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Prettymaid
02-16-2010, 06:47 PM
I thought we could have fun with this topic.

This morning I was listening to my ipod and Jackson Browne's Rock Me On The Water came on. I immediately thought to myself, "I like Linda Ronstadt's version better." Don't get me wrong - I like Jackson's version too. I think I like Linda's better because it's the first version I ever heard. I also like the way she doesn't hold onto the word 'me', in the title line like he does.

Here they are - you decide. And then post which covers you like better than the original!

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tkbHLel0qAo

EagleLady
02-16-2010, 07:05 PM
Elton John's Version of Pinball Wizard I liked more than the original.

Freypower
02-16-2010, 07:09 PM
There are really only two covers which for me surpass the originals and they're both Bob Dylan songs. Much as I love Dylan, Hendrix's All Along The Watchtower and Bryan Ferry's A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall are superior.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R3jwwy5sSj4

This is fantastic!! If I'd ever seen it, it was a very long time ago! And he looks good too....:nahnah:

But this is good - watch Dylan at 1.30 and applauding at the end.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EuSjhvpWUXk&feature=related

Maleah
02-16-2010, 08:37 PM
Hmm...the only thing I can think of off of the top of my head is that I like Russ Lee's cover of "The Living Years" better than Mike and the Mechanics (although I like the original as well). I'm sure I'll think of more. lol

sodascouts
02-16-2010, 09:00 PM
All of the songs the Eagles covered - Outlaw Man, Ol' 55, Seven Bridges Road, How Long, etc - but that goes without saying, eh? ;)

Here's a couple that come to mind:

Hazy Shade of Winter - The Bangles

as opposed to

Hazy Shade of Winter - Simon and Garfunkel

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NhjmNtmkwHU)
- and -


Tainted Love - Soft Cell

as opposed to

Tainted Love - Gloria Jones

Prettymaid
02-16-2010, 09:49 PM
I didn't even know those were remakes, Soda. See, I knew I'd learn something new here!

DonFan
02-16-2010, 11:26 PM
What movie was the Bangles' clip from? I recognized Robert Downey Jr, one of my favorites.

Prettymaid
02-17-2010, 08:23 AM
Ooh, I thought of another one, but EV's going to kill me!

I like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg8cDmi7-U8


much better than this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BN6zFN8cAPs

TimothyBFan
02-17-2010, 08:56 AM
PM--great minds---That was the first one that came to mind and I also thought the same thing about EV. :hilarious:

I will have to think on this--I know there are several but can't think of them off hand.

eaglesvet
02-17-2010, 10:34 AM
Now, now, ladies...I can certainly understand where you are coming from!:hilarious: Manfred Mann's version is the one that charted as a Billboard hit, so obviously most folks will prefer that one. (It's actually Bruce's only Billboard hit as a songwiter, rather than the singer.)

Bruce had released the song himself years earlier, in 1973 as the first single off his first album (as pictured above), and it completely failed to chart. Manfred Mann's the one that revived it. However, since I 'grew up' with Bruce's version, I have to admit it holds a special place in my heart. :inlove:

Great topic, BTW...I'll have to think of some others.

Oh yes, "Jersey Girl" is a Tom Waits song sung by Bruce; tremendously, I might add.:wink:
BETTER yet...Keith Urban does a FANTASTIC version of "Romeo's Tune," the old Steve Forbert song. (I'm sorry, I don't have any idea how to post a You-Tube video...Willie or Cath, any help here?)

TimothyBFan
02-17-2010, 10:44 AM
Eva-because I insulted your man....

I forgot about this & wasn't aware that Keith had redone it!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE79UxDu7Xc

Couldn't find a performance vid but this one sure has a beautiful pic of Keith.
Not bad!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlHJIWbEYNo

TimothyBFan
02-17-2010, 10:54 AM
My Firefox keeps crashing this week so I'm going to do these in a few post so I don't lose them.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoAXW30mMAg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwjOd8KQRnk

and

Don't tell my hubby this one--it's one of his faves ...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6LX7ZvgPnA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmAXamKz4LQ

and

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

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmUIqKSoH2k

TimothyBFan
02-17-2010, 11:05 AM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1n7pfNNP2EM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z30HykJ8FAw

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uGtUNelJf94

Julie--this ones a little something for you also...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nl4tWRsOxV0

and

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZgMEPk6fvpg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F8cwExXWQ4

sodascouts
02-17-2010, 11:11 AM
I'm sorry, I don't have any idea how to post a You-Tube video...Willie or Cath, any help here?

