tribute album. I think it was called Enjoy Every Sandwich. Has anybody heard it? I'm curious as to what the quality of the covers are like. The Pixies have a song on there (forget which one), and Adam Sandler does "Werewolves of London" (don't know how to feel about that).

Mnementh · « **Reply #34 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 13:05 »

Speaking of Warron Zevon. I like the cover of Raspberry Beret that Hindu Love Gods (Warron Zevon on vocals backed by R.E.M.) better than the Prince version.

Enyaw · « **Reply #35 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 13:43 »

I like Rufus Wainwright's cover of Across the Universe better than the Beatles' original.

Guy Smiley · « **Reply #36 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 14:09 »

Wainright's isn't even the best cover of "Across the Universe." That honor belongs to Ms. Fiona Apple.

ev0lve · « **Reply #37 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 14:32 »

I swear there was a thread just like this not too long ago. Probably still on the front page even.
Anyway... Nirvana's cover of The Man Who Sold The World. I <3 Bowie, but.. they really do it better. &Though I haven't heard the Meat Puppets song, I bet they do Lake of Fire better, too.
Also, Ari Hest does the best Hallelujah. I don't know wtf you guys are on.
Physical (You're So) by NIN > the original
Pearl Jam's Last Kiss.
Xiu Xiu: Fast Car.

happybirthdaygelatin · « **Reply #38 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 14:59 »

From what I remember the Meat Puppet covers didn't sound all that different. I agree with The Man Who Sold the World. I also like their cover of Here She Comes Now is probably better then the Velvet Underground but I don't really remember. Didn't they also cover a Devo song? I can never remember.

ev0lve · « **Reply #39 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 15:15 »

Hahah that reminds me I have DEVO covering Head Like a Hole and it's fucking hilarious.

happybirthdaygelatin · « **Reply #40 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 15:22 »

Yeah! Heh, I actually like it more.

Johnny C · « **Reply #41 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 15:39 »

Everyone likes Buckley's "Hallelujah." I prefer Leonard Cohen's original to Buckley's, but kd lang has a cover of it on her new album that's fucking splendid.

Benu · « **Reply #42 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 15:50 »

She don't use jelly Ben Folds > Flaming lips.

Moriarty · « **Reply #43 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 16:17 »

Not technically a cover since it's the same band with a different singer, but:
Elton John + Queen - The Show Must Go On >> Queen - The Show Must Go On
A proper cover would be Muse - Feeling Good > Nina Simone - Feeling Good, as would Reel Big Fish - Take On Me > Aha - Take On Me.

KharBevNor · « **Reply #44 on:** 08 Apr 2005, 16:58 »

Quote from: Mnementh

I've never found the Phantom of the Opera Nightwish on an album or on their site, but I do have the track and it sounds a lot like Tarja. Must be a B-side.

Track 9 on Century Child.

ucfgeek · « **Reply #45 on:** 10 Apr 2005, 12:50 »

Quote from: Burninated Peasant

and Adam Sandler does "Werewolves of London" (don't know how to feel about that).

I woke up from a dead sleep one night, and Adam Sandler was doing that cover on some later night talk show..... swore I dreamed it till just now. I have to admit that it was a pretty good cover, even though I was expecting him to start making stupid faces the whole time.

Inlander · « **Reply #46 on:** 10 Apr 2005, 16:25 »

Proof that even a complete fuck-knuckle can't ruin a great song.

Burninated Peasant · « **Reply #47 on:** 10 Apr 2005, 16:42 »

I almost picked the album up. Perhaps if there had been a cover of "Excitable Boy" by a cool band I would have. I love songs where the lyrics and musical style are at odds with one another; i.e., in "Excitable Boy" the music is upbeat but the story is about a fucked up kid. There was also no cover of "Roland the Headless Thompson Gunner." How do you make a tribute to Zevon without including Roland? Sigh.

festerius · « **Reply #48 on:** 10 Apr 2005, 16:44 »

I prefer Nirvana's Man Who Sold the world over David Bowie's... And Metallica's 'Last Caress/Green Hell' over The Misfits.

muffy · « **Reply #49 on:** 10 Apr 2005, 17:13 »

Erm....Tatu's How Soon Is Now.
I like it better than the original, which, for a lover of miserable indie music should be a travesty, but it's soooooooo gooooooooooood!

THESE FORUMS NOW CLOSED (read only)

Author Topic: Cover > Original? Buh? (Read 31909 times)

GG Crono 4

Empty Friend

Psiogen

GG Crono 4

Empty Friend

Empty Friend

Empty Friend

siobhan

Burninated Peasant

Empty Friend

emopants

El Opium

Amsterdarn

Guy Smiley

ucfgeek

siobhan

Mnementh

Mnementh

Burninated Peasant

Mnementh

Enyaw

Guy Smiley

ev0lve

ev0lve

Benu

Moriarty

ucfgeek

Burninated Peasant

festerius