Since its the "Summer of Lists" on the web, I had the Earvolution writers sit down and make a list of their favorite cover songs by popular artists.…
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Best Rock Cover Songs of All-Time - Comments Page 3
Since its the "Summer of Lists" on the web, I had the Earvolution writers sit down and make a list of their favorite cover songs by popular artists.…
Article comments
— go to most recent comments76 - Eric Berlin
And really, really trippy/groovy versions of Wild Thing and Gloria.
77 - drake
Here's some great ones that come to mind:
Dinosaur Jr. "Just Like Heaven" (The Cure)
Crooked Fingers "Under Pressure" (Queen w/ David Bowie)
Tom Jones with Art of Noise "Kiss" (Prince)
Johnny Cash "Rusty Cage" (Soundgarden)
Cheap Trick "California Man" (The Move)
Earth Wind & Fire "Got to Get You Into My Life" (The Beatles)
78 - eric schultz
Judas Priest - Diamonds and Rust (Joan Baez)
PJ Harvey and Bjork - Satisfaction (The Stones)
Placebo - 20th Century Boy (T-Rex)
Powerstation - Bang a Gong (T-Rex)
David Bowie - Cactus (The Pixies)
Nirvana - The Man Who Sold The World (Bowie)
NIN - Get Down Make Love (Queen)
onandonandonwego...
79 - Al Barger
Big Daddy "A Day in the Life"
You've never really heard this song until you've heard it Buddy Holly style. Honest.
80 - Nick Jones
Ultravox doing Brian Eno's "King's Lead Hat".
"Iron Man" done by (The Cranberries?)(Sort of lounge jazz version)
"Harlem Nocturne" by the Lounge Lizards.
"Heatwave" by James White and the Blacks.
801 doing "You Really Got Me" on 801 Live
81 - Eric Berlin
Wow, I'd love to hear that version of Iron Man.
There's a ton of great lounge covers of rock songs out there. I was obsessed with the Ultra Lounge series for years -- they have a lot of comp albums. The retro-lounge act Lounge Brigade is also outstanding (one album holds really great, cheese-groove covers of Nirvana, The Dead, Beck... "Where is it at? There it is!" and so on).
82 - courtney
Husker Du did a blistering version of the Byrd's "Eight Miles High", turning all the psychedelic guitar work into deconstructed post-modern breakdown fuzz. It's amazing.
83 - crooked spine
Nick (comment #80), I think you're talking about the version of "Iron Man" that the Cardigans did on First Band on the Moon. I personally wouldn't say it's better than the original, but they put a unique spin on it that works. For me anyway.
84 - godoggo
I'm very interested in the idea of jazz vocal versions of rock songs, but I haven't heard it pulled off that much. Rene Marie has done nice versions of Suzanne, Ode to Billie Joe, and Hard Day's Night, but I can't think of too much else that worked for me. Anything else that people liked? I'll add that I'm not nuts about Cassandra Wilson's pop covers, and that I'm more interested in artsy fartsy type lyrics.
Of course, Bad Plus's versions of Smells Like Team Spirit etc. are fun, and unusual in that they actually rock, but, again, I'm more interested in vocal stuff. Anything?
85 - Leonie
Howsabout Ray Stevens doing "Misty"? - an oldie but a goodie. Also there was a cover of the theme from Wonder Woman out a few years ago (on a compliation maybe) not sure who did it (does anyone know who it was?) but it rocked.
86 - Leonie
Oh I just retrieved part of my brain, Wonder Woman done by Tricky+Flea+John Frusciante rocked.
87 - James
I posted my list over here
88 - Julie
"AFTER MIDNIGHT"
Original Artist: Eric Clapton
Cover Artist: JJ Cale
89 - Marc
Alien Ant Farm - MJ's "Smooth Criminal". An overall improvement.
Ugly Kid Joe - Harry Chapin's "Cats in the Cradle".
Metallica's Garage, Inc. is all covers.
