Cover songs that are "done."

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

Skidmark and I were talking about the Green Day cover of "I Fought the Law" today. Did it really need to be covered again? I mean, The Clash did an awesome version of it and as far as we're concerned that song does NOT need to be covered again.

So then we talked about songs that have been covered that should never be covered a second or third time because the original cover is awesome itself. The song is "done," as in, stick a fork in it, it's done. It no longer needs to be re-covered.

Here's the list we came up with:

Black Diamond-- The Replacements (original: KISS)
Pale Blue Eyes-- REM (Velvet Underground)
Ziggy Stardust-- Bauhaus (David Bowie)
Interstellar Overdrive-- Camper Van Beethoven (Pink Floyd)
Hazy Shade of Winter-- The Bangles (Simon and Garfunkle)
Days-- Elvis Costello (The Kinks)

We came up with some others but I'm getting forgetful in my old age. What are some other songs that have been covered that no longer need to be covered?

<IMG SRC=http://img18.photobucket.com/albums/v53/monster6sixty6/guests/alice2_sig.jpg>

It's a cat house! A CAT HOUSE! Thanks M1!

[Doctor Manhattan]

Any Beatles song. Mainly "Helter Skelter" and "Come Together".

<a href="http://www.televisionwithoutpity.com/show.cgi?show=73"><img src="http://members.cox.net/nicksporsche/KillBillv205.jpg" border=0></a>

[TheMojoPin]

A cover of a cover should automatically be verboten.

Any faux-punk version of a ballad of ANY kind is usually a given dose of awfulness.

<img src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You can tell some lies about the good times we've had, but I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[JustJon]

Rolling Stone's Satisfaction. I've now got plenty of satisfaction, I don't need to get no more.

<img src="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/bans/rfjustjon11.gif"><BR><A href="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com">Chaotic Concepts</a>

[grlNIN]

"Dead Souls" Nine Inch Nails(originally Joy Division)


Now excuse me while i go kick my own ass.

<center><img src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=ninny">
<br>Daddy's little girl ain't a girl no more</center>

[Arienette]

the smashing pumpkins did the perfect cover of fleetwood mac's "landslide." it should have been done. unfortunately, no one told the dixie chicks.

<center><img src="http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/aricheat.gif" height=100 width=300</img><br>to think i might not see those eyes<br>it makes it so hard not to cry<br>and as we say our long goodbyes, i nearly do</center>

[JohnnyCash]

"I Fought the Law" Did it really need to be covered again? I mean, The Clash did an awesome version of it and as far as we're concerned that song does NOT need to be covered again.



I agree with you that there are too many songs out there that should just be retired from the cover rotation but I Fought the Law is one of those songs that has a few great versions. The Green Day one is crap though. The original Bobby Fuller 4 version is good, the Clash version is prolly the best version but for me, a close second is the Mike Ness cover. Theres also a Springsteen version that I only heard on a bootleg thats great too.



<img src=http://img18.photobucket.com/albums/v53/monster6sixty6/guests/cash_sig.jpg>
Big thanks to Monsterone.

[FUNKMAN]

Turn The Page...

It's a soulful song and Seger sang it with soul. The singer from Metallica 'to me' has no soul in his vocals, very flat and robotic 'for lack of a better word'

<img src="http://www.markfarner.com/2001tour/ribfest8_small.jpg">
We're An American Band

[schmega]

i've had enough of Across the Universe.

http://gilseed.home.acedsl.com/sig.jpg

[JohnnyCash]

1. Johnny Cash- Ring Of Fire. No other version compares to the original.
2. Rolling Stones- Wild Horses
3.Don Henley/Eagles-Anything by them should just be left alone. Hotel Califorina is done and no version of Desperaddo will ever be good.


<img src=http://img18.photobucket.com/albums/v53/monster6sixty6/guests/cash_sig.jpg>
Big thanks to Monsterone.

[blancostupido]

Though I liked their take on Gerry Rafferty's "Baker Street", why did the Foo Fighters have to cover "Darling Nikki"?? If this thread is strictly about covers of covers, I apologize....Darling Nikki has just been annoying me lately!

But I agree about the Green Day thing & they also covered Kinks "Tired of Waitiing for You".....I think it was on a movie soundtrack....still why did they bother

.....fond memories of kids telling me they looove the new Motley Crue song "Helter Skelter"...

<IMG SRC="http://members.aol.com/mlick96/tommy3.gif">
doesn't know what day it is

[TheMojoPin]

i've had enough of Across the Universe.

http://gilseed.home.acedsl.com/sig.jpg

True, though I think I like the Fiona Apple version even better than the original.

