Covers good or bad
Covers good or bad
Following on from the abomination recently produced by Simon Cowell, albeit for a worthy cause I got me thinking about similar travesties, so here are my top 5.
Brian Ferry's version of Bob Dylan's "Hard Rains Gonna Fall"
Brian Ferry's version of John Lennon's "Jealous Guy"
Boyzone's version of the BeeGees classic "Words"
Johnny Cash's version of Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe"
Boy George's version of Bread's "Everything I Own"
On the flip side, top 5 brilliant covers would be.
Grease Band's version of "With a Little Help From My Friends"
Roberta Flack with her version of Ewan McColl's "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"
Harry Nillson's version of Badfingers "Without You"
Marvin Gaye and Creedence Clearwater Revival both get honourable mentions for the Gladys Knight song "I heard It Through The Grapevine"
And finally I had to mention Chester Bennington with "Hallelujah" at Chris Cornell's funeral
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVb2di5I8NY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Feel free to nominate your own likes or dislikes or not.
Brian Ferry's version of Bob Dylan's "Hard Rains Gonna Fall"
Brian Ferry's version of John Lennon's "Jealous Guy"
Boyzone's version of the BeeGees classic "Words"
Johnny Cash's version of Bob Dylan's "It Ain't Me Babe"
Boy George's version of Bread's "Everything I Own"
On the flip side, top 5 brilliant covers would be.
Grease Band's version of "With a Little Help From My Friends"
Roberta Flack with her version of Ewan McColl's "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face"
Harry Nillson's version of Badfingers "Without You"
Marvin Gaye and Creedence Clearwater Revival both get honourable mentions for the Gladys Knight song "I heard It Through The Grapevine"
And finally I had to mention Chester Bennington with "Hallelujah" at Chris Cornell's funeral
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVb2di5I8NY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Feel free to nominate your own likes or dislikes or not.
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Re: Covers good or bad
Sex Pistols - I did it my way.
Bad, very bad.
Bad, very bad.
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Re: Covers good or bad
Loads of people seem to love it but personally I've never really liked Joe Cocker's version of with a little help from my friends.
I do like Goldfinger's cover of 99 Red balloons and The lemonheads cover of Mrs Robinson (love the original too)
I do like Goldfinger's cover of 99 Red balloons and The lemonheads cover of Mrs Robinson (love the original too)
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Re: Covers good or bad
I prefer the original 99 red balloons, in German. far better than the english version.
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Re: Covers good or bad
neunundneunzig luftballons
Re: Covers good or bad
I thought Bryan Ferry's "Hard rain" was excellent - but of course entirely different from Bob Dylan's rendition. There's no point in covering if you just copy.
Having said that ....The Rolling Stones made their name with covers in the early days...I loved Little Red Rooster.
Having said that ....The Rolling Stones made their name with covers in the early days...I loved Little Red Rooster.
Re: Covers good or bad
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Re: Covers good or bad
I Need Glasses
Read it as -Lovers good or bad...
I thought oh dear - I know we digress but it's a football site lads!
Covers... phew!
Read it as -Lovers good or bad...
I thought oh dear - I know we digress but it's a football site lads!
Covers... phew!
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Re: Covers good or bad
I agree about Ferry's cover of 'Hard Rain'. It was brilliant.
Best cover for me. Matthews Southern Comfort: 'Woodstock', although CSN&Y's cover of the same song was also brilliant. Both better than Joni Mitchell's original.
Best cover for me. Matthews Southern Comfort: 'Woodstock', although CSN&Y's cover of the same song was also brilliant. Both better than Joni Mitchell's original.
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Re: Covers good or bad
Nirvana - Man who sold the world
Candy flip - strawberry fields forever
Let others decide which one goes in which category
Candy flip - strawberry fields forever
Let others decide which one goes in which category
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Re: Covers good or bad
I agree about Ferry's cover of 'Hard Rain'. It was brilliant.
Best cover for me. Matthews Southern Comfort: 'Woodstock', although CSN&Y's cover of the same song was also brilliant. Both better than Joni Mitchell's original.
Best cover for me. Matthews Southern Comfort: 'Woodstock', although CSN&Y's cover of the same song was also brilliant. Both better than Joni Mitchell's original.
Re: Covers good or bad
Another Dylan cover that doesn't quite cut it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBcq5EzBcmQ
....and one that, perhaps, does:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0put0_a--Ng
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBcq5EzBcmQ
....and one that, perhaps, does:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0put0_a--Ng
Last edited by Chuckypad on Fri Jul 21, 2017 11:03 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Covers good or bad
Steps cover of Tragedy by The Beegees.
