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[anarckitty]

I love the original of course, but I like Rogue Wave's cover of Buddy Holly's Everyday just a smidge better.

http://youtu.be/nF63VHVEx6s

The Used and My Chemical Romance - Under Pressure
http://youtu.be/cF3HvA5pdOk

Sorry sir, but I must respectfully disagree with you. There could never be a better version of that song. Unless it was another version by David Bowie and Queen.

edit: had to remove the last two cause I forgot about" better than the original."

see edit

=)

 

[double jump]

I came here wondering if anyone thought this. Johnny Cash butchered that song. It makes me cringe to hear his cover because it is just that bad.

I agree.
anyway

Deadsy- Paint it Black
http://youtu.be/7MoomPAkMzI

Saul Williams "Sunday Bloody Sunday"
http://youtu.be/keqAQk1YuOs


edit: had to remove the last two cause I forgot about" better than the original."

Sorry sir, but I must respectfully disagree with you. There could never be a better version of that song. Unless it was another version by David Bowie and Queen.

see edit

 

[Stairouais]

i love St. Vincent (look at my avvy) but her covers of Beyond Good and Evil and Kerosene aren't as good, sorry.

I agree. But i do think it's the best cover of Big Black out there. With live drummer nonetheless.

 

[CloudWolf]

I always view Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah as the ultimate cover song, but I'm not sure if I'd claim it's better than the original.

The Used and My Chemical Romance - Under Pressure
http://youtu.be/cF3HvA5pdOk

You're gonna make enemies with this one.

EDIT: Ah, I see you editted it out, good :lol:

 

[kurisu1974]

Page four and no Mad World??!!

Cover by Gary Jules

Original by Tears for Fears

 

[Baka Sempai]

This is horrible.

Sorry, I had to say something.

I.. have nothing to add.

Holy shit that's bad.

That is certainly better than the other Paint it Black cover on the first page. The original can't be topped though. Quasi with Elliott Smith on bass did a good version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bk0djkACks8

gheeez sorry,....

You see, i used to be a DJ in the L.A. techno/dance scene around 2000/2005 and everywhere i went people would request the dance version i posted
(and by everywhere i mean places such as the arena, the palace, club hell, helter skelter, perversion, dungeon, das bunker, bar sinister, etc.... )
And while i do agree the original can't be topped off, it was simply not the type of of song that could be played at such places hence why IMHO is a relatively better "dance" song.

Didn't mean any offense to anyone's music taste.

 

[spandexmonkey]

Einsturzende Neubauten's cover of Sand: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BiODjvVEOw

 

[ampere]

All Along the Watchtower is just common sense. Jimi murders Dylan
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geLR_0_mLYM

That was a cover? Well shit, not sure how I never knew about that. I know Hendrix was notorious for covering songs well and quickly after release playing by ear.

Gave a listen to the Dylan version, and I definitely prefer Jimi's take.

 

[KDC720]

Whats everyone's opinion of the Alien Ant Farm cover of "Smooth Criminal"? Surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet because I thought it was generally well liked.

 

[anarckitty]

Whats everyone's opinion of the Alien Ant Farm cover of "Smooth Criminal"? Surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet because I thought it was generally well liked.

It's a fun song that was well done, but I'm not sure it could surpass Michael.

 

[PumpkinPie]

Ashes To Ashes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xhikdGRnW8

Fucking love Roland Orzabal.

 

[Megasoum]

Trivium - Master of Puppets

Hmmm actually not bad at all even if I still prefer the original.

But speaking of Metallica, I would go with Breadfan

 

[snacknuts]

Hurt: The Thread

This is spectacularly wrong, even though I am apparently the only person who thinks so.

 

[kess]

Snakefinger's cover of Kraftwerk's The Model

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVVVhmMtM38

 

[Rollo Tomasi]

How Soon is Now? by Tatu.

Good lord that is awful. I had forgotten about Tatu until today. Thanks for the reminder...

 

[anarckitty]

This is spectacularly wrong, even though I am apparently the only person who thinks so.

While Johnny Cash did a fantastic cover of the song and did a great job making it his own....I will never think it's better than the original.

You are not alone, but we're probably in the minority.

 

[FairyD]

American - A Horse With No Name

Michael Jackson - A Place With No Name

I like the MJ version a bit more. Even if it's not a real cover and more of a inspired cover.

 

[Jarnet87]

This is spectacularly wrong, even though I am apparently the only person who thinks so.

While Johnny Cash did a fantastic cover of the song and did a great job making it his own....I will never think it's better than the original.

