• Menu
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Before Header

  • About Us
  • Lexicon
  • Contact Us
  • Our Store
  • ↑
  • ↓
  • ←
  • →

Balloon Juice

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

I’ve spoken to my cat about this, but it doesn’t seem to do any good.

Despite his magical powers, I don’t think Trump is thinking this through, to be honest.

This blog will pay for itself.

Everybody saw this coming.

Accused of treason; bitches about the ratings. I am in awe.

You can’t love your country only when you win.

If you tweet it in all caps, that makes it true!

Never entrust democracy to any process that requires republicans to act in good faith.

Reality always lies in wait for … Democrats.

Balloon Juice has never been a refuge for the linguistically delicate.

You don’t get rid of your umbrella while it’s still raining.

The republican caucus is already covering themselves with something, and it’s not glory.

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

When your entire life is steeped in white supremacy, equality feels like discrimination.

Let me eat cake. The rest of you could stand to lose some weight, frankly.

“More of this”, i said to the dog.

Is it irresponsible to speculate? It is irresponsible not to.

Pessimism assures that nothing of any importance will change.

When someone says they “love freedom”, rest assured they don’t mean yours.

Technically true, but collectively nonsense

Motto for the House: Flip 5 and lose none.

This really is a full service blog.

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

Mobile Menu

  • Winnable House Races
  • Donate with Venmo, Zelle & PayPal
  • Site Feedback
  • War in Ukraine
  • Submit Photos to On the Road
  • Politics
  • On The Road
  • Open Threads
  • Topics
  • Balloon Juice 2023 Pet Calendar (coming soon)
  • COVID-19 Coronavirus
  • Authors
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Lexicon
  • Our Store
  • Politics
  • Open Threads
  • War in Ukraine
  • Garden Chats
  • On The Road
  • 2021-22 Fundraising!
You are here: Home / Music / A true blue, a spectacle

A true blue, a spectacle

by DougJ|  November 21, 201110:01 pm| 235 Comments

This post is in: Music, Open Threads, Readership Capture

FacebookTweetEmail

I had an amazing experience today. I hadn’t actually bought my tickets west to visit my sister, just held them for 24 hours two months ago then forgot to finalize the transaction. I called up Delta and got the exact same flights with frequent fliers even though my departure is tomorrow. It’s a holiday miracle!

This put me in holiday mode (lamh35’s comment on Thanksgiving in NOLA already had me partway there), so I’m going to mostly do fun posts on stuff other than politics the next week.

Here’s one. I just heard Aretha Franklin’s cover of “You’re All I Need To Get By” on Pandora and I thought it would be fun to do a thread on people’s favorite covers of all time. I will define a cover as something someone recorded before but not a folk song or standard. How about a top 5 or 6 or 7 list with one additional restriction: no performer can appear more than once (otherwise you could do an all-Aretha list). Also, all other things being equal, not too obscurantist. I’ll go with

Love in Vain (Rolling Stones)
For the Good Times (Al Green)
I Say A Little Prayer For You (Aretha Franklin)
I’d Rather Go Blind (Koko Taylor)
Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain (Willie Nelson)
Sail Away (Etta James)
I Fought The Law (The Clash)

What’s your list?

FacebookTweetEmail
Previous Post: « Monday Night Open Thread
Next Post: You talkin’ to me? »

Reader Interactions

235Comments

  1. 1.

    Brian S

    November 21, 2011 at 10:06 pm

    My uncle has been Willie Nelson’s bassist for most (if not all) of my life and I had no idea that “Blue Eyes Crying In the Rain” was a cover. Huh.

    This isn’t my favorite cover of all time–haven’t had time to really tease that out–but it is the one that jumped to mind immediately. R. L. Burnside doing “Chain of Fools.” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4lMkoWhUsA

  2. 2.

    Brian S

    November 21, 2011 at 10:10 pm

    I’m also going to throw K. T. Tunstall covering “Ain’t Nobody” up there. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xTDqhiavP3E

  3. 3.

    Calming Influence

    November 21, 2011 at 10:11 pm

    It’s a holiday Festivus miracle! FIXED.

  4. 4.

    Cat Lady

    November 21, 2011 at 10:12 pm

    Pete Townshend’s version of Save It For Later is pretty great.

    This Aretha cover of I Say A Little Prayer For You gives me goosebumps. Aretha!

  5. 5.

    wmd

    November 21, 2011 at 10:13 pm

    Joan Osborne Son of a Preacher Man
    Rusted Root Suspicious Minds

  6. 6.

    DougJ

    November 21, 2011 at 10:14 pm

    @Brian S:

    Great stuff there!

    I realize this is probably wrong, but on the second one I couldn’t get through those white hipsters doing Chaka Khan.

  7. 7.

    Calming Influence

    November 21, 2011 at 10:17 pm

    @Brian S:
    Willie Nelson, Chaka Khan, and K. T. Tunstall. I’m going to need your home number.

  8. 8.

    AliceBlue

    November 21, 2011 at 10:18 pm

    Get Ready – Rare Earth

    Ring of Fire -Billy Bob Thornton (No, I am not making this up. Johnny Cash’s recording is still my favorite, but this is a real toe tapper. Earl Scruggs is on banjo).

  9. 9.

    Wannabe Speechwriter

    November 21, 2011 at 10:18 pm

    In no order-

    All Along the Watchtower by Hendrix
    Let it Be by Ray Charles
    Baby it’s You by The Beatles
    Tainted Love by Soft Cell
    Take Me to the River by Talking Heads

    and to be modern

    Your Song by Ellie Goulding

  10. 10.

    orygunian

    November 21, 2011 at 10:19 pm

    Joe Cocker, almost anything but I’ll go with “With a Little Help From My Friends”

  11. 11.

    Brian S

    November 21, 2011 at 10:19 pm

    @DougJ: I’ll always love that one because 1) I just like the song and 2) it made it possible for me to play it. I’m not a good enough guitarist to get by on talent, so I have to make up for it by choosing odd songs to cover. Like this cover of “Hey Ya” by Matt Weddle. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8-8nkkOA_AM

  12. 12.

    Laertes

    November 21, 2011 at 10:19 pm

    Nobody’s Fault But Mine (Black Crowes & Jimmy Page)
    Sad Songs and Waltzes (Cake)
    Mad World (Gary Jules)

  13. 13.

    Raven

    November 21, 2011 at 10:20 pm

    Tom Petty Oh Well
    Cassandra Wilson Time After Time
    Rickie Lee Jones Show Biz Kids
    Chris Hillman and Steve Earle High Fashion Queen
    The Mavericks Hot Burrito #1

  14. 14.

    lamh35

    November 21, 2011 at 10:20 pm

    ooh, I love list….As I’ve said before I mainly an R&B girl myself so my list is gonna be R&B heavy.

    Song…artist…original artist.

    1.Lately…Jodeci…Stevie Wonder
    2.I Will Always Love You…Whitney Houston…Dolly Parton
    3.I’m Every Woman…Whitney Houston…Chaka Khan
    4.You’re All I Need to Get By…Redman feat MJB…Gaye & Terrell
    5. Proud Mary…Ike & Tina Turner…CCR
    6. Closer…Maxwell…NIN
    7. Sweet Dreams…Marilyn Manson…Eurythmics
    8. This Woman’s Work…Maxwell…Kate Bush
    9. River Deep, Mountain High…Glee Cast…Tina Turner. (this one is a new cover and I had to say it, but I love it as much as the original)

    I could go on, but it’s not my blog…lol

  15. 15.

    JenJen

    November 21, 2011 at 10:21 pm

    As a former Delta gold (briefly platinum) member (how I miss those days), I can say with all confidence that was a holiday miracle indeed, DougJ. Holy shit. High five, triple-low-five! Winner!! Cheers! Gosh, I love Thanksgiving.

    Happy travels!

  16. 16.

    Omnes Omnibus

    November 21, 2011 at 10:21 pm

    Police and Thieves, The Clash.

  17. 17.

    pragmatism

    November 21, 2011 at 10:22 pm

    Oysterhead — gin and juice
    A perfect circle — when the levee breaks
    Grateful dead — werewolves of London

  18. 18.

    Calming Influence

    November 21, 2011 at 10:23 pm

    Golden Brown, The Stanglers

  19. 19.

    Brian S

    November 21, 2011 at 10:25 pm

    Alanis Morrissette covering The Black Eyed Peas’ “My Humps.” Done as an April Fool’s video I believe, but funny as hell. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pRmYfVCH2UA

  20. 20.

    Omnes Omnibus

    November 21, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    Working Class Hero, Marianne Faithfull.

  21. 21.

    AliceBlue

    November 21, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    @Wannabe Speechwriter:
    How could I have forgotten Hendrix and Talking Heads? (face palm).

  22. 22.

    RossInDetroit

    November 21, 2011 at 10:26 pm

    No standards makes this hard.

    Okay, an oddball that I love:

    Wildwood… Eliza Carthy…Paul Weller

  23. 23.

    DougJ

    November 21, 2011 at 10:27 pm

    @Raven:

    Cassandra and Rickie Lee are among my very, very favorites.

