ITT: Covers that are better than the original song

[Loneshot]

I don't know how many subscribe to Levar Allen on Youtube but the guy does sick covers.

Here are some examples of awful songs that he's done covers of and he makes them sound great.

We R Who We R by Kesha - http://youtu.be/cR8QT3jguz8
Break Your Heart by Taio Cruz - http://youtu.be/6so3yTRsk94

The original song by Taio (Ft Luda) is atrocious. I hadn't heard it before this cover so i went expecting a decent song but damn was it awful. Levar needs to do a full version.

Airplanes by B.O.B. - http://youtu.be/qqCsM8pWYJU

Original Airplanes isn't bad at all but I like Levar's just as much.

So post more covers that you feel are better than the original.

[TennesseeFan]

/thread (http://youtu.be/eLAMhTorPCk)

[LJJ]

Doing it better than the Guns and Roses and also better than Bob Dylan:

Knockin' on Heavens Door (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sELD8fD6opk)

[TennesseeFan]

This version (http://youtu.be/v0TIF8X97MQ) > The Smith's (http://youtu.be/Z3bCWRLS6Eo)

[Take Your Lumps]

This topic should always begin and end with All Along the Watchtower.

Especially considering the source of the original.


Dylan has described his reaction to hearing Hendrix's version: "It overwhelmed me, really. He had such talent, he could find things inside a song and vigorously develop them. He found things that other people wouldn't think of finding in there. He probably improved upon it by the spaces he was using. I took license with the song from his version, actually, and continue to do it to this day."[25] In the booklet accompanying his Biograph album, Dylan said: "I liked Jimi Hendrix's record of this and ever since he died I've been doing it that way... Strange how when I sing it, I always feel it's a tribute to him in some kind of way."

[chains5000]

Johnny Cash's cover of Nine Inch Nails' Hurt (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o22eIJDtKho) comes to mind, and this comes from a huge NIИ fan.

[MontaHardaway]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWvzTYlHpqU&feature=related While My Guitar Gently weeps at 2004 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Ceremony

[B-Low]

Joe Crocker's "Wonder Years Theme" is better than the Beatles "Get By With a Little Help From My Friends" or whatever they called it (I always just call it wonder years theme lol)

I also like Aerosmith and MJ's versions of Come Together better than the Beatles ones

[East_Stone_Ya]

vodoo people remix by Pendulum, faster and more powerful then the original

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKXKWBcaV3A

[pete's montreux]

Joe Crocker's "Wonder Years Theme" is better than the Beatles "Get By With a Little Help From My Friends" or whatever they called it (I always just call it wonder years theme lol)

I also like Aerosmith and MJ's versions of Come Together better than the Beatles ones

Cocker did a few Beatles covers that I prefer to the originals. Actually most of his covers I prefer over any other version.

[macmac]

Not necessarily better, but Cee-lo's live version of Radiohead's Reckoner is beautifully captivating

[joe]

Seal - Fly like an eagle > Steve Miller Band - Fly like an eagle

[Eat Like A Bosh]

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZT1cd6eYTCM) is a lot better than the original version (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP6XpLQM2Cs)! Kesha blows.

[Rake2204]

I'm always afraid to throw out songs in a thread like this because often covers are made to honor the great artists who originally made the songs in the first place (with the exception of the initial post here).

One cover I prefer to the original is Fear Factory's version of Gary Numan's "Cars".

Fear Factory - Cars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSoKp6dRUH0

Gary Numan's Original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldyx3KHOFXw

I always thought Fear Factory's version felt a little fuller without totally veering from the original. Plus, it's the best of both worlds. Fear Factory's lead man, Burton C. Bell always specialized in that electronic sort of voice, so he meshes well with Numan, who guests in the cover.

[PullupJay]

vodoo people remix by Pendulum, faster and more powerful then the original

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKXKWBcaV3A
:applause: thanks!

[craigthomasb]

arctic monkeys - love machine (girls alound)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8iknxmfSHk&feature=related
example - tick tok (kesha)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrI4h-mxsM0
kasabian - runaway (del shannon)... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j5-kx_RTIes
babyshambles and friends- janie jones (the clash).... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR6bmMljBdI

[Loneshot]

I'm always afraid to throw out songs in a thread like this because often covers are made to honor the great artists who originally made the songs in the first place (with the exception of the initial post here).

One cover I prefer to the original is Fear Factory's version of Gary Numan's "Cars".

Fear Factory - Cars: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSoKp6dRUH0

Gary Numan's Original: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ldyx3KHOFXw

I always thought Fear Factory's version felt a little fuller without totally veering from the original. Plus, it's the best of both worlds. Fear Factory's lead man, Burton C. Bell always specialized in that electronic sort of voice, so he meshes well with Numan, who guests in the cover.


