Best (and Worst) remakes of songs
- Thread starter 65racecoupe
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- Das Pretzelwagon
Music discussion? Well, if you insist. I do get carried away, though.
- Cash's redition is haunting, and his legendary stoicism makes the song all the more painful. Don't watch the video unless you want to feel like you're heart's been ripped in two.
- Keith himself (yes, that one) said Devo's was the best cover of the song he's ever heard. I love it, and I worship the Stones. Devo's version sounds like makeout music for robots.
The Good:
Hendrix: All Along the Watchtower (Bob Dylan)
This is the best cover-version of a song ever. C'mon, it's my man JIMMY!
Johnny Cash: Rusty Cage (soundgarden)
Cash is the Man.
Powerman 5000: Relax (Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
I don't care what anyone else says: this is a great song.
Fountains of Wayne: These Days (Nico)
I get to listen to a great song without having to listen to Nico's voice? Bring it on.
Shonen Knife: Daydream Believer (The Monkees)
Take an oldie, and hand it to the Japanese version of the Ramones. Oh yeah, they're girls. Let's see what happens.
Nirvana: Man Who Sold the World (David Bowie)
In fact, all of Nirvana's cover songs were good, but this one is the best.
Hendrix, again: Hey Joe (The Leaves)
No one remembers The Leaves. 'Nuff said.
The Clash: I Fought the Law (The Crickets)
"The only band that matters." Also listen to "Police and Thieves" for more cover goodness.
The Kingsmen: Louie Louie (Richard Berry)
Without the poorly sung ramblings of the Kingsmen, this song would just have been a ditty about a sailor who misses his girl. Instead, we got a government investigation.
Gary Jules: Mad World (Tears for Fears)
Go watch Donnie Darko. Now. I'll wait.
After the Fire: Der Kommisar (Falco)
It's much better in English. Trust me.
Rolling Stones: Time is On My Side (Irma Thomas)
Bet you didn't know this was a cover.
Bracket: Jenny (867-5309) (Tommy Tutone)
Just adds a bit more agression, but still faithful. I dig it.
Patti Smith: Gloria (Them)
Orginally, this song is great. It's utterly terrifying when Patti takes the reigns.
The Cowboy Junkies: Sweet Jane (Velvet Underground)
I love the Velvet Underground, but I can respect this song for what it is. Essentially, it will put you to sleep, but you'll have some ******-up dreams.
Hole: Gold Dust Woman (Fleetwood Mac)
Speaking of junkies: say what you want about Courtney Love (I could say a bunch); her delivery in this song is perfect.
They Might be Giants: Istanbul (Not Constantinople) (I have no clue)
******* brilliant. I dare you to try to sing along.
Sid Vicious: My Way (Frank Sinatra)
Sid snarls his way through a Sinatra tune? Yup, and it's good.
The Bad:
I'll throw in a vote for "Behind Blue Eyes." Durst is a tool and mailed in his performance. Here's some more covers that suck:
Eric Clapton: I Shot the Sherrif (Bob Marley)
Marley's version is brilliant, and you listen intently as he pleads for your acceptance that he did it in self defense. Clapton just lamely sings it, and here I am wishing he was just maced and thrown in jail.
Jagger/Bowie: Dancin' in the Street (Martha and the Vandellas)
I'm usually of the school that neither of these guys can do wrong, but how the hell could they take a great Motown song and turn it into a soulless turd like this?
Madonna: American Pie (Don McClean)
Whisky Tango Foxtrot? She didn't even change much (except cut out about half the song), and it still sucks hard enough that light can't escape it.
Sixpence None the Richer: There She Goes (The La's)
Take a great 90's song seemingly about a girl (it's about heroin, folks) which is dripping with irony. Now strip said irony and have it be sung by a girl. End the trifecta of suck by having it be featured in a feminie hygene product commercial.
Sheryl Crow: Sweet Child of Mine (Guns 'n' Roses)
I'll admit it: I've sung along to some Sheryl Crow Tunes, but perhaps she should have set her sights a little lower than one of the best songs GnR ever recorded. Having no real emotion in your voice doesn't help much, either.
Mariah Carey: Bringing on the Heartache (Def Leppard)
What?
Motley Crue: Every cover they've ever tried
Please guys, we really like your orginal stuff, and the covers suck. Just stop.