Just post the url (web address) of the YouTube video and the board will embed it for you.

TimothyBFan
02-17-2010, 11:18 AM
Hope I'm not duplicating anyone.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZDlnU5zwwE

Gotta love anything Diamond Dave redoes...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N2CyQ7Eslg4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KgfsTAk0oP4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VokZ_GGZ5yY

And I didn't think I'd ever find a better version of this....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_juH0AHvwk

till I saw this....
http://www.donhenleyonline.com/multimedia/live/HOICGarageBand97.mpg

I'd also like to say that on every one of these, I like the originals for the most part also.

Something I found out over the weekend. Black Magic Woman by Santana came on the radio and a friend said "you know that's a remake from one of your favorite bands, right?". Had no clue that Fleetwood Mac had done it in 1968. I'm so ashamed!

I'm sure I will think of others as the days progress.

eaglesvet
02-17-2010, 11:24 AM
Eva-because I insulted your man....

I forgot about this & wasn't aware that Keith had redone it!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE79UxDu7Xc

Couldn't find a performance vid but this one sure has a beautiful pic of Keith.
Not bad!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KlHJIWbEYNo
Hey thanks! No offense taken, BTW...to each his own, and that means Bruce is my own!! (I wish!) (Mine and a few others, at least...)

GORGEOUS picture of Keith...I love him too! That song is on his greatest hits CD, "19 Kids." I actually never bothered to find out what original album it is from. I got hooked on him relatively late in my life...sigh...

eaglesvet
02-17-2010, 11:25 AM
Just post the url (web address) of the YouTube video and the board will embed it for you.
Thx, I will try it myself next time.

Prettymaid
02-17-2010, 01:23 PM
I like this

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

much better than this.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6oHt921gMA

EagleLady
02-17-2010, 01:49 PM
Sorry, but Billie Jean can NEVER Be duplicated. :nope:

Freypower
02-17-2010, 06:37 PM
Willie, there are a couple of contentious choices there... particularly Helter Skelter and Baker Street. There is only one Baker Street.

As for After Midnight, that was good, but MK didn't get much screen time (not that I mind looking at Eric).

I didn't do what I should have done, which was post Dylan's original A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Falll, so here it is.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axGwD9B8SxY

If I can be self-indulgent, much as I love this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltRwmgYEUr8

I would love to link to Glenn's version of the song on GFO but this is the best I can do. You can find it on this page. I would link to the mp3 version but I don't know how.

http://www.glennfreyonline.com/downloads/multimedialivevideo.htm

Prettymaid
02-17-2010, 06:46 PM
Willie, there are a couple of contentious choices there... particularly Helter Skelter ...

Yes, I'm not sure if I've ever heard a better version of a Beatle's song - ever.


ETA: The video Willie posted of The Beatles Come Together is not "live". Somebody has spliced them together.

Freypower
02-17-2010, 07:05 PM
PM, you may have misunderstood me. I said 'there is only one Baker Street' - I should also have said 'there is only one Helter Skelter'. I don't like U2. As soon as Bono got to 'you ain't no lover but you ain't no dancer' when the lines are actually 'you may be a lover but you ain't no dancer'.... well, I'm sorry. It wasn't a bad try, I guess, but it did not work.

The Beatles did not need U2 to 'steal the song back' from Charles Manson, thanks very much.

Prettymaid
02-17-2010, 07:22 PM
FP, I thought I understood you to mean that you did not agree with TBF that the covers of Baker Street and Helter Skelter are better than the originals. I was agreeing with you on Helter Skelter (and Baker Street too for that matter). U2's version's not bad - it's just not as good. :wink:

Freypower
02-17-2010, 07:48 PM
Sorry PM - when you said you didn't think you'd heard a better version of a Beatles song ever, I thought you were referring to the U2 version. :blush:

Maleah
02-18-2010, 02:14 AM
I like this

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

much better than this.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6oHt921gMA

Gotta agree on that one! I like the orinal too, but DC's cover captures the subject of the song much better, imo. And after hearing it live, it will ALWAYS be my favorite! He absolutely nailed it with no effort (or at least it seemed like no effort lol) in concert.

