I’ve Got You Covered…
M U S I C M O N D A Y
Once again, Lily came up with another great idea for a music post. Cover songs. In my opinion, a cover has got to be completely different than the original, in order for me to like it and really get behind it. Some groups/artists do covers and it sounds exactly like the original — why bother? If you can’t improve on something or at least make it markedly different then why would you do an imitation in the first place? In that case, I’ll just listen to the original, thanks.
One of my favorite covers is “Hazy Shade of Winter” by the Bangles. They took an amazing Simon and Garfunkel song and made it something you could rock out to. I love both versions. WARNING – The video is very 80’s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFRx4PkXeVM
I also really love Cat Stevens, such a talent, not to mention easy on the eyes (at least in the early 70’s he was…) But I digress… Both Rod Stewart and Cheryl Crow did covers of “The First Cut is the Deepest.” I’ve got to say that I actually like both versions – maybe not as much as The Cat Steven’s version but they’re different enough for me to appreciate them and enjoy them.
Here are a few others that are really different from the original…
Fleetwood Mac’s “Landslide” — Smashing Pumpkins ( I prefer Fleetwood Mac’s version)
Dolly Parton’s “Jolene” — White Stripes (I’ve got to stick with Dolly Parton’s version.)
Dolly Parton’s “I will Always Love You” — knocked out of the park by Whitney Houston
Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” — Johnny Cash makes this a hauntingly great song
U2’s “One” — Johnny Cash
Do you have a favorite cover song? Have you ever heard a cover and liked it more than the original?
Hi,
I totally agree with you about the Cat Stevens version, I also thought they were both good. Very good list as well, it would of taken me weeks to get a list like that, well done. 😀
Thanks, Mags! Cover songs are not something I generally think about, you know? Unless something comes along and it’s so different, I usually don’t take notice.
Yay for credit! Haha I live to be showered in credit. Landslide is such a good one. Dixie Chicks did it too, right? But Fleetwood’s is by far the best. I think Cheryl Crow was dumb to cover First Cut is the Deepest. Her’s didn’t sound that much different than Rod’s to me. Another totally different cover is Joss Stone’s cover of The White Stripe’s Fell in Love with a Girl. I actually like The White Stripe’s version better, but Jack White plays her version at concerts! What a weirdo.
Cute pic lil’ mama.
I know, right? Any excuse to display Yusef. Haha!
Of course I’m gonna give you proper credit. That’s just how I roll.
I’m gonna listen to Joss Stone’s version of that song and see what I think.
Love your choices and at one time I was going to run away and marry Mr Stevens.. Alas, he chose another 🙂
Haha! Me too!
If I may add, he aged rather handsomely too.. darnnit!
Yes, indeed. The fact that he’s this deeply spiritual person is awfully attractive, too.
With A Little Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker trumped the Beatles original, which is a tough thing to do by anyone. Great song, fabulous version.
That’s a tough one but I think you may be right. I was going to say I like them equally but I do think Mr. Cocker’s version is more soulful and memorable – it’s a little more raw. For that reason I’ll agree that his is better.
That’s a great comment. I don’t think too many people will be able to come up with one that is legitimately better than the original. Nice job.
One song where the versions are too different to even compare – Harry Chapin Cat’s in the Cradle covered by Ugly Kid Joe.
Seriously, Joe’s version is a completely different song. And it isn’t that good either.
Two I like, both (I believe) written by John Hiatt – Thing called love, covered by Bonnie Raitt, and catapulted her to recognition at least, and Feels Like Rain, covered by Buddy Guy.
Listen to both versions of Rain. Each stands up on its own, and each artist brings their uniqueness to it.
Great topic pick, Lily!
I’m getting to it, Guapo. When I get home I’ll check out Ugly Kid Joe and Feels like Rain. I can always count on you for something new to listen to. Thanks!
Okay, I’ve given everything a little refresher and Ugly Kid Joe’s version sounds more rocked out, like in an 80’s sort of way? It’s good though. Harry Chapin’s is much more of a story tellers song. More folksy feeling.
I love Bonnie Raitt – what a talent! She’s got music in her veins. Both songs are done really well. Remember when you had “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” done by 3 or 4 different artists? When Tori Amos sang it I felt like it took on a different meaning. So my point is, I think female singers add a different element, not just their voice, but a female energy or point of view. It’s pretty cool.