Honorable mention: Will Smith for sampling "Rock the Casbah." Not a cover, and I can admire the balls it took to sample The Clash, but that doesn't make him any less of a bastard for it.
The "Bad song made brilliant" section:
Here's where we take an originally bad song that you would rather pour hot tar down your nostrils than listen to, and turn it into something great. You guys are really going to have to trust me on these:
Cake: I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)
Take a horrible disco hit that single, late-twenties women dace to at wedding receptions before going home and crying into their Hagendaz, add Cake's special brand of irony and sarcasm, a ******* amazing bassline, and replace the word "stupid" with "*******," and you have a winner.
Fountains of Wayne: (Hit Me) Baby One More Time (Britney Spears)
Orginally, use of this song would be better at getting the location of the secret microfilm better than bamboo shoots under the fingernails, but with FOW changing it from pop tune to slow, guitar and organ based rock, suddenly the suck has been removed. Another of those generous helpings of irony comes along for the ride.
Elbow: Independant Woman (Destiny's Child)
They took out 90% of the lyrics, replaced them with a vibraphone, replaced faux-soul bulls*** with guitar, accordian, and a tuba (yes, a tuba), and turned the song into something you'd hear at an Irish pub at four in the morning. Why didn't I think of this?
NoRotor said:
I think both of you missed the point.mp3wannabe said:
- Cash's redition is haunting, and his legendary stoicism makes the song all the more painful. Don't watch the video unless you want to feel like you're heart's been ripped in two.
- Keith himself (yes, that one) said Devo's was the best cover of the song he's ever heard. I love it, and I worship the Stones. Devo's version sounds like makeout music for robots.
The Good:
Hendrix: All Along the Watchtower (Bob Dylan)
This is the best cover-version of a song ever. C'mon, it's my man JIMMY!
Johnny Cash: Rusty Cage (soundgarden)
Cash is the Man.
Powerman 5000: Relax (Frankie Goes to Hollywood)
I don't care what anyone else says: this is a great song.
Fountains of Wayne: These Days (Nico)
I get to listen to a great song without having to listen to Nico's voice? Bring it on.
Shonen Knife: Daydream Believer (The Monkees)
Take an oldie, and hand it to the Japanese version of the Ramones. Oh yeah, they're girls. Let's see what happens.
Nirvana: Man Who Sold the World (David Bowie)
In fact, all of Nirvana's cover songs were good, but this one is the best.
Hendrix, again: Hey Joe (The Leaves)
No one remembers The Leaves. 'Nuff said.
The Clash: I Fought the Law (The Crickets)
"The only band that matters." Also listen to "Police and Thieves" for more cover goodness.
The Kingsmen: Louie Louie (Richard Berry)
Without the poorly sung ramblings of the Kingsmen, this song would just have been a ditty about a sailor who misses his girl. Instead, we got a government investigation.
Gary Jules: Mad World (Tears for Fears)
Go watch Donnie Darko. Now. I'll wait.
After the Fire: Der Kommisar (Falco)
It's much better in English. Trust me.
Rolling Stones: Time is On My Side (Irma Thomas)
Bet you didn't know this was a cover.
Bracket: Jenny (867-5309) (Tommy Tutone)
Just adds a bit more agression, but still faithful. I dig it.
Patti Smith: Gloria (Them)
Orginally, this song is great. It's utterly terrifying when Patti takes the reigns.
The Cowboy Junkies: Sweet Jane (Velvet Underground)
I love the Velvet Underground, but I can respect this song for what it is. Essentially, it will put you to sleep, but you'll have some ******-up dreams.
Hole: Gold Dust Woman (Fleetwood Mac)
Speaking of junkies: say what you want about Courtney Love (I could say a bunch); her delivery in this song is perfect.
They Might be Giants: Istanbul (Not Constantinople) (I have no clue)
******* brilliant. I dare you to try to sing along.
Sid Vicious: My Way (Frank Sinatra)
Sid snarls his way through a Sinatra tune? Yup, and it's good.
The Bad:
I'll throw in a vote for "Behind Blue Eyes." Durst is a tool and mailed in his performance. Here's some more covers that suck:
Eric Clapton: I Shot the Sherrif (Bob Marley)
Marley's version is brilliant, and you listen intently as he pleads for your acceptance that he did it in self defense. Clapton just lamely sings it, and here I am wishing he was just maced and thrown in jail.
