 | 16 Feb 11 |
Might seem odd, but I’m not talking about book covers — although, I will admit, I was thrilled that the cover for my book COWGIRLS DON’T CRY was nominated for best cover recently, and I got the awesome cover for WRANGLED AND TANGLED, the 3rd book in the Blacktop Cowboys series recently too — but I’m thinking about when a popular song is covered by another artist.
I don’t listen to music as much as I used to, mostly because I cannot write and listen to music, and since I’m writing all the freakin’ time the only place I get to hear tunes is in my car, or on the various TV shows I DVR. I don’t even listen to music when I work out. What can I say, I like to hear myself think.
What intrigues me about cover tunes, is how vastly different the artistic interpretation is…and naturally, that reminded me about how different writers can take a “theme” and twist it to fit their vision. I started watching the TV show “Being Human” which has a vampire, a werewolf, and a ghost, but that interpretation is skewed from “The Vampire Diaries” and “True Blood” — doesn’t make it bad…just different.
I love different 
I love taking “themes” and dicking with them endlessly to get my vision out there. I imagine musicians are the same way, and I’ve compiled a list of what I think are the very best cover tunes — not in any particular order:
1) Dierks Bentley covering U2 – PRIDE (In the name of Love)
2) Marilyn Manson covering Eurythmics — SWEET DREAMS (props for covering TAINTED LOVE too)
3) Red Hot Chili Peppers covering Stevie Wonder — HIGHER GROUND
4) Rascal Flatts covering Chris LeDoux — LIFE IS A HIGHWAY
5) The Sundays covering The Rolling Stones — WILD HORSES
6) Johnny Cash covering Nine Inch Nails — HURT
7) Van Halen covering The Kinks — YOU REALLY GOT ME (also props to VH for PRETTY WOMAN)
Billy Idol covering Tommy James — MONY MONY
9) Sheryl Crow covering Cat Stevens — FIRST CUT IS THE DEEPEST
10) Jo Dee Messina covering Dottie West — LESSON IN LEAVIN’
11) Guns n’ Roses covering Paul McCartney/Wings — LIVE AND LET DIE
12) Dixie Chicks covering Stevie Nicks – LANDSLIDE
13) Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya, Lil’ Kim covering – LADY MARMALADE
14) Dwight Yoakam covering Queen — CRAZY LITTLE THING CALLED LOVE
15) Eric Clapton covering…Eric Clapton – LAYLA
And because it’s MY list, I feel the need to add two cover songs I saw performed live that knocked my freakin’ socks off:
Nickelback covered Metallica — SAD BUT TRUE — and blew the roof off the place — because Chad Kroeger can actually SING.
Gretchen Wilson covered Heart — BARRACUDA — talk about a set of pipes, still gives me goosebumps thinking about it.
And up for the WORST cover tunes?
Celine Dion covering AC/DC — YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG — seriously gives me nightmares and I can’t believe Angus Young didn’t track her down and bash her over the head with his guitar
Paul Anka covering Nirvana — SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT — buddy, you might’ve been a teen sensation once, but really…give it up.
Sheryl Crow covering Guns n’ Roses — SWEET CHILD ‘O MINE — I’m surprised Axel didn’t come after her with a microphone stand…
So, MSW’ers — tell me your favorite cover tune, or your most hated cover tune — and I’ll throw in a gift card to the online store of your choice!
© 2011, Lori G. Armstrong. All rights reserved.
Lori G. Armstrong left the firearms industry in 2000. Her first mystery novel, BLOOD TIES, published in 2005, was nominated in 2006 for a Shamus Award for Best First Novel by the Private Eye Writers of America. The second book in the Julie Collins mystery series, HALLOWED GROUND, released Nov. 2006, was nominated for a 2007 Shamus Award for Best Paperback Original, a Daphne du Maurier Award and won the 2007 WILLA Cather Literary Award for Best Original Softcover Fiction. SHALLOW GRAVE, released in Nov. 2007, was nominated for a 2008 High Plains Book Award, a Daphne du Maurier Award and was a finalist for the 2008 WILLA Cather Literary Award. The fourth book, SNOW BLIND, released in Oct. 2008, won the 2009 Shamus Award, from the Private Eye Writers of America, for Best Paperback Original. Lori is a proud fourth generation South Dakotan and lives in Rapid City with her family.
