Author Topic: Covers that are better than the original ? (Read 4436 times)

Kotowboy · « **on:** February 13, 2015, 04:50:21 PM »

There must be some ! It's pretty dumb to say that once a song is written that it can't be improved upon.

A few that come to mind are :

Gun - Word Up. The original is pretty crappy and Gun made it 10x better IMO.

Oasis - Cum On Feel The Noize. I pretty much like any song that oasis have covered. Even better if Noel is on all lead vocals.

Ryan Adams - Wonderwall. Maybe not better than the original but he made an equally amazing version. Noel preferred it so much that he sings Ryan's version when

performing it live.

Dark Castle · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2015, 04:52:39 PM »

Obligatory Death version of Painkiller >>>>> Judas Priest version, not to knock the Judas Priest version of course.

Metro · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2015, 04:59:38 PM »

To state the obvious:
Jimi Hendrix's cover of All Along the Watchtower

JayOctavarium · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2015, 05:07:15 PM »

Zakk Wylde's version of Mamma I'm Coming Home from this show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZxcqGSBv8Vc

Ben_Jamin · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2015, 05:13:19 PM »

A Perfect Circle - Imagine

Sacul · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2015, 05:24:04 PM »

Dream Theater - Stargazer

ErHaO · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2015, 05:24:28 PM »

Not necessarily "better" and some will consider a few blasphemy, but I most certainly enjoy these more than the originals:

Ensiferum - Battery (really true to the original actually, but with some tasteful adjustments to give it more balls)
Blind Guardian - Dream a Little Dream of Me (genre preferences play a big role here, and Hansi is just epic)
Sonata Arctica - I Can't Dance (vastly superior vocals)
Axel Rudi Pell - Hallelujah (epic raspy vocals and the children choir is a nice addition. There are many solid covers of this song though)
Iced Earth - Screaming for Vengeance (I prefer the modern sound and like Jon's riffing)
Powerglove - Gotta Catch em' All (Pokemon theme song) (some major nostalgia blended with some awesome power metal)

Shadow Ninja 2.0 · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2015, 05:28:08 PM »

Strapping Young Lad - Room 429

Calvin6s · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2015, 05:39:46 PM »

Quote from: Metropolaris on February 13, 2015, 04:59:38 PM

To state the obvious:
Jimi Hendrix's cover of All Along the Watchtower

That is probably the only opinion on a cover that isn't controversial. It is funny that Cameo's Word Up was brought up, because I just started listening to Cameo's album again two weeks ago despite not listening to it for decades. Cameo's version is better.

But who is going to disagree with Hendrix/Dylan Watchtower. It is almost like an indirect Lennon/McCartney thing. They made each other better.

Zantera · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2015, 05:43:01 PM »

Faith No More - War Pigs

Calvin6s · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2015, 05:47:27 PM »

I'm not going to claim it was better but ....
White Lion's version of Radar Love was pretty damn good

LieLowTheWantedMan · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2015, 05:48:36 PM »

Massive Attack - Man Next Door

Tricky - Black Steel

Funnily enough those are both covers of songs with different names, Man Next Door being a cover of I've Got to Get Away by The Paragons and Black Steel a cover of Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos by Public Enemy.

jjrock88 · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2015, 06:30:46 PM »

Judas Priest- Diamonds and Rust, Green Manalishi

Van Halen- You Really Got Me

chaossystem · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2015, 07:12:04 PM »

Joe Cocker-Traffic's "Feelin' Alright"

Deep Purple-Neal Diamond's "Kentucky Woman"

Dream Theater-Deep Purple's "Perfect Strangers"

Marilyn Manson-The Eurythmics' Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

Metallica-Queen's "Stone Cold Crazy"

Molly Hatchet-The Allman Brother's Band's "Dreams"

Yes-Simon & Garfunkel's "America"

Lucien · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2015, 07:29:53 PM »

Elton John - Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds

KevShmev · « **Reply #15 on:** February 13, 2015, 07:32:31 PM »

Quote from: chaossystem on February 13, 2015, 07:12:04 PM

Molly Hatchet-The Allman Brother's Band's "Dreams"

Great pick, although Molly Hatchet's version was called "Dreams I'll Never See." One of the best driving tunes ever.

erwinrafael · « **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2015, 08:15:19 PM »

Nazareth's Love Hurts.

Shadow Ninja 2.0 · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2015, 08:21:32 PM »

Cradle of Filth - Temptation

Incidentally, also the only COF song I like.

