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
Lazarus28, speaking of Bowie, the Nirvana [Unplugged] cover of "The Man Who Sold the World" is a great one. Funny, some of my younger friends don't even realize that the Bowie version exits. And I agree that the Bauhaus version of "Ziggy Stardust" is a hoot!
On November 2, 1998, Phish, in the middle of their second set at the E Centre in West Valley City, UT, launched into a cover of Pink Floyd's "Dark Side Of The Moon". They did a really great job with it, covering the entire album in order.
I was just listening to a DAT of it getting ready to convert it to CD. It holds up really well.
Here's some I enjoy:

Tori Amos' versions of: Cohen's "Famous Blue Rain Coat" or Tom Waits "Time" or Bob Geldof's " I Don't Like Mondays"

Mick Jagger & The Chieftans doing "Long Black Veil"

Shawn Colvin's version of Doc Pomus/Presley's "Viva Las Vegas"

Ryan Adams' version of Hank Williams' "Lovesick Blues"

And who can forget Metallica covering Thin Lizzy's take on that old Irish tune "Whiskey in the Jar" or Rage Against the Machine's version of Dylan's Maggie's Farm"?
Cowboy Junkies have done covers of many artists, with results I think are better than the original. There was a gime cd included with their most recent release. It's called 'neath your covers" my favorite tracks:
#1) Thunder Road (Springsteen)
#4) Darkness, Darkness (Jesse Colin Young)
#5 Helpless (Niel Young).

There are also some good coveres off of Trinity Sessions.
Neil Young's Helpless must attract good covers. Try Nick Cave's. I also like Neil's live performance with The Band from The Last Waltz.