90 - Blixa Bargeld
Nick Cave "Disco 2000" (Pulp)!!!
91 - Michael
Beast of Burden (Bette Midler - Rolling Stones)
I have just created a site for the topic cover songs. There you can vote, if you like the cover or the original better. Here is the link:
Cover Song vs. Original
Not so many songs yet, but you can make new proposals.
92 - doesnt matter
i'm mostly a rock/metal maniac so here are my additions
Powerman 5000 - Relax
Orgy - You spin me
Deftones - If only tonight we could sleep
Deftones - No ordinary love
Placebo has a whole bonus cd with covers in addition to "Sleeping with ghosts"
Mushroomhead - thirteen is a cover of Seal's "Crazy"
Gun and Korn have both covered "Word up"
and of course my favourite - POD's cover of U2 "Bullet the blue sky"
93 - gemmo guillermo
add the following to the list:
CARPENTER'S SUPERSTAR covered by SONIC YOUTH - need to say more, the best covered song of all time
94 - ghemboy
also include:
the clash' cover of "i fought the law"
john mraz cover of "lovesong" by the cure
shonnen knife cover of "top of the world" by the carpenters
U2's coverd of "dancing queen" by abba
95 - Douglas Mays
Oh, how could I forget. Deep Purple did a cover of Neil Diamond's "Kentucky Woman". Quite an interpretation. Gosh, it shredded...
Also, way back in the 50's Eugene Ormandy (my fave, very 'in your face')and the Philadelphia Orchestra did a cover of Grieg's "Peer Gynt Suite No. 1 w/ Sibelius's "Finlandia" and "Valse Triste" also Alfven's "Swedish Rhapsody". Great interpretations!!!! Eugene was the most rockin' conducter out there.
Hey, orchestras do alot of covers, right?
96 - mercury
Picture - by Kid Rock/Sheryl Crow - I know it is a cover - but who was the original artist/songwriter
97 - JD
According to these links, Crow co-wrote Picture with Kid Rock:
here
here
98 - Eric Olsen
great list! I was on vacation when it was published. A few of my faves are "Wendy" by the Descendents, "Knights in White Satin" by the Dickies, "Everlasting Love" by U2, "Just Like Heaven" Dinosaur Jr, "Sheer Heart Attack" Metallica, "Purple Haze" The Cure
99 - dave wat
korns versions of "word up" is awesome and "brick in the wall" isnt half bad either...i didnt think that song could get anymore chilling but it did
and also ben harper does a version of "lets get it on" on his Live from Mars cd.....qualityand nirvanas "the man who sold the world" is sick but i think its already on here
100 - -E
Goldfinger's version of 99 Red Balloons is pretty good.
I like the Dynamite Hack song mentioned early on as well.
And I haven't really heard a bad version of Easy Like Sunday Morning yet. But I am sure there are some out there.
101 - -E
Oh I forgot. Fiona Apple and Rufus Wainwright both have quite good remakes of "Across the Universe".
And Rufus Wainwright also had a good version of "Hallelujah" (it's the one on the Shrek Soundtrack).
102 - Aron
Anyone that happens to turn on MTV and sees Viva La Bam knows that Bam is a big fan of HIM. Thier cover of Chris Isaac's "Wicked Game" is amazing.
103 - Vincent
Everybody here might hate Jessica Simpson's cover of "These Boots Are Made For Walking" but if you want to here a great version of that song you must hear KMFDM's version. It's only available as a single. The CD single is titled "BOOTS". The CD only costs about $5 so you should buy it, it's really great.
104 - Bob A. Booey
I hate to admit this, but the only Jessica Simpson song I've ever, ever liked was her first hit single years ago where she borrowed that riff from John Mellencamp's "Jack and Diane." I guess I'm a sucker for that ruff, but it was a very pleasant song. It's technically not a cover since she has her own lyrics and vocals, but that song wasn't unpleasant when I saw her cute lil teenaged self on MTV.