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I don’t have any favorites that immediately come to mind, but the one that I most dispise (with the white hot intensity of a thousand suns) is Madonna covering Don McLean’s American Pie.
by kris February 16th, 2011 at 7:35 amKris,
Lots of other people feel the same way, and I’ll admit I haven’t heard it…
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 8:10 am[...] Greatest Covers Blog at Murder She Writes [...]
by Lori Armstrong » Blog Archive » Greatest Covers February 16th, 2011 at 8:13 amMarillion has done a number of really amazing covers throughout their career. My favorite is their cover of Radiohead’s “Green Plastic Trees”, but on one of their convention weekends, they did a set loaded with covers (including Brittney Spear’s “Toxic” and “Hocus Pocus” by Focus).
Fish, former frontman for Marillion, released a covers album called “Songs from the Mirror.” It’s great. One of the best covers he does on that is a wonderful rendition of Pink Floyd’s “Fearless” that never fails to give me chills. He also does a cover of the Kinks’ “Apeman” that is better than the original.
Duran Duran’s “Thank You” album is a collection of covers and all of them are unique takes on the original.
I like when bands cover a song in a much different genre than it was originally done in. For instance, the goth-metal band Type O Negative covered Seals and Croft’s “Summer Breeze” and Neil Young’s “Cinnamon Girl” and those songs are outstanding. They also covered “Angry Inch” from the musical Hedwig and the Angry Inch. I love that.
And, although not a true “cover”, when Page and Plant redid their old Led Zeppelin “Gallows Pole” a few years back for that acoustic album they put out, that was magic.
by Sean February 16th, 2011 at 8:41 amSean, you’re much much much hipper than me! I haven’t heard of half those bands! But I’m definitely going to check out Duran Duran’s covers…
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 9:46 amI love Maxwell’s cover of Kate Bush’s This Woman’s Work. I don’t really like the original, but love his version. Beautiful. Another one that comes to mind is Dynamite Hack’s cover of Eazy E’s Boyz-n-the-hood. This song cracks me up every time. I love how they are able to take such an angry song and turn it into something so “upbeat.”
One bad cover that comes to mind is Lenny Kravitz doing American Woman. I know there are a lot worse covers out there, but this one just drives me crazy!
by Tiffany D. February 16th, 2011 at 8:56 amTiffany, I am not a Kate Bush fan, so I’d probably like the cover better than her version.
Totally with you on the Kravitz remake. Ugh.
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 9:49 amCan’t think of any others off hand. From your list, I think the GNR “Live and Let Die” is awesome. I also like the “Lady Marmalade” cover with the ladies.
by Catherine February 16th, 2011 at 9:28 amI’ll be thinking of this as I have the radio on this week. =)
Catherine,
It’s weird that GNR version of Live and Let Die also makes the worst cover list..
I had a bunch of other ones, but I limited myself to 15 covers
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 9:48 amFavorite cover tune is Home by Michael Buble. Anything by this artist is wonderful. Patrizio Buane is fabulous with Il Mondo.
by diane February 16th, 2011 at 9:32 amDiane,
I was going to list some of Harry Connick Junior’s covers too…Love him!
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 9:50 amMy favorite is your #13: Christina Aguilera, Pink, Mya, Lil’ Kim covering – LADY MARMALADE
I haven’t heard Gretchen Wilson’s version of Barracuda but knowing her voice I bet it’s as good as you mention. I’ll have to do a search and see if I can find it online.
Lots of ‘em, if any is interested here’s one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zxLuT1ZvOj0
by Anne February 16th, 2011 at 9:47 amThanks Anne, and yes, Gretchen has the goods to pull off just about any cover tune
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 10:46 am[...] The Greatest Covers post at Murder She Writes Share and Enjoy: [...]
by Cover Me | February 16th, 2011 at 9:57 amCeline Dion covering AC/DC? That is all 31 flavors of wrong . I love most of the ones on your list and will add
Seether covering Careless Whisper (George Michael)
Marylin Manson covering Tainted Love and This is Halloween
Celine Dion? Really?
by Sharon S. February 16th, 2011 at 9:58 amSharon, love the 31 flavors of wrong comment! Hysterical!
I’m gonna look for the Seether cover. I almost listed Jack Ingram’s cover of Hinder’s song in the worst of category.
