Cover songs versus the original track, which ones are better?

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In summary, the conversation discussed which songs were performed, arranged, or produced better in a cover than the original version. They also debated which songs should have been left alone and whether restricting covers to released singles limits interesting comparisons. The discussion also touched on the subjectivity of judging which version is "better" and the importance of adding something unique to a cover. Examples of good and unnecessary covers were also mentioned. Overall, the conversation highlighted the different interpretations and emotions that can be evoked by a cover compared to the original version.
  • #561
Hornbein said:
Korea. For me the ebass player is the star.


Below is Asterism's cover of Stevie Ray Vaughan's Scuttle Buttin' (start at 1m10s):

ASTERISM 『Scuttle Buttin』（Stevie Ray Vaughan cover）2019/03/30


(I like Asterism. In this video, the guitarist (Hal-Ca) is 16 and the bassist (Miyu) is 17.)
 
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Science news on Phys.org
  • #562
 
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  • #563
The original

 
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  • #565
Hornbein said:


Clever variation:
[historyteachers] Charlemagne ("Call Me" by Blondie)
 
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  • #566
Reincarnation Apple

Original. Make sure to hit the CC button to get the subtitles with the lyrics translation.



Cover by Roselia. I think ebassist Yuki Nakashima is terrific.

 
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  • #567
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Trooper

(1983) Iron Maiden - The Trooper (Official Video)


Kids playing "The Trooper"

(2006) Iron Maiden - The Trooper (cover) By Gauchos

See also (2008) Bruce Dickinson y los Gauchos de Acero

(2010) The Trooper - Iron Maiden (Children Orff Cover)


(2013) THE TROOPER - Iron Maiden cover by Motion Device (2013)


(2018) The Trooper - Liliac (Official Cover Music Video)


(2019) ASTERISM 『The Trooper』（Iron Maiden cover）


(2022) [ brakefoll ] Iron Maiden - The Trooper
 
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  • #568
The original. Just about everybody in Japan knows this song as it was the theme of possibly the most popular anime ever. Even Robin Williams was a fan.

Musical popularity revolves around NHK TV theme songs. That's the key to filling arenas.



There must be hundreds of covers of this, notably by the Glory Gospel Singers of Georgia, USA. Here's Tokyo Brass Style.

 
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  • #569
robphy said:
Here are some additional interesting covers (according to me):

[ “Enter Sandman” covers ]

James Hetfield and the News - "Hip to Be the Sandman"
[Bill McClintock]
 
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  • #570
And the Country and Western genre: Original by Don Gibson.
 
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  • #571
Rebecca Lovell playing her original instrument, the mandolin. Wonderful touch. Every note has its own individual loudness. But you'll never get rich playing the mandolin. Meanwhile sister Megan demonstrates the Zoot Horn Rollo long lunar floating note.

 
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  • #572
Not sure this is necessarily better than the original, but it's kind of cute - Curt Smith and his daughter covering Tears for Fears' "Mad World" (which I believe is itself a cover of Gary Jules).

The little bits of dad-and-daughter byplay at beginning and end add something to it somehow.
 
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  • #573
For harmony you can't beat family. His fingers appear huge. It appears he wrote the song and Jules got the hit.
 
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  • #574
Ibix said:
Curt Smith and his daughter covering Tears for Fears' "Mad World" (which I believe is itself a cover of Gary Jules).
The original version is from Tears for Fears; the original singer is Curt Smith; Gary Jules - which I prefer - is a cover.

Tears for Fears:

​


Gary Jules:

​
 
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  • #575
Thanks - I see I had who covered who mixed up.
 
  • #576
jack action said:
The original version is from Tears for Fears; the original singer is Curt Smith; Gary Jules - which I prefer - is a cover.

Tears for Fears:

​


Gary Jules:

​

Nice little back story to the video

"The promotional video for "Mad World" was filmed in late summer 1982, in the grounds of Knebworth House.[12] It was Tears for Fears' first music video, and features Curt Smith staring out of a window while Roland Orzabal dances outside on a lakeside jetty. A brief party scene in the video features friends and family of the band, including Smith's mother as well as his then-wife Lynne.