Good pick. :cheers:

[Hazard]

Tool - No Quarter (Zepplin cover) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYCtz-BzlMU)
Deftones - Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gObFOPYhVGg)

[Rake2204]

Tool - No Quarter (Zepplin cover) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYCtz-BzlMU)
Deftones - Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gObFOPYhVGg)
I was going to mention the Deftones' version of "Simple Man" but Lynyrd Skynyrd seemed like a band that people would really hassle me for suggesting a cover may be better than their original. Also, I am quite partial to the Deftones so I figured I might just be biased toward their style. I think someone guested for the guitar solo though.

I also like Maynard and crew a lot but I've never been able to get down with their "No Quarter" cover, simply because I actually really, really like the original. It is one of my favorite Led Zeppelin songs, period. One of my students was talking to me about the Tool cover the other day though and I vowed to give it another try so we'll see.

You know, it might grow on me. I think originally I heard one of my favorite bands was doing a cover of one of my favorite songs and I immediately created an expectation for what it may sound like, only to have it sound completely different. The effect of him talking through a megaphone kind of threw me off I think.

After giving it another listen, the cover is an alright song to me, but not one of my favorites by Tool. In my own opinion, I prefer the Led Zeppelin original by a fair shot.

[pete's montreux]

Tool - No Quarter (Zepplin cover) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYCtz-BzlMU)
Deftones - Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gObFOPYhVGg)

You're saying the Tool version is better than the original?

[Dolphin]

vodoo people remix by Pendulum, faster and more powerful then the original

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKXKWBcaV3A

Blasphemy. The original puts me in a place this does not.

Anyways, this topic comes up every once in a while and I still have the same answer as to my favorite. The one example in my opinion where the original was amazing and yet the cover was even better.

Jimi Hendrix- Little Wing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ad2EPO_y0ps

Derek and the Dominos- Little Wing (cover)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLPHz8KT9No

Epic.

[Dolphin]

I was going to mention the Deftones' version of "Simple Man" but Lynyrd Skynyrd seemed like a band that people would really hassle me for suggesting a cover may be better than their original. Also, I am quite partial to the Deftones so I figured I might just be biased toward their style. I think someone guested for the guitar solo though.

Never heard this cover before. Not bad, but I still would put the original well above it. The vocals in the original are near perfect.

[LJJ]

The Derek and the Dominos version of Little Wing is so lame.


Eddie Hazel - California Dreamin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er64v5sxDgA)

[Dolphin]

The Derek and the Dominos version of Little Wing is so lame.


Eddie Hazel - California Dreamin (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Er64v5sxDgA)

Totally dude. Two thumbs down.

[Rake2204]

If a listener is a fan of the original song, do you believe there's any chance they'll believe a cover is going to surpass the original? I was thinking about the "No Quarter" cover and I decided I'd have no chance to prefer Tool's cover because I already liked the original and had all my connotations associated with that one in the first place.

Conversely, I didn't hear "Shock the Monkey" until I saw Ozzy cover it on MTV around '99. It seemed to allow me to be a lot more objective in my selection.

[pete's montreux]

If a listener is a fan of the original song, do you believe there's any chance they'll believe a cover is going to surpass the original? I was thinking about the "No Quarter" cover and I decided I'd have no chance to prefer Tool's cover because I already liked the original and had all my connotations associated with that one in the first place.

Conversely, I didn't hear "Shock the Monkey" until I saw Ozzy cover it on MTV around '99. It seemed to allow me to be a lot more objective in my selection.

It would be hard for me to like any LZ cover, I'll admit that right now. I've never heard any cover from anyone that I've liked and I probably never will. The closest I can think of is Heart basically covering Achilles Last Stand with Barracuda.

It's not like the cover is "bad", I just think it sounds weird. And not because It's different. More specifically, the drums just don't go. There was a great dynamic in the original of the slow pace organ and guitar with the speedy jazzy drums. The drums sound awkward and lose the jazz feel that was so great in the original.

[RaininThrees]

Nirvana's "Where Did You Sleep Last Night"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVCqQmoHg8s

A cover of an old song from 1917 (earliest noted printed version of song) named "In the Pines" or "Black Girl".

Nirvana played the Leadbelly version of the song.