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 10:48 amLove, Cash’s cover of Hurt.
by Meredith February 16th, 2011 at 10:26 amMy all time favorite cover is, Stevie Ray Vaughan covering Hendrix, Little Wing. There are no lyrics, but man it is a good one.
Meredith, I love orchestral covers of popular tunes, one fave of mine? Bands and orchestra’s doing Santana’s “Smooth”
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 10:49 amI just thought a few more of Dwight Yoakam’s – Little Sister & Suspicious Minds are both great and they’re Elvis covers. (At least I think Elvis recorded them first, they’re both written by writers I don’t recognize)
by Meredith February 16th, 2011 at 4:54 pmI debated on listing Little Sister because that’s one of my fave Dwight tunes
by Lori G. Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 7:42 pmAn orchestral cover of Pink Floyd called “Symphonic Pink Floyd” was so relaxing. I told my nail tech about it. Her shop has a calming spa-like atmosphere with dimmed lights and soft music. She borrowed it to play in the shop, and I never got it back. She said her customers’ reactions when they realized what they were listening to was hilarious.
Lovin’ your books, BTW!
by Bev Simon February 16th, 2011 at 9:38 pmBev,
The Moody Blues have something like that too, you should tell her so she can mix it up
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 8:48 amHome by Michael Buble, was a good cover, although anything by him is great. I also like the Rascal Flatts covers.
by Shelly February 16th, 2011 at 11:20 amI’m gonna have to track down that Michael Buble cover, Shelly, as you’re the second person who’s mentioned it!
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 12:31 pmThe album cover that most gripped me–fairly demanding it be purchased–was Big Brother and the Holding Company’s Cheap Thrills, drawn by the underground artist Robert Crumb. This was Janis Joplin’s breakthrough album. And the only novel I’ve ever purchased based solely on the cover art was Dan Simmon’s Hyperion, with the giant man made of knives looking out on the prairie. I’d never heard of Simmons or the novel, and I’m glad I bought it, one of the all time great sci fi novels.
by Jim Thayer February 16th, 2011 at 11:27 amSo, Jim, that whole, “don’t judge a book by its cover” advice isn’t true, is it? I never bought an album because of the cover but a book? Yes. Many times.
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 12:32 pmOne of my favorites is the Arctic Monkeys cover of Amy Winehouse’s “You Know I’m No Good.” I also love Jeff Buckley’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah.”
by Jane February 16th, 2011 at 11:33 amJane, Bono’s cover of Hallelujah was listed as one of the worst covers…have you heard it?
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 12:33 pmNo, Lori. I didn’t even know Bono recorded a version of it.
by Jane February 16th, 2011 at 7:15 pmI should listen to it, then I’ll know what you all are talking about
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 8:49 amI LOVE your list! I do listen to music (hard rock) when I write. You are so right about Chad Kroger–he is amazing. I saw them live last year, one of the best concerts I’ve been to. (I haven’t been to many since I had kids, but I used to go all the time.)
by Allison Brennan February 16th, 2011 at 11:55 amROCK ON, A!!
I was trying to remember a cover Godsmack did, but I couldn’t for the life of me remember it. I love that band, and Nickelback is amazing live. They rock hard, for all those naysayers who call them bubblegum pop.
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 12:34 pmOne of my all time fav covers is Forever Young covered by Youth Group (Originally by Alphaville)
by Moran February 16th, 2011 at 12:18 pmYou’re stumping me, Moran, I’ve never heard of that band…see? I am old
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 12:36 pmHello,
It’s funny, but as I was reading your post, I was thinking of my favorite cover tune and then it appeared in your countdown. It’s The Dixie Chicks on Landslide. Just Awesome. I also liked Carrie Underwood’s version of Home Sweet Home (Motley Crew). Sometimes covers don’t work for me – I heard a version of Crowded House’s Don’t Dream its Over, that I had to turn off because I did not like the new arrangement at all.
by Jennifer D. February 16th, 2011 at 12:20 pmOoh, Jennifer, thanks for the reminder, I heard that cover of Crowded House and went BLEH — because I loved the original and that band so much back in the day.
I HATED Stevie Nicks version of Landslide, but the DC? Awesome.
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 12:35 pmMy favorite cover is K.D. Lang singing Roy Orbison’s, CRYING. She did such an amzing job, what a voice!
by Jen X February 16th, 2011 at 12:32 pmYes, my god does kd wail on that song.
