Cover songs play a vital role in the music industry. Many bands have been launched on the back of a great cover – going on to perform and record original music. There have also been a number of artists who are already great in their own right who have a hit with a cover song. This list deals with the latter category. If you know of other excellent covers that are better than the original, be sure to mention it in the comments.
Original: Bob Marley
One of many covers that The Clash and Strummer did over the years, and also The Clash is also a highly covered band. It was not uncommon in the late 70s and early 80s for English and American bands to cover reggae songs and ‘bring them to the masses’ .
Original: Tears for Fears
From the Donnie Darko soundtrack, this cover of the Tears for Fears track is an infinitely better version of the song, and also a perfect piece of music for the dark themes explored in the movie.
Original: John Kongos
Classic Ryder take on great rambling dance hall shuffle from South Africa. While the lyric ‘Oh he lied, oooh he’s twistin’ my melon man’ sounded perfectly logical coming from Shaun Ryders Ecstasy fuelled mind, it wasn’t his line.
Original: Brenda Lee
Neil Tennant always had an ear for the sublime hook. And with this cover of Brenda Lee’s 1972 song, that was also covered by Elvis Presley (1972) Wilie Nelson (1982), the Petshop Boys took the song to a UK Number One.
Original: Public Enemy
An agitated mesh of distorted trip hop layered electronica, growls and most the introduction to the world of the stunning Martina Topley-Bird on lead vocals. Tricky credited Public Enemy with being a massive influence on him, but along with Massive Attack and Portishead, Tricky was massively influential in creating the Bristol Sound, or Trip Hop.
Original: The Four Lads
A strange piece this one, but every time I hear it, I can’t help but start nodding and tapping my feet. From the hugely underrated album Flood this song by the two Johns was one of their break through hits, alongside Particle Man and Birdhouse in your Soul.
Original: Trent Reznor
Reznor was famously was quoted as saying ‘that song isn’t mine anymore’ and earned Cash a Country Music Award for Single of the Year. The music video for the Cash version features footage from his life.
Original: Alphaville
Broke this Sydney band on the world stage when their cover of the German trio Alphavilles 80s hit Forever Young was played on an American soap opera The OC.
Original: David Bowie
Was played endlessly by MTV following the news of Kurt Cobain’s passing. This cover of the Bowie song from the 1994 Nirvana album Unplugged in New York showed that there was a lot more to Cobain than the howling grunge sound that Nirvana among others had pioneered.
Original: Prince
Sinead O’Connor had a world wide number one hit in 1990 with this cover of the Prince track originally performed by The Family in 1985. O’Connor’s version is the definitive version, and after the song became a number hit in the US, Australia, Germany and the UK, Prince even began to perform the song at his live shows.
Original: Leonard Cohen
Was always going to make this list, for its break through that it gave Jeff Buckley. Although Cohen’s version is actually more moving, the Buckley cover reached a newer generation that had not heard of Cohen.
Contributor: Spart
With a Little Help from my Friends, by Joe Cocker !!!
Come on !!!
Yeah, what a way to butcher a great Beatles song!
#10 definitely is a mistake
Bob Marley version is much better
Yeah!…Nothing beats Bob Marley in his songs…
I agree, Marley did them best but Clapton’s version of “I shot the Sheriff ” was pretty good.
except chris cornell’s version
Considering this was presented as a list of cover songs that "far outshine the original" then Hurt being on there is highly debateable – granted I fully expected it to be number one in this list. Yes, Cash's cover is excellent as he makes the song his own, but I can't say that it is far and away better than the original. I don't take issue with anyone saying the Cash version is better as that is where taste comes into play; but far outshining the original? I don't think so, even with Trent Reznor's humbleness aside. I guess I see the argument for including it, but it really should be number 10 given how split opinions are on the matter.
I'd suggest that the following songs would also make the cut
-Jose Gonzalez's cover of The Knife's "Heartbeats"
-Matt Weddle's (Obidiah Parker) Outkast's "Hey Ya!"
