Medium Cool is a weekly series related to popular culture, mostly film, TV, and books, with some music and games thrown in. We hope it’s a welcome break from the anger, hate, and idiocy we see almost daily from the other side in the political sphere.
Arguments welcomed, opinions respected, fools un-suffered. We’re here every Sunday at 7 pm.
Let’s talk Music tonight!
Favorite covers? Terrible covers? Covers that are better than the original? Covers that everyone thinks are the originals? Is there someone you would love to see do a cover of a favorite song? Who is it and what is the song?
I don’t think covers can get any better than this! (thanks to Omnes for first linking to this years ago)
Link if you can, but I know that’s a pain from mobile. Or it is for me, anyway!
Let’s go!
TBone
Shirley Bassey covers Pink
https://youtu.be/vqNcyFNMfLM
Brian Rogers
Rockapellas cover of Shambala is a personal favorite
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IDprHNxFjTg&pp=ygUUcm9ja2FwZWxsYSBzaGFtYmhhbGE%3D
Tony G
The Wilson Pickett cover of “Hey Jude” was damn great!
Anoniminous
Wish List: Taylor Swift covers Lilly Allen.
(I think I’m going to hell.)
pajaro
Ray Charles covering Yesterday,
and, not exactly a cover, Mavis Staples with the Band doing the Weight in The Last Waltz.
What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?
Well, I mean, there’s only one greatest cover of all time and that’s Aretha Franklin covering Otis Redding’s “Respect” – everything else is playing for second
Jeffro
I love cover tunes! So much fun!
I will confess, I did not know until this year that regarding “blinded by the light”, Springsteen’s version was the original(!)
(Manfred Mann’s Earth Band covered it, much better and much more famously)
WaterGirl
@pajaro: Do you have a link for that? I’m not exactly sure what I would google for. Ray Charles and yesterday wouldn’t bring it up! :-)
lowtechcyclist
The Fifth Dimension did good covers of several Laura Nyro songs. My favorite is “Sweet Blindness.”
toine
Sweet Jane by the Cowboy Junkies, covering Lou Reed. Lou Reed said this was his favourite cover of the song… and it is amazing! Give it a listen..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fa9nN3G2CSg
Jeffro
One of the few good things about social media these days is there are so many Instagram accounts, where musicians cover, famous songs in some other style.
I follow an account where one guy does famous songs as surf punk. So much fun!
What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?
IDK if anyone else has discovered the Chris Malanphy’s poddcast Hit Parade (available on Spotify). Definitely top 40 focused but he does a two part episode on covers where he discusses some of the greatest covers of all time.
I have a soft spot for Willie Nelson s cover of “Stay All Night” by Bob Wilkes and His Texas Playboys.
lowtechcyclist
@What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?:
I had no idea that was a cover!
raven
All covers and really good
Return of the Grievous Angel: A Tribute to Gram Parsons
AliceBlue
@lowtechcyclist: Also “Stone Soul Picnic” and “Save the Country.”
Tim in Cape Fear
The NIN original was great, of course, but JC’s “Hurt” carries weight Trent couldn’t imagine or want to.
raven
@toine: They also cover OOO Las Vegas on the Gram Parsons Tribute.
Mr. Bemused Senior
Girl in a Coma As the World Falls Down
AliceBlue
One of the strangest covers I’ve ever heard is Wilson Pickett’s version of the Archies’ song “Sugar Sugar.”
Seal’s cover of “The Wind Cries Mary” is good.
What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?
@lowtechcyclist: It was. Purportedly when Otis heard her version he said something along the lines of “Damn, she stole my song!” He knew it was hers from then on.
lowtechcyclist
@AliceBlue: And “Blowin’ Away”
eclare
@pajaro:
Cassandra Wilson covering The Weight
https://youtu.be/Z_f9sUY7_pg?si=ddKa0lXLO07SbE2c
One of my step instructors in ATL used that as a “cool down” song.
Sheila in nc
Ike and Tina covering Proud Mary
All the early Beatles covers of R&B — of course they were not the only white artists to do this but it was before they started doing their own writing. It was the music their audience wanted when they were playing small clubs.
I think hundreds of people have covered Yesterday! Also Something
Another Scott
@What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?:
Beethoven’s cover of Schiller is pretty good.
;-)
Cheers,
Scott.
Baud
Joe Cocker’s cover of the Beatles is the one everyone remembers.
Frankensteinbeck
Lissie – Nothing Else Matters https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ia9N9MdSa0
Disturbed – Sound of Silence (although I hate their videos) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9Dg-g7t2l4
raven
Other Voices, Other Rooms (stylized as Other Voices | Other Rooms) is the tenth studio album by American singer Nanci Griffith. It was released on March 2, 1993, by Elektra Records. Her first since leaving MCA Records, it consisted entirely of cover songs, in tribute to songwriters who influenced her own songwriting.[5] Guest artists who appear in their own compositions included Frank Christian playing guitar on “Three Flights Up”, Bob Dylan playing harmonica on “Boots of Spanish Leather”, and John Prine lending harmony vocals on “Speed of the Sound of Loneliness”. The album was titled after the Truman Capote novel of the same name.
A Ghost to Most
Jason Isbell and friends did an album of covers of Georgia songs, to fulfill a promise when Ossoff and Warnock won. It contains the best version of Midnight Train to Georgia I have ever heard, by Britney Spencer, and my favorite version of In Memory of Elizabeth Reed. Lucinda Williams and Brandi Carlisle also contributed songs, among others. It starts with Nightswimming, and ends with Driver 8, noted REM songs. Excellent album.
Mel
LP’s live cover of Beyonce’s “Halo”. Incredible.
What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?
I like Cake’s version of “I will Survive”. Also REM’s version of Superman and Camper Van Beethoven’s version of Pictures of Matchstick Men..
Princess
It took me decades to learn that Soft Cell’s Tainted Love was actually a cover. The original is great too.
Matt McIrvin
Devo, “[I Can’t Get No] Satisfaction”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmKQ2Z1odSc
I think the reason it works so well is the song almost has Devo lyrics to begin with–this prickly ode to sexual frustration, boredom and disgust with dumb guys on the TV.
