Are there song covers you prefer to the originals?

[The Funslinger]

I believe there was a thread similar to this a year or so ago, and it occurred to me as I was listening to this cover of Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song by Demons and Wizards.

Hansi's vocals really lend it a fresh edge, not to mention the guitar-work.

 

[Ruedyn]

In before Johnny Cash "Hurt".

Anywhore, I like this version of The Pretender, almost prefer it in fact.

 

[Kenbo Slice]

I really like Silverstein's cover of Runaway by Kanye West.


It's so well done, and I love the original but this one just tops it.

 

[Decessa]

I have a little bit of a list.

Dream Theater - Stargazer (Rainbow)
Smashing Pumpkins - Dancing in the Moonlight (Thin Lizzy), You're All I've Got Tonight (The Cars)
Slayer - I'm Gonna Be Your God (The Stooges [I Wanna Be Your Dog])
Deftones - If Only Tonight We Could Sleep (The Cure)
Nine Inch Nails - Get Down, Make Love (Queen)
Revolting Cocks - Do Ya Think I'm Sexy (Rod Stewart)
Pantera - Planet Caravan (Black Sabbath)
Cake - War Pigs (Black Sabbath)
Type O Negative - Black Sabbath (both versions, though one is from a different perspective) (Black Sabbath)

There are many others, but those came to mind first.

 

[NeutralDrow]

I must confess to liking Celldweller's cover of "Tragedy" a lot more than the BeeGees original.

Also, Frou Frou's cover of Bonnie Tyler's "Holding Out For a Hero", Twilight Guardians' cover of Madonna's "L'Isla Bonita," Disturbed's cover of Tears For Fears' "Shout," and especially especially especially Korn's cover of Cameo's "Word Up."

I like my music harder, in other words.


Also, most of the Moulin Rouge soundtrack.

 

[Andy Shandy]

It's not even worth saying Hurt by Johnny Cash. Pretty sure we all know that by now. Even Reznor says as much. =P

There has been a few. My most recent example would be Halestorm's version of Get Lucky.



JoCo's version of Baby Got Back is excellent too.

Spoiler: Since this is undoubtedly going to be a YouTube heavy thread, I shall put the vids in spoilers to reduce lag. I'm a kind fellow like that

I would have plenty more, but - this early at least - I feel it would be unfair to post all of them.

 

[shootthebandit]

Disturbed - land of confusion. I love the genesis original but I think disturbeds version is more raw. Both have 2 of the best music videos too

Im also digging bastille - rythm of the night its a bit overplayed at the minute but still good

 

[Mr Fixit]

Avenged Sevenfold's cover of Iron Maiden's Flash of the Blade.

Spoiler

Detroit Rock City covered by The Mighty Mighty Bosstones, because I really hate Kiss

Spoiler

Dance the Night Away from the Forces of Evil, just think the horns make it more of a "dance" song

Spoiler

 

[Jusey1]

PrinceWhateverer's cover of Good Time that he did with his girlfriend. (Original being by Owl City).
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxr4Aji2YN8
Both are awesome but I like PW cover more.

PrinceWhateverer also did an amazing metal cover of "September", originally by The Living Tombstone.

And few others... Crap. Can't think of the names right now.

 

[ShinyCharizard]

Recently The Amity Afflictions cover of Lana Del Ray

Spoiler

 

[FPLOON]

Well... uh... there is this one Glee cover...

Spoiler: Wrecking Ball

Yeah... I still can't believe it myself...

(And every other cover I would have mentioned is more or less a "remix" in some way, shape, or form... like the song Luna by Odyssey Eurobeat...)

 

[madwarper]

In before Johnny Cash "Hurt".

OT: I prefer Guns n' Roses version of Live and Let Die over Paul McCartney's. Also, while I love Louis Armstrong, the Ramone's cover of What a Wonder World can't be beat.

Spoiler

Edit: Forgot, I also prefer the Hooter's Boys of Summer over Don Henley.

Spoiler

 

[Fireaxe]

The Who - Saturday Nights Alright for Fighting (originally: Elton John).
Motorhead - Enter Sandman (originally: Metallica).
NoMeansNo - Beat on the Brat (originally: The Ramones).

Spoiler

 

[JonnyHG]

I believe there was a thread similar to this a year or so ago, and it occurred to me as I was listening to this cover of Led Zeppelin's Immigrant Song by Demons and Wizards.

Hansi's vocals really lend it a fresh edge, not to mention the guitar-work.

Not bad, but I prefer the one by Consortium Project!

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

 

[DanielBrown]

Iced Earth tend to give a whole lot more power to the songs they cover(a lot due to the amazing voice of Barlow). My favorite example would be Shooting Star. The original by Bad Company is definetly a great song, but I much prefer the Iced Earth version.

Spoiler

Bonus because of awesome

 

[sXeth]

I'm a heathen in many folks eyes, but Sanctuary's version of White Rabbit.

Spoiler

Also, 16 Horsepower's version of Bad Moon Rising, which just seems to suit a song about the apocalypse better.

Spoiler

And The Animals cover (well.... cover and large expansion upon) of Paint It Black

Spoiler

And this isn't exactly a cover, but I vastly prefer this version with Ian Gillian to Ozzy's original take

Spoiler

In a similar vein, the later versions of Gravedigger's Rebellion with Hansi and/or Van Canto joining on kind of top the original.

Spoiler

Which reminds me, speaking of Van Canto

Spoiler

 

[Drummodino]

Lindsey Stirling and Pentatonics' cover of Radioactive by Imagine Dragons. I'm on my phone so I can't link it but you should all go check it out

 

[Caligulove]

Recently got popular, but the video of this dude (Josh Weathers) covering Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You"

Spoiler

 

[kurokotetsu]

All Along the Watchtower by Jimmi Hendrix (original by Bob Dylan). There are few covers that completely erase the original from popular conciousness by this is one. Also a classic, With a Little Help From My Friends of Joe Cocker, which gestión double points for beating The Beatles in their own game and have several Beatlemaniacs admit that it is superior. And well if you consider traditional music coverable then Misirlou by Dick Dale, such a good riff that the Black Eye Peas bad to steal it. Later videos.

 

[Yoshi4102]

If any, very few. If I happen to hear a cover before I hear the original, I still tend to pick the originals.

I'm trying to think of how to explain why, but can't think of the correct way to word it, so take my really bad explanation instead. The remakes seem to take out the main aspect of what makes the song good, and without that "layer" if feels bland and watered down. Ya know?

That isn't to say that there never are covers I like more, just in my experience it's less common.