Cover songs that are better than the original

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Aug 7, 2016
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I was listening to Anthrax' cover of AC/DC's T.N.T. earlier today and it got me thinking about cover songs and just how many are out there which are better than the original.

In my opinion, Anthrax covered T.N.T. better than Acca Dacca produced the original. Much better, actually. And I do say so as an AC/DC fan.

Another, but very different version from the original, and one which I've enjoyed immensely, is Disturbed's version of The Sound of Silence.

Having grown up with a Simon & Garfunkel obsessed parent, I grew to love many of their songs from a very young age. So, if Paul Simon himself endorsed the cover, Disturbed must have done something right.

Off the top of my head, Metallica's Whisky in the Jar and Nirvana's Man Who Sold the World were great covers. However, I'm sure there's many out there which currently elude me.
 

Underdog

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Some of mine...and I suspect they're going to be unpopular...

Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal (cover of Michael Jackson)
Bodyjar - Hazy Shade of Winter (cover of Simon & Garfunkel)
I Was Only 19 - The Herd (cover of Redgum)
Higher Ground - Red Hot Chilli Peppers (cover of Stevie Wonder)
 
May 5, 2016
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Some of mine...and I suspect they're going to be unpopular...

Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal (cover of Michael Jackson)
Bodyjar - Hazy Shade of Winter (cover of Simon & Garfunkel)
I Was Only 19 - The Herd (cover of Redgum)
Higher Ground - Red Hot Chilli Peppers (cover of Stevie Wonder)

Came into this thread to mention the Bodyjar version of Hazy Shade of Winter.

Special award for Frenzal Rhomb's cover of the Home and Away theme.
 

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Sep 15, 2011
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There are probably hundreds, but Jeff Buckley's cover of Hallelujah, Pearl Jam's cover of Last Kiss, Johnny Cash's cover of Hurt are all well known. Also the Beatles' cover of Twist and Shout, and The Clash's cover of I Fought the Law.

I really like Gang of Youths' recent cover of Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now, which is itself a cover (although Mitchell was the original writer...work that one out).
 
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Bend Me, Shape Me - Da American Breed
Fire - La Pointer Sisters
Summer Breeze - Type 'O' Negative
Supernaut - 1000 Homo DJs
Under ze Bridge - PM Dawn
White Rabbit - Collide
Red, Red, Whiiinnne - UB40
Justify My Love - Front Line ASSembly ft Kristy the hottie Thirsk (Delerium)
Stir It Up - Bob Marley/Johnny Nash/The Wailers, actually not sure if this counts as a cover in any regard
Mandy - Barry Manilla Folder
Send Me an Angel - Sleepthief ft Kristy thirsty for her Thirsk
Nite Flightz - David Bowtie
Emma - Sisterz of Mercy
 

hey shorty

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I liked The Living End version of Sunday Bloody Sunday better than the U2 one, albeit marginally
 
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All Along the Watchtower Jimi Hendrix

Hurt - Johnny Cash

Suzie Q – Creedence Clearwater Revival

Turn! Turn Turn! - Byrds

Little Queenie – Rolling Stones

California Sun – Ramones

Doesn’t make it Alright – Stiff little Fingers

Walk On By – Stranglers

Sounds of Silence – Disturbed

Summertime Blues – The Who

These may or may not be as good as the original, but i like em'
 

The Stid

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While it won't be better than the original (imo) Gary Clark JR's rendeition of The Beatles "Come Together" that he's done for the upcoming Justice League movie sounds killer.

Up there for mine is definitely Hurt (Johnny Cash) and Higher Ground (RHCP) which have both been mentioned.
 

hey shorty

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30k Posts 10k Posts TheBrownDog
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Can I ask why Sounds of Silence is so popular?

I mean I get it, it's a very good song and old mate gives a powerful performance, but the music is virtually identical - all that changes is the lack of harmonies and the fact that he sings an octave lower. Does nothing for me.
I like it, I'll be honest I hadn't heard the original until recently although I knew it existed. I really liked that version.
 

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raskolnikov

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raskolnikov

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benji2

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Glenelg, Sheffield Wednesday
Without You - Harry Nilsson
Mad World - Gary Jules
Woodstock - Matthews Southern Comfort
+1 to Hurt - Johnny Cash
I'm no Placebo fan but their version of Running Up That Hill is neck and neck with Kate Bush's

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Devo - I Can't Get No Satisfaction
Siouxsie & The Banshees - Helter Skelter
Blondie - Hanging On The Telephone
Bryan Ferry - Let's Stick Together
The Flying Lizards - Money (That's What I Want)
Anna Calvi and David Byrne - Strange Weather
Curve - I Feel Love
Fiona Apple - Across The Universe
Harry Nilsson - Without You
Madness - It Must Be Love
 

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