Ivan X
Joan Jett’s cover of Crimson and Clover was my introduction to the song as a kid, and it’s way better than the original IMO. Nearly all of her hits are covers, whether you knew it or not, including I Love Rock and Roll.
toine
@raven:
Thanks! I’ll have to give that a listen… Margot Timmins voice always sends chills down my spine. :-)
WaterGirl
@Baud: That’s not enough to google, and I don’t remember. More clues, please. :-)
Ivan X
@Matt McIrvin: Best one-sentence analysis ever.
While we’re on the topic of Stones covers — there are so many! — I’ve got a soft spot for The Sisters of Mercy’s full goth treatment of Gimme Shelter.
Doc H
A cover that’s better than the excellent orig: Sergio Mendes (RIP) and Brazil 66/Fool on the Hill.
raven
Medusa
Studio album by
Annie Lennox
Released
6 March 1995
Studio
The Aquarium (London)
Genre
Length
47:11
Label
RCA
Producer
Stephen Lipson
Annie Lennox chronology
Diva
(1992)
Medusa
(1995)
Bare
(2003)
Singles from Medusa
Released: 6 February 1995
Released: 29 May 1995
Released: 18 September 1995
Released: November 1995
Medusa is the second solo studio album by Scottish singer Annie Lennox, released on 6 March 1995 by RCA Records. It consists entirely of cover songs. The album entered the UK Albums Chart at number one and peaked in the United States at number 11, spending 60 weeks on the Billboard 200. It has since achieved double platinum status in both the United Kingdom and the United States.[1][2] As of 2018, Medusa had sold over six million copies worldwide.[3]
PAM Dirac
Tom Waits’ version of Phantom 309 is miles better than the Red Sovine original
Matt McIrvin
Angelique Kidjo, all of Talking Heads’ album Remain In Light
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR8jgFGmqvU
Baud
@WaterGirl:
https://youtu.be/5P5yXUZ-QCI
raven
Cassandra Wilson sings “Tupelo Honey” and “You Don’t Know What Love Is”
eclare
Jimi Hendrix’s cover of “All Along the Watchtower”:
https://youtu.be/TLV4_xaYynY?si=4j99ntZZfx581fO4
And Lenny Kravitz performing “Whole Lotta Love”:
https://youtu.be/G-oDk89yHzo?si=O10nYwEladVPZN1f
Why yes, I do love electric guitar virtuosos. So to close, Jimi performing The Star Spangled Banner:
https://youtu.be/sjzZh6-h9fM?si=2xZKmCkEJrYqq_fD
Another Scott
The Who – Young Man’s Blues (5:43) – by Mose Allison is pretty good.
Cheers,
Scott.
WaterGirl
@Ivan X: That’s a great cover! I had never heard her version before.
jackmac
SHIRLEY BASSEY!!
WOW!!
raven
Richard Thompson – 1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Villago Delenda Est
I just adore this Red Hot Chile Peppers cover of the greatest song ever created.
Sheila in nc
Elvis Presley covering Big Mama Thornton’s Hound Dog.
And shout out for Chris Malanphy’s Hit Parade. Really entertaining and informative!
Percysowner
Disturbed’s version of Sound of Silence is very powerful
KatKapCC
Mary Lambert has a cover of Rick Springfield’s “Jessie’s Girl” which is really beautiful. Gives the song a whole different feel when sung by a woman.
snabby
Maybe some obscure ones:
California Dreamin’ by Eddie Hazel. So good.
https://youtu.be/CqDGTT2OtsQ?si=5_vKXnDGYNowyZuv
Take Me to the River by John Boutté.
https://youtu.be/MAowRke925g?si=6jEZEXII_HBpF6kY
Batman Theme by The Jam.
https://youtu.be/HXmPEsuipUw?si=U09wbwHK03f15SxW
I Will Survive by Cake.
https://youtu.be/7KJjVMqNIgA?si=C8IvgttwYV9uRdgY
Love Will Keep Us Together by The Tubes
https://youtu.be/uHQNs-vuKSc?si=QpsjKqpmK517CoX4
eclare
@A Ghost to Most:
I need to check that out! “Nightswimming” is one of my favorite REM songs.
Mr. Bemused Senior
Here are the Bobs
Villago Delenda Est
@eclare: Even Bob Dylan liked Jimi’s cover. He also liked The Byrds’ cover of “Mr. Tambourine Man”: “You can dance to this!”
WaterGirl
@Baud: I remember it now! Thank you.
Ivan X
This thread gonna TBogg at this rate!
One of those rare threads where you wish for Reddit-style upvotes on individual comments.
sanjeevs
Only Love Can Break Your Heart covered by the Mint Juleps
Only Love Can Break Your Heart by MINT JULEPS (youtube.com)
Percysowner
Pentatonix does a lot of covers and all are excellent I’m very fond of their version of Hallelujah
Mel
Rhiannon Giddens and the Caroline Chocolate Drops, live in studio at WAMU’s Bluegrass Country, covering the 1925 Ethel Waters song “No Man’s Mama (A Woman’s Choice)”.
Giddens has an exquisite voice, and she brings all the passion and attitude and humor that the song requires.
Matt McIrvin
We probably all already know that They Might Be Giants’ “Istanbul [Not Constantinople]” is a cover. But since you’ve heard that, here’s Anne Reburn and Die Sauerkrauts covering it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6AP62vMnwMA
Mel
@Mel: “Carolina”, not “Caroline”.
KatKapCC
Nirvana’s performance of Where Did You Sleep Last Night at their MTV Unplugged concert is kind of the stuff of legends. Very haunting considering it was just a few months before Cobain died. There’s a moment near the end where this brief look crosses his face and it’s almost like he saw his end coming :/
Matt McIrvin
@Mel: Carolina Chocolate Drops’ cover of Blu Cantrell’s “Hit ‘Em Up Style” was my introduction to the band:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPl8qlKq41o
kalakal
Just about every Blues artist/ band does covers all the time
Here’s the Allman’s doing Stormy Monday
Hendrix did the definitive All along the Watchtower
Joe Cocker made a career out of doing covers Feelin Alright
Roy Buchanan tearing up the
Peter Gunn Theme
And the greatest band ever Cream doing Crossroads
Percysowner
@KatKapCC: A parody of Jessie’s Girl from Jax. Jessie’s Girl from the perspective of the girl.