Keeping on a Beatles theme, "Come Together" was absolutely BUTCHERED by Aeromsith, and yet I hear it at least 2-3 times a week flipping over the classic rock stations.

The White Stripes' "Fell In Love With a Girl" was just murdered recently by Joss Stone's faux-soul into "Fell In Love With a Boy." AWFUL. Actually, Stone's album was in-store play at my bookstore, and her album is pretty much nothing but awful covers. Avoid at all costs. Nu-"soul" at its very worst.

<img src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You can tell some lies about the good times we've had, but I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

This message was edited by TheMojoPin on 4-25-04 @ 12:04 AM

[blancostupido]

I forget who originally did it, possibly
Tommy James & the Shondells??
but John Lennon covered.....twice...."Sitting in a La La / waiting for my Ya-Ya, uh, huh"......both horrible, one was the last track on "Walls & bridges" with one of his kids on drums(?)....the other was on his "Rock and Roll" album


<IMG SRC="http://members.aol.com/mlick96/tommy3.gif">
doesn't know what day it is

[TheGameHHH]

If I never hear another cover of "All Along The Watchtower" and "Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard" it'll be too soon.

<IMG SRC="http://home.comcast.net/~rmfallon/RFnetHHH.jpg">

[Arienette]

i've had enough of Across the Universe.

True, though I think I like the Fiona Apple version even better than the original.
the rufus wainwright version is pretty good, too. although i agree with mojo - the fiona apple one is the best.



<center><img src="http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/aricheat.gif" height=100 width=300</img><br>to think i might not see those eyes<br>it makes it so hard not to cry<br>and as we say our long goodbyes, i nearly do</center>

[reeshy]

The one song that I absolutely abhor, hearing it played and sung all over the place....."Happy Birthday"!!!!!!!

[center]<IMG SRC=http://hometown.aol.com/bonedaddy5/images/puppet.jpg>
[center] I KNOW KARATE...VOODOO TOO!!!
Thanks to YERDADDY!!

[jafter]

Here are some good covers:

Mrs. Robinson - Lemonheads
Ring of Fire - Social Distortion
I'm Free - Soup Dragons
Mony Mony- Billy Idol
First Cut is the Deepest -- Rod Stewart


Don't you think over the past year there have been way to many covers coming out. Kid Rock, Cheryl Crow, No Doubt, Jessica Simpson, and Sugar Ray all have realeased horrible covers of good songs. Write something on your own you hacks.

<img src=http://www.richstillwell.com/Jafter.jpg>

[Arienette]

i think it's about time that we officially retire "pressure drop." toots and the maytals, the clash, the (new) specials... apparently, robert palmer even did a cover of this song. who knows how many more are out there. it's a good song, but i think it's done.

<center><img src="http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/aricheat.gif" height=100 width=300</img><br>to think i might not see those eyes<br>it makes it so hard not to cry<br>and as we say our long goodbyes, i nearly do</center>

[Alice S. Fuzzybutt]

Mr. Cash reminded me:

Hurt-- Johnny Cash (NiN)

It never needs to be covered again. Ever. No one could ever come close to Johnny Cash's cover.

Stick a fork in it-- it's DONE!

<IMG SRC=http://img18.photobucket.com/albums/v53/monster6sixty6/guests/alice2_sig.jpg>

It's a cat house! A CAT HOUSE! Thanks M1!

[badorties]

no version of Desperaddo will ever be good.


when 'in america' comes out, rent it for the little christy's rendition of desperado .... johnny cash's version was pretty moving too, then again i'm not an eagles fan ....

between john cale, jeff buckley and rufus wainwright 'hallelujah' is done ....

no one needs to do another beatles' cover after nick cave's 'let it be' ....

between johnny/june cash's and beck/beth orton's versions of 'no expectations' doesn't be need to be done ....

i never understood why 'american woman' had to be redone after anal cunt's sweet cover ....

and as a general rule, ramones' covers should just not ever be done again -- the tribute albums are awful and miss the point altogether ....

and if i remember correctly, green day was paid a neat penny to do 'i fought the law' for apple/pepsi ....



<marquee behavior+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+</marquee>

[A.J.]

"Knocking On Heaven's Door" -- though Warren Zevon can be forgiven due to the context of his cover.

<img src=http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v124/Canofsoup15/Sigs/AJinDC-Sig.jpg>

A Skidmark/canofsoup15 production.

Red Sox Nation

[A.J.]

1. Johnny Cash- Ring Of Fire. No other version compares to the original.

True but isn't HIS version a cover since June wrote the song? Did she record it first?