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 12:36 pmI love all of the covers that Michael Buble has done.
by Little Lamb Lost February 16th, 2011 at 12:41 pmHe’s a popular guy, and so well loved, isn’t he?
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 1:19 pmI agree, Stuck in the Middle is another good one by him. — Stealers Wheel
by Bama Girl February 16th, 2011 at 2:20 pmIs that the original band that did it, Bama Girl?
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 8:50 amoh, that sheryl crow “first cut” – yeah. It’s funny that covers seem to have improved over the years…maybe it’s just that i’m *sick to death* of the originals, having lived through them once and then having my kids “discover” them and play them to pieces all over again. I would add that “Killing Me Softly” cover from a few years back.
by sophie littlefield February 16th, 2011 at 12:47 pmIt’s all in the eye — or ear — of the beholder, Sophie. That Sheryl Crow cover is also listed as one of the worst.
And I hated the Roberta Flack version of Killing Me Softly and the remake did nothing for me either…my kids get upset when I point out all the remakes
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 1:19 pmI love Beatles music–but not many of the covers by other artists. However, Earth, Wind and Fire’s version of “Got to Get You Into my Life” and U2s “Helter Skelter” are both keepers. Thanks for a fun column.
by LSUReader February 16th, 2011 at 12:48 pmOh, I LOVE that Earth Wind and Fire version, so so so much, thanks for reminding me LSU!!!!!!
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 1:20 pmI have quite a number of favorite covers!
Disturbed – Shout by Tears for Fears
by Lola February 16th, 2011 at 1:21 pmLocal H – Toxic by Britney Spears
Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal by Michael Jackson
Sugar Ray – Abracadabra by Steve Miller Band
Metallica – Whiskey in the Jar
When I was compiling the list, Lola, my hubby pointed out the Alien Ant Farm cover and the Local H cover, but somehow…I’ve never heard the Disturbed version of Shout, which I can imagine is vastly different than the original!
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 2:02 pmThere are definitely some good ones mentioned, but being from the south, i couldn’t go without mentioning Kowaliga by Charlie Pride, original by Hank Sr.
by Bama Girl February 16th, 2011 at 1:51 pmBama girl, you crack me up — loved Charlie Pride
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:16 pmMolly Hatchet – Dreams I’ll Never See – Gregg Allman
by susan February 16th, 2011 at 1:52 pmAnother new one to me, Susan, as I know one song by Molly Hatchet…
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:17 pmI have to say that usually I don’t like covers as I don’t find them to have the same “magic” as the originals. However, there are certain exceptions. I just heard Angus and Julia Stone’s version of “You’re the One That I Want” and I LOVED it! The song is iconic and any Grease fan will know the lyrics to it, but the A&J version actually lets the fantastic lyrics shine and lets you really realize how profound they are. It’s not better than the original but it is great!
Another of my favorite covers is Bruce Springsteen’s Fire done by Kristin Chenoweth and the teacher from Glee. Usually any cover of Springsteen is borderline blasphemy for me, but that version is actually BETTER than the original. Sorry, Bruce
One cover that to me proves some songs were just not meant to be done in the original version, but were destined to be done by the group that covered them, is Self Control. Laura Brannigan did the original but the song was just waiting for Infernal to do it! It is, in my opinion, one of the best covers EVER, which is kinda funny as the group didn’t want to do it but were pressured by the production company to record it.
While I love the Beatles, two of their iconic songs are, for me, actually better in their cover versions. ‘Let it be’ sung by Joan Baez for me is even more profound than the Beatles version and I’ll admit, it usually makes me cry. Likewise ‘In my Life’ done by Bette Midler in the movie “For the Boys” gives me the chills every time. It is just fantastic! Both Bette and Joan give the lyrics a vulnerability that they just don’t have in the Beatles versions.
by Sophie E February 16th, 2011 at 1:59 pmOh Sophie, I have NO love for Springsteen…even people who pay homage to his music…I don’t buy them either.
Don’t hate me!
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:21 pmI think I can ‘forgive’ you for that … but only if you promise to never stop writing those fantastic books
by Sophie E February 16th, 2011 at 4:48 pmI promise not to quote Springsteen in them ever either!
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 7:46 pmThen you need to hear Elmer Fudd’s cover of Springsteen’s “Fire”. That one is twistedly funny!
by Bev Simon February 16th, 2011 at 9:45 pmBev, just the thought of that makes me laugh!
