Covers That Trump the Original

[Superior Mind]

The Living End's version of Tainted Love [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDJkd6nL25g] is awesome.

Andy McKee's version of Everybody Wants to Rule the World [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foJ-Fs6DWZM] is just impressive as are a lot of other fingerstyle covers.

Love Bowie but I prefer The Wallflowers version of Heroes [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1g2VdB4YpzQ].

A Perfect Circle's version of Imagine [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dunKAwRN3P8] is the perfect counter-argument to Lennon's own optimistic version. Whether it's better or not I'm not going to make a call but I think it was a very clever thing to do and it's a good track.

Presidents of the USA's Video Killed the Radio Star [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ibawg0lW7Kw] is way better than The Buggles version.

And I'm tired of linking now so I'll mention The Clash's version of I Fought the Law by Sonny Curtis and the Crickets, Muse's version of Feeling Good by Anthony Newey and Leslie Bricusse, The Ramones version of What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong, and Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen.

I have more but now I'm not even bothered to write them down.

Some of these mentioned aren't really better, they're just very good covers.

 

[irishda]

I enjoy

Spoiler: Killswitch Engage's take on Holy Diver

but to me the one that really takes the cake is

Spoiler: Shinedown's version of Simple Man

 

[TheFinish]

Hammerfall's cover of "Flight of the Warrior", by Riot:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukK_ow5er1E

And speaking of Riot, their cover of Steppenwolf's "Born to be Wild":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4OV6w_YS-24

 

[shadyh8er]

Nobody has mentioned Jonny Cash's version of hurt yet?

Escapists, I am disappointed in all of you.

Was thinking the exact same thing. If you hadn't said it I would have.

OT: My other favorite is Killswitch Engage's cover of Dio's Holy Diver. It's much louder and gets me more amped than the original.

Spoiler

And here's that Johnny Cash song for good measure. The only song that made me cry.

Spoiler

 

[revjor]

When P-Funk decides to play your song, your shit gets crushed. Hard.

Spoiler: Eddie Hazel - California Dreamin'

Spoiler: Ruth Copeland - Gimmie Shelter (not saying the Stones version isn't good but the original Funkadelic band is in full force here.)

Iron and Wine's cover of "Such Great Heights" is also far beyond the original. Though the original is pretty damn good.

Spoiler: Iron and Wine - Such Great Heights

 

[revjor]

oh and...

Spoiler: Aretha Franklin - Respect

 

[XMark]

Every time anything remotely like this topic comes up, I post this video:

Spoiler

Hell yeah, Dirty Loops! Every thing they do is better than the originals. I'm still turned on by the bassist even after realizing he's a dude DAT BASS

I think Cash's version is better then NiN's simply beacuse he's an old man, who has lived through the terrible hardship and loss that is life, and you can hear that on his voice.

I was gonna post Johnny Cash's Hurt cover, but y'all beat me to it. And yeah, the original just seems like some entitled young punk whining about things not going his way like it's the end of the world. But in Johnny Cash's version, you feel like he actually has more legitimate reasons to sing those lyrics.

Hmm... now, what do I have... ah, yes. I love Disturbed's cover of Land of Confusion, especially in combination with the Todd MacFarlane music video:

 

[pixiejedi]

Iron and Wine's cover of "Such Great Heights" is also far beyond the original. Though the original is pretty damn good.

Spoiler: Iron and Wine - Such Great Heights

Didn't even know that was a cover, but I love that song.

This is actually my favorite song, hands down, and its a cover.

http://youtu.be/BT69sPIGCaI

 

[revjor]

one more for ya... though Springsteen would disagree

Spoiler: Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded by the Light

 

[Jonluw]

Every time anything remotely like this topic comes up, I post this video:

Spoiler

Hell yeah, Dirty Loops! Every thing they do is better than the originals. I'm still turned on by the bassist even after realizing he's a dude DAT BASS

It's the power of the bass, I tell you.
There's no instrument quite as sexy.
If it can't make your body physically vibrate while pumping out lines so groovy you can't help but move your hips, it's no match for the bass.