Mel
@Matt McIrvin: It’s great! They are ridiculously talented!!
If you haven’t heard them do “S’iomadh Rid” (a Highland dance tune in Gaelic), check it out. It’s a gorgeous rendition.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
Learned recently the The Soft Cell song “Tainted Love” and the Naked Eyes song “Always Something There to Remind Me” were actually covers. I listened to the originals and preferred the cover versions. Then again, I love 80s New Wave/synthpop, so I’m not an impartial judge
hells littlest angel
John Cale’s cover of “Heartbreak Hotel.”
Baud
@hells littlest angel:
Read that as John Cole and my mind almost blew.
Mel
Halestorm, featuring Lzzy Hale, covering “Girl Crush” by Little Big Town. Wow.
Memory Pallas
I was moved by the Bangles cover of Hazy Shade of Winter
The harmonies are not that much different than the Simon and Garfunkel version (though 4 lovely voices instead of 2) but the pounding guitar and drums really elevate the incipient panic.
geg6
Best I’ve ever seen:
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/QzZNuK3qA2NkghXV/?mibextid=Ev0aEO
Prescott Cactus
Pearl Jam cover of the Wayne Cochran song, Last Kiss .
WaterGirl
@Baud: I did, too! I did the literal double-take.
The Audacity of Krope
@KatKapCC: Speaking of covers by Nirvana, gotta point out my favorite; The Man Who Sold the World.
Rachel Bakes
Sara Bareilles’ Cover of Elton John’s “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” completely changes it for me. In a good way.
heard Dylan sing “Blowing in the Wind” recently and, it may be sacrilege to say but, I greatly prefer Peter, Paul and Mary’s.
Splitting Image
I’m fond of Mariah Carey’s cover of “Bringin’ on the Heartbreak”. I’m also fond of the Def Leppard guys for going on-line and trying to explain to their fans that a woman covering one of their songs didn’t mean it now had cooties.
I’m also fond of Dolly P. explaining how royalties work to an interviewer who asked if she resented the fact that Whitney Houston had a bigger hit with “I Will Always Love You” than Dolly did.
Other covers I like include “Femme Fatale” by Big Star and “Walk Away Renee” by the Four Tops.
There’s also a really hard-to-find version of Spike Jones’ “Happy New Year” performed by the Carpenters, featuring Karen threatening to slam the piano shut on Richard’s hands.
What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?
Question for the order…how are songs from the Great American Songbook treated? Like Cole Porter standards and such? They were originally recorded by someone but I don’t think later versions really count as covers. E.g. I don’t really consider Ella Fitzgerald’s version of Dream a Little Dream of Me a cover even though I’m sure she wasn’t the first person to record it.
Likewise, songs written by songwriting teams…e.g. the Motown teams of Holland Dozier Holland and such – just because the Four Top or Supremes recorded it first does that make subsequent versions covers? E.g. Gladys Knight recorded Heard it Through the Grapevine before Marvin Gaye but neither wrote it. The writing team of Whitfield and Strong wrote it. So is Gaye’s version a cover? I’m not sure but my vote is no. Motown has multiple songwriting teams and several artists would do versions of the song so the one that had the hit with it wasn’t necessarily the one that recorded it first. Sometimes the original was never released.
So my contention is the song has to have been recorded by the songwriter or co-writers to be considered a cover. But opinions may differ.
BellaPea
@Doc H: Great cover. I am so old, I remember seeing Sergio Mendes and Brazil ’66 performing that song on the Ed Sullivan show. It was beautiful then and it is beautiful still.
Villago Delenda Est
Another cover that some think is the original. No, here’s the original.
Goku (aka Amerikan Baka)
I also thought this live cover version of The Dead Kennedys’ Bleed for Me by Pearl Jam was better than the original. It’s much more raw which works in the song lyrics’ favor. The original for comparison
peter
Mark Isham’s 1999 cover of Miles Davis’ “Right Off” from Tribute to Jack Johnson (1970).
Mai Naem mobile
I like Dwight Yoakam’s cover of ‘Suspicious Minds’ https://youtu.be/rPMaTf0KU0M?si=nMwf9m56Ft8-9LA-
I know its been done a bunch of times but Yoakam does a really good job of it.
I heard Nina Simone’s version of ‘Here Comes the Sun’ the other day. To me it sounded bad. I don’t think her voice suits the song. I dunno. Sometimes its just better to leave the original.
Scout211
Woodstock by Crosby, Still and Nash
is a great cover of
Woodstock by Joni Mitchell
I love both versions
The Joni Mitchell YouTube is a live session from 1970.
Matt McIrvin
@raven: Lennox’s cover of “Train In Vain” off that album is a classic.
Mousebumples
My favorite – Turn the Page by Metallica
Mr. Mouse’s – All Along the Watchtower by Hendrix
I also love the Jolene covers from Lil Nas X and Beyoncé.
Mr. Mouse says Fall Out Boy didn’t need to cover We Didn’t Start the Fire.
Apologies for no links – we’re at a baseball game tonight.
Suzanne
Funny you mention. I was just saying yesterday how much I love the cover of “Immigrant Song” by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross, featuring Karen O.
ETA: Link here
Valhalla, I am cominnnnnnggggg!
kalakal
I think The Stones did a terrific cover of
Honky Tonk Blues with Country Honk
I love, love The Band doing Springsteens Atlantic City
TF79
I dig the cover of Springsteen’s “I’m on Fire” by the Chromatics. My dad listened to “Born in the USA” album incessantly when I was a kid, and I’ve loved the original for years.
What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?
@Goku (aka Amerikan Baka): Those are both great versions. Love Naked Eyes’ version of Always Something. Most of the earlier recordings are wistful but their’s has a real “this frickin situation is frustrating!” vibe. It’s great.
Matt McIrvin
…for that matter, Talking Heads’ cover of “Take Me To The River” is probably the best-known version of the song at this point:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4azbl96BJY
Don K
@Tim in Cape Fear:
I’ve read that Trent said Cash owned that song from then on.