TimothyBFan
02-18-2010, 08:31 AM
I knew I'd hear about my Beatles choices. :blush: But I'm just not a Beatles fan (ducking and running). As far as Baker Street--love Gerry Rafferty's version but I'm a Foo Fighters fan and really like there more updated version. In the infamous words of EL--Just my opinion. ;)

Prettymaid
02-18-2010, 10:15 AM
Sorry PM - when you said you didn't think you'd heard a better version of a Beatles song ever, I thought you were referring to the U2 version. :blush:

I see where the misunderstanding came in. I did not word it very succinctly.

TBF, don't worry about it. We all know by now that you're not a Beatle fan (but why not for the love of God? :hilarious:). But that's what this thread is for - to post our choices and then discuss them!

TimothyBFan
02-19-2010, 10:14 AM
Sure am glad that Borderers are a forgiving people! :pray:

Mrs Frey
02-19-2010, 11:30 AM
Very interesting thread! :nod:

I'm struggling with YouTube right now, so I can only present this one song for the time being:

I prefer both these versions of "Long Tall Sally" (by Elvis Presley and The Beatles) to the original by Little Richard:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X0e15PIJfc


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=612806fJb_Q


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GsJVT8Jr_pM

I'm still trying to decide whether I prefer Elvis' version or that of The Beatles. They're both thrilling. I think The Beatles maybe pip Elvis to the post here. There are a few versions of "Long Tall Sally" by The Beatles and Elvis available on YouTube, but I picked these, as they are the best for me. Elvis' studio recording is similar to this 1956 Tupelo performance, but The Beatles' studio version doesn't rock quite as hard as this 1964 Washington gig's, even though it's great.

TBF, don't worry: each to his/her own :smile:.

Prettymaid
02-19-2010, 02:03 PM
For me there's no question - The Beatles win hands down! :thumbsup:

Freypower
02-19-2010, 05:44 PM
The Beatles versions of the old rockers in their early years like Money and Twist and Shout are superior to the originals.

Here is a good example of a better cover version:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ukyHsbXLZ4&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmtN7vCLsrg&feature=related

Where is You Can't Hurry Love, you ask? I was never a fan of the original song and Collins' version doesn't reallly improve on it.


However.....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJvhJfSSnUQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TqU2tQAF_Us

TimothyBFan
02-21-2010, 01:56 PM
FP--thanks for posting If I Were A Carpenter by Robert!! Wonderful version!! That brings tears to the eyes.

TimothyBFan
02-22-2010, 10:23 AM
I was listening to some Guns N Roses this weekend and I started thinking about how many times they've covered songs and a lot I really really like better than the originals.

This one especially.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-s5r2spPJ8g

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wEQ2X2TAbgU

Now this one's a toss up because I love both equally I think.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rX0O_ojxwa4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQn1k9WPeLM

I remember the first time I heard this by GNR--I thought how crazy it was that they would pick this song to remake.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngZh6ZSRoYg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5m33NvjWEKM

Freypower
02-22-2010, 08:12 PM
But Willie, please don't tell me you prefer their versions of Live & Let Die & Knockin' On Heaven's Door! Please..... :ziplip:

TimothyBFan
02-22-2010, 08:58 PM
I like their versions but you notice I didn't include them here. ;-)

EagleLady
09-27-2011, 10:25 AM
I'm reviving this thread.

I prefer Johnny Cash's version of Hurt to Nine Inch Nails. It's just so superior in every way.

VAisForEagleLovers
09-27-2011, 10:29 AM
I'm reviving this thread.

I prefer Johnny Cash's version of Hurt to Nine Inch Nails. It's just so superior in every way.


I'm with ya on that one, EL! Of course, I'm extremely biased over Johnny Cash. I like everything he's ever done.

Freypower
09-27-2011, 06:28 PM
I'm reviving this thread.

I prefer Johnny Cash's version of Hurt to Nine Inch Nails. It's just so superior in every way.

It's superb; but I have never heard the original so I can't compare the two.

Freypower
09-27-2011, 06:34 PM
I just thought of something. I believe I heard the definitive version of The Look Of Love in Niagara Falls. When I went & tried to listen to the Dusty Springfield version I was amazed at how lightweight it was, even when it got to the chorus. I already posted that in another thread. I thought her voice was far too breathy for it.

sodascouts
09-27-2011, 09:29 PM
Agreed!