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 8:51 amI love Rascal Flatts and think they can do no wrong with any song, but I love Life is a Highway.
by Stephanie McCarthy February 16th, 2011 at 2:05 pmStephanie, that song has been done once before too, but I don’t remember by who.
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:22 pmWhen i comes to cover songs if you haven’t heard the original you think the wow that was a cover song? Then you have to go find the original. Then decide which version you like better. The one i hate is mark Chesnutt’s cover of Aerosmith’s I don’t want to miss a thing. That makes me want to grind me teeth.
Perhaps had i heard mark Chesnutt’s version first i’d have liked it better than Aerosmith lol I doubt it though.
Lisa B
by Lisa B February 16th, 2011 at 2:33 pmI’ve not heard that Mark Chestnutt version, but I don’t really like him, so I probably wouldn’t like his desecration of Aerosmith
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:23 pmWorst covers–ANYONE who covers “Hallelujah.” Leonard Cohen is the only one who can sing the song and get right. Might have to do with the fact he wrote, too, but…just sayin’. However, I will give a nod to Jeff Buckley for a slightly less grating version of the song.
Best cover? I have to agree with you, Lori. Johnny Cash’s cover of “Hurt.”
by Silver James February 16th, 2011 at 2:41 pmSilver, you sure about that must be a good song if everyone wants to cover it.
Now here’s where I admit my ignorance that I don’t have a clue who Leonard Cohen is…
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:24 pmIt’s not for everyone, but I like Shawn Colvin’s album, Cover Girl, from way back in the day (although I would rate her version of Police’s Every Little Thing She Does is Magic in the Worst column).
I do like Rascal Flatts version of Life is a Highway, but love my 4 year old boy’s version even better!
by Sarah February 16th, 2011 at 2:58 pmDid Shawn Colvin do “Where Have All The Cowboys Gone?”
I’ve wanted to use that title for a book
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:25 pmSurprisingly, I liked Miley Cyrus’ version of Every Rose has its Thorn.
by runner10 February 16th, 2011 at 3:05 pmNow…I wonder with the rumor of her mother bangin’ Bret Michaels if she still does that song in concert?
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:27 pmI absolutely love The Sundays version of Wild Horses, Her voice is hauntinly beautiful. I also love 311′s cover of Love Song originally done by The Cure. You have some great picks!! Marilyn Manson also did a good cover of Tainted Love!!
by Rachel rachel Riddles February 16th, 2011 at 3:18 pmOh, man, Rachel, I don’t know about messing with The Cure…I’ll have to track down that version..
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:27 pmIt’s really good, very mellow and pretty. It was in the movie 50 First Dates w/ Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.
Have you heard the cover of Bad Company?? It’s by a rock group can’t remember the name, but it’s just OK.
by Rachel rachel Riddles February 17th, 2011 at 1:45 pmI think one of the best covers was Whitney Houston’s cover of Dolly Parton’s I Will Always Love You. As for worst, Celine Dion covering AC/DC, thank goodness I never heard it. Also, I don’t like anyone covering anything Zeppelin. Leave it to the experts.
by Sharon D February 16th, 2011 at 3:23 pmExactly, Sharon, I think EVERYONE and their dog has covered “Stairway to Heaven” but so far no one has attempted Kashmir, as it should be
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:28 pmHemorrhage done by Chris Daughtry. I wanted to itunes the song but I didn’t like Fuel’s version as much.
David Cook’s version of Billy Jean.
Neil Diamond has a new album doing covers of other artists. Scary! I had to listen to it to be polite at my SIL. Long album.
by Julie February 16th, 2011 at 3:38 pmFunny, Julie, that you think the album is long.
I worked for a guy who loved Neil Diamond. The only song I liked? Cherry Cherry.
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:29 pmanother I heard the other day.
by Julie February 16th, 2011 at 3:44 pm1958-The Witch Doctor song redone by a hip hop band. My daughter’s latest down load. Had to tell her that her Grandma had the original 45.
She probably asked what a 45 is, huh?
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:30 pmI love the Dixie Chicks’ version of Landslide. I had not heard that Celine Dion covered AC/DC. It is hard for me to actually wrap my brain around that information, so I am therefore not able to think about any other good cover songs at the moment.
by Linda McDonald February 16th, 2011 at 3:55 pmLinda, I had a really awful pic of Celine singing it, but I thought the mental image was bad enough
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:31 pmI’d have to say I like Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” even though Leonard Cohen’s original is very good. I also enjoy Kris Allen’s version of “Falling Slowly” but I think The Frames probably did it better.
