When bands cover songs of other bands, the result is usually quite hideous (Isn't it, Jenn? )

But for some, they actually improve it. In my opinion, Son of a Gun, Mollys Lips and Jesus Doesn't Want me for a Sunbeam were all better songs when performed by Nirvana instead of The Vaselines.

What bands have 'improved' songs?

Deja vue, Dis. I'm getting fired up about music.

Nirvana did a great job with lots of covers: Hey, Hey as well.

I like the Vaselines version of those songs.

For the most part, covers are horrendous... some of them can be well done, but sometimes they just can't beat the original. Like when Nirvana did 'The Man Who Sold the World', they did a great job. But Bowie's version is more... Bowie. It's the same song but just with a different feeling.

Same when Pearl Jam did 'Last Kiss' (though that is a cover I like better than the original).

The worst is when artists don't add anything to a song, and just play it the same way as the original but do it terribly.

Cover songs are very tricky.....

Oh, I usually hate cover songs. I almost had tears in my eyes when I heard 'Poison' by some dance person thingy

Like Korn's 'another brick in the wall'?

I really like Angie Aparo's cover of 'Imagine', but I have probably made enemies by saying that.

Oh I think I heard of Korn covering that song, but I keep forgetting about it. Luckily.

What about Avril Lavigne covering a G n'R song?!

Covers are usually crap, but can occasionally be good. I like them best when they add something different to the other version.

Marilyn Manson did a good cover of Sweet Dreams are Made of This. Orgy did good with Blue Monday, and I like Fear Factory's version of Cars (though it wasn't too different from the original). The Verve's Bittersweet Symphony I believe is a cover too.

I absolutely HATE the remake of Police's I'll be watching you. *mimics a high-pitched squeal - "I'll be missing you" (throws up)*

Regards, PA

The music was, but not the lyrics. So it's like a half-cover.

Yes I liked Marilyn Mansons 'Sweet Dreams' too. And his 'Tainted Love'.

Those aren't too bad.

I keep trying to think of covers that I like, and all I can think of are the really bad ones.

See also: 'Papa Don't Preach' covered by Kelly Osbourne.

Speaking of Bowie (towards the beginning), isn't his All the Young Dudes' actually a cover from Mott and the Hoople? I think he may have had a hand in writing the song, though, so maybe that doens't count.

And anything performed by Kelly Osbourne has been seared from my memory.

So was I. Then when my friend said it was ok I couldn't contol my actions.

That's because they used Gary Numan for the vocals on that song

Anybody else think that Marilyn Manson's version of Personal Jesus sounds just like the original (apart from the singing of course).

I think HIM's Wicked Game is a good cover though, and Solitary Man......

I didn't think it was similar. I prefer Depeche Mode.

EDIT: I am nearly crying, I'm listening to Behind Blue Eyes by Limp Bizkit or whatever they are called. This is dreadful, I would kill this song, if they hadn't already done it.

I prefer Bryan Ferrys version to John Lennons Jealous Guy.Great tune.
just seen your edit star child,,its terrible isnt it.I actually do cry when I see McFly do Pinball wizard on CDbloodyUK.

The TV show Charmed version of "How soon is now" makes me wanna kick something.

I'm really sorry to have had to break it to you through your blog, Starchild. You should have been more prepared. At least Limp Bizcuit won't be around in another couple of years.

I am of the opinion that covering songs is fine for wedding bands and the garage guys that play down at the local bar.

Popular singers who cover other people's work, are non-creative boobs that are just interested in making money and have no talent or art of their own.

John Lennon's 'Imagine'.

I have a cover of the song by Guns N' Roses (not very good), A Perfect Circle (good), and Our Lady Peace (good) on my iPod

On the 25 most played, the covers come before the actual song lol

i agree that cover of alice cooper's 'poison' was hideous. the ramones did an entire cover album and every single song on there is excellent. they did a great cover of 'substitute' by the who that was awesome.

it would be futile to argue that the ramones are 'non-creative boobs..just interested in making money' since the album was released after they were well-established....also some bands do cover tunes in homage to other bands.