[Jackass18]

CCR's "I Put a Spell on You" over Screamin' Jay Hawkins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R6nmKjcSeU

CCR's "Midnight Special" over whoever originally did it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T00eJSQimIk

Pearl Jam's "Last Kiss" over Wayne Cochran
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0B-hJ_gotc

Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby McGee over Roger Miller
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXV_QjenbDw

Big Brother and the Holding Company's "Piece of My Heart" over Erma Franklin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApfKglyNjyA

Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" over Smokey Robinson & the Miracles
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hajBdDM2qdg

Ramones' "Chinese Rock" over The Heartbreakers, though it was written by Dee Dee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BiLNH0xgOI

Ramones' "California Sun" over Joe Jones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Z9iUdiS3hI

[RaininThrees]

CCR's "I Put a Spell on You" over Screamin' Jay Hawkins
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4R6nmKjcSeU



She & Him's version of this is killer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wzvr8z4JJx8

(Yes, that's Zooey Deschanel)

[Rake2204]

Also, speaking of the Deftones, I prefer their version of The Cure's "If Only Tonight We Could Sleep".

Deftones - If Only Tonight We Could Sleep (Lyrics kick in around 2:45): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPSX1BdHstE

The Cure's Version (Lyrics kick in around 2:50): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucbfzjFqbUc

I felt the Deftones' take was darker and more seductive.

[TennesseeFan]

Seal - Fly like an eagle > Steve Miller Band - Fly like an eagle
:facepalm

[TennesseeFan]

Tool - No Quarter (Zepplin cover) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYCtz-BzlMU)
Deftones - Simple Man (Lynyrd Skynyrd cover) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gObFOPYhVGg)
:facepalm

[TennesseeFan]

A lot of R&B buffs are going to disagree with me, but... (http://youtu.be/93S_l0qZrXA)

[Hazard]

You're saying the Tool version is better than the original?
Rereads thread.. yes I am, I don't like Plants voice.

[Hazard]

:facepalm
Wanna take this outside? :mad:

[TennesseeFan]

Rereads thread.. yes I am, I don't like Plants voice.

You think Keenan has a better voice than Plant? :facepalm

[Hazard]

You think Keenan has a better voice than Plant? :facepalm
**** yeah by a mile. I think Tools a better band too.

[Hazard]

I was going to mention the Deftones' version of "Simple Man" but Lynyrd Skynyrd seemed like a band that people would really hassle me for suggesting a cover may be better than their original. Also, I am quite partial to the Deftones so I figured I might just be biased toward their style. I think someone guested for the guitar solo though.

I also like Maynard and crew a lot but I've never been able to get down with their "No Quarter" cover, simply because I actually really, really like the original. It is one of my favorite Led Zeppelin songs, period. One of my students was talking to me about the Tool cover the other day though and I vowed to give it another try so we'll see.

You know, it might grow on me. I think originally I heard one of my favorite bands was doing a cover of one of my favorite songs and I immediately created an expectation for what it may sound like, only to have it sound completely different. The effect of him talking through a megaphone kind of threw me off I think.

After giving it another listen, the cover is an alright song to me, but not one of my favorites by Tool. In my own opinion, I prefer the Led Zeppelin original by a fair shot.
Good post, and yes its a matter of opinion. I couldn't care less what those kids think.

[TennesseeFan]

**** yeah by a mile. I think Tools a better band too.
:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm

[Qwyjibo]

Nirvana - The Man Who Sold the World. Much better than David Bowie's and I'm a huge Bowie fan.

- I really liked a lot of the stuff on the I'm Not There Soundtrack. I like Bob Dylan but more for his songwriting than his voice. Sonic Youth - I'm Not There, Jim James and Calexico - Going to Acapulco, and Stephen Malkmus - Ballad of a Thin Man are all awesome. This is one of the best soundtracks ever.

Yo La Tengo - You Can Have it All. Amazing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zfYEdsrHdcg

[Hazard]

:facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm :facepalm
Thats how I feel whenever I see you running around here reppin Lil B. You must really hate rap.

This is my favorite cover:
Pearl Jam - Masters of War (Bob Dylan cover) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8rOzBsHiT8&feature=related)
I don't really listen to covers though, I prefer the original most of the time. Even though Johnny Cash is the man, I still prefer the NIN nails version of hurt.

[TennesseeFan]

Thats how I feel whenever I see you running around here reppin Lil B. You must really hate rap.

This is my favorite cover:
Pearl Jam - Masters of War (Bob Dylan cover) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l8rOzBsHiT8&feature=related)
I don't really listen to covers though, I prefer the original most of the time. Even though Johnny Cash is the man, I still prefer the NIN nails version of hurt.

Finally, you list a good cover :applause:

The rest you listed were absolutely shit, and totally lazy.