I think I must just like originals better than covers for the most part.
As for dislikes, Diana Ross butchered Queen’s “Crazy Little Thing Called Love.” I just really don’t think anyone can improve what Queen did first.
by Amy P. February 16th, 2011 at 4:09 pmAmy, I think Dwight’s version hits it right, just a little more countrified
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:40 pmI’d LOVE most on your list. My faves being number 1 and 10. I’ll have to think more and open up my iPod to come up with me. Thanks for getting me thinking
Peace, Jenn
by Jennifer Grantham February 16th, 2011 at 4:19 pmHey, Jenn, woman, you’ve been MIA – thanks for coming out and posting!
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:31 pmI know! Sorry about that
Craziness at work and with life. I’ve been pretty sick too, which sucks!! But, can’t wait for March 1 
by Jennifer Grantham February 16th, 2011 at 4:34 pmGlad to hear from you, get better!
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 7:51 pmI love all the covers from Glee! They’re all great!
by Jeanette Juan February 16th, 2011 at 4:38 pmJeanette, I don’t watch Glee, but I was blown away by the Lady GaGa cover!
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 4:40 pmHi Lori,
by Laura Griffin February 16th, 2011 at 4:41 pmInteresting question! Alison Krauss does a version of Dolly Parton’s BUT YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU. And speaking of Dolly, I also really like Whitney Houston’s version of I’LL ALWAYS LOVE YOU. Wow, I feel sappy now. but those are the songs that popped to mind.
You shouldn’t feel sappy, Laura — I love Allison Kraus!
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 7:43 pmThe Dixie Chicks covering Stevie Nicks is a good one. Also I like Diana Krall covering Frank Sinatra in Fly Me to the Moon.
by Maureen February 16th, 2011 at 4:56 pmMaureen, I forgot about that Diana Krall cover, I love it — haven’t listened to that CD in ages!
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 7:43 pmI love the Cash cover you posted, seems kind of dark. I don’t listen to a lot of music anymore so I don’t pay a lot of attention to the covers. Book covers I love. The more different they are the better I like them
by Quilt Lady February 16th, 2011 at 5:16 pmHis cover of HURT is very very heart-wrenching
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 7:44 pmMaroon 5 came to a local radio station before they hit and they did a cover of Nine Inch Nails Animal. Which I believe is the all time pump & f*ck song.
I am a huge GLEEK. I love Glee and can’t stop playing Rachel’s redo of Katy Perry’s Firework. I just dropped major $$$ for Glee tickets so that I can see them in person with my friend’s 14 year old
by Barb Hill-Kidd February 16th, 2011 at 5:26 pmBarb, ANIMAL is one of my ALL TIME favorite songs…I’d be interested to hear Adam and the guys singing it.
Have fun at the Gleek-fest
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 7:45 pmThe characters from Southpark singing Come Sail Away by Styx always makes me smile.
by Barb Hill-Kidd February 17th, 2011 at 4:11 amOoh, and Cartman doing “Poker Face” killed me!
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 8:53 amI loved Johnny Cash’s version of Hurt. I also liked when David Cook was on American Idol and switched up Billie Jean and Hello by Lionel Ritchie. Love him!
by Cheryl February 16th, 2011 at 6:03 pmCheryl, I’ve never seen an episode of American Idol…
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 7:51 pmI’m another that loved Whitney Houston’s cover of Dolly’s song I Will Always Love You. I actually love both versions of the song.
by Sherry S. February 16th, 2011 at 6:34 pmThat’s another popular one, Sherry!
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 7:52 pmLove your list. Especially the aweful covers. The one that really crawled under my skin was Kayne West doing a cover of Daft Punk’s song Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger. Kayne received credit for a song and video that weren’t his. And any cover of Alphaville’s Forever Young drives me up a tree.
by Jen B. February 16th, 2011 at 6:56 pmI HATE Kanye West, I don’t think he’s a musical genius, I think he’s full of shit.