I think Guns 'n Roses did a cover of "Live and Let Die", that was good.
ELO did covers of Roll Over Beethoven and Great Balls of Fires that were great.
Somebody did a cover of "Have A Cigar" for Mission Impossible 2 that was just horrible, like the movie.

Every band does covers.... even the greatest in history. "Twist and Shout" by The Beatles is acover of the same song by a band called "Top Notes". Also Roll over beethoven was done by Chuck berry, before the Beatles did their version.

Jimi Hendrix did covers of Bob Dylon

The Who did a cover of "Summertime Blues" by Eddie Cochrane

Hell that song "Only you" by the platters (1954) was a cover of another band "Cues"

Covers are a way of each band paying tribute to artists, or songs, that made a difference to them..... I can't see whats wrong with it.

As for "Personal Jesus", yes, it did sound similar. But Manson's was better, and yes, that's biased. I also liked "I Put a Spell on You" and "Down in the Park", it's old but catchy.

And anyway... anyone who mentions bad cover songs.... but doesn't mention Dolly Partons Starway to Heaven..... Really needs to re-evaluate... lol

or william shatner's 'lucy in the sky with diamonds'....truly, wonderfully disturbing....

Or Shaggy's remake of the Pretender's song 'Angel in the Morning'. I nearly wrecked when I heard THAT for the first time.

i thought that was juice newton....

Thanks dis

I like the Nine Inch Nails version of Hurt better, but the Johnny Cash one is good too, my mom loves it.



I agree, I heard this song, and I was about to burn the radio. It's just..... sick

Nah, she re-did it in the early 80's, but the Pretenders performed it in the 70's (I'm not sure if they were the orginal artist, though, now thatI think on it...I'll search). Her remake was at least in the spirit of the song, and I thought it was okay. Shaggy butchered it.

Hmm... Merrilee Rush was the original artist. Huh.

Actually Jenn, I think that song was done the year earlier by Evie Sands

Its been covered 8 times now....

good grief some of these songs really go back!
i just found out that 'house of the rising sun' (made a hit by the animals) was a cover. it was apparently an old folk song and it had been recorded in the 40's....thanks to alice cooper's radio show for that info....

Indeed, and Bob Dylan also recorded it before the animals (with a few other artists) he did so in 1962 (animals did theres in 64).

I still like the animals version though.

So Merrilee Rush was not the orignal artist. What a history!

Bob Dylan covered a lot of songs made popular by other artist, because in WROTE them. I think that's funny... He's not a great singer, but an amazing songwrite.

me too. i also like to hear cheap trick do the beatles. i don't know why, i just like robin zander's voice.

i think the ramones do excellent covers because even when they're covering another band's song, they still sound like the ramones....they give the cover their own little twist.

I know... its odd...when I think Bob Dylon, I always seem to think of Guns n Roses Knocking on heavens door....

*"aMotive"{A Perfect Circle)* Except "Passive"*

Totally briliant!!!

Who did the original of 'Last Kiss' anyway? By the wat, 'The Man Who Sold The World' would have to be my favourite cover song (besides Sweet Dreams)

I would have to agree with you there. I prefer the Nine Inch Nails version of Hurt better. I heard that Johnny Cash also covered 'Personal Jesus'. I haven't heard it though...

Megadeth's version of "Superstitious" = Best Cover Ever

Some covers are good... some you wish you had never heard...

I like to go on the p2p deals and search for keyword "cover" and mass download them. Have got some pretty interesting ones! Like Yngwie Malmstein (sp?) and Ron Dio doing... oh crud now I can't remember the song... but that was a pretty good one too! heh EDIT: (It was Dream On cover of Aerosmith)

Or who was it, Tori Amos? that did that Green Day cover?