― maryann, Monday, 9 September 2002 09:19 (twenty-one years ago) link
― maryann, Monday, 9 September 2002 09:20 (twenty-one years ago) link
― michael w., Monday, 9 September 2002 09:20 (twenty-one years ago) link
However, I must submit "The Logical Song" by Scooter, which is undeniably a visionary work of genius and MY single of the year thus far (sorry Missy, sorry Nelly). Siberia is, as it were, the place to be.
― Alison Houston, Monday, 9 September 2002 09:22 (twenty-one years ago) link
The Smokey Robinson version is better while I'm listening to it (those ragged backing vocals!)
a score-draw I suppose.
― adam b (adam b), Monday, 9 September 2002 09:55 (twenty-one years ago) link
"none of the band seem to give a shit about making an effort or even know what it is they're singing (cf. Sugababes "Freak Like Me")"
Grrrr FITE! The 'babes know damn well what it is they're singing, and they know why they're singing it, too- it's an important public service to make the masturbational fantasies of teen boys (and girls) more interesting. Nuff respect.
adeva's "respect" pisses all over aretha's original.
Apart from the fact that nothing could ever possibly piss over Aretha Franklin, the original "Respect" is actually by Otis Redding.
― Daniel_Rf, Monday, 9 September 2002 11:34 (twenty-one years ago) link
"massively unpopular opinion: Chuck Berry's "Rock and Roll Music" was much improved when the Beatles did it."
"The Beatles version of 'You've really got a hold of me' is better while I'm listening to it (that clomping piano!).
Other Beatles covers that improve on the originals- "Baby It's You" and "Money" (not as good as The Flying Lizards tho.)
― Daniel_Rf, Monday, 9 September 2002 11:36 (twenty-one years ago) link
i feel such a fool.
― michael w., Monday, 9 September 2002 11:50 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Tom (Groke), Monday, 9 September 2002 11:58 (twenty-one years ago) link
― tigerclawskank, Monday, 9 September 2002 12:07 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 9 September 2002 12:39 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Roger Fascist, Monday, 9 September 2002 13:13 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 9 September 2002 13:16 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Andy K (Andy K), Monday, 9 September 2002 13:20 (twenty-one years ago) link
― michael w., Monday, 9 September 2002 13:32 (twenty-one years ago) link
(Well, it's a tired answer. I had to make it interesting somehow.)
Also, the Ramones' version of "Let's Dance" is ace.
― Nate Patrin, Monday, 9 September 2002 14:25 (twenty-one years ago) link
And I dunno if it's better, but Cinerama's version of London runs the Smiths very, very close...
I also remember Paul Heaton doing a fantastic version of Lean On Me a few years ago too, the Radio 1 Christmas Carols thing.
― Mr Swygart (mrswygart), Monday, 9 September 2002 14:30 (twenty-one years ago) link
― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Monday, 9 September 2002 15:00 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Burr, Monday, 9 September 2002 16:37 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Poppy (poppy), Monday, 9 September 2002 17:03 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Monday, 9 September 2002 18:23 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Dom Passantino (Dom Passantino), Monday, 9 September 2002 18:25 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Monday, 9 September 2002 19:11 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Mr Noodles (Mr Noodles), Monday, 9 September 2002 19:15 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Martin Skidmore (Martin Skidmore), Monday, 9 September 2002 19:45 (twenty-one years ago) link
I bet Ronan could!
There are several gothy/new beat versions of early Depeche Mode songs on _I Sometimes Wish I Was Famous_ that I vastly prefer to the originals. I'm thinking in particular of Systema The Affliction's "Shouldn't Have Done That", Pouppe Fabrik's "Photographic", Signal's "My Secret Garden" and Ater Koma's "The Sun And The Rainfall". S.P.O.C.K's "Ice Machine" comes very, very close to beating the original.
― Dan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 9 September 2002 20:02 (twenty-one years ago) link
― dan (dan), Monday, 9 September 2002 20:05 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Jens (brighter), Monday, 9 September 2002 20:25 (twenty-one years ago) link
― mike a, Monday, 9 September 2002 20:38 (twenty-one years ago) link
― kieron, Monday, 9 September 2002 20:57 (twenty-one years ago) link
Better than the Johnny Cash original?! This is something I have to hear.
― o. nate (onate), Monday, 9 September 2002 21:04 (twenty-one years ago) link
Yes, a whole album of covers of songs by other dead stars, called Gravelands. The first three tracks on it (Come As You Are, Love Will Tear Us Apart and Song To The Siren) are all terrific, though most of the rest is rather less good.
