Cover versions better than the original.
Posted by: dave marshall on 02 August 2018
I was listening to Fink do "All Cried Out" last night, thinking that I preferred it to Alison Moyet's outstanding original from the '80's.
Fink - Biscuits For Breakfast. Alison Moyet - "Alf"
Pondering whether there were other examples in my library, I also concluded that Cyndi Lauper's "True Colours" and "Time After Time" had been covered beautifully by Eva Cassidy.
Eva Cassidy - Simply Eva. Cyndi Lauper - True Colours - The Best Of.
Obviously, this is all a matter of personal taste, but any suggestions for cover versions which you feel add to, and probably surpass the original?
Posted on: 12 August 2018 by kuma
Here are a few: Many cover for Carol King's tune but I still prefer most of her original rendition. Except this one.
I also prefer Nicolette's upbeat version of Lotta Love than the folksy Neil Young original.
Posted on: 13 August 2018 by Pev
Posted on: 14 August 2018 by dave marshall
John Lee Hooker covering one of his own songs, ably assisted by the most wunnerful Bonnie Rait.
Posted on: 16 August 2018 by Chunky
Rosanne Cash - Girl From The North Country, from her album The List. This led me to seek out Dylan's original, as I hadn't heard it before. Lovely song.
Posted on: 16 August 2018 by naim_nymph
Posted on: 17 August 2018 by Sister E.
On a topical note many,including Paul Simon, think Aretha Franklin's cover of Bridge over Troubled Water is far superior to the original,
Sister xx
Posted on: 17 August 2018 by Eoink
Robbie Robertson’s wonderful secular hymn from Big Pink, the Band’s version is sublime, but check out Aretha with Duane Allman.
Posted on: 24 August 2018 by dave marshall
First of all, there was Otis ............. but then ................ there was Aretha.
Posted on: 24 August 2018 by Paper Plane
The Strangler's version of the Burt Bacharach song Walk On By that Dionne Warwick had a hit with.
Gun's take on Cameo's Word Up (And no ridiculous cod piece in sight either!)
steve
Posted on: 24 August 2018 by VladtheImpala
Here are a few: Many cover for Carol King's tune but I still prefer most of her original rendition. Except this one.
I also prefer Nicolette's upbeat version of Lotta Love than the folksy Neil Young original.
I do like the James Taylor version of "Up On The Roof" but I prefer Laura Nyro's version.
Posted on: 24 August 2018 by VladtheImpala
Some rather obvious ones:
The Beatles - "Please Mr Postman" (original by The Marvelettes) and "You Really Got A Hold On Me" (original by Smokey Robinson & The Miracles)
Rod Stewart - "The First Cut Is The Deepest" (original by Cat Stevens, though I think PP Arnolds version was released first?) and "This Old Heart Of Mine" (original by The Isley Brothers).
Posted on: 24 August 2018 by sjbabbey
I don’t think this has got a mention yet but Roberta Flack’s cover of Ewan McColl’s “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” is surely definitive.
Posted on: 25 August 2018 by dave marshall
Maybe not actually better than The Stones' original, but certainly one of the best cover versions?
Devo - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction.
Posted on: 25 August 2018 by Gazza
The Linda Ronstadt version of the Rolling Stones Tumbling Dice
Posted on: 25 August 2018 by Bob the Builder
Following another Stones cover which is truly excellent Womack & Womack's version of Angie on The Composers LP
Posted on: 26 August 2018 by Peder
Posted on: 26 August 2018 by Simon-in-Suffolk
I Never Loved a Man Like I Do..
I find this a really rather sensual sultry song... and Aretha Franklin sang the original, and The Commitments version just seems to do it for me...
Posted on: 26 August 2018 by Dalamtian
The Wonder Stuffs’ version of That’s Entertainment by The Jam.
The Human Leagues version of You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling is how to properly rework a song and make it better.
Nick
Posted on: 26 August 2018 by sjbabbey
Harry Nillson’s cover of “Without You” originally recorded by Badfinger.
Posted on: 27 August 2018 by Jonners
Posted on: 27 August 2018 by fatcat
Little Feat version of Allen Toussaint's On your way down.
Posted on: 27 August 2018 by Beachcomber
Rosemary Standley - And All The World IS Green (originally by Tom Waits). A great song, but she brings something special to it
Posted on: 28 August 2018 by Beachcomber
The Beatles “Things we said today” covered by Mary McCaslin. She also does a stonking version of “Blackbird “ .
Ooh - I was about to say that. Very good. Not heard Blackbird but will.
Posted on: 28 August 2018 by Beachcomber
For No-one - Ricki Lee Jones.
Posted on: 28 August 2018 by Beachcomber