-Turisas' cover of Boney M.'s "Rasputin" (Yes, a folk metal band covering a disco song – check out the videos to both on YouTube)
-Metallica's cover of Thin Lizzy's "Whiskey in the Jar" (Maybe by virtue of the fact that it really is one of Thin Lizzy's more mediocre songs turned into one of the better songs of the post-thrash era Metallica song)
-George Thorogood & The Destroyer's cover of John Lee Hooker's "One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer" (And I'm a huge Hooker Fan… errr, that doesn't sound right…"
I know there may be a lot of disagreement on the last two, but hey, that's the nature of these things.
Thin Lizzy’s version of “whisky in the jar” is a cover in itself of a very old irish folk song also covered by the Dubliners
Manfred Mann’s version of Bruce Springsteen’s “Blinded by The Light” should be at the top of the list!! Th e Manfred version was awesome, while Springsteen’s version sucked big time!
I pretty much agree with all of them. All of them are really great songs
As far as Hallelujah goes, I think that Rufus Wainwright does a noteworthy job
Item 1 is one of my favorite songs – definitely worthy of its place here
This is a good list, but I must ask what about Jimi Hendrix’s cover of “All Along the Watch Tower”?
Yeah what this guys said
Upon hearing Jimi’s version, Dylan’s reaction was “THAT’S what it is supposed to sound like!”
i personally think that the buckley version is better, but i guess i must be that “new generation”. even though bob dyaln penned all along the watch tower, it’s not a good song. and i adore bobby d.
elliott smith’s thirteen would be my recommendation for this list.
Funky Town by Lipps Inc better be on there.
Oh, it’s not.
(cries to sleep)
actually, i think the nin version of ‘Hurt’ was much better.
just my opinion though.
The John Cale (ex-Velvet Underground) version of ‘Hallelujah’ is, in my opinion, better than Buckley’s.
I own over 60 covers of “Hallelujah” and John Cale’s version is amazing. I happen to like Jeff Buckley’s version better, but John Cale is a close second. k.d. lang’s version is right up there as well.
how about Josh groban’s cover of You Raise Me up? he clearly outshines Secret Garden… i can bet no one would expect them as the original singers….
Here’a a few for further consideration by interested parties.
‘Into the Groove(y)’ – Ciccone Youth (aka Sonic Youth)
‘I Fought the Law’ – The Clash
‘Eight Miles High’ – Husker Du
‘Love is all Around’ (Mary Tyler Moore show theme) – Husker Du
I actually really love Bowie’s version.
Interesting list!
Some of my own thoughts :
The Clash – I Fought The Law (orig. The Crickets)
The Sundays – Wild Horses (orig. Rolling Stones)
Aretha Franklin – Respect (orig. Otis Redding)
Flying Lizards – Money (orig. Beatles)
Rita Coolidge – We’re All Alone (orig. Boz Scaggs)
and, maybe the Shinehead version of Billie Jean (M Jackson); but the original is, in itself, probably untouchable.
Geez, I could probably think of a hundred…
For some ‘interesting’ covers, check out Laibach (from Slovenia). They specialise in doing OTT wagnerian metal versions of songs like ‘The Final Countdown’, ‘Live is Life’ by Opus and Queens ‘One Vision’ – (titled ‘Geburt einer Nation’) – that point out the more ‘totalitarian’ aspects of these songs – “One race, one hope, one true decision.”
I love both versions of Hallelujah – two of the best interpretations of the same song.
Mad World is also fantastic; really sets the scene for that movie, and it’s a great song in its own right.
And as for good covers, nothing can top Ben Folds’ cover of “*****es ain’t *****”. It’s unique to hear a rap song of this type sung by a guy who usually sings ballads!
I foresee controversy over this list
Damn, I was hoping to see “Turn the Page”, the version from Metallica on this list. That won an award I believe. Bob Seger was great but the saxaphone part replaced by Kirk Hammet’s screaming guitar riff makes its mark upon the song legacy.