[PHX_Phan]

Stevie Ray Vaughan - Little Wing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UdYRzH10L2M&feature=related

I don't know if I'd put this above the original, but it's a great cover: John Mayer - Bold as Love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DuajHTR2_VE

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIw0ewEsNHs

Opeth - Soldier of Fortune
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vYixpbff9Y

[N0Skillz]

This Cover Is The Best Thing I Have Ever Seen In My Life

10x Better then the original

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khCokQt--l4&feature=channel_video_title






:bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown: :bowdown:

[Crystallas]

Best remake of all-time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w9TGj2jrJk8

[Hazard]

Also, speaking of the Deftones, I prefer their version of The Cure's "If Only Tonight We Could Sleep".

Deftones - If Only Tonight We Could Sleep (Lyrics kick in around 2:45): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPSX1BdHstE

The Cure's Version (Lyrics kick in around 2:50): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucbfzjFqbUc

I felt the Deftones' take was darker and more seductive.
Thats a sick performance, back when Chino was fat haha. I saw them recently in Camden, he was jumping around the stage going nuts. Crazy energy. They got 2 new covers I like on the new album:
Do you Believe (The Cardigans cover) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ6_WsadBAo)
Ghosts (Japan) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqEu700_58Q)
They also covered Sweetest Perfection by Depeche Mode, I like that one too. However I am biased as hell towards Deftones, not even denying that.

[Loneshot]

S

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vIw0ewEsNHs

:applause: love that song

[Rake2204]

Thats a sick performance, back when Chino was fat haha. I saw them recently in Camden, he was jumping around the stage going nuts. Crazy energy. They got 2 new covers I like on the new album:
Do you Believe (The Cardigans cover) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ6_WsadBAo)
Ghosts (Japan) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqEu700_58Q)
They also covered Sweetest Perfection by Depeche Mode, I like that one too. However I am biased as hell towards Deftones, not even denying that.
Yessir. I saw them in Grand Rapids last year. It was pretty awesome to see Chino seemingly refreshed and in shape. I was worried about him for a while. But he came out on stage staring out into the abyss, grinning, as if he were reborn. It was a spectacular show.

And I am a big fan of their version of "Do You Believe", though I am unfamiliar with the original. I am not as big a fan of "Ghosts".

[RaininThrees]

Yessir. I saw them in Grand Rapids last year. It was pretty awesome to see Chino seemingly refreshed and in shape. I was worried about him for a while. But he came out on stage staring out into the abyss, grinning, as if he were reborn. It was a spectacular show.

And I am a big fan of their version of "Do You Believe", though I am unfamiliar with the original. I am not as big a fan of "Ghosts".

I just started listening to their latest album. Think the album is phenomenal.

[L.Kizzle]

Wow, is this version better than Marvin Gaye's?!?!

Chi-Lites: Inner City Blues (Make Me Wanna Holler) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRKSaWrrZf8)

[B-Low]

Brandon Hines completely OBLITERATES Lil Wayne's original version of "How to Love"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nhv1R12bcg

Takes a crappy song and makes it great

[Maniak]

http://www.youtube.com/user/megannicolesite/videos

all of this.

[MMM]

A lot of R&B buffs are going to disagree with me, but... (http://youtu.be/93S_l0qZrXA)

yea i have to disagree, maybe if you said Gladys Knight and the Pips (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWvwP72FuVg) I'd agree but you are entitled to your opinion because I know a lot of people know the version you posted over the other ones.

[Rake2204]

And I am a big fan of their version of "Do You Believe", though I am unfamiliar with the original. I am not as big a fan of "Ghosts".Finally got around to listening to the original version of "Do You Believe" by the Cardigans and I think the Deftones' version blows it away.

Cardigans (Original): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grM7VtVKl0w

Deftones (Cover): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ6_WsadBAo

[Jailblazers7]

Off topic but I recently learned that some female singer named Birdy covered Bon Iver's "Skinny Love" and ppl actually prefer it to the original.

Birdy (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lT67liGjZhw)
Bon Iver (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ssdgFoHLwnk)

The cover is so hollow compared to the original.

/rant

[Akrazotile]

Amish Paradise over the Coolio version all day errday :rockon: :rockon:

[AlphaWolf24]

Whitney Houston's I will always love youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

powerful song....

[BrownEye007]

I can't stand listening to Limp Bizkit anymore but I used to love "Faith" by them. Much better than The Who.

[QUIZZLE]

Amish Paradise over the Coolio version all day errday :rockon: :rockon:

Parody ≠ Cover

[Balla_Status]

I can't stand listening to Limp Bizkit anymore but I used to love "Faith" by them. Much better than The Who.

Think you've got a couple things mixed up there.

Faith is by George Michaels

Limp Bizkit did cover The Who. Behind Blue Eyes.

[Akrazotile]

I also like Aerosmith and MJ's versions of Come Together better than the Beatles ones


Yeah, MJs version especially is sooo god mode IMO.


GOAT gonna GOAT