Koala
09-28-2011, 09:03 AM
Among other things,I prefer the cover from Cat's in the Cradle by Ugly Kid Joe,
Easy from Faith no More Instead of the original from The Commodores.

EaglesKiwi
09-29-2011, 04:46 AM
This may be heresy... I really like Leonard Cohen as a songwriter, but not so much as a singer. So I like k.d.Lang's version of "Hallelujah" much better. In particular, the live performance on the night LC was inducted into the Canadian Songwriters Hall of Fame.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYiMJ2bC65A

And, not surprisingly, I just LOVE Don Henley's version of "Everybody Knows".

EaglesKiwi
09-29-2011, 04:48 AM
I wouldn't say I like it "better" than the original, but I do like it equally: the Roy Orbison /kd Lang duet of Crying.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-EiKPrAOHA

There's a lovely version of kd doing it live/solo on YouTube too.

WalshFan88
10-07-2011, 02:23 AM
Trying to think of them all, because there is a lot.

Little Wing - Stevie Ray Vaughan (original by Jimi Hendrix)
All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix (original by Bob Dylan)
Knockin' On Heaven's Door - Guns N' Roses (original by Bob Dylan)
Come Together - Aerosmith (original by Beatles)
Live And Let Die - Guns N' Roses (original by Wings)
You Really Got Me - Van Halen (original by Kinks)
Cocaine - Eric Clapton (original by JJ Cale)
Crossroads - Cream (original by Robert Johnson)
I Just Want To Make Love To You - Foghat (original by Muddy Waters)
Hurt - Johnny Cash (original by Nine Inch Nails)

Prettymaid
10-07-2011, 08:04 AM
Sticking with the Leonard Cohen theme, I like this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkamRumVXn4

much better than this.

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

Suzanne is a beautiful song. I've always loved it and appreciate LC's writing skills much more than his singing skills.

Freypower
10-07-2011, 05:23 PM
Trying to think of them all, because there is a lot.

Little Wing - Stevie Ray Vaughan (original by Jimi Hendrix)
All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix (original by Bob Dylan)
Knockin' On Heaven's Door - Guns N' Roses (original by Bob Dylan)
Come Together - Aerosmith (original by Beatles)
Live And Let Die - Guns N' Roses (original by Wings)
You Really Got Me - Van Halen (original by Kinks)
Cocaine - Eric Clapton (original by JJ Cale)
Crossroads - Cream (original by Robert Johnson)
I Just Want To Make Love To You - Foghat (original by Muddy Waters)
Hurt - Johnny Cash (original by Nine Inch Nails)

I agree with some of those - All Along The Watchtower. Cocaine, Crossroads & Hurt, but the covers of the Beatles, Wings & Knockin' On Heaven's Door I'm afraid I just shake my head. I don't get those, KOHD especially. The song requires subtlety. As for You Really Got Me I can sort of see that because the original is very basic.

Freypower
10-07-2011, 05:41 PM
I forgot how hard this swings. It's incredible. Near the end when Frank points I had a very pleasant memory of a recent event.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ga6yhFiKuk

I'm not saying this is better, but I have always adored it. This man is an Australian singer-songwriter who my uncle met a couple of times.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7yajwZgtMZU

WalshFan88
10-10-2011, 02:07 AM
I agree with some of those - All Along The Watchtower. Cocaine, Crossroads & Hurt, but the covers of the Beatles, Wings & Knockin' On Heaven's Door I'm afraid I just shake my head. I don't get those, KOHD especially. The song requires subtlety. As for You Really Got Me I can sort of see that because the original is very basic.

I'm a big GNR fan and I guess I just like the rockier version.

I love Bob Dylan's songwriting but I cannot personally stand to listen to his voice. So I love it when other artists do his songs because they are GREAT songs, but don't have that voice that I don't care for. Like when the Rolling Stones cover "Like A Rolling Stone".

Freypower
10-10-2011, 05:30 PM
The Stones' version of LARS is OK. They leave out the 'jugglers & the clowns' verse.

I never know what to say to the apparently endless numbers of people who can't stand Dylan's voice. I have never felt that way. I can't try & convince them otherwise.

