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
I don’t prefer one or the other. The two are so different from each other that it’s hard to even think of them as being the same song. It just depends on my mood which one I want to listen to.
I share this view. Someone elsewhere on the thread said that the best covers are ones that recontextualise the original, and this song/cover feels like the perfect example of it. I just can’t directly compare the original to the cover because they’re going for such different things
Good point.
I definitely prefer the original. The layering and orchestration is better and more complex (but not too complex). I prefer Rezner’s voice in that as well. I don’t hate Cash’s version, but I don’t love it.
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.
Yes that’s a great one
There’s also the Sevendust version from Southside Double-wide Acoustic Live… just to stir the pot a little more 🙂
Haven’t heard it. I know what I’ll be listening to next. Thanks.
Heartily seconded, came here to say this.
I was just about to say this.
This is the one.
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
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.
The Donnie Darko (slowed down version) of Tears for Fears, Mad World.
Great choice. That was done by Gary Jules, btw.
Both versions are good, but I still prefer the original. I love sad songs that sound happy.
Also it’s funny how everyone including myself initially thinks that the original is the cover.
I love sad songs that sound happy.
OutKast’s “Hey Ya!” has entered the chat.
This is almost the gold standard for me, when this question comes up
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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
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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.
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.
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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.
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.
The Disturbed cover of Land of Confusion
Or Disturbed’s cover of Sound of Silence
I grew up listening to the original and I still like it very much, but that cover is one of the greatest songs I’ve ever listened to
Yea, that song+video might be the origin of the phrase “goes hard”.
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
That Spaceballs cover made my day
Yes!!! AWESOME! I think it’s totally great. 😂
Whitney Houston’s “I will always love you”. I love Dolly Parton but Whitney slayed this song.
I think this is the main one. That song (as performed by Whitney) is absolutely iconic and absolutely transcendental. The Dolly version is good, but if it weren’t for Whitney it would be just another Dolly Parton song.
A weird one:
“Sludgefest”, an old Alvin and the chipmunks pop record slowed back down to the speed the vocals were recorded.
The result is unironically good – a grimy, moody sound, with deep growling guitar.
This is absolutely awesome, thanks for the introduction to it.
This is fucking awesome. Thank you for sharing!!
i also enjoyed this
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
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.
Crooked Fingers - Long Black Veil
Johnny Cash - Hurt
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.
Were you surprised that the original lock was only stupid, not fucking?
In the same vein, Smooth Criminal by Alien Ant Farm.