I’m going to nominate Siouxsie and the Banshees’ cover of Dear Prudence.
Gin & Tonic
@Scout211: Speaking of Joni, her cover of the Annie Ross song Twisted really does it justice (and is actually the first version I heard.)
delphinium
Not a Beatles fan, but I did like this cover of Imagine by A Perfect Circle.
Anonymous At Work
@Tim in Cape Fear: Trent uses the lyric that Cash changed. Also from the same album, Cash’s cover of U2’s One.
Starfish
I liked Johnny Cash’s cover of “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails.
I liked the “Gin and Juice” cover by The Gourds.
cain
Since we are doing old covers, let me put in this one by Agam. An Indian band, who does heavy metal versions of Carnatic music. While still respecting the style of Carnatic music especially in vocalization, but layered with instrumentals to those who are familiar with Dream Theater, Foo Fighters, and Metallica.
A new way to enjoy a style of music that is over 300 years old!
Agam – Rangapura Vihaara
I was telling my family that now I can enjoy the music of my ancestors but still rock out like I’m still 19 :D
ETA – Rush has some great covers too, you know I have to do at least one Rush plug:
My favorite and good for our times is:
For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield, cover by Rush
Matt McIrvin
@What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?: The *word* “cover” comes from that era, though, and originally referred to that sort of thing. Record company A had a recording of some great song so record company B got some other act to “cover” it.
Mr. Bemused Senior
@Gin & Tonic: oh yes
Scout211
For the worst cover, I had to ask google what other people thought and at the top of most of the lists was this gem:
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds by William Shatner (!!!)
And yes, it’s as bad as you could possibly imagine 😳
Nukular Biskits
Normally I don’t comment on these posts (I read through them, though) but I thought I’d drop this in for consideration:
Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles
Here’s the Youtube mix of the album: COMMON THREAD: SONGS OF THE EAGLES
Nukular Biskits
@Starfish:
I know a lot of folks will probably argue with me about this, but I really think that was his best song. His voice, with the music, coupled with the video tore me apart.
kalakal
@Scout211: You beat me to it
Matt McIrvin
I really loved Juliana Hatfield’s cover of Olivia Newton-John’s “A Little More Love”, the original of which was one of those songs my sister played the grooves out of back in the day, so it’s burned on my brain, but in this case I didn’t mind:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nkp-rtW-vp8
The way she replicates Newton-John’s little vocal flourishes toward the end makes it clear that she’s a superfan.
arrieve
So many of my favorites already mentioned, but not what may be my all time favorite cover: Montrose doing the Stones’ Connection. Turns it into a very different song.
What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?
@Matt McIrvin: I guess that’s true but then the era of artists writing most of their own songs came along and I feel like maybe that redefined what a cover is. But I’m willing to accept alternative opinions.
Splitting Image
@Mousebumples:
The medieval version by Hildegard von Blingin is terrific.
toine
@Percysowner:
Agreed! Thanks for reminding me of this one!
Comrade Scrutinizer
Kids from O’Keefe Music Foundation covering Tool’s 46 and 2.
I’m also fond of Mindy Smith’s cover of Jolene.
WaterGirl
@Nukular Biskits: That looks to be really good. Saving it for later!
Tinare
@toine: one of my favorites too! Shawn Colvin’s cover of the Talking Heads Naive Melody is also a favorite.
https://youtu.be/au0hYK517bI?si=p83sQIZHmcm9fz0C
Doc H
@What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?: I’m going to throw in a wrinkle: if the style shifts enough, a song can be a cover regardless. My case in point? The Slits’ cover of Grapevine.
kalakal
Neither best nor worst but probably the funniest Robin Williams I’m on Fire
dm
The thing about covers is that musicians choose to do things that they’ll do well, which makes the covers extra special.
Angelique Kidjo’s cover of the Talking Heads album, Remain in light album has been mentioned (so, so good), as has Disturbed’s Sounds of Silence.
In addition to Jimi Hendrix’s cover, I’ve never watched Battlestar Galactica, but Bear McCreary’s cover of All along the Watchtower from the soundtrack is also pretty good.
There’s a collection of Grateful Dead covers called Deadicated. It has Burning Spear’s cover of Estimated Prophet, and Jane’s Addiction’s cover of Ripple.
toine
@Mai Naem mobile:
Fine Young Cannibals also did a great cover of this
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=13iMsGNUHFo
Rolland Gift has an amazing voice.
Jacqueline Squid Onassis
There are so many great covers but my favorite for most of this century has been the Violent Femmes cover of “Eep-Op-Ork-Ah-Ah”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ol9tHZfYDsk
kissel
@eclare: I think Hendrix’s cover is the best of all time.
Mousebumples
@Splitting Image: I’ll check that out when we’re home. Thanks!
piratedan
I was going to suggest Southern Culture On The Skids with their covers of The Real Nitty Gritty and Papa was a Preacher and Momma was a Go-Go Girl….
lamh47
Ok…if we talking covers.
This past Wednesday, R&B Soul fans lost a Black culture icon…Frankie Beverly of Frankie Beverly and MAZE
Beyonce did a cover of one of MAZE’s biggest hit “Before I Let Go” I linked to MAZE version though because as nice as Beyonce’s cover is, nothing is better than Frankie.
An example of “two Americas” as a collective culture Black folk have been saddened by Frankie’s passing and for the most part mainstream music listeners have no idea who Frankie is. In fact, I’ve actually seen more soul R&B music fans as saddened as US Black culture about Frankie’s passing.
If you truly love classic soul R&B get to know Frankie Beverly and MAZE and RIP Frankie Beverly!
(BTE, MAZE live from New Orleans album is consider one of the BEST live albums in many circles…also why Frankie Beverly and MAZE are considered honorary NOLA hometown boys even if they are from Philly…LOL)
karen marie
@toine: That is a beautiful cover!
prostratedragon
@lowtechcyclist, @AliceBlue: Yep.
“Stoned Soul Picnic”
Suzanne
Man, I need an open thread. The memes are starting to pour in and I’m in hysterics.
toine
@Tinare: Wow! Never heard this one and I’m a huge Talking Heads fan!