Jonny Come Lately
08-28-2016, 11:15 AM
Thought it might be timely to revive this thread after reading about Nickelback covering Dirty Laundry - there are probably not many that I can think of off the top of my head, but I'll give it a go... here's a few for starters.

Most of the ones that come straight to my mind are Eagles songs. I prefer their versions of Train Leaves Here This Morning and Ol' 55 to the originals. Tom Waits wasn't a great fan of their take on his song, but they made it their own - the combination of Glenn and Don's vocals with the piano and pedal steel is beautiful. The biggest one for me though is How Long because, to me, it's an Eagles song. As much as I like and respect J.D., it just sounds so right with them doing it. It sounded right in 1973 and it sounded right in 2007, and it does it for me every time. I've not heard David Blue's Outlaw Man, and most of the other non-Eagles penned songs such as Peaceful Easy Feeling are not really covers IMO.

Another cover that I definitely prefer is Don's version of Here Come Those Tears Again to Jackson's. I love how he 'countrified' the song. It's weird, because those lyrics are so personal to Jackson, but Don sings them like they are his own. I've not heard the original versions of his other Cass County covers.

With regards to other artists, I think Jimi Hendrix's All Along The Watchtower edges Dylan's original as it is musically superior. It does lose some of the menace of the more stripped back original, although this is made up for by Hendrix's delivery - compare how he sings 'and the wind began to HOWL!' to Dylan's more restrained vocal. Dylan approaches the song as a storyteller whereas Hendrix approaches it as a performer.

There are quite a few other covers I enjoy, but they are mostly songs where I have not heard the original versions, such as Fleetwood Mac's Blue Letter and Neil Young's Oh Lonesome Me. However, I can also come up with quite a few songs where I think the original is clearly unsurpassed!

chaim
08-28-2016, 12:43 PM
There are a lot of them, but I can't think of many off the top of my head. I like Argent, but I prefer KISS's version of God Gave Rock'n'Roll To You. Even Russ Ballard has said he prefers KISS's version, and he wrote and originally sang it!

Without You. I think Nilsson's version is THE version.

Oh, and I very much prefer Sinatra's version of Yesterday.

Now that we mentioned Sinatra, his version of It Was A Very Good Year is better than the original.

Delilah
08-28-2016, 02:07 PM
Bette Midler's version of "Wind Beneath My Wings" is a definite improvement over what I thought for years was the original by Gary Morris (Roger Whittaker performed it first, but Morris' rendition was the hit). I did a double-take when I read it was written by Siblar and Henley, but the full names are Jeff Siblar and Larry Henley.

Witchy Woman
08-28-2016, 02:43 PM
I like Metallica's version of Turn The Page better than Bob Seger's. Although Bob's is pretty effing awesome too !!

UndertheWire
08-28-2016, 05:31 PM
"Summer Breeze" performed by The Isley Brothers rather than Seals & Croft. I love the guitar and overall it's much stronger and less sweet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T88fbHOmvRk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsHuV3Aj1os

"With a Little Help from my Friends" performed by Joe Cocker rather than The Beatles.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POaaw_x7gvQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkyqRP8S93Y

"Woodstock" by Mathews Southern Comfort rather than Joni Mitchell.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIHfuihoz70
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cRjQCvfcXn0

WS82Classics
08-28-2016, 06:54 PM
Off the top of my head...

"Baby, I Need Your Lovin'": Johnny Rivers' cover over the Four Tops' original.
"Without You": Harry Nilsson's cover over Badfinger's original.
"Out of Control": REO Speedwagon's cover over the Eagles' original.
"Little Wing": Derek & the Dominoes' cover over Jimi Hendrix's original.
"Woodstock": CSNY's cover over the originals.
"One": Three Dog Night's cover over Harry Nilsson's original.
"Mr. Tambourine Man": The Byrds' cover over Bob Dylan's original.
"You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin'": Hall & Oates' cover over the Righteous Brothers' original.
"Every Time You Go Away": Paul Young's cover over Hall & Oates' original.
"You Can't Hurry Love": Phil Collins' cover over the Supremes' original.
"Arms of Love": REM's cover over Robyn Hitchcock & the Egyptians' original.
"Needles & Pins": The Ramones' and Tom Petty's covers over the Searchers' original.
"Please Come Home for Christmas": The Eagles' cover over the original and all the others.
"Jet Airliner": Steve Miller's cover over Paul Pena's original.
"Wild Mountain Thyme": Glenn Frey's live cover over the originals.
"Don't Bring Me Down": Tom Petty's live cover over the originals.
"Love Hurts": Nazareth's cover over the originals.
"Life's Been Good": The Eagles' live cover over Joe Walsh's original.

buffyfan145
08-28-2016, 08:52 PM
This hasn't happened to me too often since even if I do like the covers I still prefer the original. These are the ones I can think of off the top of my head but I'm sure there's more.