And it KILLED ME when Josh Groban did a medley of Kanye’s stupid tweets…
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 7:52 pmNow, Josh Groban is a singer that could cover the phone book! Love him! I had forgotten about the Kayne tweet song. HAHA!
by Jen B. February 16th, 2011 at 9:25 pmI don’t listen much to music; in fact when driving to and from work I usually have an audio book on.
by Diane Sadler February 16th, 2011 at 7:52 pmI listen to less and less too Diane.
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 7:53 pmMy fav is Korn’s cover of Cameo’s Word Up. I love it when someone covers a tune that is totally different than what their music genre is, and they give it their own spin, like Johnny Cash’s cover of NIN.
by Barbara Elness February 16th, 2011 at 8:08 pmI can’t think of a worst cover, but I know there are quite a few out there.
Barbara,
Now, I’m gonna have to track that version of WORD UP down, because I loved that song!
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 8:29 pmk.d. lang – Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah”
by MaryC February 16th, 2011 at 8:18 pmand Roy Orbison’s “Crying”
I really feel like an idiot that I don’t know who Leonard Cohen is…
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 8:29 pmI think Glee does a great job with covering songs! I adored The Rocky Horror Glee show– which pretty much explains itself, but all of the songs were fabulous!
by Chelsea B. February 16th, 2011 at 8:36 pmI’ve heard that too, Chelsea, but I’m not a Gleek
by Lori Armstrong February 16th, 2011 at 9:04 pmYour cowboy covers are awesome!
by Debra Webb February 16th, 2011 at 9:20 pmThanks Deb!
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 8:53 amI don’t have anything specific that comes to mind, but some people do an AWESOME job of it and some people just plain suck and should never do it. Hope you had a good day in the cave!
by Tiss February 16th, 2011 at 9:29 pmThanks Tiss!
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 9:23 amLove the covers on Michael Buble’ also. I also like James Otto cover from Sunset Man.
by Sharon February 16th, 2011 at 10:03 pmSharon, I like James Otto’s voice, if I don’t have to watch him sing, how stupid is that?
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 9:22 amI was at a Nickelback/Shinedown concert & Brent Smith of Shinedown sang Simple Man. It floored me how great it sounded. Hands down the best concert I’ve ever been to. I love cover songs. I have a question – is there an easy way to find them? I’ve searced “cover songs” but I didn’t get good results. ~
by lori smalley February 16th, 2011 at 10:14 pmOnly 12 more days until my reading drought is over yay S&S !!
lori
p.s. have a good day in the cave with your lilac candle…didn’t you say it gives you focus
Lori – darlin’, I tried emailing you about the candle, can you contact me off the loop?
And it’s so weird, when I was compiling the list I could NOT for the life of me think of that song!!! Thanks for the reminder, it definitely would’ve gone on the list!
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 8:55 amOne of my favs is Korn’s cover of Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall.
by Twila February 16th, 2011 at 10:24 pmA little KORN goes a long way for me, but when they do something, they do it full bore!
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 8:57 amI used to be militant about covers – hated them! Now that I’ve chilled out, I have to admit loving the Glee covers as well as Micheal Buble’s, my favorite of his being ‘Cry me a river’. From your list, I have to say Johnny Cash’s cover of “Hurt” is amazing. I love the video too!
by Angie Malone February 16th, 2011 at 11:28 pmAngie, I about bawl every time I see that vid. It is so freakin’ raw.
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 8:58 amAnnie Lennox – A Whiter Shade Of Pale
Natalie Merchant – David Bowie’s Space oddity – Live
by Tom Riedman February 17th, 2011 at 1:10 amTom,
The Bangles “Hazy Shade Of Winter” was also on my extended list…
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 8:58 amI love the song called I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing sung by country music artist, Mark Chestnutt. He heard the song on his car radio when his daughter had it tuned to a station he didn’t listen to – it was being sung by Aerosmith (I like both versions, but I’m a country music kind of gal) & he liked it so much, he recorded the song.
Lea Ellen {night owl in IL}
by Lea-Ellen {night owl in IL} February 17th, 2011 at 3:05 amborg_66@hotmail.com
See, Lea-Ellen? One person’s UGH is another one’s fave! Thanks for weighing in!
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 8:59 amLoving #4, 12, and 13 on your list. Also, Home by Michael Buble and some of the Glee covers.