<img src=http://img40.photobucket.com/albums/v124/Canofsoup15/Sigs/AJinDC-Sig.jpg>

A Skidmark/canofsoup15 production.

Red Sox Nation

[TheMojoPin]

Mrs. Robinson - Lemonheads

A hack song that ruined an otherwise perfect album. How can you go from ending on a beautiful song like "Frank Mills" (Itself a cover) to THAT schlock? Blech.

i think it's about time that we officially retire "pressure drop." toots and the maytals, the clash, the (new) specials... apparently, robert palmer even did a cover of this song. who knows how many more are out there. it's a good song, but i think it's done.

Again, I gotta give credit to a cover for being the best version...The "New" Specials' version just beats the rest out for me.

And keeping with the Cash line, you can toss out pretty much ANY song he covered on his last four albums...he owns them now. Well, except for "Like a Bridge Over Troubled Water," which he did with Fiona Apple. That was just awkward and kinda bad.

<img src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You can tell some lies about the good times we've had, but I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[jafter]

between johnny/june cash's and beck/beth orton's versions of 'no expectations' doesn't be need to be done ....


Is that the same "No Expectations" that is on the Stones Beggars Banquet.

A few others that I thought of today:

Dancing Barefoot - U2
You can't hurry love - Garland Jefferies
Surfin Bird - Ramones
Little Wing - Stevie Ray Vaughn

<img src=http://www.richstillwell.com/Jafter.jpg>

[mikeyboy]

Mrs. Robinson - Lemonheads

A hack song that ruined an otherwise perfect album. How can you go from ending on a beautiful song like "Frank Mills" (Itself a cover) to THAT schlock? Blech.

And that wasn't even on the original pressings of that album -- it was just an add-on to sell more copies after that album broke.

<img src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=mikeyboy">
Ron & Fez Show Log (http://www.osirusonline.com/ronfez.htm)
I'm dull and too low-energy!

[FUNKMAN]

Because The Night

turns out Natalie Merchant did an excellent job, great voice and expression...

<img src="http://www.grandfunkrailroad.com/covers/redalbum100.gif">
INSIDE LOOKING OUT

[badorties]

Is that the same "No Expectations" that is on the Stones Beggars Banquet.


yep ....



<marquee behavior+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+</marquee>

[Dudeman]

[quote]
Little Wing - Stevie Ray Vaughn[quote]

i disagree on this one. there are 3 covers that i know of, and all are good- derek and the dominos, sting, and SRV. each put a very distinctive twist on the song, so that it wasn't just a watered down version of the original.


-I'll log off now, and listen to your
response.-

[mikeyboy]

1. Johnny Cash- Ring Of Fire. No other version compares to the original.


I disagree. I'm a huge fan of Cash and his version of "Ring of Fire" is one of my favorite songs of all time, but...

As some on this board know, I collect different cover versions of "Ring of Fire" I've got somewhere between 20 and 30 different versions right now. What I like about them is that all versions have their merits, and none of the versions sound alike. The interpretations are all over the map, and covered in a large number of styles, for instance Social Distortion, Wall of Vodoo, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello and T-Bone Burnett, June Carter Cash, Olivia Newton-John (?!?), Blondie, etc.

I think it's a testament to how great the song in and of itself is (Thanks June Carter Cash). Yes, JC's is the definitive version, but I really like to see how others interpret it.

<img src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=mikeyboy">
Ron & Fez Show Log (http://www.osirusonline.com/ronfez.htm)
I'm dull and too low-energy!

[monsterone]

i really don't like cover songs much, unless they are re-done, usually in a different genre. any song that needs to be covered is usually played out.

<center><img border=1 src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=monsterone01"><br></center>

<center>
<font color="blue" size="3"><b>i have vermin to kill</b></font>

<font size="2" color="red">back off you shatner stealing mexico touchers </font>
<font color=white>moe & horde king, come back soon</font>


</center>
[color=White]

[TheMojoPin]

Mrs. Robinson - Lemonheads

A hack song that ruined an otherwise perfect album. How can you go from ending on a beautiful song like "Frank Mills" (Itself a cover) to THAT schlock? Blech.

And that wasn't even on the original pressings of that album -- it was just an add-on to sell more copies after that album broke.

<img src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=mikeyboy">
Ron & Fez Show Log (http://www.osirusonline.com/ronfez.htm)
I'm dull and too low-energy!


Indeed. I went out of my way to find one. It also has "Drug Buddy" listed on the back, as opposed to just "Buddy." Wheeee.