"Gravelands" was ace but by the time "Return To Splendour" was released the joke had pretty much worn thin (I mean, "Under The Bridge"? "CHILD Of A Preacher Man"??)
― Daniel_Rf, Monday, 9 September 2002 21:26 (twenty-one years ago) link
Peaches version of Rock Show
― Dave Beckhouse, Monday, 9 September 2002 22:28 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Captain Sleep (Captain Sleep), Tuesday, 10 September 2002 06:19 (twenty-one years ago) link
― nickn, Tuesday, 10 September 2002 06:39 (twenty-one years ago) link
I'll think of some more in a minute. My mind's gone blank.
― jon, Tuesday, 10 September 2002 09:38 (twenty-one years ago) link
― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Tuesday, 10 September 2002 10:09 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Ryan McKay, Tuesday, 10 September 2002 10:34 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Sean Carruthers (SeanC), Tuesday, 10 September 2002 13:01 (twenty-one years ago) link
.. Vanilla Fudge's version of "You Keep Me Hangin' On"
― dave225 (Dave225), Tuesday, 10 September 2002 18:46 (twenty-one years ago) link
― dave225 (Dave225), Tuesday, 10 September 2002 18:48 (twenty-one years ago) link
My Bloody Valentine's cover of 'Map Ref 41°N 93°W' ever so slightly improves it also.
bis's recent cover of 'Shack Up' was better than the A Certain Ratio version they were covering (it was an ep of Factory covers) but not as good as the Banberra original.
That's all Ican think of at the moment that hasn't been mentioned.
― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Tuesday, 10 September 2002 20:43 (twenty-one years ago) link
― chaki (chaki), Tuesday, 10 September 2002 20:48 (twenty-one years ago) link
― alex in mainhattan (alex63), Tuesday, 10 September 2002 21:38 (twenty-one years ago) link
― keith, Wednesday, 11 September 2002 02:36 (twenty-one years ago) link
― brian badword (badwords), Wednesday, 11 September 2002 04:22 (twenty-one years ago) link
― B:Rad (Brad), Wednesday, 11 September 2002 05:32 (twenty-one years ago) link
Am I the only person who prefers Dylan's "All Along The Watchtower" by far? I don't think it's a very good song in the first place and I think Hendrix' version gives it a gravitas it really doesn't earn, and unearned gravitas = horrible bombast, nice guitar work or no.
― Tom (Groke), Wednesday, 11 September 2002 05:41 (twenty-one years ago) link
― Tep (ktepi), Wednesday, 11 September 2002 05:57 (twenty-one years ago) link
You know I tried to open a new thread and then ILM suggested this thread and by accident I posted on it automatically, I thought I'd get the choice but I didn't. That's all.
― it's the distortion, stupid! (alex in mainhattan), Saturday, 4 March 2017 20:24 (seven years ago) link
I think "I Call Your Name" by The Mamas and the Papas (Beatles cover) might be one of these.
― Hans Holbein (Chinchilla Volapük), Thursday, 10 June 2021 06:33 (two years ago) link
Donald Byrd - where are we going?Jorja Smith - rose rougeMelanie De Biasio // every cover she has made is an improvement on the original
The Cramps also tend to improve every song they touch with their filthy hands.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Thursday, 10 June 2021 07:13 (two years ago) link
Dorothy Ashby Fool on the Hill
― saer, Thursday, 10 June 2021 07:58 (two years ago) link
obviously Sinéad's "Nothing Compares 2 U"Nico "These Days"Cat Power "I Found a Reason"
― assert (matttkkkk), Thursday, 10 June 2021 09:12 (two years ago) link
Hijokaidan "Silver Machine"https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBCWxjV_M64
― atonar, Thursday, 10 June 2021 12:48 (two years ago) link
My top 10, in order:
Stevie Wonder - We Can Work It Out -- I searched this thread and there are *two* different version of We Can Work It Out listed, and somehow neither one is the miraculous Stevie interpretation.
The Clash - Police On My Back — The Equals original is just fine. The Clash version dials the energy up to 11 and lights the guitar riff on fire.
Al Green - How Can You Mend A Broken Heart -- Maybe this is the definitive version? If not, it should be. The Bee Gees version is great, but the slow build of the Al Green version turns it into an absolute epic.
The Main Ingredient - Summer Breeze — This Main Ingredient album had two different Seals and Croft covers, both of which improve on the originals. Their Summer Breeze adds tons of flute and vibraphone (xylophone?) and blows the tune wide open.
