Top 5 Covers

We love covers here at Blog on the Tracks. I know that to be true, because the very first post to pass 100 comments was about covers. I talked about Johnny Cash's American Recordings (the full series of albums,) - and, also, I remember that I tried to bring up the concept of covers that were better than the originals. I named Joe Cocker's version of The Beatles' With a Little Help from My Friends (and that's still my favourite cover; my # 1 if you will).

We generated a huge list - as I say, over 100 comments.

We've since revisited the topic a few times. From different angles. (And we will continue to.) Covers will always fascinate me.

I have been tidying up files on the computer, with a new external hard-drive. And I found a list of my Top 5 Covers. I don't go making these lists for the sake of it. This one was made for the magazine Real Groove. I used to write for the mag for a few years. Then a new editor came along and didn't like what I wrote. That's cool. Well, it's not really. But - it is what it is (whatever that means).

Point is, this list never got published. So I'm throwing it out there - I am pretty sure I still stand by this. (I think?) Here are my Top 5 covers.

What are yours?

My List Below:

1. Joe Cocker, With a Little Help from My Friends (The Beatles): The first example I ever heard of a song being transformed by a cover. I far prefer this to the original.

2. The Gourds, Gin & Juice (Snoop Dogg): This alt-country ensemble showed that bluegrass and hip-hop are not at all worlds apart.

3. The Mountain Goats, FM (Steely Dan): I love hearing John Darnielle's warped bleat and frenzied acoustic strum; it's the antithesis of Steely Dan's slick jazz-rock.

4. Calexico, Alone Again Or (Love): This is that other kind of cover; not so much a transformation as a faithful facsimile that makes you realise a good song that you might have forgotten...

5. Warren Zevon, Back in the High Life Again (Steve Winwood): Zevon cracks a high as he sings the word "high" and he couldn't sound further from being in the high life. Of course, he'd just found out he had cancer, so the irony is devilish and sublime, as was Warren's way.

And now it's your turn. Add your list below...and remember a Top 5 only.

Newest First

Oldest First

Dan   #1   09:55 am Mar 13 2009

1. Beatles - Twist and Shout. No idea who did it first, the Beatles' version made any other versions unimportant.

2. Ryan Adams - Wonderwall. Even Noel Gallagher says it's better.

I'm at work, so that'll do for now.

Danny   #2   10:09 am Mar 13 2009

@Dan....Twist and Shout was originally by the Isley Brothers. It was good.....but the Beatles version has an energy and excitement that can never be reproduced!

Peter   #3   10:21 am Mar 13 2009

Rolling Stones - Like a Rolling Stone John Mellencamp - Rave On Motley Crue - Helter Skelter Van Halen - You Really got Me Nirvana - The Man Who Sold The World

MissCaz   #4   10:22 am Mar 13 2009

I'll probably be chased down the street for suggesting these ones, but Staind's cover of Pearl Jam's Black is rather good and I love the Manic Street Preachers cover of Rihanna's Umbrella

1977   #5   10:24 am Mar 13 2009

Deep Purple, Hush (Billy Joe Royal) John Lennon, Stand by me (Ben E. King) Nirvana, Unplugged, The Man who Sold the World (David Bowie) Smashing Pumpkins, Landslide (Fleetwood Mac) Ugly Kid Joe, Cats in the Cradle (Harry Chapin)

These are in no order of preference and may or may not be actually better than the original and may be replaced at any time.

Don 1   #6   10:30 am Mar 13 2009

All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix; If I Were A Carpenter - Robert Plant; Rosalie - Thin Lizzy; Not Fade Away - Rolling Stones; Hurt - Johnny Cash

si   #7   10:40 am Mar 13 2009

Neil Young - Oh Lonesome Me; Ricki Lee Jones - Rebel Rebel; Beastie Boys - Time For Livin; Be Good Tanyas - When Doves Cry; Frente - Bizarre Love Triangle

mike74   #8   10:43 am Mar 13 2009

5. Kiss- God Gave Rock N Roll to You (Argent 4- Thin Lizzy - Whiskey in the Jar (Traditional song) 3- Motorhead- God save the Queen (Sex Pistols- Great video!) 2- Electric Six- Radio Ga Ga (Queen- even better video!) 1- The Rolling Stones- Little Red Rooster (Howlin Wolf)

Bryan   #9   10:47 am Mar 13 2009

Fiona Apple singing Costello's "I Want You" is absolutely breathtaking. (He plays guitar along with her).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiOmhOumh-w

Remmy   #10   11:28 am Mar 13 2009

1. Joe Cocker "With a little help"

2. U2 "Helter Skelter"

3. Jeff Buckley "Hallelujah"

4. Sinhead Oconner "Sacrafice"

5. ANY ELVIS cover...........;-)