Cover Better Than...

[Zonian]

Excuse me if this has been done before. I did a search, but it could just be me...

What songs do you feel that the cover was better than the original version?

I'll gladly start:

Original: Kris Kristofferson

Song: Me And Bobby McGee

Better Cover: Janis Joplin

Here's one more...

Original: Barry McGuire

Song: Eve Of Destruction

Better Cover: Paul Revere and The Raiders


What say ye?

 

[yaya97]

Blinded by the light
Original : bruce springsteen
Copy: manfred mann

 

[kneeOhFight]

(I Can't Get no) Satisfaction - Devo cover of the Stones original.

 

[Wigwam Jones]

Blinded by the light
Original : bruce springsteen
Copy: manfred mann

Yep!

I'll submit my usual. "Black Betty," originally done by Ram Jam, covered by Spiderbait. Both were terrific, but I give the nod to Spiderbait.

 

[Wigwam Jones]

"As Tears Go By," originally by The Rolling Stones, covered by Marianne Faithful.

 

[Zonian]

That's what I'm talking about!

Once again...

Original: Steve Earle

Song: The Devil's Right Hand

Better Cover: Webb Wilder

 

[Naptown Rob]

"As Tears Go By," originally by The Rolling Stones, covered by Marianne Faithful.

Although the Stones didn't record their version until more than a year after Marianne's was released...

 

[Wigwam Jones]

"Cherry Bomb," by just about everyone. I believe the Joan Jett version was a cover. But the best cover? Shonen Knife.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwHYVMC_ldw

 

[Wigwam Jones]

Although the Stones didn't record their version until more than a year after Marianne's was released...

Did not know that!

 

[billw]

Ya know... I think a whole lot depends on which version you heard first and/or which one you grew up with. A lot of songs i didn't know were covers. So every cover by the Stones, Beatles, Led Zep beats the original by miles... IMO!!!
ymmv
billw

 

[Naptown Rob]

Truckin' - Grateful Dead

Far superior cover: Pop-O-Pies.

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cxrzdhn9F1E&desktop_uri=/watch?v=cxrzdhn9F1E

 

[Wigwam Jones]

"The Coffee Song," originally by Frank Sinatra, covered better by Soul Coughing.
"You Can Go Own Way," originally by Fleetwood Mac, covered better by Lissie.

 

[Zonian]

Did not know that!

Not sure it matters...More like: who wrote it vs. who did it better!

Not to pick on Steve (A great songwriter), but...

Original: Steve Earle

Song: My Old Friend The Blues

Better Cover: The Proclaimers

 

[Wigwam Jones]

"Come on Eileen," originally by Dexy's Midnight Runners, outdone by Save Ferris.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCzWPBR30Nk

 

[Naptown Rob]

Did not know that!

I prefer Marianne's version, too.:thmbsp:

 

[Zonian]

Ya know... I think a whole lot depends on which version you heard first and/or which one you grew up with. A lot of songs i didn't know were covers. So every cover by the Stones, Beatles, Led Zep beats the original by miles... IMO!!!
ymmv
billw

I must humbly disagree.

In all of the examples I have noted, I heard the original first and the better cover after.

 

[Wigwam Jones]

"Is That All There Is," originally by Peggy Lee. Masterfully ripped off by New Age / Punkette Christina.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbhcIBA4YJs

 

[Wigwam Jones]

"Driver's Seat," by Sniff 'n' the Tears, covered by DHT. OK, it's a tossup on that one.

"Under The Milky Way," by The Church, covered by Sia.

"Call Me Maybe," originally by someone (no idea, they sucked, it sucked, etc). Redone and made good by The Holophonics.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j4IS-4mc4s

 

[bobsvinyl]

I can't decide totally if it was better, but Eddie Vedder's version of "Masters of War" at the Dylan 30th Anniversary Concert was impressive.

 

[Wigwam Jones]

"Carry On My Wayward Son," originally by Kansas, covered by GWAR.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=baExq6xNhQ8