    I didn’t list them because my favorites of theirs are show tunes, Cassandra doing “I’ve Grown Accustomed To His Face” and Rickie Lee doing “On The Street Where You Live”. Though C’s “Tupelo Honey” and R’s “Show Biz Kids” are great too.

  24. 24.

    suzanne

    November 21, 2011 at 10:27 pm

    Mike Ness, Don’t Think Twice (Dylan)
    Hole, Gold Dust Woman (Fleetwood Mac)

  25. 25.

    Gordon, The Big Express Engine

    November 21, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    David Frum is shrill.

  26. 26.

    smintheus

    November 21, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    The late Zombies/Colin Blunstone/Neil MacArthur cover of Hung Upside Down (Buffalo Springfield) is pretty damn good.

    Also love Don Byas’ cover of Duke Ellington’s Don’t you know I care?

  27. 27.

    RSA

    November 21, 2011 at 10:28 pm

    Coincidentally, I recently thought of some covers I like, which are cross-genre:

    Word Up (Willis)
    Satisfaction (Devo)
    Guns of Brixton (Nouvelle Vague)
    Baker Street (Foo Fighters)
    I Heard it Through the Grapevine (Creedence)
    Gloria (Patti Smith)
    Ain’t That a Shame (Cheap Trick)

  28. 28.

    Brian S

    November 21, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    @DougJ: The Rickie Lee Jones mention reminded me of the cover of “Making Whoopee” she did with Dr. John. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2m8Pgo_440

  29. 29.

    Omnes Omnibus

    November 21, 2011 at 10:30 pm

    Absolutely Sweet Marie, Jason and the Scorchers.

  30. 30.

    RossInDetroit

    November 21, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    And another oddie:

    Night Comes In… June Tabor and the Oysterband…Richard Thompson

  31. 31.

    Raven

    November 21, 2011 at 10:31 pm

    Annie Lennox It’s a Thin Line
    Nanci Griffith Tecumseh Valley
    Del McCoury 1952 Vincent Black Lightning

  32. 32.

    burnspbesq

    November 21, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    You Can Sleep While I Drive, Trisha Yearwood
    Bertha, Los Lobos
    Black Crow, Diana Krall
    Soldier of Love, Marshall Crenshaw
    I Fought the Law, the Clash
    September Gurls, the Bangles
    Now That I Found You, Alison Krauss
    Tell Me Why, Wynnona Judd

  33. 33.

    General Stuck

    November 21, 2011 at 10:32 pm

    Pink – Bohemian Rhapsody

    Linda Ronstadt – Desperado

  34. 34.

    Roxsie

    November 21, 2011 at 10:34 pm

    Nights in White Satin-The Dickies

  35. 35.

    RossInDetroit

    November 21, 2011 at 10:35 pm

    @suzanne:

    Mike Ness, Don’t Think Twice (Dylan)

    Of Social Distortion? I should hear that.

    That reminds me:

    Ring of Fire…Social Distortion…Johnny Cash

  36. 36.

    Raven

    November 21, 2011 at 10:35 pm

    Shameless plug, my brother produced this:

    A Fair Forgery of Pink Floyd is a 2 CD compilation of 30 Pink Floyd obscurities and classics performed by 29 different bands most from the Los Angeles area. AFFoPF has more than 2 hours of music done in a wide variety of styles with songs 1 through 16 are more “indie and interpretive” whereas songs 17 through 30 tend to be more “traditional or prog”

  37. 37.

    Americanadian

    November 21, 2011 at 10:35 pm

    Brian May and the Foo Fighters did a good cover of Pink Floyd’s Have a Cigar.

    Also, leaving off Hendrix’s All Along the Watchtower was pretty inexcusable.

  38. 38.

    smintheus

    November 21, 2011 at 10:37 pm

    Bobby Womack, California Dreaming
    Alton Ellis, Sitting in the Park

  39. 39.

    burnspbesq

    November 21, 2011 at 10:37 pm

    More:

    Just a Little Lovin’, Shelby Lynne
    Defying Gravity, Jimmy Buffett
    Making Believe, Emmylou Harris
    You’ll Never Leave Harlan Alive, Patty Loveless
    High School Confidential, the Blasters
    Golden State, Eddie Vedder & Corin Tucker

  40. 40.

    DougJ

    November 21, 2011 at 10:38 pm

    I might also add “Nothing But The Wheel” by Peter Wolf for my list.

  41. 41.

    Comrade Mary

    November 21, 2011 at 10:38 pm

    Anything Yo La Tengo ever played on a WFMU fundraiser.

    Also:

    Of Montreal – Jimmy

    Elliott Smith – Figure 8

    UMASS Front Percussion – Paranoid Android

  42. 42.

    General Stuck

    November 21, 2011 at 10:38 pm

    Annie Lennox – Whiter Shade of Pale

  43. 43.

    lamh35

    November 21, 2011 at 10:38 pm

    @lamh35:

    ohh, just found the vidoe for “Lately” by Jodeci. Stevie Wonders’ songs are so hard to cover, IMHO, cause in one song, Stevie has been known to go from high vocal ranges to pretty low ones and many of his ballads lose their heft if not sung with as much emotion as possible.

    Anyway, if you are a fan of Stevie Wonder, this is hands down the BEST cover of one of his songs, IMHO. Ironically, it had to be sung by 2 different singers to get it right. Stevie of course sung it all by himself.

    Jodeci – Lately

    Stevie Wonder – Lately

  44. 44.

    DougJ

    November 21, 2011 at 10:39 pm

    @burnspbesq:

    September Gurls, the Bangles
    Now That I Found You, Alison Krauss

    I love these too!

  45. 45.

    Kaleb

    November 21, 2011 at 10:39 pm

    Dead Kennedys’ “I Fought The Law” is way better than The Clash, obscure lyrical content notwithstanding.

    Carlos Santana & John McLaughlin’s version of Coltrane’s “A Love Supreme” is great too.

  46. 46.

    Comrade Mary

    November 21, 2011 at 10:40 pm

    @Calming Influence: Huh? That was theirs.

    Damn ads.

  47. 47.

    suzanne

    November 21, 2011 at 10:40 pm

    @RossInDetroit:

    Of Social Distortion? I should hear that.

    Why, yes. It is most excellent.

  48. 48.

    RossInDetroit

    November 21, 2011 at 10:40 pm

    Has anyone cited:

    Sweet Jane…Cowboy Junkies…Lou Reed

  49. 49.

    some guy

    November 21, 2011 at 10:40 pm

    My Way by Johnny Rotten

  50. 50.

    Brian S

    November 21, 2011 at 10:40 pm

    Amanda Palmer of Dresden Dolls did a whole album of Radiohead covers on the ukulele. “Creep” is probably my favorite of the bunch. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ-QueB9IYQ

  51. 51.

    DougJ

    November 21, 2011 at 10:41 pm

    @some guy:

    Great one!

  52. 52.

    General Stuck

    November 21, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    Pearl Jam – Last Kiss

  53. 53.

    patrick II

    November 21, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    The Beatles — Twist and Shout
    Johnny Cash — In My Life
    Willie Nelson — Blue Eyes Cryin’ in the Rain
    Rodrigo y Gabriela — Take Five

  54. 54.

    Omnes Omnibus

    November 21, 2011 at 10:42 pm

    @suzanne: That whole album is fantastic.

  55. 55.

    burnspbesq

    November 21, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    How could I forget this classic?

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

  56. 56.

    Comrade Mary

    November 21, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    @DougJ: Hey! No sock puppet trolling, Doug!

  57. 57.

    Odie Hugh Manatee

    November 21, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    Great White’s cover of Led Zep’s Babe I’m Gonna Leave You. Although it’s based on a folk song by Anne Bredon and was first covered by Joan Baez, Great White’s excellent rendition of LZ’s version of it is worth listening to.

    The Scorpions’ cover of The Who’s I Can’t Explain is pretty good (for their own rendition of it).

  58. 58.

    RossInDetroit

    November 21, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    @suzanne:

    Of Social Distortion? I should hear that.
    Why, yes. It is most excellent.

    Yes it is. I wouldn’t have thought that a slammin’ rhythm section would add so much, but there it is.

  59. 59.

    scav

    November 21, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    Came at this one backwards as Holding out for a Hero by Frou Frou was the first version I heard, so Bonnie Tyler’s is all wrong now that I just checked it out. Not the most obvious thing to start my list with but I’m bad with dates and do tend to hear things out of order. Will probably find some stuff in Randy Newman though.

  60. 60.

    suzanne

    November 21, 2011 at 10:43 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus: Aye. It is among my most played. I love Social D/Mike Ness with an unholy fire.

  61. 61.

    handsmile

    November 21, 2011 at 10:44 pm

    Ooh, this outta be fun. Alphabetically:

    Like a Hurricane (Built to Spill)
    Rain (Polyrock)
    Shipbuilding (Elvis Costello)
    Take Me to the River (Talking Heads)
    Turning of the Tide (Bob Mould)
    Walk Away Renee (Rickie Lee Jones)
    Woodstock (Richard Thompson)

    And of course, if it’s not considered a standard:
    Wild is the Wind (Nina Simone)

  62. 62.

    beergoggles

    November 21, 2011 at 10:45 pm

    @Omnes Omnibus:

    Working Class Hero, Marianne Faithfull.

