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The Official Cover Thread


unknownsold13r

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Since we have a bunch of music themed threads going on in this section, lately I figured I would stir up the pot.

This always ends up a bit controversial simply due to the fact that many people have some misguided idea that the original version of a song is always the best version. Well, the original artist DOES deserve the credit for writing and creating the song... however, sometimes someone comes along and changes it or punches it up and raises the bar to where it just makes the whole thing work so much better than the original ever did.

Now don't get me wrong, sometimes covers are not just bad, but horrific. There are plenty of fail covers. But there is just as many that win. Lets make a list of those that win. I'll kick it off!

Placebo's version of [i]Runnin up that Hill[/i] absolutely shits on the original by Kate Bush.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBlAdApfK9U[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snb5729vZe0[/youtube]

Metallica bolstered the energy of [i]Turn the Page[/i] to the point that Bob Seger should practically declare it an official Metallica tune.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOibtqWo6z4[/youtube]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3khH9ih2XJg[/youtube]
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Oddly I had just turned on Placebo's Running Up That Hill when I opened this topic. :lol:

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gVxRvNfFLg[/media]
Wonderwall by Ryan Adams. Definitely at the top of my list, then again I was never too keen on Oasis' version.
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Many people actually think Van Halen recorded this song first, and in my opinion as great as The Kink's was, VH's version just blows it out of the water. And really a cover song is something that a band is supposed to take and make their own, while still honouring the original, so I think this does that pretty damn well
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB8WHA3WWz0[/media]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvyDWGF290M[/media]
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[quote name='Pac.' timestamp='1292309118' post='7791621']
[b]Oddly I had just turned on Placebo's Running Up That Hill when I opened this topic. :lol:[/b]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gVxRvNfFLg[/media]
Wonderwall by Ryan Adams. Definitely at the top of my list, then again I was never too keen on Oasis' version.
[/quote]

[b]Great minds think alike[/b]

Well this is my first time hearing this version of Wonderwall and while I like the original, duude I am inclined to agree with you! I'm not even too familiar with Ryan Adams, but this version is a lot more heartfelt. It's funny because usually I find that when a cover eclipses an original, it is because the cover modernizes the sound of the song or ramps up the intensity. But either way it's usually due to the music, not the lyrics.

But in this case it's the opposite. Adams makes these lyrics which he didn't even write seem more meaningful than in the original (and that's never an easy task). And it's not like Oasis isn't capable of adding emotion to their songs, I think they just chose to make Wonderwall more of a sing along type tune.

So that was a good find Pac, and something new (to me at least).
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Highlight,
Yeah Red's version of [i]Ordinary World[/i] is an excellent example of modernizing a song. Nothing against Duran Duran, they were a product of their time and environment. But I'm pretty sure Duran came out with this in the 90's after they shed their signature 80's synth cheese and thus it just kinda seemed like a stripped down version of something Duran Duran would do. But this Red version definitely makes it more palatable for a modern rock audience.
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[quote name='.Highlightâ„¢' timestamp='1292309228' post='7791625']


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-dTcGXTU2Y[/media]

[/quote]

You make me weep hard. If ANYONE did a better version of Personal Jesus it was Johnny Cash, and even his wasn't better than the original.
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Faith No More - Warpigs
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4oZXfrf18Y[/youtube]

Avail - Santaria (For a sped up punk version)
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LZ2m3IOqmXE[/youtube]

Foo Fighters - Darling Nikki
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QMRtr7TGjM[/youtube]
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[quote name='Jerky' timestamp='1292313116' post='7791680']
[quote name='.Highlightâ„¢' timestamp='1292309228' post='7791625']


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-dTcGXTU2Y[/media]

[/quote]

You make me weep hard. If ANYONE did a better version of Personal Jesus it was Johnny Cash, and even his wasn't better than the original.
[/quote]
*censored*, i forgot about Cash covering NIN's Hurt and Reznor being so in awe saying its not even his song anymore and that Cash now earns the song. Seriously he took a good song and took it to a new level. Johnny Cash's version of Hurt might be the best cover ever.
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[quote name='The Notorious LBX' timestamp='1292313759' post='7791696']
[quote name='Jerky' timestamp='1292313116' post='7791680']
[quote name='.Highlightâ„¢' timestamp='1292309228' post='7791625']


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-dTcGXTU2Y[/media]

[/quote]

You make me weep hard. If ANYONE did a better version of Personal Jesus it was Johnny Cash, and even his wasn't better than the original.
[/quote]
*censored*, i forgot about Cash covering NIN's Hurt and Reznor being so in awe saying its not even his song anymore and that Cash now earns the song. Seriously he took a good song and took it to a new level. Johnny Cash's version of Hurt might be the best cover ever.
[/quote]
That quote was irrelevant. And Cash's cover of Hurt is excellent.