"Hurt" - Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails)
"All Along the Watchtower" - Jimmy Hendrix (Bob Dylan)
"If Not For You" - George Harrison (Bob Dylan)
"Mighty Quinn" - Manfred Mann (Bob Dylan)
"Hey Mr. Tambourine Man" The Byrds (Bob Dylan)
"To Make You Feel My Love" - Garth Brooks (Bob Dylan/Billy Joel)
"Shameless" Garth Brooks (Billy Joel)
"Piece of my Heart" - Faith Hill (Janis Joplin)
"Mercury Blues" - Alan Jackson (Various early recordings)
"Summer Time Blues" - Alan Jackson (Eddie Cochran)
"Who's Cheatin' Who" - Alan Jackson (Charly McClain)
"Third Rate Romance" - Sammy Kershaw (Amazing Rhythm Aces)
"My Maria" - Brooks and Dunn (B.W. Stevenson)
"Please Come Home for Christmas" - Eagles (Various)
"Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" - The Pretenders (Various)
"The Rose" - Bette Midler (Conway Twitty)
"Running Up that Hill" - Placebo (Kate Bush)
"I Will Remember You" - Sarah McLachlan (Originally an Irish instrumental "Weep Not for the Memories" for the film "The Brothers McMullen" till Sarah added lyrics.)

Noticed a few are Bob Dylan songs but I love Bob's other songs but tend to prefer the above covers. And I grew up on Alan Jackson so I prefer his versions of the songs. Didn't even know Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath my Wings" was a cover as were others I've seen posted.

NightMistBlue
08-29-2016, 08:16 AM
There are quite a few other covers I enjoy, but they are mostly songs where I have not heard the original versions, such as Fleetwood Mac's Blue Letter and Neil Young's Oh Lonesome Me.

The original "Oh, Lonesome Me" by Don Gibson (with Carl Perkins on guitar) is the best, IMO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc-2eO8FJzk

Delilah
08-29-2016, 07:38 PM
Noticed a few are Bob Dylan songs but I love Bob's other songs but tend to prefer the above covers. And I grew up on Alan Jackson so I prefer his versions of the songs. Didn't even know Bette Midler's "Wind Beneath my Wings" was a cover as were others I've seen posted.

If you grew up on Alan Jackson then you probably grew up on Faith Hill, too. I guess I just never cared for her cover of Piece of My Heart. But I can understand it if you knew her music before Janis Joplin's.

As far as Bob Dylan covers, I love Rick Nelson's "She Belongs to Me" and "If You Gotta Go, Go Now" which he recorded for his Live at the Troubadour album. Randy was part of the Stone Canyon Band at the time and I'd love to know how much he contributed to the arrangements and that hard-driving bass on the latter song.

Freypower
08-29-2016, 07:58 PM
I recommend Bryan Ferry's Dylanesque album. The best tracks are probably Simple Twist Of Fate & Posiitively Fourth Street, but as I said earlier in the thread his version of A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall beats the original to a pulp.

Phil Collins' version of The Times They Are A-Changing isn't bad.

I prefer the Byrds' You Ain't Going Nowhere to Dylan's version. However it must be remembered that JCL & I are pretty much the only Dylan fans on this board.

buffyfan145
08-29-2016, 08:15 PM
Delilah, yeah I grew up on the early 90s country too so I knew Faith's before hearing Janis'. I prefer it faster like how she did it and I really liked Faith's music back then.

VillageGirl
08-29-2016, 09:25 PM
For A Hard Rain's a Gonna Fall, I think I prefer Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians cover to Dylan's as I like the smoothness of her voice.