    I wish there were enough gay hippies to diva-saint her like Liza, Cher, Madonna and Gaga have been…

  63. 63.

    Raven

    November 21, 2011 at 10:46 pm

    Aaron Neville Louisiana1927

  64. 64.

    some guy

    November 21, 2011 at 10:46 pm

    thanks, Doug. Lydon is really underrated as a singer.

  65. 65.

    dedc79

    November 21, 2011 at 10:47 pm

    Johnny Cash – Hurt
    Townes Van Zandt – Dead Flowers
    Otis Redding – A Change is Gonna Come
    Toots and the Maytals – Louie Louie

  66. 66.

    dogwood

    November 21, 2011 at 10:47 pm

    David Wilcox – Missing You

    Tina Turner’s Missing You is great too.

  67. 67.

    Calouste

    November 21, 2011 at 10:47 pm

    Led Zeppelin – When the Levee Breaks

  68. 68.

    smintheus

    November 21, 2011 at 10:48 pm

    Tom Waits, Sea of Love
    The Animals, Boom Boom

  69. 69.

    Uncle Omar

    November 21, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    “City of New Orleans” Arlo Guthrie covering Steve Goodman. No matter who covers it it’s fabulous. As someone once said, “it’s the best damn train song ever written.”
    “Scarlet Begonias” Jimmy Buffett.
    “I Shot the Sheriff” Eric Clapton.

  70. 70.

    JCJ

    November 21, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    @lamh35:

    My! Quite a list! I agree completely on Marilyn Manson covering “Sweet Dreams” – I also love the video (I’m not altogether normal) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_tm-1yRZtQg

    Marilyn Manson’s cover of “Personal Jesus” is also good

  71. 71.

    dedc79

    November 21, 2011 at 10:49 pm

    @handsmile: good call on Take Me to the River, but are you sure Shipbuilding is a cover? I had thought Elvis Costello wrote that song.

  72. 72.

    suzanne

    November 21, 2011 at 10:50 pm

    @RossInDetroit: I love that Cowboy Junkies cover.

    Also will add India.Arie, The Heart of the Matter (Don Henley).

  73. 73.

    Raven

    November 21, 2011 at 10:50 pm

    @handsmile: I saw Nina Simone in Champaign in about 1970. She made all the white folks move to the back then, when she was getting ready to sing Amazing Grace, she said “It’s about time we got our song back”! It was great.

  74. 74.

    Lynnia

    November 21, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    Live — I walk the line — Johnny Cash (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE2bnv0SjiQ)

    Jeff Buckley — Hallelujah — Leonard Cohen (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKnxmkOAj88)

    Joan Osborne — Main in the Long Black Coat — Dylan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BdJx86b0wuc)

    The White Stripes — One more cup of coffee — Dylan (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZfVbvSVUbw)

    I had better stop or I will be doing this all night.

  75. 75.

    suzanne

    November 21, 2011 at 10:51 pm

    Also love Galaxie 500’s cover of “Isn’t it A Pity” (Duh).

  76. 76.

    burnspbesq

    November 21, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    So many millions of people hate this great, great song because of the loathsome Michael Bolton cover that I feel compelled to post the original. I was six years old when I first heard this song, on WPTR in Albany. Still love it, a half century later.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBDfju1F76M

  77. 77.

    EdMinChi

    November 21, 2011 at 10:52 pm

    Black Magic Woman, Santana

    The Dutchman, Steve Goodman (don’t know if this qualifies as a cover; Goodman didn’t write it, but I don’t know whether the author had already recorded it before Steve did)

    Wheels, Emmylou Harris (among so many others)

    You Can’t Catch Me, John Lennon

    One Way Out, Allman Brothers

    When I Paint My Masterpiece, The Band

    Hey, Pocky Way, Neville Brothers

  78. 78.

    burnspbesq

    November 21, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    This entire record.

    http://www.amazon.com/All-Are-Saying-Bill-Frisell/dp/B005F9CORS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1321933974&sr=8-1

  79. 79.

    Raven

    November 21, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    @suzanne: Heard their cover of “Oooo Las Vegas”?

  80. 80.

    irregardless

    November 21, 2011 at 10:53 pm

    Nina Simone – To love somebody

  81. 81.

    suzanne

    November 21, 2011 at 10:54 pm

    For Beatles covers, I like Eddie Vedder’s “You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away”. He gives good yearning.

  82. 82.

    Wag

    November 21, 2011 at 10:54 pm

    Frente’s cover of Bizzare Love Triangle

  83. 83.

    Wag

    November 21, 2011 at 10:54 pm

    Frente’s cover of Bizzare Love Triangle

  84. 84.

    The Golux

    November 21, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    Delbert McClinton: “Pancho and Lefty” from the Townes Van Zandt tribute album. Bonnie Raitt: “Thing Called Love”. Rufus Wainwright: “Across the Universe”. And believe it or not, Adam Sandler (!) does justice to “Werewolves Of London”.

  85. 85.

    burnspbesq

    November 21, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    @Raven:

    Aaron Neville Louisiana1927

    Yes.

  86. 86.

    some guy

    November 21, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    Sonic Youth did many excellent covers, too:

    Madonna (Into the Groove)
    Martin Mull (Santa Doesn’t Cop Out on Dope)
    Carpenters (Into You)
    Nirvana (Moist Vagina)
    Stooges (Now I wanna Be Your Dog)
    Beach Boys (I Know There’s an Answer)

  87. 87.

    Alison

    November 21, 2011 at 10:56 pm

    Hmm, good topic. The first one that comes to my dark little mind is the Siouxsie and the Banshees version of The Passenger. Also Tori Amos’ cover of Happiness Is A Warm Gun is another I’m partial to – it just made sense to me in a way some covers don’t.

  88. 88.

    Wag

    November 21, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    … And how could I forget the entire album of Dub Side of the Moon, and Message in a Bottle by Matisyahu

  89. 89.

    Wag

    November 21, 2011 at 10:58 pm

    … And how could I forget the entire album of Dub Side of the Moon, and Message in a Bottle by Matisyahu

  90. 90.

    dogwood

    November 21, 2011 at 10:59 pm

    @burnspbesq:

    Since I Fell for You is one of my all-time favorites. Thanks for the link.

  91. 91.

    The Golux

    November 21, 2011 at 10:59 pm

    Forgot to mention the Neville Brothers: “With God On Our Side”, possibly the most haunting thing Aaron Neville’s ever sung, which is saying something.

  92. 92.

    Lynnia

    November 21, 2011 at 10:59 pm

    My attempt to post this with video links went to moderation, so here it is with no videos.

    Live—I walk the line—Johnny Cash

    Jeff Buckley—Hallelujah—Leonard Cohen

    Joan Osborne—Main in the Long Black Coat—Dylan

    The White Stripes—One more cup of coffee—Dylan

    (I had better stop or I will be doing this all night.)

  93. 93.

    suzanne

    November 21, 2011 at 11:00 pm

    “Istanbul, not Constantinople” is a cover, and I didn’t know for years. So awesome.

  94. 94.

    BigSouthern

    November 21, 2011 at 11:01 pm

    Space Captain…Herbie Hancock w/Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi…Joe Cocker
    Giving Him Something He Can Feel…En Vogue..Aretha Franklin
    Bridge Over Troubled Water…Eva Cassidy…Simon & Garfunkel
    Chameleon…Gov’t Mule w/Dirty Dozen Brass Band…Herbie Hancock
    The Ghost of Tom Joad…Rage Against the Machine…Bruce Springtseen

  95. 95.

    Gracie

    November 21, 2011 at 11:02 pm

    WTG on your travel plans Doug!

    Creedence Clearwater Revival – Heard it Through the Grapevine
    Hendrix – All Along the Watchtower
    A Perfect Circle – Fiddle and the Drum
    Johnny Cash – Hurt

  96. 96.

    jayackroyd

    November 21, 2011 at 11:03 pm

    Flying Lizards: Money (That’s What I Want)
    Joan Jett: Roadrunner
    Talking Heads: Take me to the River
    Dead Kennedys: Rawhide

  97. 97.

    dogwood

    November 21, 2011 at 11:05 pm

    Fields of Gold -Eva Cassidy

  98. 98.

    jayackroyd

    November 21, 2011 at 11:08 pm

    @DougJ:

    Indeed. One of the things I loved about the Pistols was that it was decidedly not up tempo.

  99. 99.

    BD of MN

    November 21, 2011 at 11:09 pm

    93 comments and nobody’s mentioned Frankie Goes to Hollywood’s completely and totally awesome cover of “Born to Run”?

    also, Eydie Gormet and Steve Lawrence cover “Black Hole Sun”, and Ben Folds Five covers “She Don’t Use Jelly” on Lounge-A-Palooza…

  100. 100.

