Best cover of a song?

**dookeyXXX** · 11-05-2011, 09:46 AM

For me a cover needs to stay true to the heart and soul of the original yet have the band that's covering its stamp on it.

I've always dug various folks' Beatles interpretations, such as Overwhelming Colorfast's taught, visceral take on "She Said":

as well as 801's insane prog reworking of "TNK":

not to mention The Mission U.K.'s version of "TNK":

**dookeyXXX** · 11-05-2011, 09:55 AM

From a rap perspective, Bristol bad boy Tricky used to dish out some sick covers of various classics on his early albums.

His version of Slick Rick's classic "Children's Story":

As well as his take on Chill Rob G's "Bad Dream":

And his twisted interpretation of PE's "Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos":

Not to mention the machine gun boom bap of his reworking of Eric B. & Rakim's "Lyricis of Fury":

For me, a lot of the success of Tricky's rap covers comes from him having Maria Topley-Bird delivery the lyrics, playing against the male domination of the genre while still keeping it sounding hardcore.

**iceman** · 11-05-2011, 05:16 PM

Originally Posted by BeardedClam

The Letter, covered by Joe Cocker for Mad Dogs and Englishmen

Love me some Rock and Soul

Wow, I came in prejudiced against that, I'm a huge Alex Chilton fan, but I'm also a Joe Cocker fan and that rocked. Leon is so fucking cool in it too. Check his eyes.

**Crampedon** · 11-05-2011, 10:24 PM

Burning spear doing Estimated prophet
Old and in the way doing Wild horses.
Jerry Douglas doing Hey Joe.
Massive attack doing be thankful for what you got.

**Tippster** · 11-05-2011, 11:20 PM

Icemang turned me onto this:

**Crampedon** · 11-06-2011, 02:15 AM

My favorite cut from one of my favorite albums of all time, have the cd and the vinyl from the 70's

The guitar is truly inspired and does the original great justice, Neil would for sure give it a nod, but the singer seems to rush the lyrics a bit, I tried to like his singing but thought he needs to slow his delivery a bit. It is a cover and the instrumental is really great. The second verse is playing now, just ease up, slow it up....

Thanks! ( Who is it?)

**Gordyman** · 11-06-2011, 05:51 AM

**Tippster** · 11-06-2011, 10:15 AM

Originally Posted by Crampedon

Thanks! ( Who is it?)

Built to Spill - Vocals and guitar by Doug Martsch.

The second half is mind-melting.

**Chugachjed** · 11-06-2011, 11:03 AM

Uh... Cowboy junkies covering Sweet Jane 5 pages and no mention crazy... Lou Reed said it was better than his.
Propagandi did I want you to want me.
The Bad Plus Smells like teen spirit

**Ripzalot** · 11-06-2011, 11:20 AM

**nvr2deep** · 11-06-2011, 11:36 AM

Grace Potter cortez cortez from the Jammy's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=paeNnR33i5Q

**DarkStar** · 11-06-2011, 11:57 AM

Originally Posted by butterscotch

Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper's cover of Donovan's "Season of the Witch". Pure awesome.

YES! Holy shit I had forgotten all about this, but the whole Super Session album is ripping awesome, start to finish. I think they did a Dylan cover on there as well (Takes a Train?) but as it stands Season of the Witch is amazing....and Donovan's version already rocks. Super Session to me was a lot like Blind Faith....the one album supergroup that you wish would have put out more matierial (I think Bloomfield died in the early 70's though...)

And in terms of covers....hmmm.....Mannfred Mann Blinded by the Light just for sake of argument, but hands down All Along the Watchtower by Hendrix. Also, how can you not love ERUPTION--> You Really Got Me with Van Halen. Those two for me immediately come to mind, although, SRV playing Little Wing brings a tear to my eye every time....not only because the song has a lot of personal meaning for me, but never before or since SRV has a person been able to channel Jimi on both a technical and passionate level

**Doughnuts01** · 11-06-2011, 01:23 PM

Ok, my vote goes to Watchtower

But, as crazy as it sounds Sinead O'connor covering Marcus Garvey and War are pretty solid

**Tippster** · 11-06-2011, 01:28 PM

Originally Posted by joe4186

Ok, my vote goes to Watchtower

But, as crazy as it sounds Sinead O'connor covering Marcus Garvey and War are pretty solid

Not crazy at all. I think that album is amazing.

**iceman** · 11-06-2011, 01:34 PM

Originally Posted by Tippster

Built to Spill - Vocals and guitar by Doug Martsch.

The second half is mind-melting.

Truly sick. I didn't know it was on youtube, thanks mang.

**skiballs** · 11-07-2011, 10:38 PM

**The AD** · 11-09-2011, 02:48 PM

I glanced through this entire thread and didn't see anyone mention "Respect" by Aretha Franklin. I'd say that ranks up there with Jimi's "...Watchtower" for sure.

**butterscotch** · 11-10-2011, 02:41 PM

That cortez the killer is $$$.

Mark Kozelek - Around and Around. It's a John Denver cover. A friend gave me the John Denver tribute album that this is from and it's not bad.

and while I'm here, I've always loved Cracker's version of the Dead's Loser. I know it might be heresy but the guitar solo is better than any Dead version that I've heard. (Kerosene Hat is a great album with great guitar playing -- I think it got overshadowed by the hit single "Low", which doesn't sound like the rest of the album.)

**The AD** · 11-10-2011, 03:18 PM

Originally Posted by butterscotch

Mark Kozelek - Around and Around.

He does lots of covers. He's got entire albums of AC/DC covers and Modest Mouse covers (under the name Sun Kil Moon). Check out his versions of "Ocean Breathes Salty" and "Trucker's Atlas."

**cdlv** · 11-12-2011, 09:08 AM

Sonic Youth covers Mudhoney

Mudhoney covers Sonic Youth

Mudhoney covers the Dicks

Jesus Lizard cover the Dicks

**skifishbum** · 11-12-2011, 10:51 AM

**skiballs** · 11-12-2011, 09:21 PM

I fought the law
the clash / bobby fuller four

I will always love you
whitney houston / dolly parton

piece of my heart
janis joplin / emma franklin

peace , love & understanding
elvis costello / brinsley schwarz

blueberry hill
fats domino / gene autry