NightMistBlue
08-30-2016, 08:44 AM
I agree with you, Village Girl. Thanks for posting because I was afraid to volunteer that opinion :) Dylan fans are passionate, and I respect that. Hell, as a hardcore Doors fan, if someone told me the Ricky Martin version of "Light My Fire" was the ultimate, I'd have to be held back. 8)

Jonny Come Lately
08-30-2016, 09:53 AM
The original "Oh, Lonesome Me" by Don Gibson (with Carl Perkins on guitar) is the best, IMO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc-2eO8FJzk

Thanks for the link! Very interesting, I was surprised to see that Neil didn't use all of Gibson's verses. It was more sprightly than I expected (although then again I am comparing it to Neil Young, and no one does 'despairing' quite like him!). I still prefer Neil's version, although the original is certainly good as well. It's weird to hear a different version for me as After The Gold Rush is an album I play a lot as a full record. The strangest thing was that Don't Let It Bring You Down didn't immediately follow on from it! :lol: I'm like that with Hotel California as well. Whenever I hear the end of New Kid In Town, I always expect the riff from Life In The Fast Lane to kick in at the end, and I'm still surprised when it doesn't if I'm listening to it alone as part of a playlist!

As a Bob Dylan fan, one of the things I most love about his work is his great songwriting and lyrics. So I think that if people don't enjoy his songs when he sings them but enjoy them when someone else performs them, that's a great thing. I understand why not everyone loves his voice, I personally think his voice suits a lot of his material very well (especially some of the most droll pieces from Blonde On Blonde such as Stuck Inside of Mobile...) but if you don't like the way he performs his songs either, that's fine. The only thing that genuinely annoys me is when people say that Dylan can't sing. It's fair enough if you don't like his voice, fair enough if you don't like his music and even his lyrics, but it's not true that he isn't a capable vocalist.

In terms of my own experience with Dylan covers I think Bob's All Along The Watchtower is a great piece of work in itself, but I agree that Jimi's version is definitive. Even Bob has taken to using Jimi's arrangement in concert rather than his own, which is some compliment. The Byrds version of Mr Tambourine Man is good, but I think the original is magical. My favourite parts of the song are the harmonica solo and the final verse with its wonderfully poetic lyrics, which The Byrds cover doesn't include. However, I think Bob's version of Knocking On Heaven's Door is the definitive one for sure. The better cover versions are the less well known ones IMO - Warren Zevon's cover is particularly meaningful as he recorded it as he was dying of cancer, and I also like Roger Waters' take on the song. By contrast, I can't get into Eric Clapton's reggae version, and I think the Guns N Roses version completely misses the point of the song (apologies to the GNR fans here), although oddly enough I actually find it more entertaining than Clapton's because their version is so far 'wrong' that I find it funny. I have a pretty dark sense of humour so the idea of turning a bleak song about the feeling of weakness as you slide towards death into a good time rocker with blazing power chords amuses me, even though the Dylan purist in me is aghast and thinks 'what have you done with this beautiful song?'.

My personal 'pet hate' is Fleetwood Mac covers! Whenever I hear covers of their songs I'm always annoyed as I'd far rather be hearing the original. With most of my other favourites I don't hear many cover versions so it's not a problem, but with FM I hear a lot of covers. I'll begrudgingly admit that The Dixie Chicks version of Landslide (which everyone else in my family likes) isn't bad. But all of the others I hear, whether it's Dreams, Don't Stop, The Chain, Go Your Own Way (I remember a really bland cover of this one being used in a TV advert. It completely lacked the energy and power that makes it great)... it's all the same, just give me Stevie and Lindsey already!

Annoying Twit
08-30-2016, 01:17 PM
I like cover versions that are so different from the original that they are so different that you can't really compare them. E.g. Yukihiro Takahashi did a cover of Taxman as an 80s style synth-pop track. I think it's it's own thing, and can't really be compared to the original.

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

Delilah
08-31-2016, 12:12 AM
I recommend Bryan Ferry's Dylanesque album. The best tracks are probably Simple Twist Of Fate & Posiitively Fourth Street, but as I said earlier in the thread his version of A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall beats the original to a pulp.

Thank you for the recommendation. TBH I'm not familiar with Bryan Ferry outside of a few Roxy Music songs, but I will check it out.

NightMistBlue
08-31-2016, 07:44 AM
Thanks for the link! Very interesting, I was surprised to see that Neil didn't use all of Gibson's verses. It was more sprightly than I expected (although then again I am comparing it to Neil Young, and no one does 'despairing' quite like him!). I still prefer Neil's version, although the original is certainly good as well.