    Johannes

    November 21, 2011 at 11:10 pm

    Ok, let’s see:

    Pete Townshend, “Begin the Beguine”;
    Sheryl Crow, “Behind Blue Eyes”;
    The Civil Wars, “Dance Me to the End of Love”:
    John Cale, “Hallelujah”;
    Alanis Morissette, “Let’s Do It”;
    kd Lang, “So In Love”;
    Manhattan Transfer, “Twilight Zone” (OK, that’s really La Caterina’s but, s her proxy).

    ETA: Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s “How Big Can You get.” How did I leave that off the list?

  101. 101.

    MikeJ

    November 21, 2011 at 11:11 pm

    Bah. I hate it when cool music threads go up while I’m having dinner. Damned east coasters.

    Hüsker Dü’s Love is All Around (Sonny Curtis Mary Tyler Moore Show Theme) is pretty great.

    Many, many people have covered my fave band, but very few really take it in a new direction. One that still didn’t go new direction, but kept it as weird as the original is Cocteau Twins cover of Kangaroo. (Oops, rereading prepost, It should be This Mortal Coil, not Cocteau Twins. Sorry)

    Too many people are too respectful when covering Big Star.I understand, but if you do a cover, do something different.

    Loud Family’s Back of a Car is decent, but still too respectful, and one of the few Matthew Sweet/Susanna Hoffs covers I don’t like is the same one.

    I’d like to hear an arrangement that would have made Alex shit bricks, keeping in mind he produced the Cramps, which would make it a tall order.

  102. 102.

    rkdioxin

    November 21, 2011 at 11:11 pm

    so many good suggestions so far. here’s a few of my faves:
    “always on my mind” – Pet Shop Boys
    “suspicious minds” – Fine Young Cannibals
    “anarchy in the UK” – the Ukrainians
    “born to run” – Frankie Goes To Hollywood
    “blitzkrieg bop – Shonen Knife
    “mustt mustt” – Kiran Ahluwalia & Tinariwen

  103. 103.

    Suffern ACE

    November 21, 2011 at 11:11 pm

    Gladys Knight – I wish it would rain
    Francine Reed – Wild Women Don’t Get the Blues
    Oh, and why not. Van Halen – You really got me.

  104. 104.

    The Fat Kate Middleton

    November 21, 2011 at 11:11 pm

    My son’s band, The Hearers, doing a cover of Jesus Lizard’s “Elegy” – http://thehearers.bandcamp.com/track/elegy

    They’re out of Kansas City by way of various locations. Are playing this week in Lawrence, KS.

  105. 105.

    handsmile

    November 21, 2011 at 11:12 pm

    @dedc79: (#69)

    “Shipbuilding” was written by the criminally forgotten British musical genius, Robert Wyatt. I’d recommend checking out his Wikipedia profile.

    @ Everyone Else:

    Now that I’ve posted my list, I have read through others’ contributions (up to #88), and have compiled a brand new list! Many thanks for offering up these gems:

    With a Little Help from My Friends (Orygunian)
    Satisfaction (RSA)
    Gloria (RSA)
    Sweet Jane (RossinDetroit)
    Time After Time (Raven)
    Proud Mary (lamh35)
    Soldier of Love (burnspbesq)
    Don’t Let It Bring You Down (my Annie Lennox cover choice, General Stuck)

    Late addition: Money (jayackroyd) Oh my yes!!

  106. 106.

    Jenny

    November 21, 2011 at 11:14 pm

    Kris Kristofferson singing Bobby McGee tonight at White House.

    http://youtu.be/xmoz027iMYU

  107. 107.

    Redshift

    November 21, 2011 at 11:14 pm

    Lords of the New Church – Like a Virgin – Madonna
    Tom Jones and The Cardigans – Burning Down the House – Talking Heads
    Tom Jones – Kiss – Prince
    Jill Sobule – Don’t Let Us Get Sick – Warren Zevon

  108. 108.

    smintheus

    November 21, 2011 at 11:15 pm

    @The Golux: Bonnie Raitt also did a fine cover of Burning Down the House.

  109. 109.

    piratedan

    November 21, 2011 at 11:16 pm

    @Calming Influence: good call…..

    Elvis Costello… What’s so Funny about Peace, Love and Understanding?

    Ray Stevens …. Lady of Spain (before he developed a severe case of wingnuttia)

    They Might Be Giants…. Yeah Yeah

    Marshall Crenshaw…. The In Crowd

  110. 110.

    Wag

    November 21, 2011 at 11:16 pm

    @DougJ:

    I thought that was Sid Vicious, post sex pistols. I always liked how it was used in Sid and Nancy.

  111. 111.

    rkdioxin

    November 21, 2011 at 11:17 pm

    @BD of MN: synchronization… or something like that. i’ve started flame wars by insisting that the Frankies cover is better than the original

  112. 112.

    Redshift

    November 21, 2011 at 11:18 pm

    @Gracie:

    Johnny Cash – Hurt

    Yeah, that is one of the great covers of all time. The NiN version is perfectly good, but the Johnny Cash one is just amazing.

    Also:

    Pet Shop Boys – When I Ruled the World – Coldplay

    I don’t know if they’ve ever recorded it, but when they play it in concert, you’d think they wrote it, they own it so completely.

  113. 113.

    MikeJ

    November 21, 2011 at 11:19 pm

    Ooooh, I forgot Peace Love and Understanding by Elvis.
    Everybody really knows it’s a Brinsley Schwarz (with Nick Lowe on lead vocal) tune.

  114. 114.

    Lynnia

    November 21, 2011 at 11:20 pm

    @handsmile:

    Can’t second Annie Lennox’s version of Don’t Let It Bring You Down enough!

    Also, you reminded me to throw in Feist + Ben Gibbard covering Train Song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVVGHkE–XI)

  115. 115.

    smintheus

    November 21, 2011 at 11:21 pm

    @BD of MN: Another one nobody’s mentioned: Kenny Rogers’ cover of Just Dropped In.

  116. 116.

    MikeJ

    November 21, 2011 at 11:22 pm

    @smintheus: Does that count as a cover since he was in the original band?

  117. 117.

    JasonF

    November 21, 2011 at 11:22 pm

    Rolling Stones, “I Don’t Know Why AKA Don’t Know Why I Love You” (original by Stevie Wonder)
    Johnny Cash, “Ring of Fire” (original by Anita Carter). If that doesn’t count, then I nominate the Social Distortion version.
    Joe Cocker, “Feelin’ Alright” (original by Traffic)
    Ben Folds, “Bitches Ain’t Shit” (original by Dr. Dre et al.)

    And then there’s this.

  118. 118.

    Redshift

    November 21, 2011 at 11:23 pm

    @Gordon, The Big Express Engine:

    David Frum is shrill.

    And yet he still clings to counterfactuals like “the Obama administration’s path of bigger government at higher cost.”

    My response to my old classmate: yes, they’re crazy — and so are you.

  119. 119.

    some guy

    November 21, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    it was Sid V. brain fart on my part. apologies

  120. 120.

    MikeJ

    November 21, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    No lurve for Ahmet and Dweezil?

    Really a very rockin tune.

  121. 121.

    Phoenician in a time of Romans

    November 21, 2011 at 11:24 pm

    Definitely Placebo’s version of “Running Up That Hill”.

  122. 122.

    MikeJ

    November 21, 2011 at 11:26 pm

    No Ted Leo?

  123. 123.

    lamh35

    November 21, 2011 at 11:27 pm

    @Gracie: Ooh Heard It Through The Grapevine…Gladys Knight & The Pips…Marvin Gaye.

    I honestly don’t know who came first. Both were on Motown records but I dont know who the original song was for. I’m partial of the Gladys version

  124. 124.

    4jkb4ia

    November 21, 2011 at 11:27 pm

    Rosanne Cash–“I Don’t Want To Spoil The Party”. Sincere–no meta
    Annie Lennox–“No More I Love You’s”. Off covers CD
    Michelle Shocked–“Holy Spirit”. Victoria Williams actually did record that, in 1990. Too good a record for Shocked’s being a bigot to interfere. Pearl Jam “Crazy Mary” off the Sweet Relief record was also excellent.

  125. 125.

    burnspbesq

    November 21, 2011 at 11:28 pm

    This one’s for Raven.

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5BaJeDyUmc

  126. 126.

    Greg VA

    November 21, 2011 at 11:29 pm

    Dogwood beat me to Fields of Gold by Eva Cassidy.

    Also, Let It Be by Aretha Frankin and I love Neil Sedaka’s ballad version of Neil Sedaka’s bubblegum pop “Breaking Up is Hard to Do.”

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Hh–22Eu_M

  127. 127.

    RossInDetroit

    November 21, 2011 at 11:29 pm

    Do You Know the Way to San Jose?…Freedy Johnston…Burt Bacharach and Hal David.

    Thought I was doing to say by Dionne Warwick, didn’t you?

    ETA: That’s an indirect cover. It was written for Dionne but I like Freedy’s cover a lot.

  128. 128.

    4jkb4ia

    November 21, 2011 at 11:32 pm

    “Peace, Love, and Understanding” would be up there now that I remember it is a cover.

