The people have spoken, particularly Fingerlakeswoman. Top 3 records is so earlier today. It's time for a more interesting list, a list of distinction. A list of your favorite covers of all time. The comments for my last post got this going with some great ones, one of which I'm ripping off. Here goes...
1. (Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Devo covering the Stones
I first heard this on SNL in the late 70s - Devo decked out in full jocko homo regalia, twitching and jerking. I think this performance, along with Talking Heads on SNL and the Ramones on Rock Concert, set me on the road to musical ruin.
2. Just - Mark Ronson covering Radiohead
Every time someone does a cover of Radiohead, it only serves to demonstrate how fundamentally great their songs are. Ronson funks this one up with the full horn section and blows Winehouse back into rehab.
3. War Pigs - Flaming Lips covering Sabbath
Cake has a cover of War Pigs too, but it has it's tail kicked seven ways to sunday by the Lips smoking version. If you haven't heard this one, and you have any notion that maybe we should think 3 times before we start up the next war, spend 99 cents and enjoy.
That's what I got now, Tuesday night. It hurts me to leave off Conquest by the White Stripes and Monkey Man by Amy Winehouse and I Can't Explain by Bowie and Telegram Sam by Bauhaus and The Lion Sleeps Tonite by Brian Eno and Many Songs by Dave Edmunds and Streets of Bakersfield by Dwight Yoakam and... Stop me, please.
Let's see what you got.
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Comments
1) Alison - Everything But the Girl's acoustic cover of Elvis Costello just a great song, all versions, including Costello's acoustic, but Everything But the Girl brings something special to it. This whole album is covers and is a winner.
2) The Man Who Sold the World - Nirvana's cover of David Bowie two of the greatest story tellers and voices of all time.
3) Downtown - The Cold covers Petula Clark This New Orleans band, popular in bars and gyms in the 80s, does a very 80s poppy version of the 60s classic. fyi, band members included lead singer Barbara Menendes and Vance deGeneres (yep, he's her bro).
3)
When everyone else in the seventies was listening to what is now pop country (It all sounded like REO Speedwagon), I was discovering punk and loving it. The Ramones rocked my world. The Tubes, Sex Pistols, Violent Femmes, B-52's, they all did it for me and how.
God Save the Queen, She Ain't No Human Being.
Awesome. (Now if I could forget about all the unfortunate hairstyles that went with the music!)
(rated)
And Dwight Yoakam? Don't get me started. I love me some Bakersfield Sound. Better than Buck (mostly).
And lastly, (though I could go on forever), Mick Jagger and The Chieftains cover of The Long Black Veil. I originally heard it from Bill Monroe and many others since but this is the best bar none.
Okay, and I love Allison Kraus' version of Valley to Pray.
Just a little diversity there.
2) "Stop! The Love You Save" originally by the Jackson 5, performed by Madder Rose
3) "Gold Dust Woman" originally by Fleetwood Mac, performed by Hole.
Honorable Mention: "Wildwood" originally by Paul Weller, performed by Eliza Carthy
These are in the order I typed them...
Laibach's cover of The Beatles' "Get Back" YouTube Version
The layering of the orchestral and choir parts at the 3:37 mark are amazing. I actually would rate Laibach's "America" higher as a song. But, although based on the Star Spangled Banner, I don't think it truly constitutes a cover. YouTube Version
Dread Zeppelin's cover of Led Zeppelin's "Stairway to Heaven" YouTube Version
Reggae and an Elvis impersonator and yet, it more than works. It's great.
Johnny Cash's cover of Nine Inch Nails "Hurt" YouTube Version
This is also a great video. A must see.
Ring of Fire - Wall of Voodoo (covering Johnny and June Cash)
I Can't Quit You Baby - Led Zeppelin (covering Otis Rush)
Honky Tonk Heros - Waylon Jennings (covering Billy Joe Shafer)
Admittedly the covers of the last 2 are performed by more popular artist, but one has to give credit where credit is due.
Given that this is an impossible task, I put my own limitations on myself to try to narrow it down.
So, here's TODAY's list of favourite COVERS of other folks' material:
"Billie Jean" originally done by Michael Jackson, covered by CHRIS CORNELL. In Cornell's hands, this dance song becomes a moody bluesy reflection on the cost of lies, "Coz we danced, on the floor, and around"
"Teardrop" originally done by Massive Attack, covered by JOSE GONZALEZ. Yes. Some of you know this as the theme song to "House," but for me, Teardrop has emotional significance. To hear it sung so that each of lyrics is clear moves me to tears.
Sheesh. I'm struggling with a third. I love Alison Moorer's cover of Gillian Welch's "Revelator."
Okay. Deep breath. How about "Such Great Heights" originally performed by The Postal Service, but covered by IRON & WINE? Sam Beam is a genius--his entire EP, WOMAN KING, is a knockout, and "Lilith's Song" knocks me out every time.
2. Foo Fighters version of "Baker Street" or "Band on the Run"
3. Kinks "Strangers" by Golden Smog
Three? Only three? So difficult...
2. Sweet Jane, Cowboy Junkies (also falls into McGarrett50's category of cover being a radical change--and how the hell do you know who Laibach is anyway?!)
3. Knocking on Heaven's Door, GnR (he may be a complete lunatic, but that boy can wail).
OK, I can't do three:
Higher Ground, Chili Peppers
Jolene, Sisters of Mercy
When You Say Nothing At All, Allison Krauss
Crimson & Clover, Joan Jett
OK, I'll stop now. :)