A song murdered by someone.

That’s an easy one for me. I would have to say that the worst cover, and one of the worst recordings I have ever heard, was the 1963 cover by the one hit non-wonder Vito & The Salutations which utterly destroyed the beautiful song "Unchained Melody."

And I say that as one who actually enjoys more than a few so-called "doo wop" recordings.

For those having strong stomachs:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHwDeGDkEFk

My favorite version, among the relatively few I am familiar with (according to Wikipedia the song has been recorded more than 1500 times by more than 670 artists, in multiple languages), was one of the earliest, the 1955 recording by Al Hibbler:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qto6cY0Fsw4&list=RDMMqto6cY0Fsw4

I for one greatly prefer that version to the better known recording that was done in the 1960s by the Righteous Brothers.

Regards,
-- Al

I really love bad covers, they are fun to listen to.  Nazareth's "Love Hurts" falls in that category.  I particularly love hearing Shonen Knife cover "Top of the World, "  and maybe even Dolly Parton doing "Stairway to Heaven."

Eric (bdp24), as we’ve discussed in past threads I too very much like the Rock and Roll Trio/Johnny Burnette Trio’s version of "Train Kept A-Rollin’," and thanks for calling it to our attention here in the past.

Regarding the Yardbirds’ version, I actually prefer the variation of it they did, with similar music but completely different lyrics, that was entitled "Stroll On." I believe they wrote the different lyrics to circumvent copyright issues that would otherwise have arisen when they performed the song in the great but enigmatic 1966 film "Blow-Up," directed by Michelangelo Antonioni . As our foremost resident rock historian here you probably know more about that than I do. The clip from "Blow-Up," in which Jeff Beck has a problem with his guitar amplifier, with interesting consequences:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqh03zFRx2w&list=RDjqh03zFRx2w

Best regards,
-- Al

P.S: The Yardbirds' recording of "Stroll On":

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adbGT8Rg9OE

Best regards,
-- Al