Tiny Toons at #5!
Yay!!!!
spart, this is a helluva list. Good job! I second kiwiboi’s suggestion to consider Aretha’s “Respect,” but that’s only because I’m an old fart. However, I totally agree with the selection Sinead O’Connor at the top. I once saw a music critic say that Prince wrote the ***** out of that song, and Sinead sang the ***** out of it.
NOOOOOOO!
The NIN version of ‘Hurt’ will always be the better version!
Ok, maybe I am just a die-hard NIN fan, but still :p I was absolutely struck dumb when I first heard the Cash version; I always enjoy cover versions merely as a means to explore previously unsung interpretations of material. (Some songs however are sacred and should really be left alone – I’m looking at you Madonna you skanky old string bean!)
@5 fauxhaux,
can you tell me where to find the elliott smith version of 13? both that and the garbage version (which is WONDERFUL) where included on a series of mixtapes from a friend started about 10 years go, so lovely, sigh.
i actually still have a cassette player, just to hear these tapes! but we all know that medium degraded badly over time. all my other music is now cd/mp3/digital etc. the problem is the tape-making friend and i both had/have random collections and it’s often hard to find some of the tracks in any form of stand-alone digital (you know, missing 1 b-side out of many and don’t want to re-buy something for one track when you have the other 10+…..)
regardless, another excellent list
I agree with the call on The Clash cover of I fought the law – it was a toss up between that and Redemption Song. I liked the Strummer version of Redemption Song, simply because it was so pared back, and I thought Joe just nailed the intent of the song.
To others who suggest some of the more Metal covers – not to my taste, so sorry – didn’t get a gurnsey.
the original versions of “hurt” and “man who sold the world” and the covers are all at least equally wonderful (as someone who cherishes them all, for different reasons.)
but the jeff buckley live @ sin-e version of hallelujah is one of the best pieces of western music ever recorded!
(and i say that as some one who really enjoys leonard cohen.)
BlackRainbow – definitely agree with you about Redemption Song (and I’m a huge Clash fan)
TMX – definitely don’t agree with you about ‘Whiskey in the Jar’, although I do like the Metallica version
Bob marley version was way better that’s the only one i disagree with.
i think muse can’t take my eyes off of you and feeling good should be on this list
oh.. for any jazz lovers.
what about freedom jazz dance by miles davis?
or elvis’ hound dog…
“What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace Love and Understanding”, by Elvis Costello (orig. Brinsley Schwarz)
Dittos on Husker Du’s “Eight Miles High” and the Clash’s “I FOught the Law”
I suppose the phrase ‘far outshines the original’ might be controversial. Perhaps a more nuanced approach would have been to suggest songs where the covers are more famous/popular than the originals – which works for some but not all of the songs on the list. But hey – it’s all good fun!
P.S – with that in mind here’s a few more
Tainted Love – Soft Cell (Gloria Jones)- NOT Marilyn Manson
Terry Jacks – Seasons in the Sun (Jaques Brel)
and how about Lulu’s version of ‘The Man Who Sold the World’
I completely agree with 2, 4, 5, and 9. I haven’t heard the others.
Powderfinger did a really (quote) “*****ing brilliant (unquote) version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps.
And nobody didn’t even mention probably the best cover of all times- “All along the watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix!!
Incubus – No Scrubs. Even though it’s only short it’s awesome. Incubus do a lot of fantastic covers.
And for my Aussie bands,
Karnivool – Sleeping Satellite
Birds of Tokyo – Heard it through the Grapevine
Cog – Open Up
I’ve got plenty more covers… I’ll get to them later.
listen to SEEMAN (Rammstein) covered by Apocalyptica and voiced by Nina Hagen!
also Spirit in the Sky has been covered wonderfully by both Doctor and the Medics and Bauhaus
and Rock’n'Roll Nigger (Patti Smith) has been edited to wonder by Trent Reznor
I really don’t think Cash’s version of Hurt outshines the original. Both are incredibly powerful, one really isn’t better than the other.
