Rock covers. When the cover was better.

[Caleuche]

Check out this version of What you waiting for? by Gwen Stefani performed by Franz Ferdinand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RM6KYRIlYG0

Disclaimer: It has random Billy Idol in it.

The random Billy Idols the only good bit in that. The rest I found slightly painful! The Hard-Fi Toxic was much better!

Pop songs covered into better rock songs? I'm going with the Lostprophets cover of Justin Timberlakes Cry me a River.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdT8FMCP2F8&feature=related

Rock covers of rock songs? I like Kula Shakers cover of Deep Purples Hush better than the original.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wh7r_f_rw0c

 

[ITL]

My contribution:
"Breaking the Law" and "Walk this Way" by Hayseed Dixie. Neither "classic" song I can stand in their more popular versions, but this country-version-of-AC/DC band make them fun and good to listen to.

Hayseed Dixie do a great "Fat Bottomed Girls" as well.

 

[HappyDayRiot]

Sabbath songs that have superior cover versions:
Faith No More - War Pigs
System of a Down - Snowblind
Soulfly - Under the Sun

 

[Outpost4]

The Dickies did a marmalizing cover of the Banana Splits theme tune, as well.

Way too fucking funny.

You just cost me money. I went on MusicStack and just bought copies of their first two records on vinyl, one of which has the Banana Splits song. I had most of their other ones already. If I'd know that they had also covered the Gigantor theme on one of them, I would have bought them a lot sooner.

The Dickies weren't just a cover band. Most of the songs on their records were originals. Let's not forget they did the title track to the totally bizarre movie, Killer Klowns From Outer Space. But it was the few covers on each record that they are best known for. Here's a review of their live CD, Still Got Live, Even If You Don't Want It, from the All Music Guide:

The Dickies are one of those bands that kind of resist analysis, let alone criticism. A reviewer can point out that they barely know how to play their instruments, and the only proper response would be, "So what?" A reviewer can point out that their version of "Sounds of Silence" is without doubt the worst ever recorded, and the only proper response would be, "Yeah, but their version of 'Paranoid' is the best ever." Then there's "You Drive Me Ape (You Big Gorilla)," the band's signature tune and a genuinely perfect little post-punk ditty, and their version of "Nights in White Satin," saints preserve us. It all adds up to some kind of perfect album, strangely enough. The CD reissue preserves the wretched sound quality of the original cassette (which came out in 1986 under the title We Aren't the World), and even that fact is perfect in some weird, alternative-universe kind of way.

The Dickies intro to the frantic cover of "Sounds of Silence": Paul Simon taught us this next tune...over a highly homosexually erotic game...of Mousetrap!

God bless The Dickies.

 

[ITL]

Yeah, they were quite popular with the kids at my school when they had their five minutes in the sun back in the 70's (I think it was the 70's...) - a friend of mine had the album with Banana Splits on it, so it's pure nostalgia for me.

 

[Outpost4]

While, yes, their moment has passed, they are still together and creating new mayhem. The Dickies are in the middle of a European tour right now. All Music says that they are the only original LA punk band that managed to stay together, and they did record an album of new songs as recently as 2001. Maybe they lasted because they didn't take themselves too seriously. Hell, they don't take anything seriously!

 

[ITL]

A refreshing attitude, to be sure!

 

[HappyDayRiot]

I like Pantera's cover of "Planet Caravan" or Sabbath's version, I know, heresy.

Not at all. Both versions are excellent!

RATM's "How Could I Just Kill A Man" over Cyprus Hill

Yep. Most songs on Renegades actually improve the originals.

Foo Fighter's "Down In The Park

"Supernaut" by 1000 Homo DJs (a Ministry side-project). Better than the original by Black Sabbath

No way. No way. No way. No way. I am very open-minded when it comes to covers of songs I love, but THAT version of Supernaut (one of Sabbath's finest) is complete and utter ear-rape.

 

[Daedalus12]

Then again, there's Children of Bodom's cover of Oops I Did it Again, which words can not explain

That gave me a good chuckle.. Those guys always had a bit of laugh in them.

 

[M'Sharak]

...

Here's another great cover: The Dickies - Nights In White Satin. I'm a huge Moodies fan but The Dickies take 5 minutes of overblown pomp and distill it down to 2 minutes of shrieking piss and vinegar.

The Dickies did a marmalizing cover of the Banana Splits theme tune, as well.

Saw them play that once. The Dickies are awesome. There's been mention upthread of Black Sabbath covers, and the Dickies' cover of "Paranoid" is right up there. Ditto the "See Me, Feel Me" (The Who) section of "If Stuart Could Talk".

While those might not be better than the originals, am I the only one who thinks that the Dead Kennedys' "Viva Las Vegas" is the best version? Or their cover of the Rawhide theme song?

I'll probably be burned at the stake for this, but who cares: With the exception of "Hurricane", I prefer pretty much any Dylan song as performed by anyone other than him.