It seems Lily is the Blog Ideas Queen these days!
I can’t recall what any of those songs are and I can’t access YouTube at work.
In fact my entire reply here is utterly pointless.
Ho-hum.
All I care about is that I get to see your handsome face! Seems like everyone is changing their avatar so I did as well.
Your replies are never pointless, Michael – always good to hear what you have to say.
Thank you my dear Lisa.
You also look jolly nice these days.
Cargers looks exactly how I imagined him to look…
…Not that I daydream about him or anything
haha! I have. No, just kidding!!!!
I love Johnny Cash’s version of Hurt.
Another cover song I really love is “Billie Jean” by Chris Cornell, get that watched!
OMG!! That’s amazing!!! And so incredibly different. Good one, Pete. When was that released? I wonder if Michael Jackson ever had a chance to hear it?
He did it in 2007 for his album “Carry On” after Audioslave had split. I read somewhere Jackson liked it better than his own.
That’s amazing! It just shows that if a song is excellent it will hold up no matter what form it’s in.
Pete beat me to Billie Jean. Shinedown’s Simple Man is really good.
One of the Philly radio stations I listen to every weekend holiday their gimmick is playing cover songs. For some reason April Fool’s is a real holiday to them, but I didn’t hear anything all that new or interesting this weekend.
I hate anything Glee does. Especially when their versions outsell the originals.
“Time After Time” covered by Tuck and Patti – one of the best duos ever… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UZC8J5oX1pg
another favorite of mine “Allelujah” orig by Leonard Cohen, this Jeff Buckley http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8AWFf7EAc4 cover and also Rufus Wainright did an awesome version of it as well. though, I guess both “Allelujah’s” sound like the orig (except Buckley at the end!)
🙂
janet
Brilliant, Janet! I love Tuck and Patti! That was my first time hearing them. I really loved their version of Cyndi Lauper’s “Time after Time.” A new discovery, thanks.
I love Rufus Wainright’s “Allelujah”- one of my favorites.
You certainly delivered on this one! Good job.
I agree with all your picks except I think I actually liked dolly’s version of I Will Always Love You better than Whitney’s. And I love Cat Stevens!!
I think Dolly Parton’s version is sweeter and sounds like a very heart felt version. I like both equally for different reasons. Whitney Houston’s voice is so beautiful, but not as relatable, perhaps?
It’s true. Whitney’s voice was unbelievable! But yeah, I think you hit the nail on the head. Whitney’s version isn’t as realtable. It’s sad that it was too much for her to handle. Dolly Parton was a lot better steward of her talent, but I’m sure she’s had her problems too.
Ah . . . Cat Stevens is dreamy . . . .sigh
Oh, and Cat Stevens… I’ll come up with any excuse to include him in my blog with pictures! Haha!
I have always found the Eva Cassidy covers of songs to be very good–I read somewhere that Sting felt her version of Fields of Gold is the best he’d heard. I also like her cover of Time After Time. It’s a pleasure to find a good cover, that will let you find your enjoyment of a song that touched you delivered in a new way.
PS Can you box those shelves–nah, the entire room–and ship it my way when you sell? Thanks!!
“Fields of Gold” takes on a different meaning when you know that poor Eva is no longer with us. I like her version a lot too but I’ve got to wonder if arrogant Sting wasn’t just saying that because, well, what else could he say? haha!
All kidding aside, Eva Cassidy had a really haunting, feminine voice. I like her music, as well. A good cover can bring new life to a tired version. I agree.
This is my first time here, and I have to thank you for the Cat Stevens photo. 🙂 I clicked on it, but it was still too small. 😦 As a teen, I had a big poster of him on my wall. Sigh.
At the moment I can’t think of a cover song I like as much as or more than the original, though I agree with a few mentioned above. All that comes to mind is the opposite, a couple of awful covers of “Wicked Game” that made me cringe. The last one inspired a scathing post at Sparks In Shadow. That memory just made me shudder again.
Thanks for stopping by. I’m glad you enjoyed the Cat Stevens photo, you’re definitely not alone! Sigh, is right. : )
It’s really hard to think of cover songs, I found that out when I started this post. As usual, you put a topic out there and everyone comes up with ideas. It always amazes me. I try not to google too much because it kills the fun of trying to remember.
I loved “Wicked Game” when it came out – haunting. I didn’t know anyone did covers of it. I’m just familiar with the Chris Isaac version.