  129. 129.

    MikeJ

    November 21, 2011 at 11:34 pm

    @4jkb4ia: To be fair, for any given song it’s hard to say if it’s Nick Lowe covering Elvis or Elvis covering Nick.

  130. 130.

    sal

    November 21, 2011 at 11:34 pm

    I Gotta Get Drunk – Gas Huffed /Willie Nelson
    Getting Mighty Crowded – Elvis Costello / Betty Everett
    Papa Was A Rolling Stone – Was Not Was / Temptations

    I think another Motown band did Papa first, but cant recall who.

  131. 131.

    RossInDetroit

    November 21, 2011 at 11:35 pm

    Speaking of Aretha, I just came home from my best friend’s house in Detroit. His father Joe Battle was probably the first person to record her. Joe had a record shop and a tape recorder, and he sold records of church sermons. He had a deal to record Aretha’s father on Sundays and press records. He also recorded her singing when she was just a kid. None of the recordings of Aretha survive, but his impromptu booze-lubricated sessions with ’50s R&B singers are very collectible.

  132. 132.

    BD of MN

    November 21, 2011 at 11:35 pm

    here’s some covers for a good cause: MN Beatles Project, Minnesota (and some others) have done three CD’s of Beatles covers with all the proceeds going to music and arts programs at elementary schools in MN.

    I’m partial to Pert Near Sandstone’s “I am the Walrus”

  133. 133.

    Dude in Princeton

    November 21, 2011 at 11:37 pm

    Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me), Rolling Stones
    Gloria, Jimmy Hendrix
    Crossroads, Eric Clapton
    Without You, Nilsson
    Lost My Driving Wheel, Tom Rush

  134. 134.

    MikeJ

    November 21, 2011 at 11:42 pm

    Volare by LX.

  135. 135.

    Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason

    November 21, 2011 at 11:43 pm

    Guilty (Bonnie Raitt)
    Ol’ 55 (Tom Waits)*

    And seconds to

    All Along the Watchtower
    Take Me to the River
    Sweet Jane
    Last Kiss
    Black Magic Woman
    Satisfaction
    Heard It Through the Grapevine (Creedence version)

    ETA *Sorry, got it backwards, Waits wrote it, Eagles covered it, Waits did it better. Never mind. /Litella

  136. 136.

    handsmile

    November 21, 2011 at 11:43 pm

    Given this generous topic, it seems only proper to mention that one of my most favoritest CDs for many years now is Beat the Retreat, a compilation of covers of songs written by Richard Thompson, released in 1994.

    Among the artists included on its 16 tracks are X (“Shoot Out the Lights”), Bonnie Raitt (“When the Spell is Broken”), Syd Straw and Evan Dando (“For Shame of Doing Wrong”), Los Lobos (“Down Where the Drunkards Roll”), The Five Blind Boys of Alabama (“Dimming of the Day”), et al. For my cover list above (#61), I chose Bob Mould’s blistering version of “Turning of the Tide.”

    Richard Thompson devotees (among whom I’ve proudly stood since the 1970s) may well know of this project, but if not…what a treat awaits you!

  137. 137.

    Gracie

    November 21, 2011 at 11:47 pm

    @Redshift: ITA about Hurt. Cash, I think, was pretty close to the end of his life, and I think we might be able to hear it here; the video is almost difficult for me to watch. Cash’s voice is so expressive, and it shows.

    @lamh35: I’m not sure, but I think it was Gladys K first, then Marvin. I love both versions, but I’m a sucker for a wicked bass, and CCR’s version has that in spades. It pulls me in like sex. I listened to John Fogerty on sirius radio this past weekend, and he said he was inspired by Marvin’s version, because Marvin’s voice was so incredible.

  138. 138.

    Froley

    November 21, 2011 at 11:48 pm

    Most of mine have been covered, but here’s a few more:
    “No Fun” – Sex Pistols
    “96 Tears” – Big Maybelle
    “Head On” – Pixies

  139. 139.

    Comrade Mary

    November 21, 2011 at 11:48 pm

    MikeJ: That Chilton cover of Volare is WICKED.

    Which now has me thinking of all my favourite versions of Sway.

    Dean Martin

    Rosemary Clooney

    Julie London

  140. 140.

    MikeJ

    November 21, 2011 at 11:48 pm

    @handsmile: If you’ve mentioned Evan Dando, Frank Mills is fun, if not great.

  141. 141.

    Steeplejack

    November 21, 2011 at 11:48 pm

    Late to the thread, damn it!

    There are so many great covers I love, I’m having a hard time focusing on five or ten. I’ll just blat a couple out before I go through the rest of the thread:

    “Fly Like an Eagle,” Sugar Black. Steve Miller’s clunker works amazingly well as a reggae song. Go figure.

    And if I didn’t put this one out there, AsiangrrlMN would be coming for my head. This one’s for you, girl! “Here Comes My Baby,” the Mavericks.

  142. 142.

    smintheus

    November 21, 2011 at 11:49 pm

    @MikeJ: Rogers was on Jerry Lee Lewis’ recording?

  143. 143.

    RossInDetroit

    November 21, 2011 at 11:49 pm

    @handsmile:

    Beat the Retreat, a compilation of covers of songs written by Richard Thompson, released in 1994.

    Some of my favorite bands covering an outstanding songwriter. In places it’s a bit respectful for my taste and I’d prefer looser versions, but X, Bob Mould and The Five Blind Boys of Alabama more than make up for shortcomings elsewhere.

    You may be familiar with it but I like the way June Tabor and the Oysterband tear into Night Comes In on Freedom and Rain.

  144. 144.

    burnspbesq

    November 21, 2011 at 11:50 pm

    I don’t think this is quite what Chris Cornell had in mind when he wrote it, but the Brad Mehldau Trio goes all sorts of amazing places with “Black Hole Sun.”

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3wy33KFaFY&feature=related

  145. 145.

    dollared

    November 21, 2011 at 11:50 pm

    Hendrix All Along the watchtower has to be wayyyyy up there.

    Omnes, the Jasona and the Scorchers was great.

    But I have to add some additionals:

    -David Lindley Twist and Shout.
    -Allman Bros, Stormy Monday, statesboro blues, one way out, done somebody wrong.
    -John Lennon, Be-bop-a-lula or anything off the Rock n Roll album
    -Derek and the Dominoes, Key to the Highway.

  146. 146.

    Comrade Mary

    November 21, 2011 at 11:50 pm

    Well, speaking of Richard Thompson and covers, here’s this one from 1000 Years of Popular Music: oops …

    (Posted totally without irony, BTW.)

  147. 147.

    The Golux

    November 21, 2011 at 11:51 pm

    @RossInDetroit: Freedy Johnston also does a great cover of “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)”. The harmonies in the chorus cut the sweetness perfectly.

    And thumbs up to Patrick II for “Twist and Shout”, the first song I ever played with other people, when I was twelve (early ’65). I was soooo impressed that the other guitar player knew the lick.

  148. 148.

    Pappy G

    November 21, 2011 at 11:52 pm

    ‘Ring of Fire’ – Wall of Voodoo
    ‘Suicide is Painless’ – Manic Street Preachers

  149. 149.

    burnspbesq

    November 21, 2011 at 11:53 pm

    I continue to believe that the most outrageously out-there cover of all time is Toots & the Maytals’ version of “Take Me Home, Country Road.”

  150. 150.

    smintheus

    November 21, 2011 at 11:53 pm

    @Greg VA: Here’s a great bubblegum cover: Millie Small, My Boy Lollipop.

  151. 151.

    Steeplejack

    November 21, 2011 at 11:53 pm

    Bob Dylan’s songs should almost be disqualified, because for almost every one I can find a version by someone else that I like better than Dylan’s. He is a consummate writer made to be covered.

    “Just Like a Woman,” Richie Havens.

    Agree on Hendrix’s version of “All Along the Watchtower” mentioned above.

  152. 152.

    KS in MA

    November 21, 2011 at 11:54 pm

    Mama Told Me Not to Come – Three Dog Night (Randy Newman)

    Old but good. Honk if you were at that party!

  153. 153.

    burnspbesq

    November 21, 2011 at 11:54 pm

    @Comrade Mary:

    I knew if we kept this up long enough, somebody would go there.

  154. 154.

    MikeJ

    November 21, 2011 at 11:56 pm

    @smintheus: Dóh! You’re right. Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa.

  155. 155.

    RossInDetroit

    November 21, 2011 at 11:56 pm

    @The Golux:

    Freedy Johnston also does a great cover of “Love Grows (Where My Rosemary Goes)”

    You’re right. I wonder why that’s not on his covers record My Favorite Waste of Time. I remember it from somewhere and his voice is perfect for it.

  156. 156.

    Comrade Mary

    November 21, 2011 at 11:57 pm

    Oh, and because no one else has taken Doug’s title bait yet: Weezer and Joni.

  157. 157.

    Mayur

    November 21, 2011 at 11:58 pm

    @Wag: That is a Sid Vicious song.

