Cover songs better than their original

[punkinhead]

I can't remember if I had written a thread about this, I tried searching but you know how often the words cover, song, and original are used on this board.
I'll come up with mine in a bit.

[the captain]

I know this has been brought up at some point, and definitely in Beach Boys context (covers of their tunes or tunes they covered). But it doesn't look like it has been a recent topic, anyway, so if you have something to say on it, I say go for it. I'll stick my neck out on a couple right off: Byrds Mr. Tambourine Man tops Dylan's, and Wondermints' Ooh Child is my favorite version of the song ever. I also prefer Great Lakes' Some of Shelley's Blues more than Mike Nesmith's.

[punkinhead]

I know this has been brought up at some point, and definitely in Beach Boys context (covers of their tunes or tunes they covered). But it doesn't look like it has been a recent topic, anyway, so if you have something to say on it, I say go for it. I'll stick my neck out on a couple right off: Byrds Mr. Tambourine Man tops Dylan's, and Wondermints' Ooh Child is my favorite version of the song ever. I also prefer Great Lakes' Some of Shelley's Blues more than Mike Nesmith's.

WOuld the Monkees' version of Cuddly Toy be a cover or a song written for the group?

[the captain]

That's a good question. There is that idea of how we ought to treat what I'll call the pre-Dylan pre-Beatles era (i.e. before we expected the writer to be the performer). And Nilsson was definitely a part of that phenomenon, during its waning days of prominence. I don't think he wrote Cuddly Toy for the Monkees, but he certainly was selling tunes. So is that a cover? I don't know.

[rab2591]

I prefer Dylan's Tambourine Man over the Byrds....however, I prefer their version of 'All I really Want to Do' over Dylan's.

The Four Tops version of 'Walk Away Renee' over The Left Banke's - though both are VERY good.

[the captain]

I like Iron & Wine's version of Flaming Lips' Waiting For Superman quite a bit. Maybe not better, I don't know. But in some ways I do think it is. It shows different sides of it, being so removed from the unmistakable Fridmann sound of the original.

[punkinhead]

I prefer Dylan's Tambourine Man over the Byrds....however, I prefer their version of 'All I really Want to Do' over Dylan's.

The Four Tops version of 'Walk Away Renee' over The Left Banke's - though both are VERY good.

REALLY?
Though I've never heard the Four Tops' version, that Left Banke version would be hard to top....no pun intended...

BTW, I will say any version is better than Mike's version (He did with Dean T, right?) of Walk Away.

[rab2591]

I prefer Dylan's Tambourine Man over the Byrds....however, I prefer their version of 'All I really Want to Do' over Dylan's.

The Four Tops version of 'Walk Away Renee' over The Left Banke's - though both are VERY good.

REALLY?
Though I've never heard the Four Tops' version, that Left Banke version would be hard to top....no pun intended...

BTW, I will say any version is better than Mike's version (He did with Dean T, right?) of Walk Away.

The Four Tops version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wICc8bU95u8

I guess it's because I grew up listening to the Four Tops version that I have a bias - however I really think that the harmonies in the Four Tops version are far superior, however the string arrangement in The Left Banke's version is excellent. So, it's a close call.

[rab2591]

I prefer Dylan's Tambourine Man over the Byrds....however, I prefer their version of 'All I really Want to Do' over Dylan's.


BTW, I will say any version is better than Mike's version (He did with Dean T, right?) of Walk Away.

Damn, it's not on youtube. How I would love to hear that....If it is as good as their Jingle Bell Rock duet I'm in for a real treat!

[punkinhead]

I can Hear Music- Beach Boys, of course
Heart and Soul- Jan and Dean
Ain't She Sweet- Beatles (either version; early sessions or Get Back sessions)
Rock and Roll Music- Beatles
Louie Louie- Beach Boys (no, I'm not kidding)
Hey Baby- Ringo
Good Ol' Days- The Blanks
Vine Street- Harry Nilsson...a close 2nd with Van Dyke Parks
Just Once in My Life- Beach Boys/Rightous Brothers-----gotta be a tie...I can't pick, those vocals are sooooooooo good!
Three Cool Cats- Beatles
All Along the Watchtower- Hendrix
Black Magic Woman- Santana
I shot the Sherriff- Clapton
Had to Phone Ya---toss up here...I love the vocals on the Beach Boys but the backing track to the American Spring is so Love You synthy

[rab2591]

Another one from 15 Big Ones I like over the original is 'Palisades Park' - I find myself listening to The Beach Boys version quite often.

Have to disagree with Louie Louie - love the original. However, 'Papa Oom Mow Mow' from Party definitely beats the original for me....Brian does a great job singing "Dip Dip Dip" in his falsetto...love it!

Definitely agree with the Hendrix version of All Along The Watchtower.

I haven't heard Nilsson's Vine Street though - One of my favorite tracks from Song Cycle. The Newman demo is on youtube - that is a really class recording of it too.

[the captain]

I haven't heard Nilsson's Vine Street though

You have to, not just for that tune but the whole album: Nilsson Sings Newman is in my opinion one of the 10 or 15 best albums there has ever been. Wow, it's good.

[TdHabib]

That version of "Vine Street" really stands out too...the first time I heard those wall of harmonies on the chorus....man I had to sit down! The Nilsson sings Newman album is just brilliant.

[roll plymouth rock]

I prefer Dylan's Tambourine Man over the Byrds....however, I prefer their version of 'All I really Want to Do' over Dylan's.


BTW, I will say any version is better than Mike's version (He did with Dean T, right?) of Walk Away.

Damn, it's not on youtube. How I would love to hear that....If it is as good as their Jingle Bell Rock duet I'm in for a real treat!

