Support NeoGAF

[JehutyRunner]

So I had this thought earlier tonight whilst out for a walk. What cover versions of songs do you think are better then the original versions that they came from?

I'll start off (no particular order).

Ryan Adams - Wonderwall (originally Oasis)

Johnny Cash - Hurt (originally Nine Inch Nails)

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah (originally Leonard Cohen) [extra: the incredible live version from the Sin-e live album which I think is just as great, if not better, than the original cover he did which says something of how incredible Buckley was as a talent]

 

[Jzero]

CCC - Chances

CCC - Untrust Us

 

[bachikarn]

All Along the Watchtower.

 

[LyleLanley]

Ryan Adams' Wonderwall cover is good but I don't think I'd call it better than the original.

 

[Volimar]

Hurt: The Thread.

I like Laura Jansen's version of Kings of Leon's Use somebody.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBzcOUOY5YY

 

[OneEightZero]

All Along the Watchtower.

Great answer.

 

[Leona Lewis]

Disclosure - Hotline Bling

 

[Shaanyboi]

Gary Jules' Mad World

 

[Ogodei]

All Along the Watchtower.

One of the top two answers.

The other is Van Halen's cover of, i want to say the Kinks, and "Really Got Me"

 

[Currygan]

Pet Shop Boys - You're always on my mind
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2aMaMkDwTA

you can close the thread now

 

[Thaedolus]

Astronomy - Metallica

 

[tim.mbp]

Aretha Franklin - Respect
Nina Simone - To Love Somebody

 

[pixelish]

i'm not sure if it's better but i have a great time listening to these covers because they take a unique approach to the original song they're covering

Cap'n Jazz - Take on Me (originally A-ha)
The Cardigans - Iron Man(originally Black Sabbath)

 

[Forsaken82]

Not sure if its necessarily better than the original, but Nonpoints In the Air Tonight is damn good none the less.

 

[BadAss2961]

Orgy - Blue Monday

(New Order original)

 

[Strangelove77]

Wow. I pretty much disagree with all 3 covers mentioned.

 

[quickwhips]

Sex pistols my way

 

[megalowho]

Donny Hathaway - Jealous Guy

 

[Battersea Power Station]

The Cardigans - Iron Man(originally Black Sabbath)

Well, this is just the neatest thing I've heard all day. Thanks!

 

[TheOfficeMut]

Every song in Metallica's Garage Inc album.

 

[ZeroX03]

I don't agree, but I hear The Man Who Sold the World brought up a lot.

I'm partial to

Spoiler

Alien Ant Farm's Smooth Criminal

personally, a little ashamed of that.

 

[TheLegendary]

Donny Hathaway - Jealous Guy (Originally John Lennon)

Donny Hathaway - Jealous Guy

Damn you! Oh well, deserves to be mentioned twice

 

[Vazra]

Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You (Originally by Dolly Parton)

 

[Wiseblood]

Judas Priest - Green Manalishi (originally Fleetwood Mac)

 

[WoolyNinja]

I enjoy most of Me First and the Gimme Gimmes stuff more than the originals, but I really like punk/pop-punk so I'm probably biased.

 

[User 479360]

Not Hurt

Sweet Dreams by Marilyn Manson
Tainted Love by Marilyn Manson
Personal Jesus by Marilyn Manson
Land of Confusion by Disturbed

 

[OricWindstar]

The Cardigans - Iron Man(originally Black Sabbath)

This is delightful.

 

[LyleLanley]

The Cardigans - Iron Man(originally Black Sabbath)

This is surprisingly good.

 

[blame space]

Cash version of IML is better than his hurt cover. Original is better than all of them.

As for the thread it's probably kid a by John mayer

 

[ATOMICJORGE]

Gloria Gaynor - Can't Take My Eyes Off You (Originally Frankie Valli)

 

[dab0ne]

Joe Crocker: with a little help from my friends (wonder years theme)

Originally by the Beatles

 

[Verdre]

Motorhead/Girlschool - Please Don't Touch originally by Johnny Kidd and the Pirates

 

[blame space]

this isn't "better" but it always makes me happy to watch this video of built to spill absolutely nailing freebird.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x8whmIaeftQ

 

[Erv]

So I had this thought earlier tonight whilst out for a walk. What cover versions of songs do you think are better then the original versions that they came from?

I'll start off (no particular order).

Ryan Adams - Wonderwall (originally

Don't think thats better than the original

Disclosure - Hotline Bling

And I'm not saying that drakes version is like the greatest thing ever, but saying this is better.

 

[Ourobolus]

Beck - Everybody's Gotta Learn Sometime

 

[Transistor]

The Bangles: Hazy Shade of Winter

 

[davidwhangchoi]

The Bangles: Hazy Shade of Winter

nice

 

[Man God]

I much prefer the beat in Alien Ant Farm's Smooth Criminal though the original has superior vocals.

 

[Zimbardo]

i think Placebo's cover of Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' is considerably better.

Placebo - Running Up That Hill
https://youtu.be/p5wota5vQCU

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill
https://youtu.be/wp43OdtAAkM

 

[Megasoum]

Every song in Metallica's Garage Inc album.

Came here to say this.

So many amazing songs on that album... Especially Breadfan, Turn the page and Tuesday's Gone.

 

[Volimar]

The Bangles: Hazy Shade of Winter

Yiss.

 

[Tathanen]

Fiona Apple - Across the Universe

 

[Colocho]

Hallowed be Thy Name - Cradle of Filth (Originally by Iron Maiden)

I feel it has more power to it.

 

[Slightly Live]

Katzenjammer - Land of Confusion

 

[gbanting]

Eight Miles High by Husker Du rocks so hard. Listening to Bob Mould scream at the end of this song is so satisfying, along with his awesome guitar tone. Totally rocks. Way better than the Byrds version.

 

[blame space]

Every song in Metallica's Garage Inc album.

yo what the fuck

 

[Megasoum]

Hallowed be Thy Name - Cradle of Filth (Originally by Iron Maiden)

I feel it has more power to it.

The original is one of (if not THE) best metal song ever... The cover is alright for a cover but it's not in the same league.


Edit: Actually wait...no... I was confusing it with another Maiden cover I heard yesterday. I really hate that Hallowed be Thy Name cover... The Cradle of Filth singer is fucking terrible and destroys the song. The rest of the band does an ok job but they are not that good. Yuck..

 

[vikki]

Hurt: The Thread.

I like Laura Jansen's version of Kings of Leon's Use somebody.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBzcOUOY5YY

Wow. I haven't thought about Kings of Leon in a long time. It's crazy to think that song came out almost 8 years ago already. I'm not even a fan really, but I feel like that's about the point I started losing track of time.

 

[NotoriousPUG]

Jolene - The White Stripes

 

[Slackbladder]

i think Placebo's cover of Kate Bush's 'Running Up That Hill' is considerably better.

Placebo - Running Up That Hill
https://youtu.be/p5wota5vQCU

Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill
https://youtu.be/wp43OdtAAkM

It's certainly good and I like it but I prefer the original (particularly the 12"mix).

Now I don't think this is better than the original, but I do like it - Bowie - Wild is the Wind Apparently he liked to sing this live. But Nina Simone's original is pretty fucking amazing.
Now not many may like this one but it was very popular when I was a kid when I was growing up and I do like it.Mannfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded by the light. Originally by Bruce Springsteen.