Jeffro
@A Ghost to Most: I have that and it rocks!! 🙌
Matt McIrvin
Way back in 2012, The AV Club (remember when they were good?) did a series of videos where they had a list of songs for various artists to pick one off of and cover. They Might Be Giants came on and ended up doing this cover of Chumbawamba’s “Tubthumping” where they recruited the whole AV Club staff to sing along in this tiny studio on the chorus:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yf0Amcgxot8
It’s one of the most joyous things I’ve ever heard.
cain
Out of curiosity, I know I’m old and that for a lot of us – we are impressed into the music of our generations during our adolescent ages – eg 7 years – 18 years old. But for some reason, todays music like bollywood and like it – I get bored of it easily and always end up listening to the stuff in the 60s- 90s, the so called analog age. This is a probably the worst forum to bring this up since it tends to trend older (eg gen X and boomers) – wondering if others feel the same?
Starfish
@What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?: I like all these bands.
Starfish
@Princess: My husband gets really annoyed about the Marilyn Manson cover of Tainted Love.
Tim in Cape Fear
@Don K: good choice. Her “Passenger” also darn good.
toine
@raven:
That OOO Las Vegas cover is sweet! Thanks!
prostratedragon
Suppose this counts. Anyway, I’ve had it sitting in a tab for several days. “Under My Skin,” Smo-KAYE, 2006 version.
NotMax
The Beatles cover the 1920s hit “Ain’t She Sweet.”
;)
toine
@cain:
It’s much harder to find artists that are pushing the limits nowadays… (Things were sooooo much better in my days vibes… sorry…) But they are out there. And what they are doing is just as good and just as timeless. There is just much more hay in the haystack now, but the needles are still there…
Jimbales
One of my favorite covers is a song that, I think, many people don’t consider a cover: UB40’s cover of “Red Red Wine”, written (and originally performed) by Neil Diamond.
Best, Jim
hells littlest angel
@Baud: He’d probably do better than Elvis too.
delphinium
Here’s an interesting cover of Taylor Swift’s Shake it Off.
And a decent version of Radiohead’s Exit Music For a Film.
Central Planning
Two of my current favorites:
– Lake Street Dive’s cover of Jackson Five’s I Want You Back (and I’m seeing LSD play this weekend). They do some other covers as well.
– Billy Jean by The Civil Wars
I’ve seen clips from Burn The Jukebox, high school kids from PA that do a great job sounding like the originals.
I also like finding songs that have lots of covers – two of those that have been fun are Grazing In The Grass and Cantalope Island.
One more maybe cover: Welcome Back by Brasstracks.
i clearly have many more to listen based on this thread. Thanks!
RSA
@Doc H: A few of my favorite covers (though I don’t necessarily think they’re better than the originals) are cross-genre. Devo’s cover of “Satisfaction” has been mentioned. I’ll throw in
Willis’s blues cover of Cameo’s Word Up
Nouvelle Vague’s bossa nova cover of The Clash’s Guns of Brixto
For that matter, The Clash’s cover of I Fought the Law
Mel
Beth Hart and Joe Bonamassa : “I’d Rather Go Blind”.
Nukular Biskits
@WaterGirl:
I thought most of the covers were pretty damned good.
My favorite would probably be either Travis Tritt’s version of “Take It Easy” or Diamond Rio’s “Lyin’ Eyes”.
pabadger
So is Willie Nelson’s You are Always on My Mind, which I always thought sounded like something he would write.
Finally, Sheryl Crow’s Sweet Child of Mine is a good cover done in a very different way than GnR.
cintibud
Can’t believe I’m the first to suggest Jeff Buckley’s version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah
What a voice!
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
Fun covers of entire albums:
Suzanne
Rage Against the Machine’s covers of “Renegades of Funk” and “The Ghost of Tom Joad”.
Rankin' Bass
@lamh47: Frankie Beverly was cookout music for most of my life, I too am amazed at his low profile among ‘mainstream’ listeners.
Speaking of black-famous soul groups, I heard a terrible newish-sounding cover of Con Funk Shun’s Love’s Train at the grocery store today
Villago Delenda Est
@Jimbales: I’ve read that Diamond really likes that cover.
pabadger
@raven: oh I love this album.
Mel
Stevie Nicks’s cover of Etta James’s “At Last” is wonderful.
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
Tom Petty’s cover of “I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better“ by The Byrds is inspired.
DarbysMom
@geg6: Watched it a dozen times plus……Brillant performance.
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
@Matt McIrvin: Cool!
geg6
@What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?:
I follow that!
Mousebumples
@cintibud: I like the Rufus Wainwright version, myself.
Starfish
I am surprised that no one has brought up Postmodern Jukebox. I like Puddles Pity Party’s cover of Come on Up to the House by Tom Waits.
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
@snabby: I love Eddie Hazel’s California Dreaming!
billcinsd
So in addition to many on here already
Johnny Cash and Joe Strummer doing Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lZBaklS79Wc
Otis Redding covering Satisfaction at Monterrey much better than the Stones version, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qufihus28II
Otis, again at Monterrey, covering Try a Little Tenderness, a cover of the 1932 Ray Noble Orchestra song, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuJTUpJzLOw
Israel Kamakawiw-oole covering Somewhere Over the Rainbow, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1bFr2SWP1I
Just look at that parking lot
For a little twist on the topic, Richard Berry’s original version of Louie Louie was way better than any of the cover versions done. Sorry , Iggy , I love you , but your cover sucked.
eclare
@Suzanne:
Ooh RATM’s cover of “Renegades of Funk” is awesome.
Tengrain
Evan Dando’s cover of Knowing Me, Knowing You is entirely better than the ABBA original.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0hgvJTICec
Mel
@Starfish: Yes! I love Jennie Lena’s take on Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love a Bad Name”.
billcinsd
@cain: Not really. I don’t listen to current hits, but then I haven’t ever really ever done that. There is a huge amount of great music out there now in every style and it is way easier to find this great new music now than it ever was
Tim in Cape Fear
@Percysowner: the wife and I agree with you. Funny though, I shared that around some of my circle and she and I would seem to be alone in this. Whatever; that dude can really belt.
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
@cain: Wow, I didn’t know Rush did covers like this.
