Covers that are better than or as good as the original songs

[Lola Lazerface]

I'll start.

As good:

Shining - 21st Century Schizoid Man

Even among my friends calling this as good as King Crimson's original is controversial and so much time has been spent having (sometimes heated) discussions on the subject, but everyone of them can at least agree that it's the best cover out there. Hell, out of the boatloads of covers that I've heard, I consider this only cover that is actually worthy; in fact, this whole album is excellent and that's coming from someone who generally dislikes black metal something fierce. (The fact that it's black metal fused with elements of jazz is what made me fall in love.)

Better:

Nostalgia 77 - Seven Nation Army


I'm not even sure what to say about this because to me the improvement's stupid obvious, though my distinct lack of enthusiasm for the White Stripes may just have something to do with it.

Go go go!

 

[ohnoitsabear]

There are only two covers that are objectively better than the original. Those are Jimi Hendrix's version of All Along the Watchtower, and Johnny Cash's version of Hurt. Everything else is just an opinion.

 

[Lola Lazerface]

There are only two covers that are objectively better than the original. Those are Jimi Hendrix's version of All Along the Watchtower, and Johnny Cash's version of Hurt. Everything else is just an opinion.

Every other possible sentence in the English language weeps in envy of the truth contained in your comment. They disregard both the word "only" and the last sentence entirely. But they weep.

 

[FalloutJack]

Everything by Bob Dylan is better once you remove Bob Dylan. Good writer, horrible singer.

 

[TheRightToArmBears]

Before it's posted half a million times, I totally don't prefer Johnny Cash's version of Hurt.

Spoiler

This is probably my favourite cover compared to the original, but then, the original isn't really my kind of thing. This is just awesome.

EDIT:

Spoiler

[youtubev=u4KLUz8yC-E]

I forgot this actually. It's probably my favourite music video ever, too (but it's probably pretty drastically NSFW). Turbowolf's covers of everything are always great.

Original: Bad Company by Bad Company
Cover: by FiveFingerDeathPunch

I know, opinions and all that jazz, but what the dickens?

 

[Guffe]

Orignal: Over the Hills and Far Away by Gary More
Cover: by Nightwish

Original: Bad Company by Bad Company
Cover: by FiveFingerDeathPunch

Original: You'll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Peacemakers
Cover: by Anfield Crowd

 

[Lola Lazerface]

Everything by Bob Dylan is better once you remove Bob Dylan. Good writer, horrible singer.

But... but... I Want You?

 

[TheFunPolice]

Oh man..Definitely the Fratelli's cover of Red Headed Woman by Bruce Springsteen



They're not even playing real instruments and it still sounds better than the original

 

[FalloutJack]

Everything by Bob Dylan is better once you remove Bob Dylan. Good writer, horrible singer.

But... but... I Want You?

Well, I'm flattered, but unfortunately I'm already taken.

*Rimshot*

 

[Heronblade]

original

cover

Love em both, but Cash is the king

 

[Esotera]

This is the only song I can think of that definitively kicks the original's ass (that hasn't already been said). Possibly Holy Diver by Killswitch Engage, but Dio made a pretty good original.

 

[BloatedGuppy]

Given this forum's preference for hard, gristly music, this likely won't be a very popular choice, but as Hendrix's cover of Watchertowers has already been discussed...

Can't say I love the audio quality in this live version, but this cover almost singlehandedly redeems one of the most pointless songs in existence and makes it sound plaintive and yearning. As with Cash and Hurt, the band absolutely adores this version of their song.

 

[aba1]

I personally prefer the Authority zero version of Mexican Radio.

 

[AgentNein]

Well, I came to this thread with the goal of pissing myself off and I was not disappointed. Because I take differing opinions on music waaay too seriously.

But I'm not going to go there!

But what would I pick? Gosh that's tough. I mean for me it's gotta be more than a band I like better doing a cover of a band I like worse's song. The song needs to be birthed anew!

I can't think of a truly great answer off the top of my head. So I'm gonna go with a good answer. Siouxsie Sioux n TheBanshees did am excellent cover of Dear Prudence, and as a fan of the Beatles.. Alright, appreciator of the Beatles, I prefer her version. It's mainly her voice. Love her voice.

 

[Ieyke]

There are only two covers that are objectively better than the original. Those are Jimi Hendrix's version of All Along the Watchtower, and Johnny Cash's version of Hurt. Everything else is just an opinion.

Every other possible sentence in the English language weeps in envy of the truth contained in your comment. They disregard both the word "only" and the last sentence entirely. But they weep.

^This.

The Johnny Cash version of Hurt is lord and master of all covers.

 

[OmniscientOstrich]

I personally prefer the Authority zero version of Mexican Radio.

Eh, I still prefer the Celtic Frost version:

Spoiler

You can pretty much apply this to any Bob Dylan song (I don't like his voice, sue me) but this rendition just feels like it as a lot more weight to it:

Spoiler

Ditto for The Pogues take on The Band Played Waltzing Matilda:

Spoiler

To what degree you can really categorise this as a cover I'm not sure, but Sunn O))) take Immortal's Cursed Realms and turn it into something truly chilling:

Spoiler

Again, it's probably more accurate to call it a remix/mashup but I really like Moby's take on God's Gonna Cut You Down:

Spoiler

Captcha = neckbeard

Well that was kind of mean spirited. I guess Captcha's a Dylan fan.

 

[Colour Scientist]

I prefer the Tori Amos cover of Famous Blue Raincoat by Leonard Cohen but I still love the original.

There are only two covers that are objectively better than the original. Those are Jimi Hendrix's version of All Along the Watchtower, and Johnny Cash's version of Hurt. Everything else is just an opinion.

That and Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah .

 

[Eddie the head]

I like this tribute to "Sabbath bloody Sabbath" more.
Mostly because of the vocals.

 

[madwarper]

I could be a little biased, being from Philly, but I prefer the Hooters' cover of Boys of Summer to Don Henley's.

Spoiler: Hooters

Also, the Ramones' version of What a Wonderful World way better than Louis Armstrong's original.

Spoiler: Ramones