What songs performed by an earlier band were covered and improved upon? I know it will be highly subjective depending on a lot of factors, so remember...this will likely include a lot of personal bias.

Off the top of my head, I like Van Halen’s cover Of “You Really Got Me” originally performed by the Kinks.

Sweet Jane by the Cowboy Junkies. Yeah, Lou Reed was excellent, but the Junkies just laid a "smooth" all over Sweet Jane.




Link to original video: https://youtu.be/Fa9nN3G2CSg

Secondly, Can't get no satisfaction by Devo. Hard to beat Mick and the boys, and Devo does not do it, but their take is full on '80's New Wave.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: craigcpa,

Disturbed Sound of Silence. It is darker and more raw soul.



Yes, I do like the original Simon and Garfunkel version.....it is just the Disturbed version resonates in my soul.

I guess it is kind of like the way Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" appeals to people. He brought 70 years of hard life, mistakes, regrets and pain to the song.


Its not really a cover but fantastically done:

You are watching Rock Legends cover the most famous Song by Rock Gods in front of said Rock Gods..........and they did a pretty good job.

Johnny Cash’s cover of “Hurt”.




Link to original video: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FywSzjRq0e4

Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDl9ZMfj6aE


Pretty Woman - Van Halen



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FWQRDI7mTyw

Also, not a huge Marilyn Manson fan, but his version of “Sweet Dreams” blows the Eurythmics away.

Dobie Gray's "Drift Away" was eclipsed by Uncle Kracker's version

IMHO, it's pretty much sacrilege for someone to attempt to cover an original classic. Usually the group covering the original skimps, leaving stuff out and just doing a butcher job. I heard Guns 'n Roses do a remake of "Knockin' on Heavens Door" and thought, "That is just not right. That song belongs to Dylan".

Having said that, there's a band that can cover Chicago as good or (dare I say) even better than Chicago...Leonid & Friends. I'd say they nail it and don't skimp on any part of their covers, including instrumentation and brass. Don't think these guys cheat with "auto-tune", either. Couple of examples:

Two come to mind for me.

Hendrix's version of Dylan's 'All Along the Watchtower'.



Lucius's version of the Kinks 'Strangers'.

quote:

Originally posted by craigcpa:
Sweet Jane by the Cowboy Junkies. Yeah, Lou Reed was excellent, but the Junkies just laid a "smooth" all over Sweet Jane.

+1 The Cowboy Junkies also do a great version of U2's 'One'. I wouldn't say it surpasses the original, but I probably listen to the Cowboy Junkies version more often because Bono's voice wears on me, while Margo Timmins never does.

Hendrix's Watchtower is awesome and better, but almost a different song.

Dwight Yoakum's I Want You To Want Me is very good.

I think I like Derek and the Dominos’ version of “Little Wing” better than Hendrix’s (blasphemous I suppose);

Elmore James’ version of “Dust My Broom” better than Robert Johnson’s;

Both Samantha Fish and Tab Benoit’s version of “I Put a Spell on You” better than Screamin’ Jay Hawkins;

Eric Clapton and Eva Cassidy’s versions of “ Somewhere Over the Rainbow” better than Judy Garlands

LeeAnn Rimes did Patsy Cline right when she covered Blue.

Hurt by Cash is always my first though when this thread pops up from time to time.

No expectation by The Dirt Bombs.


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=WuyzHnY31gc

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
LeeAnn Rimes did Patsy Cline right when she covered Blue.

I agree with this 100%.



Jim

quote:

Originally posted by erj_pilot:
Having said that, there's a band that can cover Chicago as good or (dare I say) even better than Chicago...Leonid & Friends. I'd say they nail it and don't skimp on any part of their covers, including instrumentation and brass. Don't think these guys cheat with "auto-tune", either.

Wow. These guys are killer. The guitar player rivals anything Terry Kath did - even if Terry was the original.

Thanks for sharing.
Mike

Most of the ones that immediately come to mind have already been mentioned.

Disturbed's "Sound of Silence" was the first one that popped into my head seeing the thread title. David Draiman's talent and range is amazing. Gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it.

Cash's "Hurt" and Hendrix's "All Along the Watchtower" were on my list as well.

While I wouldn't say it surpasses it, but Social Distortion's version of "Ring of Fire" is pretty awesome.

And yet no mention of Blinded by the Light.

I would say at least equal but ..... Proud Mary:

Original:

Cover: