Favorite cover?


As a (minor) film buff, I almost invariably prefer originals. But when it comes to audio, I  have found more than a few covers that I prefer to the originals. So, to kick things off, and with all due respect to Boz Scaggs, I absolutely LOVE this live Incognito version of Lowdown:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dH%E2%80%A6

What's on the top of your lists?
whipsaw

Them’s version of Big Joe Williams’ "Baby Please Don’t Go", though they model their version on that of John Lee Hooker. Wicked, tough, Them make The Stones sound like the p*ssies they are.

Another is The Guess Who’s (the first line-up, without Burton Cummings) take on Johnny Kidd & The Pirates’ "Shakin’ All Over". I much prefer TGW’s version to that of The Who, whom I saw & heard perform the song live in ’68 and ’69. That opinion "may not" be shared by everyone ;-) .

"Let Her Dance" by Phil Seymour, the drummer/singer on the two Dwight Twilley Band albums (after Phil left the group, "Band" was dropped from the name). The original is by The Bobby Fuller Four, written by Bobby. In contrast, TBFF’s recording of "I Fought The Law" (written by Sonny Curtis of The Crickets) has never been equaled, certainly not by The Clash, whose version is dreadful, even worse than The Who’s take on "Shakin’ All Over", which I wouldn’t have thought possible. Hoary, bombastic, empty.

To me, Lou Reed falls into a category with Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan and Tom Waits in that some of the best versions of their songs end up being done by other artists. Some of my favorite Lou Reed / Velvet Underground covers are:

EVAN DANDO & KIRSTY MacColl: "Perfect Day"
BRYAN FERRY: "All Tomorrow's Parties"
MOTT THE HOOPLE: "Sweet Jane"
THE PRIMITIVES: "I'll Be Your Mirror"
MITCH RYDER & DETROIT WHEELS: "Rock N' Roll
THE TELESCOPES: "Candy Says"

In an ironic twist, I thought the best song on the Bob Dylan "30th Anniversary Concert Celebration" (aka BobFest) was Lou Reed's stomping cover of "Foot Of Pride."

The Triple Threat in the 70s and 80s was David Bowie, Iggy Pop and Lou Reed. I’m not hot doggin ya! 🌭 
Everly Brothers-"Unchained Melody"

Shonen Knife-"Top of the World"

Roy Orbison-"Love Hurts"

R.E.M.-"First We Take Manhattan"