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I think we've done something similar to this, but not for a while, so here goes.
In my "This Flight Tonight" thread, Pursued by a Bear" reminded me of how I love both the well known versions of the title song.
Original; youtube.com/watch?v=iTfB8Q6DpZ0&
Cover youtube.com/watch?v=TRNhdzX-nnM&
It's great when someone takes a song and , if not makes it their own, then at least gives it a new take.
Another couple
Original youtube.com/watch?v=ZjOD8i-8uWY&
Cover: youtube.com/watch?v=HhYPvaq55Qk&
Original: youtube.com/watch?v=M88Ca91hTWs&
Cover: youtube.com/watch?v=R7tZbI_ITus&
Yours?
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In reply to Big Ger:
Stereophonic's - Handbags and Glad rags
Nirvana - The man who stole the world.
Al
Post edited at 13:07
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In reply to Big Ger:
Here's one for you.
Original: youtube.com/watch?v=fGE6g4d0HZs&
Cover: youtube.com/watch?v=_7nMS2CNJwU&
In reply to Big Ger:
The Black Crowes cover of Otis Redding's Hard to Handle: youtube.com/watch?v=mtLbE3IUY2U& is an absolute blinder.
In reply to Big Ger:
Scissor Sisters - Comfortably Numb.
I still prefer the original, but I salute the bravery of making a disco version that isn't actually half bad.
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In reply to planetmarshall:
Comfortably Numb is one of my favourite songs of all time, especially the version with the extended Dave Gilmore guitar solo at the end. IMO it would be hard to better so I was intrigued to find out that there was another version. Determined not to have a closed mind about this I went looking for it.
I'm sorry it's bloody awful and almost unrecognisable. It was verging on offensive to listen to
Al
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In reply to GridNorth:
+1 to that Al. To me its an absolute travesty.
As I always post when this topic comes around, the Devo version of Satisfaction is better than the original
youtube.com/watch?v=jadvt7CbH1o&
I do understand that I am very much in the minority for thinking this though
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In reply to Big Ger:
This is just the short opening track of a wonderful album of covers by Lauro Nyro with Labelle:
youtube.com/watch?v=lx5rP2vQFxA&
In reply to Big Ger:
The Beatles covered twice
youtube.com/watch?v=8F805bMlWSA&
youtube.com/watch?v=mpHScoWJdvA&
The Breeders win
youtube.com/watch?v=UQmznZFi8Ho&
youtube.com/watch?v=M6rrTROoZIw&
A draw!
In reply to Phil Anderson:
> +1 to that Al. To me its an absolute travesty.
I much prefer a radically different interpretation than a note for note cover. What's the point of that? It's not to everyone's taste obviously - but worth mentioning that Gilmour and Mason agreed with me and Waters asked for a picture disc.
All Saint's version of Under The Bridge, now that's a travesty...
Post edited at 15:43
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In reply to Phil Anderson:
> +1 to that Al. To me its an absolute travesty.
> As I always post when this topic comes around, the Devo version of Satisfaction is better than the original
> I do understand that I am very much in the minority for thinking this though
I don't know about better, but it's fun. Now here's the anti-fun version, and my personal favourite:
youtube.com/watch?v=oyx_LUIbrhM&
- Cat Power turns it into something wracked with existential despair.
In reply to GridNorth:
You sound like 3 of my friends here who are big Floyd fans
They were almost apoplectic when I pointed out that both Waters & Gilmour have said they like the Scissor Sisters version
Post edited at 16:05
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In reply to pasbury:
And three times - Sonic Youth taking on Within You Without You with predictably crunchy results:
youtube.com/watch?v=-Hs7AHBZ9W0&
In reply to Ramblin dave:
Another obvious one on the sonic youth side, Superstar:
youtube.com/watch?v=Y21VecIIdBI&
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In reply to planetmarshall:
> I much prefer a radically different interpretation than a note for note cover. What's the point of that? It's not to everyone's taste obviously - but worth mentioning that Gilmour and Mason agreed with me and Waters asked for a picture disc.
This is the one I always think of when this crops up, I think they're both great. Better than some poor imitation like Florence and the Machine's You've Got the Love, now that really is a travesty...
> All Saint's version of Under The Bridge, now that's a travesty...
I like that too
In reply to GridNorth:
I wonder what you'd make of this Luna Lee version of Another Brick in the Wall?
https://laughingsquid.com/a-brilliant-version-of-pink-floyds-another-brick-...
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In reply to Bob Kemp:
Well, that was interesting, thanks for sharing, but not something I would want to listen to on a regular basis.
Al
Post edited at 18:04
In reply to pasbury:
Speaking of the Beatles, check out the Julie Fowlis cover of Blackbird in Gaelic if you want a more unusual interpretation.