According to Curt Smith, "When we made the video in a country estate on the cheap, we bussed all our friends and family up from Bath and had a fun day. The woman who's having the birthday party in the video is my mum."[13]

The music video was directed by Clive Richardson who was notable for his work at that time with Depeche Mode."
 
  • #578
fresh_42 said:
Original:


The original is actually Little Queenie. Chuck just changed the lyrics to make Run Run Rudolf.

 
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  • #579
Close call on Do I Ever Cross Your Mind:

original:



cover:

 
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  • #580
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Billie_Jean (1983)

(1983) Moonwalk - Michael Jackson - Billie Jean - The First Moonwalk King Of Pop
3m37s

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moonwalk_(dance)


(2007) Chris Cornell - Billie Jean Live @ MSN


(2010) [James Hill ukelele] Billie Jean

See also: [James Hill] Billie Jean Ukulele Tutorial (Part 1)

(2011) The Civil Wars - Billie Jean (Michael Jackson Cover)


(2013) Aloe Blacc - Billie Jean (Live at MADE Part 6/6)


(2021) Billie Jean (Cover) - Michael Jackson - RUMPUS - Family Band / Kids Band / Rock Band


Honorable mention:
(2017) Michael Jackson - Billie Jean ( cover by J.Fla )
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1AdPY73qxo

(2023) Billie Jean played WAY TOO FAST! @Supatonic Funk Cover
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRQ0xdyJe80
 
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  • #581


Lose the organ solo though.
 
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  • #582
Solo but it sounds so full.



The original. I've never heard this before. How is that possible? I was around in 1965, when it was a hit song.

 
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  • #583
 
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  • #584
symbolipoint said:
Whether I like or dislike any cover version will not be how another listener must react to that cover version. I would find very very little way to reason why I am correct and the other listener to be incorrect. I am trying to find a way to "judgement independent of personal taste".
Good question ,this is the Doo Wop original.
 
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  • #585
And this is a Doo Wop cover.
 
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  • #586
And this is a pop cover. Not sure this group could sing Doo Wop if they wanted to.
 
  • #588
Hornbein said:
Solo but it sounds so full.



The original. I've never heard this before. How is that possible? I was around in 1965, when it was a hit song.


Beautiful solo instrumental, thanks. I occasionally hear songs I too missed back then, and it surprises me also when that happens. Here's another cover from of it from the sixties. Chamber Brothers were great in concert.

 
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  • #590
Someone who has skill as a singer. Rarer than you might think.

 
  • #591
The original.

 
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  • #592
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  • #593
Great solo cover with guitar of Eleanor Rigby by Josh Lee Turner. Cool and creative use of harmonics at 1:26 into the video.

 
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  • #594
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kashmir_(song)

(1975) Led Zeppelin, "Kashmir" Live At Earls Court Arena, London 1975


(2016) James Hill plays 'Kashmir' on uke

See also Led Zep-Kashmir-Uke-Bartt-James Hill

(2019) Zepparella Kashmir

(2021) Marcin - Kashmir on One Guitar (Official Video)


(2022) [ Nathanian Murphy zeppelinbarnatra ] Acoustic B-bender Pt 2 ~ "Kashmir"

See also tiktok:@zeppelinbarnatra
See also https://www.guitarworld.com/gear/ev...-b-bender-a-guitarists-ultimate-secret-weapon

(2022) Ask Carol - Kashmir (Led Zeppelin Cover), Live looping jam version in BUNAD
Honorable mention:

(2020) [ Chiara Kilchling ] Kashmir - Led Zeppelin cover
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyKfjh2fvYE

(2023) [Brass Against] Kashmir | @ledzeppelin cover | ft. Cunio
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxxAgTL70bo

(2023) “Kashmir” (Led Zeppelin) 1920s Tap Cover by Robyn Adele Anderson ft. Demi Remick
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iIRqmuUxdjQ
 
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