Starfish
@delphinium: This is my favorite cover of Shake It Off.
Ivan X
@Formerly disgruntled in Oregon: Another whole-album cover: Let It Be by Laibach. Here’s Get Back. Not for every taste!
Pussy Galore also did an entire album cover of Exile on Main Street.
Rankin' Bass
@Mel: Etta James did a good cover of ‘Somewhere’ from West Side Story shortly before she died; actually the first part is great, I didn’t like the smooth jazz arrangement in the rest of the song but she was in top form. Have to mention Tom Waits’ thoroughly great version also.
delphinium
@Villago Delenda Est: Ugh, hated the No Doubt version of that song.
What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?
@Starfish: Never heard it but I love Waits’s original.
Formerly disgruntled in Oregon
@piratedan: We saw Southern Culture On The Skids earlier this month! They put on a really fun show.
Sure Lurkalot
Bowie
Knock on Wood
Bowie and Mick
Dancing in the Street
Petorado
Bonnie Raitt’s cover of John Prine’s “Angel from Montgomery is an eternal gem.
Massive Attack’s version of “Be Thankful for What You’ve Got”
Fine Young Cannibals’ version of “Suspicious Minds”
Tori Amos covering “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Chet Faker’s live cover of “No Diggity”
And German techno marching band Meute doing Flume’s “You and Me”
lowtechcyclist
@Jimbales:
Since I’m a big Neil Diamond fan (at least, of his catalogue up to about 1972), I knew he did the original. But UB40’s cover is an excellent version. They’re different enough that IMHO you can’t really say which one is better – it’s like partially ordered sets where you can’t always say either X>Y or Y>X.
Nukular Biskits
@Starfish:
Excellent recommendation. They do good stuff!
billcinsd
@delphinium: and a Taylor cover (Style) by a bunch British Indie Rockers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzYTK79qU_I
Matt McIrvin
@geg6: Kind of makes you appreciate *why* they’re so protective of “Stairway to Heaven”. Someone does do a cover of it and it’s one of the few acts you know from the first moment can probably do it justice.
Quaker in a Basement
@AliceBlue: Strange and excellent! When Wlson sings “You are my candy, girl, and you GOT me-e-e wantin‘ you,” it’s filthy!
In “You Can Leave Your Hat On, ” Joe Cocker sings “Raise your arms up to the air. Now shake ’em,” leaves the impression that the singer wants his lady to shake her arms. But if you listen to the Randy Newman original, it’s very clear that the request is for something else to be shaken.
prostratedragon
@cain: Metal and Carnatic: made for each other!
Quaker in a Basement
@Petorado: If I was a songwriter, I’d be loath to have Raitt cover my songs. When she covers a song, she owns it.
CaseyL
I think the first time I ever heard “Mr. Tambourine Man,” it was the cover version by the Byrds, which I liked very much. I liked it much more than Dylan’s original!
zhena gogolia
Go to YouTube and look up Isto, Chris White. Great covers of Beatles, Dylan, Kinks, etc., etc., etc.
thruppence
It’s a jazz standard, so is it a cover?
Rickie Lee Jones covers Dat Dere
Matt McIrvin
@Central Planning:
Oh, I had forgotten about that! I first learned of its existence when I heard them do it live!
Quaker in a Basement
@cain: Ooooeeee! I gotta hear some of that! I’ve been a fan of Cheb i Sabbah for many years. That sounds like it takes classic vocals to another level.
thruppence
@CaseyL: Certainly made more money for Bob than his original!
ChasM
Chinchilla covers ‘Chains‘ by Fleetwood Mac
If you don’t know Chinchilla, start here then do ‘1:5’ and the duet with Ren, ‘Chalk Outlines’.
Petorado
@Quaker in a Basement: Not technically a cover, but when Bonnie joins John Lee Hooker for an update of “I’m in the Mood” … gotta take a cold shower after that one.
Starfish
Imagine Dragons did a cover of U2’s With or Without You
SW
Jimi doing Dylan’ “All along the Watchtower”
Shana
Marshall Crenshaw’s cover of Walk Away Renee always makes me cry.
Misswhatsis
@A Ghost to Most: album title, please?
delphinium
@Starfish: Nice!
kmax
love many of the choices above
But also have a fondness for KD Lang’s cover of Cohen’s Hallelujah
Steve in the ATL
@snabby: I prefer the Batman theme by Link Wray!
Jason and the Scorchers covering Dylan’s “Absolutely Sweet Marie”
The Clash covering Vince Taylor and his Playboys’ “Brand New Cadillac”
Stones covering Dobie Gray’s “Drift Away”
SW
Ricki Lee Jones cover of “Bad Company”
Timill
More PMJ this time with Von Smith on puppy…
Leto
@Suzanne: Denzel Curry covers RAtM’s “Bulls on Parade.” That channel is for an Australian radio station, and the shitck is they get bands to come through and do one cover, and then one of the band’s songs. Big popular bands, and smaller lesser known bands, all come through and do their thing. It’s a good channel with a deep catalogue.
Matt McIrvin
@Steve in the ATL: Dobie Gray’s recording was not even the original! That song’s been recorded by about a zillion people; probably has Great American Songbook status at this point (though the first recording was British).
The guy who wrote it is songwriter Paul Williams’ brother.
Steve in the ATL
The Bangles did a great “September Gurls”, and I am very picky about my Big Star covers!
Mandy Moore, believe it or not, did a great “Senses Working Overtime”. She really seemed to get the song. Plus she, like much of the world, has a far better singing voice than Andy Partridge.
Petorado
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain basically focuses on covers, but their versions of Bowie’s “Life on Mars” and Wheatus’ “Teenage Dirtbag” are pretty fun.
Steve in the ATL
@Matt McIrvin: did not know that! Will update your dossier as well to reflect your obscure musical knowledge. Which is a compliment, needless to say.
Jobeth
https://youtu.be/on6ZTsoz8xY?feature=shared
Talking In Your Sleep covered by The Civil Wars.
Steve in the ATL
The Gourds, “Gin and Juice”. Far better than the original, but I find Snoop’s rapping itself to be one of his lesser talents.