In reply to Big Ger:
Judas Priest also do a great version of Joan Baez's "Diamonds and Rust."
In reply to GridNorth:
> Stereophonic's - Handbags and Glad rags
My favourite version of this is by Mary Coughlan.
In reply to planetmarshall:
> Scissor Sisters - Comfortably Numb.
I like Van Morrison's version from Scorcese's "The Departed."
In reply to Big Ger:
youtube.com/watch?v=An4uDegHB8s&
Stevie Ray Vaughan - Little Wing.
Not many people could really pull off a Hendrix cover...
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In reply to Big Ger:
Glad I have my uses.
Here's a song that doesn't often feature in these threads.
Original, by Timmy Thomas youtube.com/watch?v=cFU-FJzPE80&
Covered by Sade youtube.com/watch?v=OoVUhvLbkpU&
T.
In reply to GridNorth:
> Well, that was interesting, thanks for sharing, but not something I would want to listen to on a regular basis.
> Al
Ha, no, me too. She's quite a player though.
In reply to Big Ger:
Here's another:
The original, by Bobby 'Blue' Bland youtube.com/watch?v=WcF8Aos4XDA&
And covered by Whitesnake youtube.com/watch?v=MA3DNlBMNL0&
T.
In reply to Mike-W-99:
If you like a nice translation into a minority language, perhaps check out Daniel Kahn's Yiddish version of "Hallelujah", recorded by way of a tribute to Leonard Cohen.
youtube.com/watch?v=XH1fERC_504&
(And maybe also his rousing translation into English of "Arbetlose Marsch" presented along with the original lyrics as "March of the Jobless Corps")
youtube.com/watch?v=6KFVVKFxr60&
In reply to Big Ger:
Townes Van Zandts version of the Stones Dead Flowers.
Martin Simpsons cover of Boots of Spanish Leather.
Richard Thompson's version of Season of the Witch. TBH pretty much anything RT covers is awesome.
In reply to DaveHK:
> TBH pretty much anything RT covers is awesome.
Britney?
youtube.com/watch?v=V4WGsMplGxU&
Post edited at 20:20
In reply to deepsoup:
That came immediately to my mind too.
Travis's Britney cover is better; not good, but at least they know how ridiculous they're being.
youtube.com/watch?v=DSKT75m2AiM&
T.
In reply to deepsoup:
Exactly.
In reply to Big Ger:
Mr J Cash
youtube.com/watch?v=vt1Pwfnh5pc&
.....covering Nine Inch Nail's original
youtube.com/watch?v=kPz21cDK7dg&
Both are class but Johnny's version is just incredible.
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In reply to Bob Kemp:
Money is worth a listen too...
youtube.com/watch?v=OjPbmg-VWvA&
Post edited at 21:19
In reply to DaveHK:
I have to agree. (Sorry, P by a B) Even the Britney cover is class.
In reply to deepsoup:
> Britney?
Favourite Britney Spears cover:
youtube.com/watch?v=-tNKF83Q_pk&
Plenty of other good ones on that album.
On a similarish note, here's Alice Russell and Nostalgia 77's 7 Nation Army.
youtube.com/watch?v=iQ4D273C7Ac&
In reply to planetmarshall:
I agree - it didn't try to be 'like' the original and worked...and Comfortably Numb is one of my favourite songs too.
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In reply to DaveHK:
> Townes Van Zandts version of the Stones Dead Flowers.
youtube.com/watch?v=4cV4iRiJPsE&
The Gourds version of TVZ's "Two Girl's."
In reply to Big Ger:
Rest in peace Mark E Smith.
youtube.com/watch?v=D0bZofM6EOU& I always had the hots for Brixie (still do
and this is brilliant youtube.com/watch?v=GuKXYeRCUzI&
W
Post edited at 08:00
In reply to russellcampbell:
> The Gourds version of TVZ's "Two Girl's."
Funnily enough I was just listening to Townes' version of that on the way in to work.
In reply to Big Ger:
Alone Again Or by The Damned, didn't even realise until very recently that this was a cover but its excellent (and so is the original by Love).
Oh and I'm with those who hate the Scissor Sisters version of Comfortably Numb....it's a travesty!
In reply to Pursued by a bear:I always thought that one was a Travisty
> Travis's Britney cover is better; not good, but at least they know how ridiculous they're being.
In reply to Jon Stewart:
Ha ha. That's ace!
In reply to Big Ger:
Flying Burrito Brothers - Wild Horses
youtube.com/watch?v=MchWI3sLUQo&
Obviously the original is incredible but for me this edges it, Gram's delivery in particular.
