What Covers of Songs Do You Prefer Rather Than the Original?

[Wilbot666]

I like Johnny Cash's cover of Hurt by Nine Inch Nails.

I used to like the original more but I think my opinion has changed for some reason.

 

[DevinIsFTL]

I really enjoy the Red Hot Chili Peppers cover of Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gs2o5T7oN8

 

[Conza]

I thought of this after hearing this cover of "Everybody wants to be a cat" form Disney's "Aristocats"


It's made even better with the fact that it's only one person singing all 4 vocals.

So Escapians, what covers do you love more than the original?

Interesting question.

I have one, but firstly, most of the time I think covers can never live up to the original, Black Betty, Forever Young, Star Trek XI, Always Something There To Remind Me, there would be hundreds, maybe thousands more where the cover is never as good.

I think there might be a few where the cover is nearly as good.

Such as 'Live and Let Die' originall done by Paul McCartney, later done by Guns N Roses.

Also Betty Davis Eyes, originally done by, whoever, was re-done later by Gwyenth Paltrow, and that was imo, a better version (the original was pretty dodgy though, so no achievement there.

 

[Ham Blitz]

Disturbed's version Of "Land of confusion"
and Muse's Version of "feeling good"

 

[GamemasterAnthony]

I've got two.

Pato Benton - Spirits in the Material World [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mGFHvOihXI] (Made for the soundtrack of "Ace Ventura - When Nature Calls")

Disturbed - Land of Confusion [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6KXgjLqSTg] (Genesis only WISHED it was this epic)

 

[Quazimofo]

im kind-of surprised that nobody has posted a link to this yet. this has got to be one of my favorite covers of any song ever. it also made me come to a realization
I prefer my Lady Gaga.....
*puts on sunglasses*
On the rocks

<youtube=cTFh8LCBZeQ>

 

[the_nampir]

Big D and the Kids Table's version of Little ***** by The Specials.

 

[darkman80723]

Tearwave's version of Under the Milky Way. Just stunning.

 

[Kriptonite]

inb4 Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt"

I also like The Culture Serial Killer's rendition of Basket Case more than Green Day if I remember correctly.

 

[infohippie]

Frente's version of Bizarre Love Triangle. The original by New Order was good, but Frente's was better.

The Doug Anthony All Stars cover of Throw Your Arms Around Me. A thousand times better than Hunters and Collectors rather pedestrian effort.

The Nine Inch Nails cover of Dead Souls. I do love Joy Division, but I have to admit NIN did much better with this song.

 

[Elijah Ball]

this is the only one - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uRv8gnBMiWM

wind waker theme.

 

[Flac00]

Greenday's cover of "Working Class Hero"

 

[Loonyyy]

Making Christmas-The Rise Against cover from Nightmare Revisited is pretty good.
Built to Last-Rise Against cover.
Tainted Love-Marilyn Manson cover. I love the original, but somehow Manson just gets the "Tainted" bit right. Funny that.
Psycho Killer-Cage the Elephant Cover.

One thing I noticed is that both Johnny Cash and Marilyn Manson both do awesome covers-when they cover something, it pays homage to the original, while becoming something distict and unique, and usually at least as good as the original. That said, it makes it difficult to deside whether Personal Jesus is better by Manson or Cash....

 

[TxMxRonin]

Decapitated's cover of Mandatory Suicide is crushing. It sounds like what the original should sound like. And it doesn't hurt that the band were between the ages of 15 - 18.
<youtube=ZsfejvWue4E>

The original is great but it just sounds to "light" and even the band has been critical of the album it comes from.
<youtube=TI4e4RDhUwo>

 

[Troublesome Lagomorph]

Opeth's cover of Circle of the Tyrants, Hendrix's covers of Hey Joe and All Along the Watchtower, Cash's version of Ghost Riders in the Sky and Thin Lizzy's version of Whiskey in the Jar all come to mind.
Edit: and Shadows Fall's version of Welcome to the Machine.

 

[Infernai]

Do different versions of the same song by the same author count as covers? If so, Forces by Susumu Hirasawa is my pick

Spoiler: Original

If they don't..then i guess i do have a bit more of a liking for Limp Blizkit's version of Behind Blue Eyes over the original (Although i still think the originals a damned good song).

 

[scienceguy8]

I keep seeing it and I can't stand it! Heavy metal and screaming absolutely destroys the sublime sounds and message of "Land of Confusion"! The official music video with its creepy puppet representations of Ronald Reagan and his wive, major celebrities and leaders in the '80s, and of course Collins, Banks, and Rutherford, should cinch its place in music history and make it ten times better than a cartoon black-hooded creature punching an overweight man representing banks a-la the Disturbed version's music video.


There is a version out there with sound effects (marching feet, individuals speaking during the guitar solo, etc.), but I couldn't find it. If you find it, please post it.

 

[FoolKiller]

For me, it was Can't Help Falling in Love by Corey Hart instead of Elvis, and of course, Chubby Checker's version of The Twist is unbeatable.... ever.