Jagger/Bowie: Dancin' in the Street (Martha and the Vandellas)
I'm usually of the school that neither of these guys can do wrong, but how the hell could they take a great Motown song and turn it into a soulless turd like this?
Madonna: American Pie (Don McClean)
Whisky Tango Foxtrot? She didn't even change much (except cut out about half the song), and it still sucks hard enough that light can't escape it.
Sixpence None the Richer: There She Goes (The La's)
Take a great 90's song seemingly about a girl (it's about heroin, folks) which is dripping with irony. Now strip said irony and have it be sung by a girl. End the trifecta of suck by having it be featured in a feminie hygene product commercial.
Sheryl Crow: Sweet Child of Mine (Guns 'n' Roses)
I'll admit it: I've sung along to some Sheryl Crow Tunes, but perhaps she should have set her sights a little lower than one of the best songs GnR ever recorded. Having no real emotion in your voice doesn't help much, either.
Mariah Carey: Bringing on the Heartache (Def Leppard)
What?
Motley Crue: Every cover they've ever tried
Please guys, we really like your orginal stuff, and the covers suck. Just stop.
Honorable mention: Will Smith for sampling "Rock the Casbah." Not a cover, and I can admire the balls it took to sample The Clash, but that doesn't make him any less of a bastard for it.
The "Bad song made brilliant" section:
Here's where we take an originally bad song that you would rather pour hot tar down your nostrils than listen to, and turn it into something great. You guys are really going to have to trust me on these:
Cake: I Will Survive (Gloria Gaynor)
Take a horrible disco hit that single, late-twenties women dace to at wedding receptions before going home and crying into their Hagendaz, add Cake's special brand of irony and sarcasm, a ******* amazing bassline, and replace the word "stupid" with "*******," and you have a winner.
Fountains of Wayne: (Hit Me) Baby One More Time (Britney Spears)
Orginally, use of this song would be better at getting the location of the secret microfilm better than bamboo shoots under the fingernails, but with FOW changing it from pop tune to slow, guitar and organ based rock, suddenly the suck has been removed. Another of those generous helpings of irony comes along for the ride.
Elbow: Independant Woman (Destiny's Child)
They took out 90% of the lyrics, replaced them with a vibraphone, replaced faux-soul bulls*** with guitar, accordian, and a tuba (yes, a tuba), and turned the song into something you'd hear at an Irish pub at four in the morning. Why didn't I think of this?
NoRotorNoMotor
Member
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i didnt miss the point, i cant stand johnny cash and that remake made me realize how much he sucked even more
65racecoupe
Member
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NoRotor said:
Go listen to Cocaine Blues and tell me that Cash sucks. He had humor and heartache in his songs. He was great.
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- Das Pretzelwagon
Okay, I can understand that. You're wrong, but I can understand itNoRotor said:
Now back to the thread.
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RallyeRedSi
Member
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Anything by richard cheese the man is golden
zoomzoom02
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Good
Gob - Paint it black
Atreyu - You give love a bad name
HIM - Don't fear the reaper
Dave Matthews - All along the watchtower
Marilyn Manson - Sweet Dreams
Gob - Paint it black
Atreyu - You give love a bad name
HIM - Don't fear the reaper
Dave Matthews - All along the watchtower
Marilyn Manson - Sweet Dreams
Pretzellogic said:
I agree 100% with both of these. You are also the first person I have ever known to mention Bracket - no one else I have talked to has any idea who they are.
That's ironic as I was just thinking...Bizam21 said:
The Unseen: Painted Black (The Rolling Stones)
I'm sure it's not to everyone's liking but I think it's awesome and that they did a good job bringing the song into a different genre.