You are not alone, but we're probably in the minority.

 

[kurisu1974]

Snakefinger's cover of Kraftwerk's The Model

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVVVhmMtM38

Wrong: Big Black - The Model

 

[Hayvic]

Painkiller performed by Death blows Judas Priest version out of the water.

Also every single song on Garage Inc.

 

[Kitsunebaby]

Derek and the Dominos - Little Wing

Love Hendrix but this version is far better in my mind. Clapton and Allman together is a joy to behold.

Talking Heads - Take Me to the River

Again, I love Al Green, but the Talking Heads version has such a good groove to it.

Creedence Clearwater Revival - Suzie Q

Speaks for itself.

 

[AdventureMike]

Orgy - Blue Monday

Machinae Supremacy - Gimme More

Within Temptation - Radioactive

 

[andymcc]

Orgy - Blue Monday

god the horrible high school memories.

Talking Heads - Take Me to the River

Again, I love Al Green, but the Talking Heads version has such a good groove to it.

one of the all-time great covers.

 

[FeenieVonKarma]

The Offspring have done a large number of good covers. Maybe they're not "better" but they're great fun.

I've always liked their version of "Killboy Powerhead".

That's about 20 years old now. Damn I feel old.

Apocalyptica's version of "One" by Metallica. I'm not a huge Metallica fan, sue me, but some of Apocalyptica's covers are pretty great.

Also I have a soft spot for Van Canto's version of The Bard's Song (originally by Blind Guardian, and I still love the original one!)

 

[Blink Me]

The Offspring have done a large number of good covers. Maybe they're not "better" but they're great fun.

I've always liked their version of "Killboy Powerhead".

That's about 20 years old now. Damn I feel old.

I didn't even realise that was a cover. Who was the original band?

 

[FeenieVonKarma]

I didn't even realise that was a cover. Who was the original band?

A band called The Didjits, I didn't really know either. I guess I can't really say it is a better cover given my unfamiliarity with them, but I like it regardless!

 

[reebok]

I know I'll probably make enemies with this opinion but I prefer SRV's instrumental version of Little Wing over the original.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An4uDegHB8s


Speaking of SRV covering Hendrix, he did a fiery live version of Voodoo Child that's worth mentioning.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvtkUd0kkhU

 

[SilentRacoon]

I vastly prefer QOTSA take on White Wedding

Another one is the Rammstein cover of Stripped it has much more power to it than the original version.

 

[clearacell]

daughter - get lucky (i have a thing for downtempo songs with women singers)

Wow...this is terrible. Song doesn't fit this at all.

edit: The Atari's - The Boys of Summer

original: Don Henley version

 

[anarckitty]

The Nurse Who Loved Me is an excellent example of someone who appreciates the original, but were also able to make it their own.

I love Failure and the original, but theirs is more of a straight up rock song while A Perfect Circle puts almost an ethereal/whimsical spin on it.

http://youtu.be/CWRDZwV8jGE

 

[Zarovitch]

Tainted Love by The Living End

 

[Baron von Loathsome]

Tainted Love by The Living End

Basically every cover of "Tainted Love," really. The Soft Cell version that popularized the song is still a cover of the Gloria Jones original.

And sorry, of all those covers, the Soft Cell version still comes out on top.

 

[Woffls]

Well, here goes nothin'...
Carnifex - Angel of Death (Slayer cover)

 

[Zarovitch]

I like "Do you really want to hurt me" by Violent Femmes because of the chaotic voice of Gordon Gano in this song, but i never heard the original.

 

[RionaaM]

Band on the Run - Foo Fighters (originally by Wing)

This is a fantastic cover indeed. I like the original a bit more, but Foo totally nailed this song.

Speaking of Foo Fighters, I like their cover of "Life of illusion" way more than the original.

 

[FnordChan]

Wall of Voodoo - Ring of Fire

Great selection! You've gotta love the stripped down instrumentation, ominous synth line, and Stan Ridgeway's staccato delivery of the lyrics. For another great version of "Ring of Fire", I've always dug Blondie's live rendition circa 1980, which is super upbeat and has Debbie Harry killing it each time she lets fly with the word "love".

While it's a close call, I think I prefer the Les Thugs cover of "Moon Over Marin" to the Dead Kennedys original. Also, is anyone here familiar with Feed's cover of "Debaser"? I love the Pixies original too much to declare Feed's rendition better, but it's certainly different in an awesomely unhinged sort of way. The Japanese tribute album it comes from is really fun all around, particularly the Beat "Hit in the USA" Crusaders' riff on "Debaser" and Naht tearing up "Wave of Mutilation".