I'm kidding.
I'm kidding.
Re: Covers good or bad
To me improving on Dylan is always going to be difficult because he wrote his songs for himself, for his style of delivery, but Hendrix, of course, took this to another level.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLV4_xaYynY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Melanie Safka didn't need to do covers but this was quite good, certainly better than the sugar coated dross from the Byrds (all a matter of opinion)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LwyOSyWpNg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLV4_xaYynY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Melanie Safka didn't need to do covers but this was quite good, certainly better than the sugar coated dross from the Byrds (all a matter of opinion)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8LwyOSyWpNg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Covers good or bad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G3onnJuBS18" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
written by a god, covered by a god.
written by a god, covered by a god.
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Re: Covers good or bad
I once had the original "Just Cant Get Enough" by Depeche Mode on in my car and my son turned too me and said "whose this singing The Saturdays song Dad?"
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Re: Covers good or bad
If I was a rich girl, terrible
must have had Topol spinning in his grave.
must have had Topol spinning in his grave.
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Re: Covers good or bad
Always loved purple rain by prince. Adam levines performance is more than outstanding.worth someone putting a link up.
Re: Covers good or bad
Chimes of Freedom is IMO Dylan's best work.
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Re: Covers good or bad
I agree with the OP regarding Harry Nilsson's 'Without You'. Possibly the best I've heard.
Wasn't Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You”, a cover, from Dolly Parton? That's another good one.
Wasn't Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You”, a cover, from Dolly Parton? That's another good one.
Re: Covers good or bad
It was a Dolly Parton song. I always thought that Whitney Houston was a shouter, but that is just my opinion.FactualFrank wrote:I agree with the OP regarding Harry Nilsson's 'Without You'. Possibly the best I've heard.
Wasn't Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You”, a cover, from Dolly Parton? That's another good one.
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Re: Covers good or bad
Sacrilege in the extreme - Scissor Sisters, Comfortably Numb !
Should be shot at dawn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lsCEgcRozY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Should be shot at dawn.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lsCEgcRozY" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Covers good or bad
Sorry that's what I meant - a Whitney cover of the original from Dolly Parton.Chobulous wrote:It was a Dolly Parton song. I always thought that Whitney Houston was a shouter, but that is just my opinion.
Re: Covers good or bad
Johnny Cash's cover of Nine Inch Nails' Hurt has got to be up there
https://youtu.be/vt1Pwfnh5pc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://youtu.be/vt1Pwfnh5pc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Covers good or bad
Elton John's 'Your Song' covered by the late Billy Paul..a cracking version for me.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22jMZdBUzDI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Elton's favourite version as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22jMZdBUzDI" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Elton's favourite version as well.
Re: Covers good or bad
Garbage and Screaming Females - "Because The Night"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmKGjy-Ct0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOmKGjy-Ct0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Covers good or bad
Nina Simone - 'Here comes the Sun'
An excellent cover of the Beatles song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJiC6cA3dUA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
An excellent cover of the Beatles song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJiC6cA3dUA" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Covers good or bad
A cover of Nina Simone's Don't let me be misunderstood by Santa Esmerelda, brilliantly used in Tarantino's Kill Bill:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVQroWe9tc0
Also another cover for Nina. Muse's version of Feeling Good:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmwRQqJsegw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVQroWe9tc0
Also another cover for Nina. Muse's version of Feeling Good:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmwRQqJsegw
Re: Covers good or bad
Nina Simone made plenty of covers herself.
This Billy Holiday song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Lq_yasEgo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
And one of Dylan's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xe73l3JqRs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
This Billy Holiday song
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8Lq_yasEgo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
And one of Dylan's
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Xe73l3JqRs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Covers good or bad
Not to mention one of Screamin' Jay Hawkins
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua2k52n_Bvw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ua2k52n_Bvw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Covers good or bad
Placebo - Running Up That Hill (Kate Bush)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KEEXyRL0qE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UVjjcOUJLE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Leona Lewis - Run (Snow Patrol)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqpAgMxhx30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
30 Seconds to Mars - Stronger (Kanye West)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrlXhpuLfeo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Willie Nelson - The Scientist (Coldplay)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v525UGbA448" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Florence and the Machine - You've got the Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQZhN65vq9E" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KEEXyRL0qE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold (Sting)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9UVjjcOUJLE" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Leona Lewis - Run (Snow Patrol)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqpAgMxhx30" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
30 Seconds to Mars - Stronger (Kanye West)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrlXhpuLfeo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Willie Nelson - The Scientist (Coldplay)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v525UGbA448" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Florence and the Machine - You've got the Love
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQZhN65vq9E" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Last edited by Sidney1st on Fri Jul 21, 2017 12:49 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Covers good or bad
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2u-PjvRyr0I" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Heart- Stairway To Heaven. In front of Led Zep. Now that takes balls.