Sir GuitarCozmo · « **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2015, 08:33:23 PM »

The Working Man tribute album version of Red Barchetta with James LaBrie on vocals.

Outcrier · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2015, 09:13:29 PM »

Any Pet Shop Boys cover.

PuffyPat · « **Reply #20 on:** February 13, 2015, 09:21:32 PM »

Quote from: Lucien on February 13, 2015, 07:29:53 PM

Elton John - Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds

Elton's cover is alright, but the original is almost untouchable (as is the case with most Beatles songs). Paul's bass line is so magical.

JEFF the Brotherhood do some amazing covers. Specifically their versions of Beck's "Totally Confused" and Rush's "Working Man". They only do the Rush one live, but, oh boy, is it awesome.

Calvin6s · « **Reply #21 on:** February 13, 2015, 09:29:01 PM »

Vanilla Ice - Ice Ice Baby

Calvin6s · « **Reply #22 on:** February 13, 2015, 09:32:01 PM »

Speaking of Taylor Swift (in the Kanye thread)

Blank Space cover

Outcrier · « **Reply #23 on:** February 13, 2015, 09:40:11 PM »

Johnny Cash - Hurt
Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through the Grapevine

PuffyPat · « **Reply #24 on:** February 13, 2015, 10:18:34 PM »

Johnny Cash's version of Personal Jesus is awesome. I wouldn't call it better, but it's definitely just as good.

Prog Snob · « **Reply #25 on:** February 13, 2015, 10:19:07 PM »

Quote from: chaossystem on February 13, 2015, 07:12:04 PM

<b>Nightmare Cinema</b>-Deep Purple's "Perfect Strangers"

FTFY

Mosh · « **Reply #26 on:** February 13, 2015, 10:50:22 PM »

Quote from: Dark Castle on February 13, 2015, 04:52:39 PM

Obligatory Death version of Painkiller >>>>> Judas Priest version, not to knock the Judas Priest version of course.

I disagree but Death's version is amazing. Metal bands tend to be kinda boring when covering other metal bands, but Death really took that song and made it something else.

For me I have to go with Iron Maiden's rendition of Cross Eyed Mary.

Prog Snob · « **Reply #27 on:** February 13, 2015, 10:52:46 PM »

Bobby Darin - Mack the Knife

LieLowTheWantedMan · « **Reply #28 on:** February 13, 2015, 11:08:03 PM »

Quote from: Dark Castle on February 13, 2015, 04:52:39 PM

Obligatory Death version of Painkiller >>>>> Judas Priest version, not to knock the Judas Priest version of course.

Forgot about this. Yeah I enjoy their version a lot more.

hefdaddy42 · « **Reply #29 on:** February 14, 2015, 04:16:26 AM »

Quote from: Calvin6s on February 13, 2015, 05:39:46 PM

It is funny that Cameo's Word Up was brought up, because I just started listening to Cameo's album again two weeks ago despite not listening to it for decades. Cameo's version is better.

I agree.

BlobVanDam · « **Reply #30 on:** February 14, 2015, 04:19:55 AM »

Every Bob Dylan song ever covered - like All Along the Watchtower and Knockin' on Heaven's Door.
Van Halen - You Really Got Me, Dancin' In The Street, heck every VH cover.

Quote from: Calvin6s on February 13, 2015, 05:47:27 PM

I'm not going to claim it was better but ....
White Lion's version of Radar Love was pretty damn good

I'd call the original better, but I prefer White Lion's version just because I prefer the '80s sound. The original is great though, and I enjoy listening to that just as much.

hefdaddy42 · « **Reply #31 on:** February 14, 2015, 04:23:56 AM »

I can't stand that song, original or cover.

BlobVanDam · « **Reply #32 on:** February 14, 2015, 04:25:56 AM »

I'm surprised you don't like the original at all.

Prog Snob · « **Reply #33 on:** February 14, 2015, 04:30:24 AM »

I actually prefer White Lion's version.

hefdaddy42 · « **Reply #34 on:** February 14, 2015, 04:32:04 AM »

Quote from: BlobVanDam on February 14, 2015, 04:25:56 AM

I'm surprised you don't like the original at all.

I'm certainly not saying there is anything wrong with it. Just never did anything for me, so since it is played ALL THE TIME on every single classic rock radio station I've ever listened to, it's gone from "Meh" to "STFU and GTFO" for me.

News: Fall Into the Light, official video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFxH4kky6z4

Author Topic: Covers that are better than the original ? (Read 4436 times)

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