However, how the *censored* is this not posted yet?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bng3agUOYiI
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzkiJJ_NkD0

i dont know if many will agree with me on this one, i like both versions of this but KoRn did a dam good job with this song and it deserves a mention imo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_bvT-DGcWw
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[quote name='The Vickshow' timestamp='1292309320' post='7791627']
Many people actually think Van Halen recorded this song first, and in my opinion as great as The Kink's was, VH's version just blows it out of the water. And really a cover song is something that a band is supposed to take and make their own, while still honouring the original, so I think this does that pretty damn well
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB8WHA3WWz0[/media]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvyDWGF290M[/media]
[/quote]

Am I the only one who thinks the opposite on this one? I'm not saying your wrong but the Van Halen version to me has unnecessary solos.
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Fightstar - Battlefield
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huuc72C1Fzo[/media]

Hit the Lights - More than a Feeling
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vzp6seZaxME[/media]

Maysday Parade - In My Head
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9NOC8zKnJ8[/media]
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[quote name='JonnyGunnzakaNicky101' timestamp='1292333400' post='7791982']
[quote name='The Vickshow' timestamp='1292309320' post='7791627']
Many people actually think Van Halen recorded this song first, and in my opinion as great as The Kink's was, VH's version just blows it out of the water. And really a cover song is something that a band is supposed to take and make their own, while still honouring the original, so I think this does that pretty damn well
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HB8WHA3WWz0[/media]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvyDWGF290M[/media]
[/quote]

Am I the only one who thinks the opposite on this one? I'm not saying your wrong but the Van Halen version to me has unnecessary solos.
[/quote]
You're not the only one. I still prefer Dave Davies' guitar playing and Ray Davies' vocals. The guitar is just so heavy that it amazes me that it came out in '64. And I've always liked Ray's unique singing voice.

I do admire that Van Halen still put their own touch on it (well at least Eddie did) rather than just playing the song like the original.


This is a tough one for me but I think like the cover just a tad more. The original has amazing vocals (B.J is such a great singer, it's such a shame he isn't talked about anymore) and the sitar is superb. The cover version, what can I say? I love the "[font="sans-serif"][size="2"]ooga chaka." And I also like Björn Skifs' deep powerful, ominous vocals. I think the cover version won me over because at the moment I prefer its overall composition.[/size][/font]

Original:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNnnWfUpYGg[/youtube]

Cover:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OnMd47ZfWQ[/youtube]
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[center]There are two covers that come to mind when thinking of ones that are better than the original, Jeff Buckley's cover of Hallelujah (which has already been mentioned) and Gary Jules' cover of Mad World.


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N3N1MlvVc4[/media]


[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=20qZtnODB0w[/media][/center]
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This is a GREAT idea for a topic but would you lazy bastards put some more effort into this? :hqhq:
What makes this topic interesting is listening to the original and cover songs lined up next to each other like in unknownsold13rs post, just counting up the names of songs or posting one song is pointless if you don't know the original. And it sucks the fun out of it.


Here's my contribution. I didn't know this was a cover at first, but I have always loved this Sublime song.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAjypvB4GhA[/media]

Little did I know that it's a cover of a reggae classic.

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpsfynHt6S8&[/media]

Except Sublime added lyrics and instrumentals to their version, and made it into something completely else awesomeness. : D Like a cover should be.
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[quote name='unknownsold13r' timestamp='1292308499' post='7791610']
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBlAdApfK9U[/youtube]
[/quote]
*censored* yes.



Also. 30 Seconds To Mars, actually made a Gaga song good. O_O

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-JRSLroqzk[/media]
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Megadeth's Anarchy In The U.K. is better than The Sex Pistols original, imo.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32XcQSHlr6M&feature=related

GN'R's cover of Knocking On Heaven's Door
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xs5wO-Nt02c

Slayer's cover of Guilty of Being White
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hq9TcapTqZA
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