    A fast rundown for me (will provide links later):

    Al Green: I Wanna Hold Your Hand
    Tina Turner: Whole Lotta Love
    Cat Power: Paths of Victory
    Lucinda Williams/David Crosby: Return of the Grievous Angel
    Gram Parsons/ISB: Life in Prison
    The Byrds: The Christian Life
    Cee-Lo: No One’s Gonna Love You

    Honestly, this one is just impossible. There are so many good covers it’s like trying to mine good singles in general.

    But Pink’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” cover? Really?

  158. 158.

    TBogg

    November 21, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    Wild Horses – The Sundays
    Here, There, and Everywhere Emmylou Harris
    Trains and Boats and Planes – Fountains of Wayne
    Wonderwall – Ryan Adams
    Straight To Hell – Lily Allen
    Across The Universe – Fiona Apple
    Brickhouse – Rob Zombie

    and the entire Nanci Griffith Other Voices, Other Rooms CD

  159. 159.

    dogwood

    November 21, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    @Greg VA:

    Dogwood beat me to Fields of Gold by Eva Cassidy.

    I think I remember reading that Sting like her version better than his original.

  160. 160.

    Steeplejack

    November 21, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    “California Dreamin’,” José Feliciano.

    “Cassidy,” Suzanne Vega. The Deadicated tribute album is filled with great covers.

  161. 161.

    Nina

    November 21, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    Time has come today Ramones Chambers Brothers

  162. 162.

    smintheus

    November 21, 2011 at 11:59 pm

    @MikeJ: His Italian is painful.

  163. 163.

    RossInDetroit

    November 22, 2011 at 12:00 am

    @Comrade Mary:

    speaking of Richard Thompson and covers

    Thompson is like Dylan in that a different singer adds a dimension to the excellent songwriting. But literally nobody plays guitar the way he does.

  164. 164.

    Mayur

    November 22, 2011 at 12:01 am

    @Brother Shotgun of Sweet Reason: I hate the fuckin’ Eagles, man.

  165. 165.

    scav

    November 22, 2011 at 12:01 am

    I’m hopeless at this — having failed to resolve who did anything of Randy Newman’s first, I’ve now disappeared into the hairball of Carol King with a side trip into Route 66 and Dakota Staton for Girl Talk. The siren call of standards, bother.

  166. 166.

    RossInDetroit

    November 22, 2011 at 12:02 am

    Got a fever and I’m excusing myself to go wallow in self pity and lots of fluids. Leave me some interesting tracks to listen to in the AM.

  167. 167.

    Comrade Mary

    November 22, 2011 at 12:03 am

    @burnspbesq: Oh, honey, I went beyond there (see #156) … and I actually do think that Oops, like Toxic, is a really good pop song.

    Also: Easy Star All Stars’ entire tribute to OK Computer. I love this track by Toots and the Maytals and this cover of No Surprises.

  168. 168.

    burnspbesq

    November 22, 2011 at 12:03 am

    I think this counts as a cover, because Tyner didn’t play on the original. Amazing.

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

  169. 169.

    MikeJ

    November 22, 2011 at 12:04 am

    @smintheus: Oddly enough, he covered Volare because he was in Italy for an extended period and picked up enough to get by. Yeah, his accent sucks, but so does mine, in french anyway. Knowing that he did it because he loved the song, loved Italy and wanted to pay a tribute makes it more endearing to me. YMMV.

  170. 170.

    Steeplejack

    November 22, 2011 at 12:04 am

    @burnspbesq:

    That is a great song.

  171. 171.

    smintheus

    November 22, 2011 at 12:05 am

    @Steeplejack: The Tremeloes’ version of Here Comes My Baby has lots of that cowbell one loves.

  172. 172.

    Steeplejack

    November 22, 2011 at 12:05 am

    @burnspbesq:

    I was underwhelmed. I thought it veered dangerously close to Muzak or the Ventures at times.

  173. 173.

    Mayur

    November 22, 2011 at 12:06 am

    @TBogg: Dude, I love your blog, but you like those anywhere near as much as the originals? Wonderwall and Brick House are fine because I don’t give a fuck but those Wild Horses/Straight to Hell covers?

    I think the Bassetts are smothering your eardrums, man.

  174. 174.

    Steeplejack

    November 22, 2011 at 12:08 am

    @smintheus:

    The Mavericks’ version is a running joke here, at least on the night shift. Yo La Tengo also does a good version.

  175. 175.

    dollared

    November 22, 2011 at 12:09 am

    @Mayur: That is a great list. Al Green and the Byrds!

    Oh – but what about Pretty Boy Floyd?

  176. 176.

    handsmile

    November 22, 2011 at 12:10 am

    @RossInDetroit: (#143)

    I’m not familiar with that June Tabor cover, but saw that you had mentioned it way upthread (#30) and will be scouring the intertubes for it tomorrow. Thanks! (Your assessment of Beat the Retreat is not unreasonable. It’s wrong, but not unreasonable.) :)

    @Comrade Mary: (#146)

    No irony whatsoever. More than a little wickedness though, I daresay. Nice addition to this treasure-trove of a thread!

  177. 177.

    Steeplejack

    November 22, 2011 at 12:10 am

    “Fields of Gold,” Eva Cassidy.

  178. 178.

    Comrade Mary

    November 22, 2011 at 12:11 am

    The only version of Over the rainbow that ever made me cry.

  179. 179.

    Gracie

    November 22, 2011 at 12:15 am

    @Comrade Mary: Wow. Amazing choice.

  180. 180.

    patrick II

    November 22, 2011 at 12:16 am

    I was just watching a rerun of George Carlin’s Mark Twain award and I am going to add George Carlin’s cover of Cherry Pie for the surprise element if not just the sheer fun of it.

  181. 181.

    burnspbesq

    November 22, 2011 at 12:19 am

    @Comrade Mary:

    Jane Monheit.

  182. 182.

    Pappy G

    November 22, 2011 at 12:23 am

    Oh, yeah, and ‘Lay Lady Lay’ – Ministry

  183. 183.

    John T

    November 22, 2011 at 12:25 am

    Since “Hurt” (Johnny Cash/Nine Inch Nails) and “You Were Always on my Mind” (Pet Shop Boys/Willie Nelson) have already been mentioned, I’m going to risk getting a little too obscure and throw out Grizzly Bear’s version of “He Hit Me (It Felt Like a Kiss)” by the Crystals.

    ETA: “Walk On By” by Isaac Hayes

  184. 184.

    psycholinguist

    November 22, 2011 at 12:26 am

    Elvis Presley – Blue suede shoes
    Elvis Presley – houndog

    damn people, where has that been?

  185. 185.

    Steeplejack

    November 22, 2011 at 12:30 am

    The Smithereens covered a whole Beatles album. “Don’t Bother Me,” from Meet the Smithereens.

  186. 186.

    Speedy

    November 22, 2011 at 12:33 am

    Young Man Blues -The Who
    Hazy Shade of Winter – The Bangles
    Where Have All the Good Times Gone – David Bowie
    Back Door Man – The Doors
    Nobody Knows You When You’re Down and Out – Derek and the Dominoes
    Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting – The Who

  187. 187.

    Comrade Mary

    November 22, 2011 at 12:34 am

    @burnspbesq: She has a nice voice, and she’s very pretty, but no, that didn’t work for me.

  188. 188.

    MikeJ

    November 22, 2011 at 12:35 am

    @Steeplejack: Didn’t Linda Ronstadt cover a whole Warren Zevon album?

    Which reminds me: Poor, Poor Pitiful Me.

  189. 189.

    jaywyeth

    November 22, 2011 at 12:35 am

    Long-time lurker, first-time poster. Be gentle, comrades.

    As others have mentioned, I like it when the subsequent artists tries to make the song their own. Many great examples have already been cited (Hendrix, Aretha, Buckley, Devo, Talking Heads, Clash, etc). Here are a few more that are personal faves:

    Hound Dog – Elvis (Stoller & Lieber)
    Louie Louie – The Kingsmen (Richard Berry)
    Have Love, Will Travel – The Sonics (Richard Berry)
    Statesboro Blues – Allman Brothers Band (Willie McTell)
    Tomorrow Is A Long Time – Rod Stewart (Bob Dylan)
    Long Black Veil – Nick Cave (Wilkin & Dill)
    Higher Ground – Red Hot Chili Peppers (Stevie Wonder)
    Starman – Seu Jorge (David Bowie)
    Fell In Love With A Boy – Joss Stone (White Stripes)
    Love Vigilantes – Iron & Wine (New Order)

    I’m sure I’m forgetting dozens more.

  190. 190.

    dollared

    November 22, 2011 at 12:41 am

    @dedc79: Thanks for the Toots and the Maytals

  191. 191.

    4jkb4ia

    November 22, 2011 at 12:43 am

    10,000 Maniacs, “Because The Night”. I am clearly not bothering John this instant so this should be able to pass.

  192. 192.

    Steeplejack

    November 22, 2011 at 12:47 am

    @MikeJ:

    She did a pretty good cover of the Hollies’ “I Can’t Let Go.”

    Meh, not as good as theirs, now that I listen to it.

