A while back, a friend (John M) emailed me a list of what he thought were the best cover songs ever. You know, where an artist does a version of a song originally done by someone else? His picks are down below, but before that, I’ll say that other people also received the email and started to list their own favorite cover songs. I even listed a few off the top of my head. And the more I ponder it, I’m sure I’ll think of plenty of others too so I may revisit this post category from time to time.
My first picks are down below too, along with the other people’s. Read John’s and the other picks below, see if you agree or disagree. Then feel free to let me know your opinions and maybe some of your picks. You can email me or just leave a comment below.
John M:
With a Little Help From My Friends – Joe Cocker – The Beatles
All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix – Bob Dylan
Stormy Monday – Allman Brothers – T-Bone Walker
Twist and Shout – Beatles – Isley Brothers
Respect – Aretha Franklin – Otis Redding
Because the Night – Patti Smith – Bruce Springsteen
Woodstock – Crosby Stills Nash – Joni Mitchell
Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O’Connor – Prince
Blinded by the Light – Manfred Mann – Bruce Springsteen
Feel a Whole lot Better – Tom Petty – Byrds
She’s Not There – Santana – Zombies
Freeway Jam – Caligator – Jeff Beck
Honorable mention
California Girls – David Lee Roth – Beach Boys
Wish You were Here – John McCloskey – Pink Floyd
Michael F:
Baker Street – Foo Fighters – Gerry Rafferty
Landslide – Smashing Pumpkins – Fleetwood Mac
Higher Ground – Red Hot Chili Peppers – Stevie Wonder
One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer – George Thoroughgood – John Lee Hooker
Turn The Page – Metallica – Bob Seger
You Really Got Me – Van Halen – The Kinks
Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds – Bill Shatner – Beatles
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door – Guns ‘n’ Roses – Bob Dylan
Live and Let Die – Guns ‘n’ Roses – Paul McCartney
I Shot The Sheriff – Eric Clapton – Bob Marley
I Will Survive – Cake – Gloria Gaynor
The Man Who Sold The World – Nirvana – David Bowie
Toby W:
Darling Nikki – Foo Fighters – Prince
Larry T:
Ring of Fire – Wall of Voodoo – Johnny Cash
One of my favorite tunes by Mr. Cash. But Stan Ridgway and the voodoo boys tear it up.Pimpa’s Paradise – Damian Marley – Bob Marley
Jr. Gong puts a new spin to one dads classics.Hotel California – Gipsy Kings – The Eagles
It’s all about the the Dude – “I hate the f**king Eagles, man.”The Red Rooster – Howlin Wolf – Willie Dixon
From the London Sessions, The Wolf, Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Bill Wyman, and Charlie Watts, what a set.The Red Rooster – Rolling Stones – Willie Dixon
Great Jagger/Richards version. Back when they wanted to be a blues band.Almost Blue – Diana Krall – Elvis Costello
Diana puts her on style to a very good Elvis ballad.Red Red Wine – UB40 – Neil Diamond
Ali Campbell turns a piece of Niel Diamond schlock in to a reggae classic.Take Me To the River – Talking Heads – Al Green
New wave at it’s best.Maggie’s Farm – The Specials – Bob Dylan
English 2 tone version of Bob, you got to love it.Dub Side of the Moon – Easy Star All-Stars – Pink Floyd
This isn’t a song but a whole album. Clever idea.
My picks, to start at least 😉
Satisfaction – Devo – The Rolling Stones
Purple Haze – The Cure – Jimi Hendrix
Everybody Knows – Concrete Blonde – Leonard Cohen
I Can’t Make You Love Me – Prince – Bonnie Raitt
Creep – The Pretenders – Radiohead
Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood – Elvis Costello – The Animals
I Want You – Fiona Apple – Elvis Costello
Kiss – Tom Jones – Prince
I Fought The Law – The Clash – Bobby Fuller Four
Hazy Shade Of Winter – The Bangles – Simon and Garfunkel
Real Love – Regina Spektor – John Lennon
Route 66 – Depeche Mode – Nat King Cole?
Born To Run – Cowboy Junkies – Bruce Springsteen
Oops I Did It Again – Richard Thompson – Britney Spears
Rocket Man – Kate Bush – Elton John
So what do you think?
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I was actually thinking of putting together a CD of my favorites. Several of them are on the list that John submitted, since we were discussing it together. Not sure exactly what the definition should be; in other words, how well known should the original be? does the cover actually need to be better?
The criteria I used for Best Cover Songs Ever was that both songs should be well known with the cover being better than the original.
What songs were you choosing for the CD, Mike?
I hadn’t revealed these because I’m planning on a CD and know I have missed some possibilities, and not sure what definition I should use. But, here are some of my favorites (not in order):
All Along the Watchtower – Jimi (Dylan)
Woodstock – C, S, N and Y (Joni)
Mona – Quicksilver Messenger Service (long version) (Bo Diddley)
I Put a Spell On You – Credence (Screamin’ Jay Haekins) or
I Heard It Through the Grapevine – Credence (Marvin Gaye)
Hallelujah – Jeff Buckley (Leonard Cohen)
Nothing Compares To You – Sinead (Prince)
Little Wing – Derek and the Dominoes or Concrete Blonde (Hendrix – not sure which of the three versions I like most)
Easy To Be Hard – Three Dog Night (from the musical, Hair)
I Want You – Sophie B Hawkins (Dylan – though not sure which version I like better)
I Can’t Stop Loving You – Ray Charles (Don Gibson)
Blowin’ In the Wind – Peter, Paul and Mary (Dylan)
Help From My Friends or She Came In Through the Bathroom Window – Joe Cocker (The Beatles)
Twist and Shout – The Beatles (previous Isley cover) or Dizzy Miss Lizzy or Slow Down – The Beatles (Larry Williams or Please Mr Postman – The Beatles (The Marvelettes)
After Midnight – Eric Clapton (JJ Cale) or Crossroads – Eric Clapton (Robert Johnson)