I actually got to learn of that song by a cover - Paul McCartney did a fine version that I heard while visiting Ireland many moons ago. Actually, I never found Paul's recording (maybe I dreamed it) but it led me to Don Gibson so I'm not complaining.

And I have Neil Young to thank for turning me onto Hank Williams, Sr.'s searing "Alone and Forsaken," which he sang with someone (Springsteen?) on a television charity concert some years ago. I'm a HW fan but had never heard that song. Neko Case does an absolutely brilliant cover. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQbco1s9iTg

Annoying Twit
08-31-2016, 07:56 AM
I agree with you, Village Girl. Thanks for posting because I was afraid to volunteer that opinion :) Dylan fans are passionate, and I respect that. Hell, as a hardcore Doors fan, if someone told me the Ricky Martin version of "Light My Fire" was the ultimate, I'd have to be held back. 8)

I should be safe with the Atlantic Ocean separating us, but even though I was tempted I'm just not that mean :)

NightMistBlue
08-31-2016, 08:18 AM
I would forgive you AT - the Doors have weathered many insults over the years and their music keeps on enduring, as it always will I predict.

Ooh! I just thought of the ultimate cover that's better than the original: the Linda Ronstadt version of Warren Zevon's "Poor Pitiful Me" - she actually improves on the lyrics and arguably the music.

Delilah
09-01-2016, 08:35 PM
I recommend Bryan Ferry's Dylanesque album. The best tracks are probably Simple Twist Of Fate & Posiitively Fourth Street, but as I said earlier in the thread his version of A Hard Rain's A Gonna Fall beats the original to a pulp.

Phil Collins' version of The Times They Are A-Changing isn't bad.

I prefer the Byrds' You Ain't Going Nowhere to Dylan's version. However it must be remembered that JCL & I are pretty much the only Dylan fans on this board.

Well, per your suggestion I listened to the album 2+ times. It was really good, some tracks better than others. I really like Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues and Simple Twist of Fate. I like the pretty piano and strings arrangement of Positively 4th Street, but I have to say this is one of the few times I think Dylan's rendition is better. Ferry's arrangement of Times They Are-a-Changin' reminds me of the Traveling Wilburys, I guess due to the Dylan connection.

I agree with VillageGirl and prefer Edie Brickell's cover of A Hard Rain's Gonna
Fall. I prefer Garth Brooks' version of Make You Feel My Love, although I'm not that crazy about it, either. I think a song like If Not for You may have benefitted from Rick Nelson's understated countrified approach. Anyway, thank you for your recommendation. I have a new perspective of Bryan Ferry's musicianship.

buffyfan145
09-01-2016, 09:21 PM
I can't believe I forgot about Reba McEntire and her versions of "Fancy" and "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia". I loved those songs and Reba is amazing.

VillageGirl
09-02-2016, 12:34 AM
I'm pretty sure most of you have come across [U]Chimes of Freedom[U].

It's still on Amazon Prime. It has 70+ artists honoring Bob Dylan by covering his songs. It's pretty cool, because you can compare the various artists' covers to the originals.

Adele's version of "Make you feel my love" was really nice :)

No matter what you you think about him, Bob Dylan is just a pure genius( IMO).
It's as if he had a muse constantly whispering in his ear...

WS82Classics
09-12-2016, 09:20 PM
Just heard Richie Havens' version of "Eleanor Rigby." I definitely prefer this one to the Beatles' original.

shunlvswx
10-04-2016, 10:12 AM
I like Don's version of Everybody Knows better than the original. I guess Leonard made it more sexier with his deep voice, but it was a turn off after I heard Don's version.

I like Don's version of Searching For A Heart.

buffyfan145
10-04-2016, 10:29 AM
I heard a couple more while my local alternative rock station had their popular "Under Cover" weekend a couple weeks ago where they play various cover songs but most are by alt rock/indie artists and they're covering other alt rock/indie artists so a lot here might not know the originals.

That being said there are a lot of Beatles songs from their early albums that are covers that I prefer a lot to the original. Same with Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

WS82Classics
10-05-2016, 09:21 AM
Speaking of Beatles covers, I'm reminded of my preference for Keith Moon's rendition of "In My Life," from his "Two Sides of the Moon" album, over the original.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOkVNUl4NNk