Her cover of "Boots" is horrible, but it's not about the music, it's about the skanky video. I agree with Berlin that OPIV did the best cover, but 95% of you reading this have never even heard of that band, which is a shame.
20 cents and a biscuit for anyone who can guess what the only Britney Spears song I've ever liked is.
I agree with most of Olsen's choices, except U2's "Everlasting Love." They drained the soul right out of Motown. Hell, they even drained the soul out of Elvis with "Angel of Harlem" amidst Bono's preachifying moral opportunism.
Husker Du covered everything well, including "Sheena is a Punk Rocker." Good call on "Dead Souls" -- for those of you who remember industrial, 1,000 Homo DJs (which was Trent Reznor + various members of Ministry) did a smashing cover of "Supernaut."
Natalie Merchant did a couple of good covers, including "Because The Night" with 10,000 Maniacs.
I agree on "Man Who Sold the World" and especially on "I Fought the Law" by the Clash, which is probably the greatest cover of all time. They completely re-interpreted the song and made it speak to the politics of their time. Goldfinger does the BEST punk covers, including "99 Red Balloons" and "Just Like Heaven."
Some other good ones:
"Mrs. Robinson" by the Lemonheads
"California Sun" by the Ramones
I've never heard the Ramones' version of "Somebody to Love," but I'd like to. That's one of the few guilty pleasure songs I have for classic rock.
I love the Pixies' version of "Head On," already a great song to begin with, but it's way, way better live than on record.
That is all.
105 - Vincent
Everybody here might hate Jessica Simpson's cover of "These Boots Are Made For Walking" but if you want to HEAR a great version of that song you must hear KMFDM's version. It's only available as a single. The CD single is titled "BOOTS". The CD only costs about $5 so you should buy it, it's really great.
106 - Bob A. Booey
But Vincent, what about the KMFDM cover? You forgot to mention the KMFDM cover and how much it costs! Can we possibly, possibly buy it anywhere and is it great? Inquiring minds want to know!
That is all.
107 - Bob A. Booey
Wait a minute. Ignore what I said about "Angel of Harlem" being an Elvis song. I got up in the middle of the night and I was cracked out when I wrote that.
Look away from the curtain! The rest of my comments are still credible.
That is all.
108 - Laura
Tori Amos' "Strange Little Girls" record which has the wonderful Joe Jackson remake of "Real Men" and Neil Young's "Heart of Gold". I also love her version of the Cure's "Love Song", REM's "Losing my Religion", and "You Belong to Me" (unsure of original).
Emm Gryner's two cover albums, "Girl Verions" (lovely version of Stone Temple Pilots' "Big Bang Baby") and "Songs of Love and Death" (she covers Horslips "Dearg Doom").
I love Nirvana's cover of "Oh Me" I think originally done by the Meat Puppets but I'm actually not certain.
Pearl Jam is great with their covers. "Dock of the Bay", "Keep on Rockin in the Free World", "Leavin' Here", and so many others.
Also Jennifer Nash covers Pearl Jam's "Black" and it's heart breaking.
Marilyn Manson's "Sweet Dreams" is scarily good.
Aerosmith's "Come Together" I enjoy highly (originally done by the Beatles)
I like A Perfect Circle's cover of John Lennon's "Imagine" ... it's a new twist.
Chantal Kreviazuk's version of "Leaving on a Jet Plane".
Alana Davis' version of Ani DiFranco's "32 Flavours" is enjoyable as long as you're not bias against her because you love Ani too much.
Guy Pearce does a great cover of Ron Sexsmith's "Dirty Windows".
109 - Bob A. Booey
The Ramones also did a great cover of "Do You Wanna Dance." As long as we're talking pop-punk, the Queers do a great cover of "Mirage" by Tommy James.
That is all.
110 - Bob A. Booey
Any and EVERY ska band has covered "Take on Me," including Reel Big Fish, with mostly predictable results.
Screeching Weasel does a great pop-punk cover of "Johnny R U Queer?" from the Valley Girl soundtrack as well.
