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

Showing 1 response by markphd

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.