Intriguing list.
What do you all think of Tina Turner’s cover of CCR’s “Proud Mary”? Both versions are great. Which is better? (For me, depends on the mood.)
Tommy Dorsey’s “Moonlight Serenade,” which “covers” the 2nd movement of Tchiakovsky’s 5th Symphony?
Number 4, Cash’s version of Hurt has to be one of my most favourite songs along side Seal’s Kiss From A Rose. I have heard the NIN original but yet cannot get Cash’s voice out of my head when I hear the song. I think it was better suited to him, his voice, his style of singing and all the experiences that he had gone through in life. It is a deeply moving, emotional and poignant song made all the more sad and memorable because it was the last video with him and his wife before they both passed on respectively. You can see all of his feelings and emotions in his eyes as he sings.
Not disputing any NIN fans but this shall forever remain one of the greatest versions of the song ever sang. Cash, truly made it his own.
R.I.P.
40. shaj2329 – Cash did make it his own and for all the reasons you said, but sit down and listen to the whole of The Downward Spiral album by NIN, the album the song Hurt first appeared on, and you’ll see it in a new light. A darker one.
yeah good list, a few of them i even thought were the originals.
Nothing compares to you is one of my favorite songs. If you speak to me while I am listening to that song, you will surely be slapped.
Where’s All Along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix?
joe cocker “with a little help from my friends” by the beatles.
‘All along the Watchtower’ by Jimi Hendrix was awesome, but any half-decent cover of a Bob Dylan song is better than the original. Respect to Dylan for writing the songs but his versions are, for the most part, insipid.
Manfred Mann’s version of Blinded By The Light (Bruce Springcheese)
Johnny Cash did loads of good covers.
The Mercy Seat (Nick Cave), In My Life (The Beatles), One (U2) are some of my other favourites.
I think Willie Nelson’s rendition of Always on my Mind ties that of the Petshop Boys
Pearl Jam – Crazy Mary (Victoria Williams)
I was going to say Marilyn Manson’s cover or Sweet Dreams (Originally by The Eurythmics). But then I thought, they want covers that are way better than the original, and both versions are equally excellent in this case so I guess it doesn’t belong.
Excellent list and I will agree to almost everything you have. I do prefer NIN-Hurt over Cash-Hurt. And in my opinion Bowie and Nirvana are equally awesome with their version of Man Who Sold the World. But that is my opinion.
Unchained melody by the righteous brothers is surely better then the original and I def. Agree with the man who sold the world and I would have liked to have seen Jimi Hendrix.
Mad World! Heck yes. I freakin love that song. It’s nine different kinds of amazing.
Great list. I’m here to second that Rufus Wainwright comment. I think his version is just as good as Buckley’s. Smashing Pumpkins do a great version of The Cars’ “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight”
Good list that as usual will invite a lot of comments.
I think Whitney Houston’s cover of Dolly Parton’s
“I Will always Love You” is one of the biggest omissions on this list. It was a hit for Dolly in the 70′s but the 90′s version by Whitney is one of the biggest hits of all-time.
i’d go with rufus wainwright’s cover of hallelujah. the emotion of his voice is moving.
i was almost sure that “sweet dreams” by marilyn manson would be on this list.
The only one on this list that I totally disagree with is number 10. You can’t redo Bob Marley….He sings this song with much emotion and the cover of this sounds like the guy is just singing the words but there is no feeling behind it. I guess the only person I am suprised to not see on the list is Marilyn Manson I mean he has covered almost every song known to man but they are always brillant (Sweet Dreams, Tainted Love, Personal Jesus, I put a spell on you) those are just the tip of the ice.
Agreed with all except man who sold the world, i find nirvanas version dreary. The Cures ‘Just like Heaven’ being an incredible pop song became something else when Dinosaur Jr covered it, not only my favourite cover but possibly my favourite song ever.