    Dan Fogelberg and Tim Weisberg did a good cover of another Hollies song, “Tell Me to My Face.”

    A lot of the Hollies’ stuff holds up surprisingly well.

  193. 193.

    TBogg

    November 22, 2011 at 12:48 am

    @Mayur: Mick Jagger once said that The Sundays version of Wild Horses is his favorite cover of one of his own songs. I like the Lily Allen version because Mick Jones said that her version is what he had in mind. Jones was always poppier than Strummer which is one of the reasons why he left to form B.A.D.

  194. 194.

    Mayur

    November 22, 2011 at 12:59 am

    @TBogg: I guess I’m a formalist. I don’t necessarily trust artists to make the most incisive public commentary when it comes to their own work.

    For example, there’s this cover, which I think is far better a song overall but also captures the poignancy of the original in terms of accentuation and meter:

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

    And I do know the differences between Mick Jones and Strummer, but “Straight to Hell” needs the edge of Strummer’s delivery to it. It’s British post-folk, and the additional poppiness doesn’t really make sense. Lily Allen’s voice is pretty much irrelevant to the subject matter; she’s providing a sound bed rather than enunciating punk’s traditional tuneful spoken word, which is incredibly jarring.

  195. 195.

    Predictable Funk

    November 22, 2011 at 1:04 am

    Wilson Pickett covers “Hey Jude.”

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWnEWm9doAM

  196. 196.

    Mayur

    November 22, 2011 at 1:05 am

    I’ll also suggest that you imagine the Lily Allen cover re-sampled into MIA’s “Paper Plane.” It lacks the same punch as the hook for the original.

  197. 197.

    Mayur

    November 22, 2011 at 1:14 am

    Cash’s “Streets of Laredo” is pretty awesome as well. And to flip that one around: Buck Owens’s “Act Naturally” is a classic.

  198. 198.

    patrick II

    November 22, 2011 at 3:24 am

    I’m still up, so I am going to add one I forgot earlier. My favorite probably.
    Linda Ronstadt — Blue Bayou

    Not very often someone out Orbisons Orbison.

  199. 199.

    moderateindy

    November 22, 2011 at 3:53 am

    Clapton’s version of Dylan’s Don’t think Twice, from Dylan’s 30th anniversary concert album is an amazing complete re-working of an already great song.
    Susanna Hoffs and Matthew Sweet’s cover of Mike Nesmith’s Different Drum.
    Mavis Staples cover of Fogerty’s wrote a song for everyone.
    Mundy covering Steve Earle’s Galway Girl, Although since Sharon Shannon is on both the original and Mundy’s version does it really count as a cover?
    The Band’s cover of Long Black Veil.
    The Dead covering Dylan’s Masterpiece

  200. 200.

    S. cerevisiae

    November 22, 2011 at 5:06 am

    Way late, but I like Blue Oyster Cult’s live cover of MC5’s “Kick Out The Jams”. Also George Thorogood’s “Move It On Over”.

  201. 201.

    DanielX

    November 22, 2011 at 5:57 am

    Hmmm, where to begin or end? I tend to like covers that seem almost more true to the song than the original, contradictory though that may be…..

    All Along the Watchtower – Bob Dylan – some dude named Hendrix
    Waiting in Vain – Bob Marley – Annie Lennox
    Let It Rock – Chuck Berry – Bob Seger (TWO thumbs way up)
    Little Queenie – Chuck Berry – Rolling Stones
    (note #1: should be a special category for Chuck Berry covers)
    Hoochie Coochie Man – Muddy Waters – Allman Brothers Band
    (note #2: should be a special category for Muddy Waters covers)
    Werewolves of London – Warron Zevon – Widespread Panic
    You’re Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go – Bob Dylan – Madeleine Peyroux
    Crossroads – Robert Johnson – Cream
    Kind Hearted Woman – Robert Johnson – Rory Block
    (note #3: uberspecial category for Robert Johnson covers, covered by damn near every rock and roll and folk artist in the last 50 years)
    Trouble Man – Marvin Gaye – Buddy Guy
    Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran – The Who
    Stolen Car – Bruce Springsteen – Patti Griffin (heartbreaking)
    I Asked for Water (He Gave Me Gasoline) – Howlin’ Wolf – Lucinda Williams

    hmmm….and another special category:

    Emmylou Harris covering anything by anybody, not because her version may be truer, but just cause I say so.

  202. 202.

    Gunga Dean

    November 22, 2011 at 6:10 am

    Don’t Leave Me This Way – Communards

  203. 203.

    Adam

    November 22, 2011 at 6:34 am

    The Man Who Sold The World – Nirvana
    I Will Survive – Cake

  204. 204.

    Adam

    November 22, 2011 at 6:34 am

    The Man Who Sold The World – Nirvana
    I Will Survive – Cake

  205. 205.

    carolus

    November 22, 2011 at 7:45 am

    “Ooops, I Did It Again”–(Brittany Spears) Richard Thompson
    “Bertha”–(Grateful Dead)Los Lobos
    “I Can’t Tell You Why”–(Eagles)Vince Gill
    “Stardust”–(Hoagie Carmichael)Willie Nelson
    “Romeo and Juliet”–(Dire Straits)Matt Nathanson
    “When the Spell is Broken”–(Richard Thompson)Bonnie Raitt
    “Crossroads”–(Robert Johnson) Eric Clapton/Cream

  206. 206.

    birthmarker

    November 22, 2011 at 7:48 am

    I like India Arie’s version of Don Henley’s Heart of the Matter.

    Bette Midler usually owns her covers.

  207. 207.

    brantl

    November 22, 2011 at 8:06 am

    Arlo Guthrie doing Dylan’s The Gates of Eden. Spectacular.

  208. 208.

    PLH ~ NYC

    November 22, 2011 at 8:21 am

    Here is a short list:

    No Use for a Name – Redemption Song (Bob Marley)
    Pop O Pies – Truckin’ (Grateful Dead)
    Luna – Sweet Child O MIne – (Guns N Roses)
    J Church – Girlfriend in a Coma (Smiths) or Creep (Radiohead)
    Don’t Look Back Peter Tosh (Temptations)
    Husker Du – Ticket to Ride (Beatles)
    Minor Threat – Sometimes Good Guys Don’t Wear White (Standells)
    Frank Zappa – Whipping (Floss) Post ( Allman Bros.)
    Dinosaur Jr. – Just Like Heaven (Cure) or I Misunderstood (Richard Thompson)
    Bonnie Raitt – Angel from Montgomery (John Prine)
    Bill Frisell and Petra Haden – I Don’t Want To Grow Up (Tom Waits)
    Sid Vicious – New York New York (Frank Sinatra)
    Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal (Michael Jackson)
    Minutemen – Ain’t Talkin’ Bout Love (Van Halen)

  209. 209.

    Paul in KY

    November 22, 2011 at 8:42 am

    Jimi Hendrix ‘All Along the Watchtower’
    Marvin Gaye ‘I Heard it Thru the Grapevine’
    Van Halen ‘You Really Got Me’
    3 Dog Night ‘Eli’s Coming’

    Those are 4 that I think were really well done.

  210. 210.

    RossInDetroit

    November 22, 2011 at 8:53 am

    I agree on The Sundays’ version of Wild Horses. Hard to say that it’s ‘better’ than the original, but it’s a valid new take that stands on its own merits.

    I’d like to hear a good cover of Moonlight Mile. It’s one of my favorite Stones ballads and I think it’s an under appreciated classic.

  211. 211.

    rumpole

    November 22, 2011 at 9:09 am

    Wholly Moses (Clapton)
    Like a Rolling Stone (The Rolling Stones)
    Boyz In the Hood (Dynamite Hack)

  212. 212.

    The Golux

    November 22, 2011 at 9:15 am

    Very late addition: Casandra Wilson and Diane Reeves, “Come Together”.

  213. 213.

    crosspalms

    November 22, 2011 at 10:21 am

    “Here Comes the Sun” (Beatles) — James Taylor
    “For No One” (Beatles) — Emmylou Harris
    “Chain of Fools” — Clint Black and the Pointer Sisters
    “You Send Me” — Aretha Franklin

  214. 214.

    Bill Murray

    November 22, 2011 at 10:53 am

    Elvis Costello “I Stand Accused”
    Herman’s Hermits “White Wedding”
    Don Ho “Shock the Monkey”
    The Connells “Insane in the Brain”
    Lesley Gore “Dirty Deeds done Dirt Cheap”

    and I second Husker Du’s Ticket to Ride

  215. 215.

    Ben Cisco

    November 22, 2011 at 10:56 am

    Fly Like An Eagle – Seal
    The Air That I Breathe – Simply Red
    You Might Need Somebody – Ronny Jordan w/Crystal Lake
    The Lady In My Life – Stanley Jordan
    The Ghetto – George Benson
    Valdez In The Country – Gerald Veasley
    Burning Down The House – Marcus Miller
    Always There – Avenue Blue f/Jeff Golub

  216. 216.

    birthmarker

    November 22, 2011 at 11:14 am

    I also like Greg Allman’s version of These Days, by Jackson Browne.

    We used to debate who said this line more effectively…I always went with JB.

