No, this is not me finally telling the tale of my time as a sharpshooter for the Midwestern Chapter of the ASPCA , that is a story for another day...No, I'm talking about cover songs. I was sitting in my office, playing some vicious air guitar to Derek & The Dominoes cover of Hendrix' 'Little Wing", and I had this thought: "Is there another song where the cover version and the original song, while vastly different, are both as kickass as "Little Wing" ?"
Now, I'm sure that there are, but I am having a hard time thinking of any. I did, however, come up with some of my all time favorite cover songs, and I thought that I would share them with you.
"Like A Virgin" -Lords Of the New Church- Stiv Bators really gets to the emotion of this song from a male perspective and...Oh who am I kidding, it's just damn funny.
"All Along The Watchtower"-Jimi Hendrix : The music matches the menace of Dylan's lyrics.
"I'm Easy"- Faith No More: Great version of this Commodores tune.
"Do You Wanna Dance ?","California Sun","Let's Dance","I Don't Wanna Grow Up"-The Ramones: Really, is there anything the Ramones don't make better ?
"My Way"- Sid Vicious- pure genius.
"Proud Mary"- Ike & Tina Turner: This one might be an answer to the "Little Wing" question. Ike & Tina take a great song by CCR and make it even better.
"When I Paint My Masterpiece","Good Morning, Little SchoolGirl","Morning Dew","Knockin' on Heaven's Door","You Win Again",etc:-The Grateful Dead: See Ramones above.
"Smells Like Teen Spirit"-Paul Anka: Sorry, I love this song. the Nirvana version is obviously better, but I still love this version.
"Ship Of Fools/Must Have Been The Roses"-Elvis Costello: Elvis covering the Grateful Dead,genius on top of genius. Great acoustic medley of these songs.
"My Ride's Here"-Bruce Springsteen: Bruce's tribute to Warren Zevon. Great tune, great version.
Edit: How could I forget ? Frank Zappa doing "Stairway To Heaven !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Okay, that's all I got for now. I know there are more, but I can't think of 'em right now. I'll have to come up with my list of the worst cover versions as well.
Now you tell me your favorites, why dontcha ?
13 comments:
Hazy Shade of Winter by The Bangles
Revolution by The Thompson Twins. I'm extremely picky about my Beatles covers, but I do adore this version.
Everyday by Rogue Wave. Never heard of this band until I picked up a soundtrack to a video game (that's right) called Stubbs the Zombie. It appears ol' Stubbs was a traveling salesman in the 50's and 60's, and died somehow, but not completely, and has come back to wreck his revenge. Or something. Anyway, the whole album is covers of 50's and 60's tunes by modern artists. This is an excellent, sweet version of the Buddy Holly tune.
Also on this album, Cake does a version of Strangers in the Night that makes you think the lead singer's gonna kill ya after some sweet lovin'. Or perhaps during. You just don't know.
Mack the Knife, by Ella Fitzgerald (live version). If only because she forgets the words to one verse, so just starts making stuff up. It's still great.
And one time when I saw Webb Wilder, he did a kick-ass version of Jumpin' Jack Flash that I wish I had pirated. Yes, I would risk jail time for copyright infringement, it was that good.
I prolly have some more, but those sprang to mind.
Off the top of my head:
I think the Subways slowed down acoustic cover of TV on the Radio's "Staring at the Sun" is very pretty, and the original is stellar.
Also, I like the Silversun Pickup's cover of The Movies' "Creation Lake", though it isn't much different, but that's probably getting a little too indie for everybody.
There's more, but I can't remember them now.
I like anything by Richard Cheese.
Heather Nova from Novaspace does some great covers of Beds are Burning and Wicked Game that I absolutely love.
1. It's a bit overplayed, but the Red Hot Chili Peppers' version of Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" still rocks nads.
2. 1000 Homo DJs (a one-EP Ministry project), "Supernaut".
3. Camper Van Beethoven, "Pictures Of Matchstick Men".
4. Joe Strummer, "Redemption Song". Pretty much a straight up version, but I just like hearing Joe sing it.
5. Johnny Cash, "Hurt". If the video doesn't give you a lump in your throat, you are beyond hope.
6. Black Uhuru, "Hey Joe".
7. Jason & The Scorchers, "Absolutely Sweet Marie".
8. Luther Allison, "You Can't Always Get What You Want".
9. The Animals, "Bring It On Home To Me".
10. Anything by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes, the best cover band in the world.
c2: I don't know most of those, I do like the Bangles' Hazy Shade Of winter, though. I am wary of the Stones cover, I don't tend to like those.
Lauren: wow. i feel very old now.
Avitable: Richard Cheese kicks some ass. I've not heard Heather Nova.
Jeff: I meant to include "Hurt", I don't like NIN even a little bit, but Johnny just OWNS that song.
I had totally forgotten about that Jason & the Scorchers version of "Absolutely Sweet Marie"-great tune.
And Me First and The Gimme Gimmes are the shit !!! I love "Ruin Jonny's Bar Mitzvah"- Maybe the greatest concept album EVER !!!
I understand about the Stones cover, but trust me: It rocked nads, to steal from Jeff.
Ironically, one of my favorite covers is a different cover of "Little Wing" -- Stevie Ray Vaughan's version. All guitar, just beautiful. And while I'm at it, SRV's cover of "Voodoo Chile" kicks major ass too.
I also like Disturbed's cover of Genesis' "Land of Confusion" and Alien Ant Farm's "Smooth Criminal."
And speaking of Cake, their "I Will Survive" is fabulous.
Willie Nelson steals "Rainbow Connection" away from Kermit.
And Guided by Voices rocked "Baba O'Riley" live.
I can't believe you know Easy by Faith No More! No one knows that (at least hardly anyone I know)...I had a sweet picture LP of that one. Honestly, I like the Sublime version of Scarlet Begonias -- even though they'd rip on the Dead in concert; I can't help myself. I also love Less Than Jake's cover of 867-5309 Jenny.
Little known artist Adrienne Young does an ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE Brokedown Palace... highly recommend it bein' checked out by any Deadhead!
c2- I'll take your word for it, i suppose.
Jeff- i don't know that I've heard Stevie Ray's version of "Little Wing", though i do like his version of Stevie Wonder's "Superstition". And I love that version of "Smooth Criminal"!! Good call !!
Feral Mom- Good one on Willie.
I will take your word on the Guided By Voices.
Jennifer- I think i have the cd single, which I believe has a picture of rhinos humping on it. I dig the Sublime version of "Scarlet Begonias" as well.
aka:I will have to look into that.
I just thought of another one, i must edit the post !!!
That reminds me that I adore Giant Drag's cover of "Wicked Game". Heather Nova's is pretty good too.
Sorry Paticus.
Lauren: What's that Missy ? Could you speak up a bit ?
Huh ?
oh, never mind now, my stories are on.
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