Sheryl Crow doing “Sweet Child O’ Mine”
sorry, no links. On phone and limited time.
geg6
@The Audacity of Krope:
I much prefer the original Bowie recording but Nirvana did a pretty good job of it.
Matt McIrvin
@Steve in the ATL: I only know that because my daughter was familiar with it through the cover by Uncle Kracker, and I knew it wasn’t originally an Uncle Kracker song but damned if I knew whose it was. So I went down a rabbit hole.
SuzieC
Great thread! Some of my favorites mentioned above : Sounds of Silence, All Along the Watchtower, and Hurt.
I believe Dylan is the most covered artist. Among my favorites in addition to Jimi: Guns ‘N’ Roses Knockin on Heaven’s Door, Willie Nelson Senor, and Rage Against the Machine Maggie’s Farm. Oh, and Emmylou Harris Every Grain of Sand.
Starfish
I have fallen into Sub-Radio, and did you ever wish the song “Stacy’s mom” was really gay and about “Stacy’s dad?” Look no further.
Did you wish Mr. Brightside was actually called Mr. Darkside and set in the Star Wars universe? Well, there is a song for you.
Timill
@Petorado: and their Theme from ‘Shaft’ has some rather original lyrics…
Matt McIrvin
@SuzieC: When someone finally persuaded The Rolling Stones to cover “Like A Rolling Stone”, it came out pretty good.
Leto
Scary Pockets, featuring Elise Trouw, covering: Lean On – Major Lazer
Scary Pockets is an electrofunk band that brings in different singers to cover different songs. Lot of good stuff.
Peke Daddy
The Who’s cover of Johnny Kidd and the Pirates, “Shaking All Over.’
https://youtu.be/-DHEPTarUQs?si=WcasIOlljGKtyy8q
delphinium
@geg6: Heart also did a nice rendition of The Battle of Evermore.
geg6
@DarbysMom:
So good! When you get tears from Robert Plant and smiles all through by Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones, not to mention the Obamas, Colbert and YoYo freakin’ Ma grooving to it? You know you’ve killed it.
Leto
@delphinium: the Enconium tribute album was a great collection of LZ covers.
KatKapCC
@Peke Daddy: Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers did that one (among other covers) during their Fillmore residencies a few decades back. It was awesome.
kalakal
For those who enjoy really good guitar playing
Rodrigo y Gabriela do an amazing acoustic version of Stairway to Heaven
Michael Chapdelaine Heard it through the Grapevine
Matt McIrvin
Aretha Franklin doing Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oNWeGngQqOI
Jacel
@cain: So does the name Manna Day register with you from that earlier era? I worked with (and was managed by) one of his daughters for over 20 years in technical writing.
Matt McIrvin
Oh God, how could I not have included Amii Stewart’s mind-blowing disco-explosion cover of “Knock On Wood”, with the video where she’s wearing the world’s most awesome hat:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKuJUxGntRI
Gin & Tonic
Oh, and, speaking of covers…
brendancalling
I play in a band called The No Good Crowd, and sometime this year we’re releasing our cover of Bowie’s “Cat People.” We got Emm Gryner to do a vocal track. I am super-excited about this.
Matt McIrvin
@cain: I heard some local band doing a decent cover of “For What It’s Worth” at the farmer’s market yesterday. Didn’t catch their name.
SuzieC
@brendancalling: Taylor Swift should cover that!
Weapon X
@Matt McIrvin: linkin park did a great live cover of that song too:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHtwZ07N1ic
NotMax
Joplin, “Summertime.”
cain
@Formerly disgruntled in Oregon:
They have an entire album of covers in the album “Feedback” :) Basically all the songs that inspired them!
Jacel
Here’s a few…
To start with, a double cover, separate lyrics (theme to Gilligan’s Island) and music (Stairway To Heaven) mashed together effectively. done by Little Roger & the Goosebumps, which has since been performed by Puddles Pity Party.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cG6LyqEMUXg&t=64s
The Bobs are better known for an acappella version of “Psycho Killer” but here they manage to own a Louis Jordan number (no easy feat).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rrsMKWab8PE
The Beatles’ “Come Together” performed by Robin Williams and Bobby McFarland on George Martin’s farewell production, the “In My Life” album.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_7xoC6k7PA
Finally another Beatles hit with an astonishing cover is Aretha Franklin” singing “Eleanor Rigby”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8NQ8YJj8N8
dm
@SuzieC:
Maybe. Or maybe Leonard Cohen.
Covers of Hallelujah alone….
cain
@toine: Yeah, I get that. It’s like the beginning days of R&B/Rap – my kid likes the late 80s-mid 90s era of that genre. It’s so much more raw.
SuzieC
@dm: I was going to say Leonard Cohen is the 2d most covered. I certainly hope his estate continues to benefit from the universal song Hallelujah.
cain
@billcinsd:
I agree. I just need to get off my butt and search for it. But I feel like for progressive rock there isn’t as much. It’s like R&B is so much more viable than otherwise.
kalakal
@dm: Paul McCartney is up there as well Yesterday alone has been covered over 2000 times
NotMax
Sinatra’s cover of Liza Minelli’s original version of “New York, New York” in the eponymous box office flop became a standard and sold gazillions of discs.
Mr. Bemused Senior
@Jacel: I love the Bobs. They have several good covers, White Room, Helter Skelter, the Boxer, and I posted the Wind Cries Mary above.
Here is
Eva Cassidy, Woodstock
CaseyL
The first time I ever heard Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah was an episode of West Wing. CJ Gregg is waiting to go on a date with a Secret Service agent played by Mark Harman. He gets shot and killed in a convenience store robbery. The song plays over Gregg being told what happened by the cops-on-the-scene. It’s the Jeff Buckley cover, which I had considered to be the best version.
Then – then! – I heard an entirely different rendition, with an entirely different mood – so very different that even though it was the same song, I had trouble believing it was the same song.
There was a video out – oh, quite a long time ago – that went viral. It was a group of young people at a public plaza in Italy – Venice? not sure. Holding signs that said “Free Hugs.” I think this was after some international trauma or another, when people were feeling isolated and unable to connect (but not the pandemic; this was quite a few years before that). “Hallelujah” played as the soundtrack, and I was gobsmacked by it. Spent a little time hunting that version down: it was sung by Alexandra Burke on the X Factor. Instead of a low-key, mournful treatment she sang it like an anthem, and it was glorious. Purists might hate it, but it brought tears to my eyes for its exultant power.