    Don’t confront me with my failures
    I had not forgotten them.

  217. 217.

    MarkJ

    November 22, 2011 at 11:26 am

    I thought Love in Vain was both a standard and a folk song. Doesn’t that rule it out?

    Aretha Franklin did an absolutely great version of Tracks of My Tears (Smokey Robinson), and also You Send Me (Sam Cook).

    Actually Respect is a cover (Otis Redding wrote and recorded it first). That should be at the top of just about every list.

    A large chunk of her body of work is basically definitive versions of other peoples’ songs. She didn’t write many songs but when she sang it she made it hers.

    Johnny Cash did write a lot of songs, but also did amazing things with other peoples’ songs.

    The Stones did have some good covers – I really like Prodigal Son on the Beggar’s Banquet album. Their version of the Temptations Just My Imagination is also a lot better than you’d expect.

  218. 218.

    birthmarker

    November 22, 2011 at 11:46 am

    IMO Joan Baez kills Emmylou’s Boulder to Birmingham.

  219. 219.

    Ken Pidcock

    November 22, 2011 at 12:18 pm

    Highway 61 Revisited, Johnny Winter
    Burning Down the House, Bonnie Raitt
    Sweet Jane, Mott the Hoople
    Gimme Shelter, Patti Smith
    She’s A Woman, Jeff Beck (Most people can’t remember the original!)

    Hey, there’s an idea. Reverse covers, where people know the cover better then the original.

    Feelin’ Alright?, Traffic

  220. 220.

    birthmarker

    November 22, 2011 at 12:23 pm

    @Ken Pidcock:

    Here’s a couple–

    The Eagles Take it Easy, which is a Jackson Browne song
    Woodstock by Crosby Stills Nash and Young, written and sung by Joni Mitchell.

  221. 221.

    smintheus

    November 22, 2011 at 12:25 pm

    @birthmarker: I love Nico’s version of These Days.

  222. 222.

    jake the snake

    November 22, 2011 at 12:50 pm

    Hey Porter***Ry Cooder***Johnny Cash

    One of the more surprising:

    Wild Horses***Susan Boyle***Rolling Stones

  223. 223.

    birthmarker

    November 22, 2011 at 1:47 pm

    @smintheus: Yeah, JB name checks Nico on Solo Acoustic (I think,) when he intros the song…

  224. 224.

    azelie

    November 22, 2011 at 2:20 pm

    American Tune – Willie Nelson (Paul Simon)
    Happiness is a Warm Gun – The Breeders (The Beatles)
    Stand By Your Man – Lyle Lovett (Tammy Wynette)
    In Between Days – Ben Folds (The Cure)
    Jessica – They Might Be Giants (Allman Brothers Band)
    Life on Mars – Seu Jorge (David Bowie)
    Can’t Get it Out of My Head – Jayhawks (ELO)
    Highway ’61 Revisited – PJ Harvey (Bob Dylan)
    From Clare to Here – Nanci Griffith (Ralph McTell)
    After the Gold Rush – kd lang (Neil Young)
    Gin and Juice – The Gourds (Snoop Dogg)
    Such Great Heights – Iron and Wine (Postal Service)

    Among all the great covers Johnny Cash did, I think it’s a close call between Personal Jesus (Depeche Mode) and Rusty Cage (Soundgarden)

    I also have a soft spot for Feist’s cover of the BeeGees’ Inside and Out.

  225. 225.

    birthmarker

    November 22, 2011 at 2:28 pm

    @Paul in KY: Here are some other Laura Nyro songs (RIP) made famous by others (clipped from Wiki.)

    Between 1968 and 1970 a number of artists had significant hits with her songs: The 5th Dimension with “Blowing Away”, “Wedding Bell Blues”, “Stoned Soul Picnic”, “Sweet Blindness”, “Save The Country” and “Black Patch”; Blood, Sweat & Tears and Peter, Paul & Mary with “And When I Die”; Three Dog Night and Maynard Ferguson with “Eli’s Coming”; and Streisand with “Stoney End”, “Time and Love”, and “Hands off the Man (Flim Flam Man)”. Nyro’s best-selling single was her recording of Carole King and Gerry Goffin’s “Up on the Roof.”

  226. 226.

    birthmarker

    November 22, 2011 at 2:34 pm

    @Ken Pidcock: IMO The Byrds’ covers of Chimes of Freedom and My Back Pages are better known than Bob Dylan’s versions.

    Also, Rod Stewart’s version of Forever Young is probably better known than Dylan’s.

    OT but I always forget then am surprised to relearn that Dylan didn’t write The Boxer…

  227. 227.

    Thoughtcrime

    November 22, 2011 at 2:35 pm

    How Can You Mend A Broken Heart? AL Green (Bee Gees)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO6Rknx5xyI

  228. 228.

    Ridnik Chrome

    November 22, 2011 at 3:02 pm

    Iron Man — the Cardigans (Black Sabbath)
    Tears of a Clown — the English Beat (Smokey Robinson)
    Police and Thieves — the Clash (Junior Murvin)
    Cattle and Cane — the Wedding Present (the Go-Betweens)*
    Summer Breeze — the Isley Brothers (Seals and Crofts)
    Hush — Deep Purple (Joe South)

    *Actually heard this one before the original (and got turned on to the GBs as a result).

  229. 229.

    Ridnik Chrome

    November 22, 2011 at 3:04 pm

    Forgot one: Blue Moon — the Marcels (Lorenz and Hart)

  230. 230.

    Thoughtcrime

    November 22, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    Hey Joe, Jimi Hendrix (credited to Billy Roberts)

  231. 231.

    Thoughtcrime

    November 22, 2011 at 3:13 pm

    For a bizarre cover,

    The Residents, It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World (James Brown)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NcGknYx4sxQ

  232. 232.

    Thoughtcrime

    November 22, 2011 at 3:17 pm

    And Devo got “Experienced” with Zombi Jimi:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yA7RiwMevT8

  233. 233.

    Ridnik Chrome

    November 22, 2011 at 3:41 pm

    @Thoughtcrime:

    Speaking of bizarre covers, Einsturzende Neubauten’s version of “Sand” (originally by Lee Hazelwood & Nancy Sinatra)

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BiODjvVEOw

  234. 234.

    HI

    November 23, 2011 at 2:23 am

    Respect – Aretha Franklin (As someone mentioned, this was an Otis Redding song.)
    Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley (Leonard Cohen)
    Song to the Siren – This Mortal Coil (Tim Buckley)
    Fields of Gold – Eva Cassidy (Sting)
    With God on Our Side – The Neville Brothers (Bob Dylan)
    Louisiana 1927 – Aaron Neville (Randy Newman)
    Courage – Sarah Polley (The Tragically Hip)

  235. 235.

    Paul in KY

    November 23, 2011 at 8:31 am

    @birthmarker: Thanks for the list. Didn’t know Ms. Nyro was dead. They are trying to induct her as a performer & I thought she was still alive.

Comments are closed.

Primary Sidebar

🎈Keep Balloon Juice Ad Free

Become a Balloon Juice Patreon
Donate with Venmo, Zelle or PayPal

2023 Pet Calendars

Pet Calendar Preview: A
Pet Calendar Preview: B

*Calendars can not be ordered until Cafe Press gets their calendar paper in.

Recent Comments

  • Tom Levenson on Roast Chicken Chronicles…entry [n]…. (Feb 6, 2023 @ 4:28pm)
  • Dan B on Roast Chicken Chronicles…entry [n]…. (Feb 6, 2023 @ 4:26pm)
  • What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us? on Roast Chicken Chronicles…entry [n]…. (Feb 6, 2023 @ 4:25pm)
  • What Have the Romans Ever Done for Us? on Roast Chicken Chronicles…entry [n]…. (Feb 6, 2023 @ 4:25pm)
  • Suzanne on Roast Chicken Chronicles…entry [n]…. (Feb 6, 2023 @ 4:24pm)

Balloon Juice Posts

View by Topic
View by Author
View by Month & Year
View by Past Author

Featuring

Medium Cool
Artists in Our Midst
Authors in Our Midst
We All Need A Little Kindness
Favorite Dogs & Cats
Classified Documents: A Primer

Calling All Jackals

Site Feedback
Nominate a Rotating Tag
Submit Photos to On the Road
Balloon Juice Mailing List Signup
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Links)
Balloon Juice Anniversary (All Posts)

Front-pager Twitter

John Cole
DougJ (aka NYT Pitchbot)
Betty Cracker
Tom Levenson
TaMara
David Anderson
ActualCitizensUnited

Shop Amazon via this link to support Balloon Juice   

Join the Fight!

Join the Fight Signup Form
All Join the Fight Posts

Balloon Juice Events

5/14  The Apocalypse
5/20  Home Away from Home
5/29  We’re Back, Baby
7/21  Merging!

Balloon Juice for Ukraine

Donate

Site Footer

Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Comment Policy
  • Our Authors
  • Blogroll
  • Our Artists
  • Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 Dev Balloon Juice · All Rights Reserved · Powered by BizBudding Inc

Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!

Email sent!