Cover Versions That Are Better Than The Original Song
Created | Updated Jun 28, 2006
It is a well known fact that cover versions are never as good as the original song. But are they? I have compiled here a modest little list which I think disproves the rule.
Want to contribute? Please post your suggestion below, where I will either nod sagely in agreement or laugh mockingly at your foolishness. I will tentatively accept remixes (cf. JXL below) as long as they are strikingly different from the original.
NB: The author's verdict is final. Correspondence will be willingly entered into, but you're unlikely to change my mind.
Here goes:
Song | Artist | Original Artist |
A Little Less Conversation | JXL | Elvis Presley |
Always On My Mind | Elvis Presley | Brenda Lee |
Baker Street | Undercover | Gerry Rafferty |
Blinded By The Light | Manfred Mann | Bruce Springsteen |
Blue Moon | Marcels | Elvis Presley |
California Dreaming | Beach Boys | Mamas and Papas |
Caravan Of Love | Housemartins | Isley Jasper Isley |
Combine Harvester | Wurzels | Melanie |
Don't Leave Me This Way | Communards | Harold Melvin & the Bluenotes |
Easy | Faith No More | Commodores |
Hit Me Baby One More Time | Travis | Britney Spears |
Hush | Deep Purple | Joe South |
It Must Be Love | Madness | Labi Siffre |
Kiss | Art of Noise feat. Tom Jones | Prince |
My Favourite Things | Me First & the Gimme Gimme's | Julie Andrews |
Needles And Pins | Ramones | Searchers |
On Her Majesty's Secret Service | Propellerheads | John Barry |
Only You | Flying Pickets | Yazoo |
Red Red Wine | UB40 | Neil Diamond |
Spirit In The Sky | Doctor And The Medics | Norman Greenbaum |
Tainted Love | Soft Cell | Gloria Jones |
Too Much, Too Little, Too Late | Silver Sun | Johnny Mathis & Deniece Williams |
Unchained Melody | Righteous Brothers | Jimmy Young |
Wonderwall | Mike Flowers Pops | Oasis |