Top "covers"


Not talking about album artwork. I'm talking about when one artist records a song previously recorded by another artist. The second artist gives the song his or her own special style and often it turns out better (or more popular) than the original. To keep this manageable, let's limit it to pop/rock (jazz and classical have too many songs that are recorded by many, many performers) and, in keeping with the "top 40" nature of the topic, let's limit it to the last 40 years or so. Here's my list to get the juices flowing:

1. Jimi Hendrix version of Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower"
2. The Who version of Eddie Cochrane's "Summertime Blues"
3. The Beatles version of the Isley Brothers'"Twist and Shout" (though I believe the IB version may have been a cover, too)
4. Patricia Barber version of Doors' "Light My Fire"
5. The Eagles version of Tom Waits' "Ol' '55"
6. Diana Krall version of Joni Mitchell's "Case of You"
7. CSN&Y version of Joni Mitchell's "Woodstock"
8. The Sundays version Rolling Stone's "Wild Horses"
9. The Corrs version of Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing" (from their "Unplugged" CD)
10. Many songs by Eva Cassidy, but especially Marvin Gaye's "People Get Ready" (at least I think the original was MG)

I'm looking forward to reading/hearing others' ideas!
dawgfish
Stevie Ray Vaughan definitely trumped Jimi Hendrix (and everyone else that ever recorded it) on "Little Wing", released posthumously on "The Sky is Crying". This is probably my favorite Hendrix tune, and Stevie took it places that Jimi only teased us with. The MFSL version of this album is my single most prized recording!!!!
Bryan Ferry's solo albums contain a lot of covers, especially his earlier albums from the 70's. By contrast his Roxy Music albums are the outlet for most of his original work.

The range of music he covers is quite amazing, for example, Cole Porter, Dylan, Elvis, Joe South, Willie Nelson, Stones, Brian Wilson. As a reinterpretation of an original, I especially like his version of the Beatles' "It's Only Love" from the "Let's Stick Together" album of 1976. "As Time Goes By" is an entire album of covers of classics from 50-60 years ago.
Hey! Let's not forget Dread Zeppelin and their covers of Zep tunes.

Reggae, Elvis and Zeppelin all rolled into one.

F'in hilarious!

Best,

Paul :-)
Jose Feliciano's "Light My Fire"
Devo "The Words Get Stuck In My Throat"
Screamin' Jay Hawkins' "Constipation Blues"
Emerson Lake & Palmer "Pictures At An Exhibition"
Beatles "Louie In The Dirt With Marbles"
first three that come to mind:

"Ride Like the Wind" by Saxon (yikes, but it rocks!)
"Come Together" by Trouble (awesome groove)
"Winchester Cathedral" by Perry + Kingsley (moog pioneers)