Not sure these are the greatest covers, but they did come to mind…
UB40 covering Neil Diamond– Red Red Wine
No Doubt covering Talk Talk– It’s My Life
Aaron Neville covering Main Ingredient– Everybody Plays the Fool
And you’re not alone, I have NO love for Springsteen either!!
by savonna February 17th, 2011 at 6:58 amHey Savonna, I had the No Doubt song on my extended list!
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 9:00 amYes! Love it.
by Sylvia Day February 20th, 2011 at 12:03 pmWow, I really have no idea! I never put things together, like someone might have sang the song first then someone else resang it! Maybe I should not have admitted that out loud?? Oh well, that is the story of my life!
by Amy M February 17th, 2011 at 7:46 amAmy, you crack me up
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 9:01 amI’m not a huge fan of covers. I did like The Lemonheads cover of ‘Mrs. Robinson’, though. And Phil Collins’ cover of ‘You Can’t Hurry Love’.
by B.E. Sanderson February 17th, 2011 at 9:10 amB.E., I think Phil Collins has done other covers too, right?
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 9:23 amI dont know if anyone has mentioned this, but it has to be Placebos version of Kate Bush – Running up that hill. Their cover of the song is so haunting and completly different to the original. You could put Placebos version to anything film/tv programme/advert, and it would have the same effect… GOOSEBUMPS! Its a fantastic spin on an already great song!
by Louise February 17th, 2011 at 11:50 amNo, Louise, other Kate Bush songs have been mentioned, but not hat one, thanks!
by Lori G. Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 12:16 pmI’ve never particularly been a fan of Pearl Jam, but Eddie Vetter’s cover of “Last Kiss” made famous by J. Frank Wilson and the Caveliers in 1964 just brought me to tears. If you haven’t heard it, please give it a listen.
P.S. can’t wait for Mercy #3
by Bruce Richie February 17th, 2011 at 6:00 pmI’m working on Mercy #3 even as we speak — and a little of Eddie Vetter goes a long way for me, Bruce
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 10:50 pmLori,
Good hear that you are working on Mercy #3 maybe you can have Mercy listening to one of the covers from this list, when she is driving..
Should finish Mercy Kills this weekend Love it!!
by Tom Riedman February 18th, 2011 at 12:51 amI would have to say that my favorite would be Jason Aldean’s versin of Heaven by Bryan Adams. I think it is better than the original but I am a country girls so what can I say
by Leagh February 17th, 2011 at 6:11 pmYou can tell I’m a country girl too, Leagh, by the covers I chose
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 10:50 pmThe cover I’ve been listening to most lately is “Hard Times Come Again No More”, which is originally by Stephen Foster. I’ve got versions by both Bruce Springsteen and Johnny Cash that are awesome.
Cash is definitely my favorite cover artist. The covers on his American albums are great, and really interesting; they’re all “American classics”, but they’re from such a wide range of genres it’s amazing.
by Liz February 17th, 2011 at 6:18 pmThe Foo Fighters have some interesting covers, but I’ve never heard them..thanks for stopping by, Liz!
by Lori Armstrong February 17th, 2011 at 10:51 pmCovers are so tricky. And Celine Dion covering AC/DC — YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG, seriously was the worst thing I have ever heard and I just didnt know what to do with myself and had no words to express what I was feeling at the time.
For favorites, Cake does an awesome version of War Pigs.
by Donna S February 17th, 2011 at 11:27 pmDonna, I KNEW there was a Cake song, but I couldn’t remember it, thanks!
by Lori Armstrong February 18th, 2011 at 8:12 amAllison Krauss doing Keith Whitley’s When You Say Nothing At All. Her voice gives me the chills!
by Rhonda B February 18th, 2011 at 8:52 pmI’ve heard that one, Rhonda!
by Lori Armstrong February 18th, 2011 at 11:09 pmI love love love Wild Horses by The Sunday’s. I first heard that song while watching Fear. It played on the part that a very young Reese Witherspoon and Mark Whalberg are on an amusement ride. That song spoke to me. It wasn’t till I later looked it up that I saw it was a cover for a Rolling Stones song. I was born in the early 80′s and by the time I really started listening to music it was late 80′s early 90′s. Did I know who the Rolling Stones were? Yes. Did I listen to them? Somewhat, but I didn’t know all their songs. I was into Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch, New Kids on The Block. When I looked up the song sung by The Rolling Stones, It blew me away by how much I loved that version better
by Jolene Allcock February 19th, 2011 at 4:09 pm