All Mixed Up - Red House Painters -- I know, i know, Mark Kozalek. But I loved this song for years before I realized that I already knew it as a Cars song, and his cover of it has so much more depth.
Nouvelle Vague - In A Manner of Speaking -- The Tuxedomoon original is so gawky, I'm a bit surprised that anyone heard the potential in this.
Cowboy Junkies - Sweet Jane — Another song that gets improved by sanding down the rough edges. The disparity is most striking on the bridge. Technically, Margo Timmons is singing the same notes as Lou Reed, but there’s just no comparison.
REM - Crazy — Maybe I just like Stipe’s vocals better than the jerky-jerky Pylon singer. My favorite track on Dead Letter Office.
Jackson 5 - Doctor My Eyes — The Jermaine verse almost tanks the whole endeavor, but MJ (who is only 13 here) just hits it out of the park. Exuberant.
Toots and the Maytals - Take Me Home Country Roads — A little corny (“West Virginia” becomes “West Jamaica”), but undoubtedly an upgrade.
― enochroot, Friday, 11 June 2021 01:16 (two years ago) link
I’m also ashamed to admit at one point of my life that “all mixed up” cover was one of my favorite songs ever.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Friday, 11 June 2021 01:42 (two years ago) link
Bongwater - The DrumGalaxies 500 - Listen the snow is fallingButthole Surfers - Hurdy Gurdy Man
― ringworm, Friday, 11 June 2021 04:30 (two years ago) link
Nico "These Days"
Is it technically a cover if it comes first?
― Johnny Fever, Friday, 11 June 2021 05:09 (two years ago) link
Basically EVERY cover of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is an improvement on the original, which I just heard a couple years ago.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cXYPb0rrwbA
But apparently Peggy and Ewan MacColl were especially down on Roberta Flack's definitive take, so fuck 'em.
― Johnny Fever, Friday, 11 June 2021 05:13 (two years ago) link
It also applies to “it’s all over now baby blue”, every cover I’ve heard tends to improve on the original.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Friday, 11 June 2021 05:36 (two years ago) link
13th floor elevators and Them versions being the peak so far.
Dylan version is so… soulless. You’d never guess it’s one of his best written songs if you went by the original version.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Friday, 11 June 2021 05:40 (two years ago) link
Even the Anonhi version which sounds as if recorded on a potato is better.
In a similar vein, does anyone stan for Leonard Cohen's original version of Hallelujah?
― enochroot, Friday, 11 June 2021 11:49 (two years ago) link
Rod Stewart – Tom Traubert's BluesRod Stewart – Downtown TrainBruce Springsteen – Jersey Girl
(hmmm, I see a pattern developing here)
Fairport Convention – Percy's SongNick Cave – Death Is Not the EndMarianne Faithfull – The Ballad of Lucy Jordan10,000 Maniacs – Everyday Is Like Sunday10,000 Maniacs – Hello In ThereTindersticks – If You're Looking for a Way OutThis Mortal Coil – Song to the Siren
― joni mitchell jarre (anagram), Friday, 11 June 2021 11:59 (two years ago) link
Nina Simone - Feeling Good (the original Broadway musical version ("The Roar of the Greasepaint, the Smell of the Crowd") of the song is...uhh...fairly unremarkable)
― cancel culture club (Neanderthal), Friday, 11 June 2021 12:17 (two years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qPdoWp-PHFU
― Maresn3st, Friday, 11 June 2021 12:40 (two years ago) link
Nina Simone also makes the most definitive version of Sinnerman. I wasn’t even aware it was a cover until recently via another thread on ilm.
― ✖✖✖ (Moka), Friday, 11 June 2021 14:50 (two years ago) link
Nina Simone's "Who Knows Where The Time Goes?" is also the definitive version IMHO.
― raven, Saturday, 12 June 2021 09:21 (two years ago) link
I still love the original but boy is this one smooth take on this songkali uchis - venus as a boyhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=47oiB_quDf8
― Swanswans, Saturday, 12 June 2021 09:30 (two years ago) link
Nina Simone does a lot of reinventions of very white singer songwriter stuff on the material I have collected as Sugar In My bowl.Have found that an odd companion to black militancy which I thought she was about at the time.BUt the versions are really good from what I've heard of them and I'm really glad to have them
― Stevolende, Saturday, 12 June 2021 11:54 (two years ago) link
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSgZ3B-2q-g
― Being cheap is expensive (snoball), Saturday, 12 June 2021 15:36 (two years ago) link