And I’m not saying that the original is bad. You have to have a good song to have a good cover in my opinion. But sometimes the cover artist just understands the mission and takes what the original song did and expands on that a hundred times over.
What’re some of your guys’s favorites?
Very common opinion, but “Hurt” originally by NIN covered by Johnny Cash. He really puts his mark on it, especially considering how old he was when he did the cover.
I might be the only person who prefers the original
Nah, I also prefer the NIN one. It’s just that Cash did a great job at the cover.
I think Kermit’s cover of Cash’s cover was brilliant.
Definitely a classic.
This is the one.
Yes that’s a great one
Heartily seconded, came here to say this.
Jimi Hendrix’s version of All Along The Watchtower by Bob Dylan. It’s likely to be the only version of the song most people have ever heard.
And even Dylan agreed it was better
Is it still a cover if the original artist agrees to let you adopt the song? Dylan said it’s Hendrix’ song now.
yeah I love that Dylan said he felt like he was covering jimi when he played it.
I’m not sure I’d agree that it’s jimis song though considering he never played it out, just made the studio cover for Are You Experienced
The Donnie Darko (slowed down version) of Tears for Fears, Mad World.
Great choice. That was done by Gary Jules, btw.
Nirvana’s version of The Man Who Sold the World.
This is one of my favorite songs of all time, and I quite liked the original even.
Goldfinger version of 99 red balloons absolutely nails it in my opinion
I prefer the 7 Seconds version
Still one of the greatest live acts around.
deleted by creator
Have you heard the original meat puppet versions? Nirvana basically covered them exactly.
Not saying that’s bad. But when you look at songs like “All along the washer tower” by Jimi, or “Whiskey in the Jar” by Metallica. Those covers are completely changed to fit their style. In my mind, that’s what makes a cover great.
A lot of Nirvana’s style is the Meat Puppets
Good covers, but they lack original twists. Meat Puppets even played the music in the unplugged performance. So really it’s wasn’t Nirvana covering them as much as Kurt Cobain singing.
It’s what I have against Weezer’s cover of Toto’s Africa. Good cover, but it doesn’t scream Weezer at all.
deleted by creator
Lake of Fire is the only one I’d say is maybe better. Especially if we are talking about the MP too high to die version over MPII version.
They are all good songs, though, so I can definitely see your point.
huh I’ve never heard the originals, didn’t realize they were 1:1. I think Kurt’s voice suits them perfectly but yeah agreed that the best covers are transformative, as you can see clearly if you wanna go look at my main comment on here haha
I love Weezer’s Africa just because it’s so fucking funny that they did that but yeah, it doesn’t recontextualize anything or even sound like Weezer. would be a lot cooler if it did
I’ll go check out your comment!
I just find it funny that some Nirvana fans would listen to Plateau by the Meat Puppets and think it was Kurt Cobain singing. Like “He recorded a studio version??”
I wouldn’t even know how you could change Africa to something else and be liked. It’s a tall order for sure. I enjoy Bob Dylan a ton but understand not everyone likes his voice or even harmonica. “All Along The Watch Tower” could easily be changed and enjoyed because it’s the music and lyrics that are loved mostly. Africa is an entire package. I enjoy Dave Matthews Band performing “All Along The Watch Tower”. He puts it in his own style some, but that style isn’t as different as Jimi.
also Jesus doesn’t want me for a Sunbeam which came from unplugged too.
some of my favorite covers nirvana did though were not off unplugged, Love Buzz, Molly’s Lips, And I Love Her
deleted by creator
Way better understanding of the holy mission, ×1699 times expansion on what the original did
No one can compete with the king of parodying Weird Al
My personal favorites that I like better than the originals and I LOVE the originals:
Whiskey in the Jar - Metallica
Take On Me - Reel Big Fish
99 Red Balloons - Goldfinger
Land of Confusion - Disturbed
La Isla Bonita - Twilight Guardians
Spaceballs - Majestica
Black Betty - Spiderbait
Thriller - Scandroid
Electric Avenue - Skindred
faith no more’s easy
A Perfect Circle’s version of Imagine by John Lennon is my favorite cover song. They add so much groove, atmosphere and melancholy to the song. It’s beautiful.
I will survive by cake.
My first high school dance freshman year they played the original and i belted out every word from memory because i spent all summer listening to Fashion Nugget.
In the same vein, Smooth Criminal by Alien Ant Farm.
Such Great Heights covered by Streetlight Manifesto. This is one of the songs that makes me think about how much I love my wife.
Iron and Wine do another great cover of this song
I have no idea who that is but I’m going right now to find out.
The horn arrangement just absolutely slays.
Crooked Fingers - Long Black Veil
Johnny Cash - Hurt
Judas Priest’s “Painkiller” covered by Death is incredible.
If anyone wants to take a chance on a cover I recorded (all instruments and vocals) of Enslaved’s “Havenless”, check it out at this link (https://youtu.be/b1ByxMMnSfw)
Israel Kamakawiwo’ole - Somewhere Over The Rainbow
Shawn Colvin - I’ll Be Back
Sonic Youth - Superstar (btw not originally by The Carpenters)
