I just remembered that my cousin was in a band called the Anti Nowhere League, they had a couple of top 40 songs but their most infamous song is called 'So What?' & was covered by Metallica, who included it on a few albums & made him plenty of cash as one of the writers. Metallica's version is far far better, they played it on the MTV Music Awards & were banned for two years afterwards.
Dodgy lyrics to say the least, don't look it up if easily offended!
I've not heard that particular version before. Not sure it's better than the original, but then again the original's been so overplayed it's nice to hear something different. And the guitar/horns solo at the end is pretty ace!
It was while researching '200 Motels' that Frank's 'Stairway' cover caught my attention. Zappa's insight & virtuosity set him apart. Liking the Beatles
Sussex R - 'apparently, '200 Motels' has been banned in the UK for 41 years!
I love the St Etienne version. My theory with Neil Young, albeit a controversial one, is that he is such a terrible singer that almost any cover of his songs will be better than his
Sussex - maybe controversial but I know what you mean. I only came round to liking his voice relatively recently. I'm gonna put this here because I feckin' love Laura Marling's voice, no controversy there.
Vangelis- Chariots of fire and George Harrison- My Sweet Lord. Not sure who did the originals but they sued the asses off them both for breach of copyright.
Still in a '60s frame of mind: much as I love 'Wild Thing' by The Troggs, for sheer, unbridled innuendo in its delivery, Jimi Hendix's cover is hard to top. Chip Taylor wrote & the Wild Ones first performed it.
Apologies for going against the grain of the topic, but turning the thread around the other way, 3 originals that are infinitely superior to their much better known cover versions:
"Ain't no mountain high enough" - the original by Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell is miles better than Diana Ross's hit version
"Shake, Rattle and Roll" - the Bill Haley cover isn't a patch on the original by Joe Turner
"I'd rather go blind" - the hit cover by Chicken Shack isn't bad actually, but Etta James' original is simply one of the best records ever made
Comments
Gun - Word Up, I much prefer to the original Cameo, and Korn's cover.
On the other hand, watching Cameo perform on totp is just comedy gold.......
I just remembered that my cousin was in a band called the Anti Nowhere League, they had a couple of top 40 songs but their most infamous song is called 'So What?' & was covered by Metallica, who included it on a few albums & made him plenty of cash as one of the writers. Metallica's version is far far better, they played it on the MTV Music Awards & were banned for two years afterwards.
Dodgy lyrics to say the least, don't look it up if easily offended!
How about Frank Zappa's tongue in cheek homage to Led Zep?
http://youtu.be/gkPqGXi250c
I've not heard that particular version before. Not sure it's better than the original, but then again the original's been so overplayed it's nice to hear something different. And the guitar/horns solo at the end is pretty ace!
Zappa's Beatles medley. (Teehee!)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y59k7AX9AKM
200 Motels is being covered at The Southbank Centre next week. Meeting with Gail before the start.
It was while researching '200 Motels' that Frank's 'Stairway' cover caught my attention. Zappa's insight & virtuosity set him apart. Liking the Beatles
Sussex R - 'apparently, '200 Motels' has been banned in the UK for 41 years!
... another version of stairway http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYrOTfs183Q
Quite sublime! ^
After 41 years it's time for a cover version. Tonight.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHxWXeK4KJA
All I expected it to be!
St Etienne - Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Neil Young, hip hop beats and synths? It works, you know!
http://youtu.be/nxfNVYC0QUo
This is so much better than this...
I love the St Etienne version. My theory with Neil Young, albeit a controversial one, is that he is such a terrible singer that almost any cover of his songs will be better than his
Robert Pollard (guided by voices) & Kim Deal (Pixies/Breeders) cover of Love Hurts much better than the Everly Brothers version
Love Hurts
Joe Cocker puts it to 100K of the great unwashed at Woodstock....and consigns the Beatles's version to a musical layby.
http://youtu.be/bRzKUVjHkGk
Far superior to the other version by Mock Jigger and his geriatric mates.
^ Joe Cocker's a great shout. Love that version.
Sussex - maybe controversial but I know what you mean. I only came round to liking his voice relatively recently. I'm gonna put this here because I feckin' love Laura Marling's voice, no controversy there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYchtTodobs
While I'm at it, Alan Sparhawk definitely has a better voice than Dave Gilmour. Sorry Dave.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2LyEcWxI3UQ
The Fugees - Killing Me Softly.......trumps the Roberta Flack original
...The Clash - I fought the law beats the Crickets
Pearl Jam - Last Kiss .... better than J. Frank Wilson & the Cavaliers
Elvis Presley's Hound Dog was a cover, not sure who sang it first but can't imagine it was better?
Vangelis- Chariots of fire and George Harrison- My Sweet Lord. Not sure who did the originals but they sued the asses off them both for breach of copyright.
Still in a '60s frame of mind: much as I love 'Wild Thing' by The Troggs, for sheer, unbridled innuendo in its delivery, Jimi Hendix's cover is hard to top. Chip Taylor wrote & the Wild Ones first performed it.
Monterey Pop, 1967 http://youtu.be/opkOJrINJIA
Apologies for going against the grain of the topic, but turning the thread around the other way, 3 originals that are infinitely superior to their much better known cover versions:
"Ain't no mountain high enough" - the original by Marvin Gaye/Tammi Terrell is miles better than Diana Ross's hit version
"Shake, Rattle and Roll" - the Bill Haley cover isn't a patch on the original by Joe Turner
"I'd rather go blind" - the hit cover by Chicken Shack isn't bad actually, but Etta James' original is simply one of the best records ever made