zoomzoom02
Member
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It is shopped, but the funny thing is that it could be real, if I would've taken the picture when the fire was burning.tallrd said:
freekwonder
Contributor
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a few of mine have been mentioned but here are my good
jimmy Hendrix - All along the watch tower (one of the greatest covers of all time)
KMFDM - Mysterious Ways
KMFDM - these boots were made for walking
Korn - One (one of the greated covers of all time, right there with Jimmy. Its great because they keep the orginaly meaning and sound, but were still able to add there little twist)
Bloodhound gang - tricky
the clash - brand new cadillac
the clash - faught the law
Dead kennedys - viva las vegas
dropkick murphys - fortunate son
dropkick murphys - guns of brixton
dropkick murphys - white riot
kid frost - Low rider
Korn - Low rider
KMFDM - Mini mini mini
limp bizkit - faith (back when they were good)
Pennywise - I get around
Pennywise - Stand by me
Pennywise - Surfin USA
thrice - send me an angel
Snoop doggy dog - Lodi dodi
Social distortion - ring of fire
Social distortion - Under my thumb
the bad
jessica simpson
pretty mucy 75% of the stuff that comes off of the Punk Goes.... albums (espcially the Punk goes 90s album)
Thats about all I can think of right now.
jimmy Hendrix - All along the watch tower (one of the greatest covers of all time)
KMFDM - Mysterious Ways
KMFDM - these boots were made for walking
Korn - One (one of the greated covers of all time, right there with Jimmy. Its great because they keep the orginaly meaning and sound, but were still able to add there little twist)
Bloodhound gang - tricky
the clash - brand new cadillac
the clash - faught the law
Dead kennedys - viva las vegas
dropkick murphys - fortunate son
dropkick murphys - guns of brixton
dropkick murphys - white riot
kid frost - Low rider
Korn - Low rider
KMFDM - Mini mini mini
limp bizkit - faith (back when they were good)
Pennywise - I get around
Pennywise - Stand by me
Pennywise - Surfin USA
thrice - send me an angel
Snoop doggy dog - Lodi dodi
Social distortion - ring of fire
Social distortion - Under my thumb
the bad
jessica simpson
pretty mucy 75% of the stuff that comes off of the Punk Goes.... albums (espcially the Punk goes 90s album)
Thats about all I can think of right now.
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- 96 Miata M-Edition, 2015 Mazda 3 Hatch
goldfinger - 99 red balloons (nena) .. that one is so damn catchy
reel big fish - take on me (a-ha)
cake - mahna mahna (the muppets) download that one, you'll laugh.. you know you will
311 - love song (the cure)
I'll post more when I get my ipod out of my car later tonight.. I used to be obsessed with covers.
reel big fish - take on me (a-ha)
cake - mahna mahna (the muppets) download that one, you'll laugh.. you know you will
311 - love song (the cure)
I'll post more when I get my ipod out of my car later tonight.. I used to be obsessed with covers.
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this is what my brother had to say when I asked him about it:
Best covers:
Shatner doing Common People by Pulp
Devo doing Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones
Pixies doing Wild Honey Pie by the Beatles
Camper Van Beethoven doing Who Are the Brain Police? by Zappa
Snake River Conspiracy doing How Soon is Now? by The Smiths
Lyle Lovett doing Stand By Your Man by Tammy Wynette
Sex Pistols doing Stepping Stone by The Monkees
TV on the Radio cover Mr. Grieves by the Pixies
Dwight Yoakam doing I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick
Moog Cookbook doing Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
Pat Boone covering anything
Worst: Sheryl Crow doing anything, anybody covering MC5's Kick Out The Jams.
Best covers:
Shatner doing Common People by Pulp
Devo doing Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones
Pixies doing Wild Honey Pie by the Beatles
Camper Van Beethoven doing Who Are the Brain Police? by Zappa
Snake River Conspiracy doing How Soon is Now? by The Smiths
Lyle Lovett doing Stand By Your Man by Tammy Wynette
Sex Pistols doing Stepping Stone by The Monkees
TV on the Radio cover Mr. Grieves by the Pixies
Dwight Yoakam doing I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick
Moog Cookbook doing Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana
Pat Boone covering anything
Worst: Sheryl Crow doing anything, anybody covering MC5's Kick Out The Jams.
Pro5Monkey
Member
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The Gourds "downhome" cover of Snoop Dogg's Gin & Juice. Brilliant!
I don't. I like the song but I don't like the inflection that James adds to it. I just don't believe he understands what Bob was feeling when he wrote the song. I'm sure Metallica has experienced many of the same events described in the song, but they should do their own song about it, their own way.lgagno1 said:
On the other hand, I really like Shinedown's acoustic cover of "Simple Kind of Man". That song puts shivers up my spine moreso than the original.
Pro5Monkey
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imjustagirl said:
I going to see them June 18th in Philly (headbang) It's my Fathers Day present.
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