I love the idea the ‘lists’ might prompt people to listen to stuff they wouldn’t otherwise have heard, and in return that’s what you’ve just done for me. A very ‘different’ cover (one of my criteria) and I loved it, thx
For me it’s often cover versions that are not necessarily known as cover versions. Eg Tainted Love – a song I’ve always loved – not sure if I’ve even heard the Gloria Jones original. I fought the Law – surely just The Clash? Also Dylan has many songs whose covers are better known and arguably better (eg All along the watchtower, The Mighty Quinn, One more cup of coffee etc) when done by others but not sure whether these are properly referred to as covers as he has always been a bit of a hit factory and I believe has written songs specially for others to sing. Just back from a boozy night and someone mentioned Red Red Wine as an improvement over the original but honestly, I can’t endorse this. Finally, can’t forget Patti Smith’s version of Because the night.
Loved the covers on Track 1 playlist! I'm a huge Rihanna fan and didn't know about the MSP Umbrella cover; the Placebo and Japandroids covers will be joining my musical vocabulary.
It's IMPOSSIBLE to pick a favorite cover though. I just can't!
And perhaps starting a new list of "the opposite" - I would nominate Joni Mitchell's original of "Woodstock" as much better than the cover version that made the song famous, but maybe that list would be too long as there must be lots of covers that are worse than the original :) Is anyone old enough to know who made the cover version (without Googling it)?
Perhaps showing my age here but I really like many Dylan covers esp All along the watchtower (Hendrix version) but if that is too obvious (leads the Rolling Stone magazine top 10 list online), then how about this less obvious one: Jennifer Warnes - First We Take Manhattan, covering the Leonard Cohen song. I also really like the Johnny Cash version of Hurt.
Interesting one Brendan, just listened to the JW version (which I don't remember hearing before). It certainly passes my 'markedly different' criteria, but on balance the original still wins out for me.
No competition. It has to be Take Me To The River by Talking Heads… So many great songs of their own but this cover catches the essence of the band. The best song to move to, that I have never heard in a dance hall. A total screamer.
Always liked TL, especially the 12" version that segues into Where Did Our Love Go
I've recently discovered Angelique Kidjo's cover of Talking Heads' 'Once in a Lifetime' and it's quickly become a favourite
I love the idea the ‘lists’ might prompt people to listen to stuff they wouldn’t otherwise have heard, and in return that’s what you’ve just done for me. A very ‘different’ cover (one of my criteria) and I loved it, thx
For me it’s often cover versions that are not necessarily known as cover versions. Eg Tainted Love – a song I’ve always loved – not sure if I’ve even heard the Gloria Jones original. I fought the Law – surely just The Clash? Also Dylan has many songs whose covers are better known and arguably better (eg All along the watchtower, The Mighty Quinn, One more cup of coffee etc) when done by others but not sure whether these are properly referred to as covers as he has always been a bit of a hit factory and I believe has written songs specially for others to sing. Just back from a boozy night and someone mentioned Red Red Wine as an improvement over the original but honestly, I can’t endorse this. Finally, can’t forget Patti Smith’s version of Because the night.
My answer is Tainted Love
Loved the covers on Track 1 playlist! I'm a huge Rihanna fan and didn't know about the MSP Umbrella cover; the Placebo and Japandroids covers will be joining my musical vocabulary.
It's IMPOSSIBLE to pick a favorite cover though. I just can't!
Gotta go with "Respect," an Otis Redding cover by Aretha Franklin.
Good call Andrew, and Aretha featured on my 'best female vocalists' list in 'Track 2' of the novel. What a voice.
And perhaps starting a new list of "the opposite" - I would nominate Joni Mitchell's original of "Woodstock" as much better than the cover version that made the song famous, but maybe that list would be too long as there must be lots of covers that are worse than the original :) Is anyone old enough to know who made the cover version (without Googling it)?
Perhaps showing my age here but I really like many Dylan covers esp All along the watchtower (Hendrix version) but if that is too obvious (leads the Rolling Stone magazine top 10 list online), then how about this less obvious one: Jennifer Warnes - First We Take Manhattan, covering the Leonard Cohen song. I also really like the Johnny Cash version of Hurt.
Interesting one Brendan, just listened to the JW version (which I don't remember hearing before). It certainly passes my 'markedly different' criteria, but on balance the original still wins out for me.
No competition. It has to be Take Me To The River by Talking Heads… So many great songs of their own but this cover catches the essence of the band. The best song to move to, that I have never heard in a dance hall. A total screamer.