<img src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=TheMojoPin">
2% << December boys got it BAD >> "You can tell some lies about the good times we've had, but I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[fiestygal]

although it was only covered once BY jessica simpson, "take my breath away" could have been covered better! i like jessica and all but it was too EH.. for me ( not one of her better moments) BERLIN should have never allowed it to be covered!

What did the 5 fingers say to the face..

SLAP! I'm Rick James BITCH!

<IMG SRC="http://tenbatsuzen.homestead.com/files/fiestysig1.jpg">
THANX TENB

[JohnnyCash]

I disagree. I'm a huge fan of Cash and his version of "Ring of Fire" is one of my favorite songs of all time, but...

As some on this board know, I collect different cover versions of "Ring of Fire" I've got somewhere between 20 and 30 different versions right now. What I like about them is that all versions have their merits, and none of the versions sound alike. The interpretations are all over the map, and covered in a large number of styles, for instance Social Distortion, Wall of Vodoo, Bob Dylan, Elvis Costello and T-Bone Burnett, June Carter Cash, Olivia Newton-John (?!?), Blondie, etc.

I think it's a testament to how great the song in and of itself is (Thanks June Carter Cash). Yes, JC's is the definitive version, but I really like to see how others interpret it.



Ok-you got me there. Im a HUGE Social Distortion fan and I do like their cover. And I havent heard Dylans or Costellos versions but being a big fan of both of them too Im sure I would like them. I have heard a few really bad covers of it though.

Theres just something about Johnny Cash that makes any song he covers his own.

<img src=http://img18.photobucket.com/albums/v53/monster6sixty6/guests/cash_sig.jpg>
Big thanks to Monsterone.

[Arienette]

Indeed. I went out of my way to find one. It also has "Drug Buddy" listed on the back, as opposed to just "Buddy." Wheeee.sort of off topic... "alison's starting to happen" is definitely the best song on that album.

<center><img src="http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/aricheat.gif" height=100 width=300</img><br>to think i might not see those eyes<br>it makes it so hard not to cry<br>and as we say our long goodbyes, i nearly do</center>

[El Mudo]

I have 3 versions of "Sin City" on my Ipod sung by three different artists...

I think thats about enough....and God knows who else out there has covered it....

http://midatlantic.comcastsportsnet.com/images/maryland_logo.gif
<marquee> M-A-R-Y-L-A-N-D MARYLAND...WILL WINNNNNN!! </marquee>

[monsterone]

i only 1 kid rock album (the poluyfuse method) and i would love it tori amos would cover "balls in your mouth."

<center><img border=1 src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=monsterone01"><br></center>

<center>

<font color="black" size="1"> don't you think it's funny that if I grab a woman's ass and she punches me, she's fighting for her rights, but if a faggot grabs my ass and i punch his lights out, i'm a homophobe? </font>


<font color="white">moe & horde king, come back soon</font>


</center>
[color=White]

[jamesdiggy]

"Without You"

Badfinger
Harry Nilsson
Mariah Carey

Done!

<IMG SRC="http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/diggy.gif">

A Ted Knight in Shining Armor
I am now blessed with an ADF sigpic

[shamus mcfitzy]

Vincent-NOFX

and with that, I should probably go to sleep.

[Reephdweller]

Keeping on a Beatles theme, "Come Together" was absolutely BUTCHERED by Aeromsith, and yet I hear it at least 2-3 times a week flipping over the classic rock stations.


This song I think was also done by Mike Jackson, I was in J.C. Penney's or Stern's once (when Stern's was still around) and they had these TVs playing videos in the store. On the screen was this god awful version of either "Come Together " or "Get Back" by the Beatles that Jacko was just destroying.

I've always loved the song "Across the Universe", and I never thought I'd like the Fiona Apple though in some ways I do. There's a number of Beatles covers on the Sam I Am soundtrack that are pretty decent.

And I do like Stings cover of "Tempted" by Squeeze.

Though overall I'm not a big fan of cover songs.

I hate when I hear covers of Aerosmith's "Dream On", I think the original is just fine the way it is.

<center><IMG SRC="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/randomizer/random.php?uid=3">
Reefy's website... (http://www.osirusonline.com/)</center>
<font size="1" color="red">
<center>Check out The Ron and Fez Show Logs...UPDATED!!!!! (http://www.osirusonline.com/ronfez.htm)</center>
<marquee behavior=alternate bgcolor="#FFFFFF">Right now you could care less about me...
but soon enough you will care, by the time I'm done</marquee> </font>

[Freakshow]

Alright, i've thought of a good song that satisfies the intent of this thread.