Heart- Stairway To Heaven. In front of Led Zep. Now that takes balls.
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Re: Covers good or bad
I agree about Whitney Houston being a shouter.Chobulous wrote:It was a Dolly Parton song. I always thought that Whitney Houston was a shouter, but that is just my opinion.
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Re: Covers good or bad
I have to say, and I am sure I will be shot down, that I really like The Slits' version of Heard it on the Grapevine.
The Jam's version of David Watts too, is my preference.
The Jam's version of David Watts too, is my preference.
Last edited by Cheshireclaret on Fri Jul 21, 2017 2:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Covers good or bad
Sonic Youth Superstar
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Re: Covers good or bad
Best:
Johnny Cash "Hurt" - cover of Nine Inch Nails original
Worst:
Too many to think of - Westlife or Boyzone probably would come top
Johnny Cash "Hurt" - cover of Nine Inch Nails original
Worst:
Too many to think of - Westlife or Boyzone probably would come top
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Re: Covers good or bad
It might have done, were he actually dead.HatfieldClaret wrote:If I was a rich girl, terrible
must have had Topol spinning in his grave.
He's 81 and still alive.
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Re: Covers good or bad
Joe Cocker's cover of With A Little Help from my Friends is a belter.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ecZ94guWl0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ecZ94guWl0" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Covers good or bad
Hazel O'Connors version of Hanging Around by Stranglers was as good if not better than the original, as was Toni Basil's Hey Mickey which was a cover/rewording of Racey's Hey Kitty.
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Re: Covers good or bad
I really will have to start researching before I post.... good to hear he's still with us..Lord Beamish wrote:It might have done, were he actually dead.
He's 81 and still alive.
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Re: Covers good or bad
surprised this hasn't been mentioned - You're the one that I want - https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=yo ... ORM=VRDGAR
Good or bad? your choice
Good or bad? your choice
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Re: Covers good or bad
I might say any cover of a Dylan song has to be better!
Iain Matthews usually chose his covers well. So did Tom Rush. Here is a Jesse Winchester song, Biloxi.
The original:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXxt79bxKHk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Matthews' version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2YqqzYvFL8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and Tom Rush's (which is my favourite):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZoZJM_IDFw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Iain Matthews usually chose his covers well. So did Tom Rush. Here is a Jesse Winchester song, Biloxi.
The original:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXxt79bxKHk" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Matthews' version:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J2YqqzYvFL8" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
and Tom Rush's (which is my favourite):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fZoZJM_IDFw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Covers good or bad
Bananarama, Venus.
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Re: Covers good or bad
Disturbed's cover of Simon & Garfunkel's sound of silence is actually better than the original,which takes a lot of doing.
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Re: Covers good or bad
I was just going to post the exact same thing! I have to say, it's awesome. What a voice!!Steve1956 wrote:Disturbed's cover of Simon & Garfunkel's sound of silence is actually better than the original,which takes a lot of doing.
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Re: Covers good or bad
'Bend me shape me' - The American Breed [1967]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zarsqZCXO8Y" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
OR
'Bend me shape me' - Amen Corner [1968]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM-y1a1oeCo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zarsqZCXO8Y" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
OR
'Bend me shape me' - Amen Corner [1968]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kM-y1a1oeCo" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
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Re: Covers good or bad
Valerie
The Zutons - Valerie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3xpmfJp0Xc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Amy Winehouse - Valerie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=namFjcO ... gHSE#t=131" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I prefer the latter.
The Zutons - Valerie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3xpmfJp0Xc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Amy Winehouse - Valerie
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=namFjcO ... gHSE#t=131" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I prefer the latter.
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Re: Covers good or bad
I didn't like Madonna's American Pie, but come to think of it, I didn't like the original either.
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Re: Covers good or bad
1000s of covers, but this is undoubtedly the original and best:
Willie Nelson - Always on my Mind- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7f189Z0v0Y
Willie Nelson - Always on my Mind- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7f189Z0v0Y
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Re: Covers good or bad
It's pretty impossible to do a better job than Smokey and the Miracles but the Stones still did a great job and I like it.......
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWwWxZ1N2To" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gWwWxZ1N2To" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;