No its on the Mike & Dean album but its actually The Association - Walk Away Renee (One of Curt Boettcher's very last productions also, if not the last)

[stack-o-tracks]

Stone Temple Pilots do some pretty good covers.

Dancing Days by Led Zeppelin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQRPM8Mm6RQ
Break On Through by The Doors: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TEpj0VM6K3w

[punkinhead]

I haven't heard Nilsson's Vine Street though

You have to, not just for that tune but the whole album: Nilsson Sings Newman is in my opinion one of the 10 or 15 best albums there has ever been. Wow, it's good.

VDP and Nilsson both sing two different songs before launching into....."That's a tape, that we made.....etc..etc."

Are the songs they sing before before both Newman songs? 
Both songs are very fitting for each singer.

[roll plymouth rock]

I haven't heard Nilsson's Vine Street though

You have to, not just for that tune but the whole album: Nilsson Sings Newman is in my opinion one of the 10 or 15 best albums there has ever been. Wow, it's good.

VDP and Nilsson both sing two different songs before launching into....."That's a tape, that we made.....etc..etc."

Are the songs they sing before before both Newman songs? 
Both songs are very fitting for each singer.

I've always really enjoyed the Harpers Bizarre version of Vine Street, has a cool intro tape version of their old Tikis song Bye Bye Bye. VDP's early version is of an old folk song called Black Jack David. Nilsson's is the one Newman wrote for the song, which can also be heard on his debut S/T album (with VDP/Warronker production)

[punkinhead]

Do tributes to the artist count as covers?
Because if so, there's a lot of ties and really close 2nds for the BW Tribute (All Star Tribute) let alone numerous other tribute albums.

To name a few:
Surfer Girl- Paul Simon (mind blowing!)
Pet Sounds (song)- Gary Usher is gotta be a tie with the original, honestly!
Don't Worry Baby- Billy Joel, close 2nd, I love his vocals, but the BB are still dominant.
City Blues- Richie Sambora
Warmth of the Sun- Vince Gill
Where I Belong- Adam Marsland's Chaos Band; Carl's version is a close 2nd

[punkinhead]

I haven't heard Nilsson's Vine Street though

You have to, not just for that tune but the whole album: Nilsson Sings Newman is in my opinion one of the 10 or 15 best albums there has ever been. Wow, it's good.

VDP and Nilsson both sing two different songs before launching into....."That's a tape, that we made.....etc..etc."

Are the songs they sing before before both Newman songs? 
Both songs are very fitting for each singer.

I've always really enjoyed the Harpers Bizarre version of Vine Street, has a cool intro tape version of their old Tikis song Bye Bye Bye. VDP's early version is of an old folk song called Black Jack David. Nilsson's is the one Newman wrote for the song, which can also be heard on his debut S/T album (with VDP/Warronker production)

Didn't know Harper's Bizarre did a version, look out Youtube

[punkinhead]

Another tribute I just thought of was at a Lennon tribute a while ago, I think Sean Lennon sang This Boy and I loved it! The vocals were great.


That is if we're counting tributes   

[punkinhead]

Speaking of Nilsson, I'm surprised nobody has brought up one of his best cover songs: Without You (versus Badfinger, though both have very sentimental reasons behind them)



I also enjoy:
Spanish Harlem- Mama's and Papa's
Yellow Submarine- Black Dyke Mills Band
My Way- Sid Vicious
Romeo and Juliet- American Spring
I Fought the Law- The Clash
Try Some Buy Some- Ronnie Spector
Glad to Be Unhappy- Mama's and Papa's
I Was Made to Love Her- I really can't choose between the Beach Boy's and Stevie's version, Carl's vocals are sooo good but I love the track and vocals to Stevie's, and the BB version has that WH vibe (obviously, being on the album) 
Come and Get It- Badfinger...though it was written for them by Paul, Paul had the original
Never My Love- the 5th Dimension's version has got to be a really close 2nd to the Association.
Muskrat Love- America
Love Will Keep Us Together- Captain & Tennille
Sour Milk Sea- Jackie Lomax
Unchained Melody- Vito and the Salutations
Monster Mash- Beach Boys

[punkinhead]

the Let it Be album- Laibach   






Just kidding, but they certainly did make its a more interesting album out of that material than the Beatles did...but it

[punkinhead]

Even more additional tunes, I can't quit!

Going Out of My Head- Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66
Please Mister Postman- The Beatles
Night & Day- The Temptations
Pinball Wizard- Elton John
Ticket to Ride- The Carpenters
Be-Bop-a-Lula- John Lennon
Angel Baby- John Lennon

[roll plymouth rock]

I haven't heard Nilsson's Vine Street though

You have to, not just for that tune but the whole album: Nilsson Sings Newman is in my opinion one of the 10 or 15 best albums there has ever been. Wow, it's good.

VDP and Nilsson both sing two different songs before launching into....."That's a tape, that we made.....etc..etc."

Are the songs they sing before before both Newman songs? 
Both songs are very fitting for each singer.

I've always really enjoyed the Harpers Bizarre version of Vine Street, has a cool intro tape version of their old Tikis song Bye Bye Bye. VDP's early version is of an old folk song called Black Jack David. Nilsson's is the one Newman wrote for the song, which can also be heard on his debut S/T album (with VDP/Warronker production)

Didn't know Harper's Bizarre did a version, look out Youtube

Off the Secret Life Of Harpers Bizarre....worth tracking down! The CD release includes the B-Sides which were covers of Nilsson Poly High & Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now

[pixletwin]

I really enjoy Fiona Apple's version of Across the Universe.