There will be those who consider a subject such as this too negative, and a waste of one’s precious time. I empathize and even agree with that point of view, and usually refrain. But if you have to vent, at least this isn’t about politics. And there may be nominations which have those who love them. That’s great, each to his or her own. So don’t take this personally anyone, but I know of some songs which really disgust me, others which I merely feel should not have been done, just as some movies should not have been remade. But, just as Martin Scorsese’s remake of Cape Fear is MUCH better than the original (with an added moral complexity), there are plenty of song covers I actually prefer to the original. I consider Dave Edmunds’ version of "I Hear You Knockin’" much cooler than the Smiley Lewis original. Here are some I really, really don’t like:
"Train Kept A Rollin’’’ as done by Aerosmith. The first version I heard was that by The Yardbirds, and it is great. The 1957 version by The Rock ’n’ Roll Trio (sometimes referred to as The Johnny Burnette Trio) is even better. Way, way better. Aerosmith’s is just awful. The Rock ’n’ Roll posturing I so hate about this band and others like them is on full, unapologetic display. Really, really disgusting.
"Love Hurts" by both Nazareth and Bon Jovi. The 1960 original version by The Everly Brother is unbelievably beautiful, heartbreaking. By the way, that The Everly Brothers were making music this good in 1960 puts the lie to the myth that there was no good music in the 60’s until the British Invasion. The two Arena Rock Bands above absolutely butcher "Love Hurts", making the performance of this magnificent song as to be in service to themselves rather than the song, something I detest. Roy Orbison covered the song in ’61, and it’s very nice, as is the version by Gram Parsons and Emmylou Harris from the early 70’s. The song is often credited to Gram and Emmylou by those who don’t know any better, just as I thought The Yardbirds’ "Train Kept A Rollin’" was an original (I didn’t read songwriting credits in 1965 ;-) .
"All Along The Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix. I know, I know, you love it. Fine, but I don’t. Bob Dylan’s original is perfectly performed---a quiet, contemplative, spiritual prayer with Biblical references. And the music is performed by Bob’s favorite Nashville musicians, including drumming great Kenny Buttrey, whom Neil Young had play on his Harvest album. Jimi sings the words as if they mean nothing to him, and he and his band just butcher the song musically. I could explain how, but if you like his version you wouldn’t understand (that’s not said with an attitude of smug superiority, but rather from experience), and if you don’t, no need to! But Dylan supposedly likes Jimi's take on the song, so what do I know? ;-)