 

[ChildishLegacy]

Just because I can't stand Metallica.

 

[revjor]

I was gonna post Johnny Cash's Hurt cover, but y'all beat me to it. And yeah, the original just seems like some entitled young punk whining about things not going his way like it's the end of the world. But in Johnny Cash's version, you feel like he actually has more legitimate reasons to sing those lyrics.

It's more a song about picking up the pieces and NOT whining anymore after putting yourself through hell with your own poor choices. In Trent's case, getting over his heroin overdose addiction. In Johnny's case... other drug addictions and poor decisions. Both men's reasons for singing have a lot rooted in addiction.

 

[Leadfinger]

1, never knew it was a cover

2. original just sounds jarring

also alot of people mention Johnny Cash's hurt over NIN's original.....I think Cash's version is certainly amazing...but I can't see one as "better" than the other since they both work in their own way

its certainly no insult to Trent that somone like Cash would like his music enough to do a cover...especially when you look at the differenced between the two

I agree. Gary Jules version of Mad World is much better. Also, both versions of Hurt are great.

 

[Vault101]

I was gonna post Johnny Cash's Hurt cover, but y'all beat me to it. And yeah, the original just seems like some entitled young punk whining about things not going his way like it's the end of the world. But in Johnny Cash's version, you feel like he actually has more legitimate reasons to sing those lyrics.

think you missed the meaning of NIN's song

drug addiction, depression, suicide are a little more serious than "not going his way"...weather or not you feel the person in question brought it upson themselfs or not...regardless that kind of struggle seems awful

 

[Vigormortis]

There are many, actually. At least, from my perspective anyway.

Here are a few:

Spoiler: Spoilered for space.

Spoiler: Sorry Bob, but this is just better. :/

Spoiler: Peter Gabriel made this already great song into something immaculate.

Spoiler: No offense to the king of pop, but Alien Ant Farm just added a lot of energy to this song; which I always felt the original needed.(as good as it already was)

Spoiler: This one is arguable, (as most are) seeing as Cameo's original version is still pretty awesome.

Spoiler: I love Massive Attack. Massive Attack songs account for some of my favorite songs ever. However, Gui Borattos remix of Paradise Circus is just amazing. It's one of the rare occasions where I would actually pick a remix over the original version of a song.

I'll leave it at these for now. When I think of more I'll post. Maybe. I also refrained from posting ones that I knew were going to be posted already. Like Johnny Cashs cover of Hurt, Hendrix's cover of All Along the Watchtower, and Gary Jules cover of Mad World.

 

[Vigormortis]

oh and...

Spoiler: Aretha Franklin - Respect

Well, let's be fair here. One could argue that anything she could sing would be better than the original.

 

[revjor]

oh and...

Spoiler: Aretha Franklin - Respect

Well, let's be fair here. One could argue that anything she could sing would be better than the original.

I dunno. Her versions of "The Weight" and "Elenor Rigby" aren't quite as good as the originals. But the are good.

 

[Vigormortis]

oh and...

Spoiler: Aretha Franklin - Respect

Well, let's be fair here. One could argue that anything she could sing would be better than the original.

I dunno. Her versions of "The Weight" and "Elenor Rigby" aren't quite as good as the originals. But the are good.

Mmm...well, okay. I'll give you that. Still, I rarely admire singers (at least for their voices), but Aretha Franklin is one of the rare exceptions.

 

[AwkwardTurtle]

What song covers to you like more than the original?

Spoiler: Well I don't want to take up too much room. :3

I quite like this version. It's simply fantastic. It's a really fun take on a pop song.

 

[thelittleman66]

Metallica- Breadfan (original by Budgie)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Z6cVUOhLDw

Metallica- Am I Evil? (original by Diamond Head)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJZo2OKmshU&feature=related

Black Label Society- No More Tears (original by Ozzy Osbourne)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuaSsLXO-qo

Pantera- Hole in the Sky (original by Black Sabbath)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yMWf6QV17_8