You just made angels cry.

I might allow a couple more besides "Hurricane" but I'm of much the same opinion. I'd also rather hear most Springsteen songs performed by someone other than Bruce. It may not be a popular viewpoint, but it is mine.

 

[Goliath]

While those might not be better than the originals, am I the only one who thinks that the Dead Kennedys' "Viva Las Vegas" is the best version? Or their cover of the Rawhide theme song?

No--you're not the only one. I'm surprised those didn't occur to me.

 

[Goliath]

"Supernaut" by 1000 Homo DJs (a Ministry side-project). Better than the original by Black Sabbath

No way. No way. No way. No way. I am very open-minded when it comes to covers of songs I love, but THAT version of Supernaut (one of Sabbath's finest) is complete and utter ear-rape.

Sorry, man. But: way.

Especially the version on the Wax Trax Black Box, with Reznor on vocals.

Sweet. I've caused a controversy.

 

[voggmo]

There's been mention upthread of Black Sabbath covers, and the Dickies' cover of "Paranoid" is right up there. Ditto the "See Me, Feel Me" (The Who)


Beat me to it. Saw em open for Ramones. Great stuff.

As for Supernaut, it was John Paul Jone's favorite Sab track. he & Bonzo used to jam with them.

 

[Starbreaker]

I really like Jim Sturgess's "I've Just Seen a Face" from Across the Universe a lot better than the original version.

 

[Rincewiend]

Faith No More - Easy : http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=CH7J3G7Qtt0

CAKE "I Will Survive" : http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=10C68Gzd5GM

The Bangles - Hazy Shade Of Winter : http://nl.youtube.com/watch?v=NFRx4PkXeVM

 

[Moocey]

"All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix.

The first thing I thought of.


Bob Dylan wrote some great songs, but most of them are better performed by someone else.

 

[Outpost4]

This is the second or third time this sentiment has been expressed in this thread. Yes, if I was a rock or country artist, I'd look for a great Dylan song to cover. And yes, there have been bands that have covered a dozen or more Dylan songs successfully, like the Byrds and the Grateful Dead. And yes, many takes of his songs that we best remember are versions done by others.

- BUT -

The man is a masterful singer of his own songs. I've seen Dylan maybe a couple of dozen times in concert by now. Take a simple song like It Ain't Me, Babe. Dylan obviously likes it because I've seen him play it a number of times in concert. It's been a plantive song, an angry song and a dismissive song. He's sung it detatched and he's sung it like it's a fresh break-up. He's done the song at least half a dozen different ways.

Bob Dylan is one of the great song interpreters of our time. And he has a tremendous catalog to chose from.

Yes, I like a Dylan cover as much as the next guy. But when Dylan's on in concert, and I've seen shows when he's been on fire, nobody, but nobody, does a Dylan song better than Bob Dylan.

 

[Moocey]

This is the second or third time this sentiment has been expressed in this thread. Yes, if I was a rock or country artist, I'd look for a great Dylan song to cover. And yes, there have been bands that have covered a dozen or more Dylan songs successfully, like the Byrds and the Grateful Dead. And yes, many takes of his songs that we best remember are versions done by others.

- BUT -

The man is a masterful singer of his own songs. I've seen Dylan maybe a couple of dozen times in concert by now. Take a simple song like It Ain't Me, Babe. Dylan obviously likes it because I've seen him play it a number of times in concert. It's been a plantive song, an angry song and a dismissive song. He's sung it detatched and he's sung it like it's a fresh break-up. He's done the song at least half a dozen different ways.

Bob Dylan is one of the great song interpreters of our time. And he has a tremendous catalog to chose from.

Yes, I like a Dylan cover as much as the next guy. But when Dylan's on in concert, and I've seen shows when he's been on fire, nobody, but nobody, does a Dylan song better than Bob Dylan.

I bet Dylan actually has a perfectly normal singing voice, he just sings poorly on purpose just to see how much he can get away with.

 

[Outpost4]

I've also seen him so stoned that he could barely mumble his own songs. He'd stare at his feet and, in a monotone, do a speed reading of the songs lyrics. Those shows sucked.

If you want to hear what Dylan sounds like singing like a normal person, go to Nashville Skyline. Of any of his records, that has the most normal singing voice.

 

[PlainSimpleJoel]

I'm not a fan of Jeff Buckley at all. In fact, I don't get what people see in him. If he hadn't died young but instead had simply quit the music business to go be a tailor in Bolivia, I don't think his music would be anywhere near as well remembered.

His amazing voice. Who knows what have happened if he lived

That said, his cover of "Hallielujah" is brilliant.

Agreed. There is also a version of that song, by Australian band Custard.

It seems someone beat me to nominating Cake I will survive

Also a supergroup here called The Wrights recorded a version of Evie (parts 1, 2 & 3)