SFAW
Nina Gordon covering some guys from SoCal
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2EGOB9-lc&list=RDNG2EGOB9-lc&start_radio=1
ETA: Also: Heads’ live version of Take Me to the River
Bonnie McDaniel
I love Yola’s version of “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road.”
Yola – Goodbye Yellow Brick Road [Official Video] – YouTube
Matt McIrvin
@Jacel: I heard Tom Tom Club do “Psycho Killer” back in the 80s. Not sure if that should count as a cover since Tina Weymouth and Chris Frantz have writing credits on it. I recall Weymouth sang the verse that appears in the lyric sheet but not in the Talking Heads recording.
exbarrowboy
One that gets me every time is the Marvin Gaye version of Abraham, Martin and John:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XKuJUxGntRI
This was easily the best known version in the UK but seems somewhat obscure in the US
White Lightnin
My lurker hubby offers Lawnmower Deth covering “Kids in America”. He was a DJ in college and once played this on air simultaneously with the original. They track together perfectly. https://youtu.be/iJz6_PEu6Iw?si=_dD-aGclFVw8b9Ft
Mr. Bemused Senior
One more Al Kooper, You Can’t Always Get What You Want / Season of the Witch
Trivia Man
Midnight Special , Credence Clearwater Revival.
https://youtu.be/kNiUfwHJF6E?si=SEm1G4vgRYQG93Hr
An album of homage to the Grateful Dead called Deadicated. Best ones are Janes Addiction doing Ripple and Suzanne Vega doing China Doll. Bonus Cowboy Junkies with To Lay Me Down.
And the Grateful Dead doing Death Don’t Have No Mercy. Rev Gary Davis originally, no idea how they came across it but I am glad they did.
https://youtu.be/eJmwAn0LXng?si=0CLqJ0gw9gicafF-
Trivia Man
@Formerly disgruntled in Oregon: Phish did a live cover of DSOTM in SLC UT back on 11/02/98
https://liveforlivemusic.com/features/phish-dark-side-of-the-moon-2019/
Gloria DryGarden
https://youtu.be/iyTTX6Wlf1Y?si=BuGqzi7FQWGoZkH3
all about that bass.
I love this version
way2blue
Um. Linda Ronstadt’s cover of Michael Nesmith’s Different Drum song.
UncleEbeneezer
No Quarter– Tool
Drive– Deftones
Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want– Deftones
Burnspbesq
@What Have The Romans Ever Done for Us?:
That was true for roughly 30 years. Then this came along.
https://youtu.be/V4WGsMplGxU?si=O9PGhaBp-Jd73rDN
Burnspbesq
Do Patti Smith’s “Because the Night” and Southside Johnny’s “Hearts of Stone” count as covers? Two of Springsteen’s best songs, that he never recorded.
Groucho48
So many. Song made famous when covered by another but is very good in the original
https://youtu.be/aHz0RNObuvg?si=oWvaUgAGwp14s2Ok
Favorite covers. Judy Collins did a bunch of great covers.
https://youtu.be/iRYMdAQWsmc?si=Rz5NV0fiOAdYIy5_
As did Cassandra Wilson
https://youtu.be/aLa3TegBUIA?si=IoWUk9On2h-SpsCD
Steve Finlay
There are many amazing kd lang covers. Not only Hallelujah, but also Neil Young’s Helpless.
I also love The Cambridge Buskers’ cover of The Ride of the Valkyrie, done on tin whistle and concertina.
Martin Schafer
Mamamoo’s Hwasa covering Dione Warwick’s Walk on By
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rblfDncC3o&ab_channel=HWASA
Purple Kiss’s Goeun,Chaein and Swan cover of Billie Eilish’s Bury a Friend
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=loKDzN14Pok&ab_channel=PURPLEKISS
patrick II
During the pandemic, the great Filipina songstress Morissette Amon hung some string lights on a wall in her home and covered many songs for her fans. Two of my favorites:
Fly Like a Bird Mariah Carey
She Used to be Mine from the play “Restaurant”. She chats for awhile, song begins at 2:28.
Nancy
@Tim in Cape Fear:
Agreed.
Johnny Cash, approaching his end, made ‘Hurt’ powerfully devastating.
Bulgakov
Hendrix doing All Along the Watchtower is my #1.
This is my #2 – Natalie Imbruglia – Torn https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VV1XWJN3nJo
Geminid
@AliceBlue: Barbara Streisand’s cover of Nyro’s “Stoney End” was also pretty good.
Like Annie Laurie, Laura Nyro grew up in The Bronx. When she was a teen, Nyro and her friends would sing pop songs on New York street corners and in subway stations.
Ramalama
@Burnspbesq: Have you heard Patti Smith’s cover of “Smells Like Teen Spirit“? So so so good. With Sam Shepherd (playwright) on banjo (along with the rest of her band).
Or her version of “Everybody Wants to Rule the World.”
Rob
I loved this thread so much that I created a playlist.
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1qRTtTLI4fm4lUmpIvgYuV?si=98990f456a2c4926
I used chatGPT and spotlistr so it may not be perfect (but it was quick).
Shana
@way2blue: Did he ever record it? I’m not sure it counts as a cover if he didn’t.
UncleEbeneezer
There are TONS of amazing jazz covers of rock/pop songs. Though I’m not quite sure they really fit as “covers.” In my mind, doing an instrumental, jazz version of a rock/pop tune that had vocals is a bit different than doing a “cover.” Anyways, a future thread for favorite instrumental covers of rock/pop tunes would be great. I could easily point everyone to several dozen excellent examples.
SuzieC
Per Water Girls’s recommendation I’m posting another cover because I love it so much. It is EmmyLou Harris’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s Ballad of a Runaway Horse. Sorry I can’t copy/paste video (I’ve tried) because it is so beautiful. Watch it on YouTube. I guarantee your eyes will leak cascades of tears. Leonard Cohen, that transcendent artist, wrote a rhapsodic fan letter to EmmyLou about her cover.