In reply to Lemony:
> Flying Burrito Brothers - Wild Horses
> Obviously the original is incredible but for me this edges it, Gram's delivery in particular.
The Sundays' version of it is also much loved
In reply to Big Ger:
This one often divides opinion - Electrelane covering Springsteen's "I'm on Fire"
The vocal takes a bit of "adjusting to" (and I am being kind when I say that) but I like double-speed aspect.
Makes the original sound arthritic
youtube.com/watch?v=r3IL_ffEco8&
if you want a "nice" version, Heather Nova's is good but a bit pedestrian and "by rote"
Post edited at 09:49
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In reply to Big Ger:
Don't know if this counts because for years I didn't know it was a cover and to my knowledge it's never been recorded "properly" (this is from a radio session).
So I only heard the original some years after falling in love with this performance, and thus - as is often the way - I am loyal to the first one I heard.
Veruca Salt covering Lucinda Williams. Fairly straight cover, no novelty to it, but I think the delivery and the harmonising have a lot more feeling on this
www.blue-straggler.net/Veruca_Salt/Side_of_the_Road_%28live_radio_session_1995%29.mp3
In reply to Blue Straggler:
> This one often divides opinion - Electrelane covering Springsteen's "I'm on Fire"
> The vocal takes a bit of "adjusting to" (and I am being kind when I say that) but I like double-speed aspect.
Yes, nobody ever accuses her of actually being able to sing but I do really like their sound. Spirit of punk etc. - reminds me of bands like the Raincoats. This is a good cover by them too -
youtube.com/watch?v=9wsdGfeHDSo&
In reply to Bob Kemp:
And their "The Partisan" is good but I don't know if things count as covers when they are from "traditional" original sources.
Verity Electrelane CAN sing a bit, but mostly chose to go all foghorn...
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In reply to Big Ger:
Does this count as a cover given that they only keep the melody and chorus and fill the rest in with their own spoken narrative?
I love it either way
Bongwater (no strangers to the novelty cover), "Everybody's Talkin' "
youtube.com/watch?v=nLUxvZoj_tk&
Post edited at 10:09
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In reply to Blue Straggler:
Ha ha, yes, in fairness she’s not always as extreme! Read covers are tricky as in a sense they’re all covers. On the subject of Bruce covers, Hot Chip were using this as a very effective set closer the other year:
youtube.com/watch?v=tgAHDSMhQ1s&
In reply to Blue Straggler:
> Does this count as a cover given that they only keep the melody and chorus and fill the rest in with their own spoken narrative?
> I love it either way
> Bongwater (no strangers to the novelty cover), "Everybody's Talkin' " youtube.com/watch?v=nLUxvZoj_tk&
Too interesting not to include for me. Good one.
In reply to planetmarshall:
> I much prefer a radically different interpretation than a note for note cover. What's the point of that? It's not to everyone's taste obviously - but worth mentioning that Gilmour and Mason agreed with me and Waters asked for a picture disc.
I couldn't agree more with the first comment. Just not that cover version. Dire.
In reply to Big Ger:
Brian Auger and Julie Driscoll did some great covers
Indian rope man: youtube.com/watch?v=Tw4MQOrNGfI&
Let the sun shine in: youtube.com/watch?v=RYoeIGt8XHs&
check out nouvelle vague for some unlikely covers
Post edited at 12:28
In reply to Bob Kemp:
Sent you an email re: Electrelane
beware their Roxy Music cover, it's awful
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In reply to Bob Kemp:They hadn't even heard of them
Fast forward to around 2015-16, and Verity is playing guest saxophone with The Raincoats
AND right now on 6Music, they are playing The Raincoats' cover of The Kinks' Lola which is genius in many ways
> Spirit of punk etc. - reminds me of bands like the Raincoats. Funnily enough I said this to Electrelane way back in 2002-3, thinking I was making a silly and obvious comment (not just about the music but the whole "all girl band" and pan-sexuality etc. I particularly thought some of the early Electrelane basslines were "a bit Raincoats"
Fast forward to around 2015-16, and Verity is playing guest saxophone with The Raincoats
AND right now on 6Music, they are playing The Raincoats' cover of The Kinks' Lola which is genius in many ways
Post edited at 12:45
In reply to Big Ger:
Obviously Hendrix All along the watchtower.
Lemonheads Mrs Robinson
Peter Gabriel Heroes and Listening wind stand out on the album Scratch my back
Stranglers Walk on by
And for lovers of obscure stuff I have a 12 inch single of Atomic by Blondie, B side a live version of heroes with Robert Fripp on guitar. Lovely !
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In reply to Blue Straggler:
> They hadn't even heard of them
Ha ha! Brilliant!