The Ghost of Tom Joad -- Rage Against the Machine

Done. No one else gets to cover it.



<img src=http://www.christpuncherrecords.com/sigs/moon.jpg>
I left my brain inside my other head

[badorties]

Alright, i've thought of a good song that satisfies the intent of this thread.

The Ghost of Tom Joad -- Rage Against the Machine

Done. No one else gets to cover it.


as long as it's the version from 1997, i don't care for the rick rubin production from 'renegades'

although their versions of kick out the jams, in my eyes and beautiful world might be their best work


<marquee behavior+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+</marquee>

[Freakshow]

I agree. I have a 7" of Vietnow and Ghost of Tom Joad on purple vinyl. It's the '97 version.



<img src=http://www.christpuncherrecords.com/sigs/moon.jpg>
I left my brain inside my other head

[jeffdwright2001]

Not sure how many of you have heard of them, but Tuck and Patti have done some great covers of songs that should not be redone.

They have a wonderful version of "Time After Time" originally done by Cindy Lauper.


They also have a "Castles Made of Sand/Little Wing" song that is beautiful.

Their "Takes My Breath Away" (not to be confused with "Take My Breath Away", was the song my wife and I danced to at our wedding.


It's 2 people (husband and wife) - guitarist and singer - here's the discography (http://www.tuckandpatti.com/discography.shtml)

This message was edited by jeffdwright2001 on 4-29-04 @ 2:34 PM

[DarkHippie]

One of the greatest covers of one of the greatest songs ever: Greg Brown covering Richard Thompsons' "Vincent Black Lightning"

Noone can ever cover it better, so why try.

<IMG SRC=http://home.comcast.net/~jamesgpatton/eo.jpg>
<marquee>"Last night I went running through the screen door of discretion, for I woke up from a nightmare that I could not stand to see. You were a-wandering out on the hills of Iowa and you were not thinking of me." Dar Williams "Traveling III (Iowa)"</marquee>

[legroommusic]

I think all of these songs would be okay if UB40 redid all of them.

I love you, lorena (aggie).

[badorties]

One of the greatest covers of one of the greatest songs ever: Greg Brown covering Richard Thompsons' "Vincent Black Lightning"

Noone can ever cover it better, so why try.


unless you've ever heard del mCcory's rendition, for my money that's the best ....



<marquee behavior+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+|+</marquee>

[JimBeam]

To be honest, I didnt need to hear Johnny Cash singing Rusty Cage by Soundgarden.
But they did return a not so great musical favor by covering Come Together on an import album.

I have balls !!!

[Se7en]

I wish people would stop covering both The Cure and The Smiths.

While I think 311's version of "Lovesong" is nice, many people have covered that song and many Cure others, with varying degrees of success. Sometimes it works (A Perfect Circle), often it does not.

Same goes with the Smiths. I recently heard a version of "How Soon Is Now" done by Tatu.

Yes, I shuddered in horror as well.

<center><img border="0" src="http://se7enrfnet.homestead.com/files/7_sig.gif" width="300" height="100">
<br>
<br>
Don't blame me....I voted for Kodos.
I look forward to an orderly election that will eliminate the need for a violent bloodbath. </center>

[TheMojoPin]

That 311 cover pisses me the fuck off.

I hate covers almost out of principle, but I figure if someone feels they HAVE to do one, at least try and switch it up a bit. 311 pussied out and did "Love Song" ALMOST NOTE FOR FUCKIN' NOTE exactly the same. It seems like they're trying to take credit for that song with a generation of kids who only know Robert Smith as the scary fat man wearing big shirts who ate all the pies.

AND the video takes what was a heartbreaking love song (natch) and seemingly makes it about wanting to fuck some sorority chick on spring break.

GAAAAAAAAAH!!! THE RAGE!!!

<img src="http://scripts.cgispy.com/image.cgi?u=TheMojoPin">
1979 << December boys got it BAD >> "You can tell some lies about the good times we've had, but I've kissed your mother twice...and now I'm working on your dad..."

[FMJeff]

How about cover songs in general...how about just coming up with new stuff?

<center><img src="http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/fmjeff.gif">
<br>
It made my heart sing.

[DarkHippie]

unless you've ever heard del mCcory's rendition, for my money that's the best ....
Del McCory shouldn't count, cause anything he plays is gold . . . fuckin gold I tell you.

There just aren't enough bluegrass fans in NY :(

<IMG SRC=http://home.comcast.net/~jamesgpatton/eo.jpg>
<marquee> Check out DarkHippie's latest story, "Keeper", at http://home.pcisys.net/~drmforge/dftoc2.htm </marquee>