Finally, the absolute first song I think of for a cover that is superior to the original is Isaac Hayes' epic cover of "Walk On By". No offense intended to Dione Warwick's original version of the Burt Bacharach tune but, good lord, Hayes just completely destroys that song. And, yes, you need to sit back and experience all twelve minutes of his cover; the single edit just doesn't cut it.

FnordChan

 

[Raiden]

Cream - Crossroads is miles better than the original
Kyuss - Into the Void is badass and probably better than the original. dat bass

All Along the Watchtower is just common sense. Jimi murders Dylan
Black Sabbath - Warning is another one that's just miles better than the original. Iommi is a fucking genius.

Everybody murders Dylan, thats his problem, brilliant songwriter, but he cant sing for shit.

My contribution: This live version of The White Stripes performing "Jolene" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zX8piT5lOsM

 

[Pulka]

Snakefinger's cover of Kraftwerk's The Model

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DVVVhmMtM38

Big Blacks cover of the same song is pretty good too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eP3ge9DGsKU

Edit: whoops, looks like that was already posted.

Dinosaur Jrs cover of The Cures "Just Like Heaven"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJLOr8S2d2E&feature=kp

 

[andymcc]

These ones are my favorite.

Pixies- Head On: Jesus & Mary Chain cover. I love this fucking song so much.

Galaxie 500- Ceremony: New Order/Joy Division cover.

Nirvana- Molly's Lips: Vaseline's cover.

Devo- (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction: Cover of the Stones song.

The Feelies- Everybody's Got Something to Hide (Except for Me and My Monkey): Makes a White Album gag song a lot more tolerable.

 

[Enosh]

Heaven Shall Burn - Black Tears
(original by Edge of Sanity)

wanted to post Gimme More by Machinae Supremacy but saw that one was already posted, so here is the other Britney cover

Children Of Bodom - Oops I Did it Again

 

[Yado]

Ryan Adams' cover of Wonderwall

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzZhtrsbJzs&hd=1

 

[Andrew.]

Pantera - "Planet Caravan"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=025mnKFUFw4

 

[Sol..]

I think i've posted these in every cover thread i've participated in
Scissor Sister's inexplicably country cover of Kylie Minogue's "All The Lovers"
original

Bronski Beat's you can't top the greatest dance song of all time, but if you can close you win the game cover of Donna Summer's "I Feel Love"

Pet Shop Boys' I didn't know this was a cover and that's kind of sad, but it's alright cover of Paris Brightridge and Sterling Void "It's Alright"

Orgy - Blue Monday

http://www.complex.com/music/2012/01/the-50-worst-cover-songs-of-all-time/blue-monday

Whats everyone's opinion of the Alien Ant Farm cover of "Smooth Criminal"? Surprised it hasn't been mentioned yet because I thought it was generally well liked.

Not better than the original, but I hardly think anybody could do any better than AAF did.

 

[FnordChan]

Pixies- Head On: Jesus & Mary Chain cover. I love this fucking song so much.

I'll second this one. I know intellectually it's a Jesus & Mary Chain song, but...the original...oh, man, let's just not talk about it.

Now, the Ramones cover of "California Sun" is pretty fantastic, but it's lacking the Hammond organ of the Rivieras original. However, then the Ramones shave 25 seconds off their studio version with their blistering live rendition and take the crown anyway. On the other hand, they can't quite live up to the full psychedelic majesty of The Chambers Brothers' "Time Has Come Today" but the Ramones cover is still pretty great and has an amazing music video to boot. If you'll excuse me, I have to go spend a while throwing my first and shouting "TIME!" at the top of my lungs.

FnordChan

 

[andymcc]

http://www.complex.com/music/2012/01/the-50-worst-cover-songs-of-all-time/blue-monday

the way those guys in Orgy looked lmao

 

[Mighty Chin]

Would "5000 Candles in the Wind" be considered a cover?

 

[blame space]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmfZXZronW8

 

[zeemumu]

Jim Carrey-Jumper

 

[Bodacious]

Black Sabbath - Warning[/URL] is another one that's just miles better than the original. Iommi is a fucking genius.

Came here to post this. Here's a comparison for anyone unfamiliar with the original version (I don't think most people even realize Sabbath's was a cover).

Black Sabbath
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geLR_0_mLYM

The Aynsley Dunbar Retaliation
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3l3c-42huW0

 

[mackattk]

Cake has some amazing covers.

Including War Pigs, which is probably one of my favorites.