> Fast forward to around 2015-16, and Verity is playing guest saxophone with The Raincoats
Even 'brillianter'!
> AND right now on 6Music, they are playing The Raincoats' cover of The Kinks' Lola which is genius in many ways.
Yes - here's a link in case anyone else is interested -
youtube.com/watch?v=QufDdHzWhgw&
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In reply to Big Ger:
youtube.com/watch?v=C-1mYXVP1Ok&
heard this for the first time recently and it's beautiful. Bowie in Portuguese.
In reply to Big Ger:
Anthrax version of Joe Jackson's Got The Time
In reply to Big Ger:
I fought the law...
Bobby Fuller Four
youtube.com/watch?v=OgtQj8O92eI&
The Clash
youtube.com/watch?v=KsS0cvTxU-8&
Dead Kennedys
In reply to Phil Anderson:
Come in late to this, so it may have been mentioned, but I always thought The Residents had the definitive take on Satisfaction. youtube.com/watch?v=PmwpD79zATo&
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In reply to Big Ger:
Inspired to think about this now.
There's Christy Moore's excellently understated version of Shine On You Crazy Diamond youtube.com/watch?v=ccvWdcbwZMY&
Or a gloriously over-the-top version of Iam The Walrus by Spooky Tooth - youtube.com/watch?v=gbOIOaWsveM&
But for "Who'd have thought it?" value (and sheer class), you'll go a long way to beat this cover by Richard Thompson - youtube.com/watch?v=7ehMRiXZ1rU&
In reply to Big Ger:
It's a bit mean to pick on New Order as just about anybody's vocals will always be nicer than Barney's BUT this thread needs to have a mention of Laura Cantrell's "Love Vigilantes".
http://static.stereogum.com/blogs.dir/2/files/mp3/Laura%20Cantrell%20-%20Lo...
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In reply to Blue Straggler:
Talking about Joy Division (as you weren't quite), there's always this ace version of that old folk ballad 'Love Will Tear Us Apart' - youtube.com/watch?v=Vlcbs4vdc-4&
In reply to Big Ger:
Don't Fear The Reaper
Original - Blue Oyster Cult
youtube.com/watch?v=Dy4HA3vUv2c&
Cover - Lydia Lunch and Clint Ruin
youtube.com/watch?v=Pv8qYW18amU&
Love them both
In reply to Big Ger:
It's difficult to top the Pixies for worthy covers of already brilliant songs.
Originals:
Yardbirds : youtube.com/watch?v=Y45aHGWoQGs&
Leonard Cohen: youtube.com/watch?v=llkmYnl3I6s&
Neil Young: youtube.com/watch?v=RUZ6JKcwj6w&
Pixies' covers:
youtube.com/watch?v=cCpQ5uE8Utc&
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In reply to OMR:
And this:
Fantastic original: youtube.com/watch?v=bYaWTCY0Tns&
Superior cover: youtube.com/watch?v=yXXFj5wzLFA&
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In reply to Big Ger:
Sarah Bareilles version of Yellow Brick Road. Made me hear the lyrics for the first time..
In reply to Big Ger:
O cannot believe I forgot these;
Otriginal : youtube.com/watch?v=6OutFBRNQTw&
Cover: youtube.com/watch?v=eLNKjlMYvIA&
Original; youtube.com/watch?v=jvtBQS-kxHk&
Cover; youtube.com/watch?v=N6vW2uWsro0&
Original; youtube.com/watch?v=bn_ZRatLl1o&
Cover; youtube.com/watch?v=WSQltTvfTHY&
In reply to Big Ger:
I really like Pet Shop Boys' "Always on My Mind"
It was good enough to beat The Pogues and Kirsty MacColl to Christmas #1 in 1987.
In reply to Big Ger:
In keeping with the spirit of the OP, here is a fairly well known classic, with a cover that I personally prefer because the whole arrangement suits the lyrics better...but I wouldn't argue strongly that it beats the pants off the original (and it doesn't have a 19-year-old Paulina Porizkova in the video....)
youtube.com/watch?v=xuZA6qiJVfU&
youtube.com/watch?v=GlK1y07UjtM&
In reply to Big Ger:
youtube.com/watch?v=8z9wni2uzR8&
and Croydon's best buskers: youtube.com/watch?v=Mw8eXXaOzIU&
In reply to Big Ger:
I genuinely prefer Marianne Faithfull's "Yesterday" to the Beatles' original, and I only first heard Faithfull's recording of it maybe 8-10 years ago so it's not a case of preferring it because it was the first one I'd heard. The musical arrangement and some of her vocal stylings, seem to really enhance the lyrics.
youtube.com/watch?v=ZIj9hXHNiK0&
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