But I've yet to hear a good cover of "Melt With You."
That is all.
111 - Branco
Great post!
Just don´t forget
Bauhaus' cover of Bowie's "Ziggy Stardust"
Galaxy 500's cover of Joy Divison's "Ceremony".
112 - Mario Riggs
Jonas - Edge of seventeen (Stevie Nicks) Best cover in years by a new comer named Jonas. This guy is the next Morrison, simply amazing on a stage. Unfortunately it’s hard to capture that energy in the studio but this is without a doubt a kick ass rendition of a classic song. True to the original with lots more energy and feeling.
Tina & Ike Turner - Proud Mary (CCR) Just gotta love the arrangements and the soul of this version I agree
Joe Cocker - With a little help from my friends (Beatles)… Amazing, is the word!!!
113 - Adam
the cure just like heaven covered by afi and taking back sunday is a bad ass cover to a bad ass song
114 - salmoncatchingbear
Johnny Cash, Hurt and Personal Jesus are amazing, I am also a huge fan of his version of U2's One... brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. that man was amazing, he owned hsi songs because he meant them.
I am a huge Prince fan, but Nothing Compares 2 U became Sinead O'Connor's song the second she started singing it.
I think that Him covered Wicked Game? i love the Chris Isaac version (went to see him for my 12th birthday.. found the ticket the other day, it's lasted 15 years!), but the new version is pretty good too!
115 - Sweetie
Clem Snide-Beautiful by Christina Aguilera
Cake- Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps by Doris Day
Weezer - Hit me baby one more time by Britany Spears
Elbow-Independent Women by Destiny's Child
...as a few
116 - SaraS
I found this classical guy while looking for the Live 8 Sgt. Pepper version in USA iTunes Store.
The whole Sgt. Pepper on a classical guitar? You have to hear it to believe it! I suggest you to start with "A day in the life" :). My iPod was never so happy :):)
117 - mgrif67
Quiet riot do a great version of Slades 'Cum on feel the noise'
118 - Taloran
Several people have mentioned Bonnie Raitt's various covers of John Prine's "Angel from Montgomery." Susan Tedeschi does a version on Just Won't Burn that is absolutely fabulous.
Spooky Tooth's cover of "I Am the Walrus" was far darker and more belligerent than the original.
Johnny Winter has done great covers of many Stones tunes.
119 - ashley
whilliam shatner cover of pulp's common people
120 - Tube
U2 did "Maggie's Farm" by Dylan
Husker Du "Eight Miles High" by the Byrds
121 - El Bicho
Marilyn Manson's version of "I Put A Spell On You" from Lost Highway is fraking fantastic
Ever hear of Apocalyptica? Four cellos covering Metallica. Absolutely Brilliaat!
122 - Nick Jones
Husker Du's cover of the "theme from the Mary Tyler Moore Show"(!)
Coil's cover of "Tainted Love". (mp3 here) Peter Christopherson, a veteran of Throbbing Gristle and Psychic TV, along with his 'partner' and several other musicians turned the song into a dirge, as a commentary on the AIDS crisis of the mid-80s. As if the song wasn't creepy enough, Coil produced a video (with a cameo by Marc Almond)that drives home the point. Christopherson has reported that he once had it played at a gay disco in London, and all the patrons stopped what they were doing, went dead silent, and stared at the screen. If you can track it down, it's worth seeing.
Off Topic: Dullest Cover: Brian Eno doing "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".
Eno in one-man-band mode. A by-the-numbers remake, he brings nothing of his idiosyncratic style to it.
123 - Nick Jones
QuickTime movie (6.63 MB) of Coil's "Tainted Love" here.
124 - Tube
Nick, yeah that was a great Husker cover.....Another favorite - Cassandra Wilson absolutely stealing "Love is Blindness" from U2...and don't steal it back Bono!
125 - Conner
the who did a cover of saturday night's alright for fighting (elton john) that's pretty awesome.