Now there are fewer things worse in my opinion than being charged a cover charge in order to watch a band do their best to imitate the most popular bands. But when original artists sometimes cover songs and make them their own, I think it's pretty cool. Strangely enough, I particularly like it when female vocals cover male originals (there are only 2 vice versa examples on this list). Here are my favorites that come to mind, who did the cover with the original artists in parentheses, please feel free to add your favs:
Sweet Jane - Cowboy Junkies (Lou Reed/Velvet Underground): I really think this is my favorite cover ever. When I hear it, I still hear the lines from Natural Born Killers, but it's a great song anyway.
The Man Who Sold the World - Nirvana (David Bowie): They played this during their MTV Unplugged set, and it really changed my perception of the band. I was (and still am) more of a Smashing Pumpkins man, but this really opened up Nirvana to me.
Killing Me Softly with His Song - Fugees (Roberta Flack did the previously most popular cover): This song introduced most of us to Lauryn Hill and Wyclef Jean. Her voice still will still make me stop and listen to any song.
Hazy Shade of Winter - The Bangles (Simon and Garfunkel): From the soundtrack from the 80's Less than Zero, I still think this song rocks.
I will Survive - Cake (Gloria Gaynor): I love both versions of this song, but hearing from Cake was both hysterical and disarming because I guess I never thought about the lyrics until then.
Wild Horses - The Sundays (Rolling Stones): Classic from the prom/penultimate episode of the Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season III (which combined with seasons I and II were television at its greatest, yeah I'm a nerd). Almost brings a tear to my eye.
Landslide - Smashing Pumpkins (Fleetwood Mac): Screw the Dixie Chicks, all you need is this and the live version performed by Fleetwood Mac and you are set.
I'm on Fire/Losing My Religion - Tori Amos (Bruce Springsteen/REM): My favorite songs by her are covers...
Superstition - Stevie Ray Vaughan (Stevie Wonder): Stevie Wonder originally wrote it for SRV, but decided he like it so much he released his classic version before SRV could. Both are great.
Honorable Mentions:
Hurt - Johnny Cash (NIN): If I didn't think that this song was already perfect the first time Trent and NIN did it, I would have included. This song was loved by a lot of people 6-10 years younger than myself, and I couldn't help but think they were missing out on the original.
99 Red Balloons - Goldfinger (Nena): Nothing better than punk bands doing 80's classics. Once again, both versions are great.
Feel free to add your favorites, I'm sure I'm missing some that I really love.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
Some band called Bread wrote The Guitar Man in the 70s, and Cake covered that song too. I'm not sure I've heard the original, but when me and dad took the train to Philly two spring breaks ago, we were listening to it on my iPod and dad says "well they sure butchered that song"
Post a Comment