So I listen to a ton of Pandora... Like 4gb of data usage just on my phone.... but I am not a 'BIG" music guy I just seem it keeps me more focused then everyday noise...


Anyways every once in awhile I a cover comes across that just makes me go huh... That was pretty good... but is it as good as the original or better!

Tonight a cover of Real Life - Send Me Angel came over the data wave... I always associate with the 80's movie RAD (one of my favs as a kid!).. but did Thrice do a better job? I think they pulled today's rock sound into the song, but I think the original has it beat any day of the week...

Orig...
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D6zBjYIyz-0[/media]


Thrice cover...
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=grwRg6LRmXw[/media]


My question is are there covers of popular songs that you think are better then the originals, if so Share!?!?!?

 

The first song that comes to mind is one that most people never knew was a cover: "Hard to Handle" by the Black Crowes. Otis Redding wrote and performed the song, and while I love the original, the Crowes made it popular.
(Also, most people don't know that Aretha Franklin's "Respect" is also an Otis Redding song... which is amusing, because it's viewed as one of the early woman's empowerment songs, but it was written by a man from a man's perspective)


I love John Mellencamp's cover (with Meshell Ndegeocello) of Van Morrison's "Wild Night." It's quite good.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1nPPRQeTxTY

 

Genesis' "Land of Confusion"

Great tune and I always loved the original video in its classic 80's style. I enjoyed Disturbed's cover though their video didn't do anything for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zU9lv_WqK6k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6KXgjLqSTg

 

Ben Folds - Tiny Dancer

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KFMx7Y2E91w


Stevie Ray Vaughan - Voodoo Child

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GSpbuFSr2o

 

The Letter by The Box Tops:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQaUs5J2wdI


The Letter covered by Joe Cocker:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xraj8...eature=related


You be the judge.

 

Joe Cocker was great - considering his career was built on his covers rather than original music, he's one of the few who does them better. I don't know if he did the background music/vocal arrangements too, but that's what really makes his versions better.

 

Like the Ben Folds cover, that is really good.

Another one of my Favs...
Careless Whisper covered by Seether...
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I7imqO-OBVk[/media]

 

Better then originally by George Michael...
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izGwDsrQ1eQ[/media]


But now where as good as this guys!
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaoLU6zKaws[/media]

 

I am also a big fan of Little Wing by Hendrix... MANY MANY people have covered it few of my favorites (even though they aren't nearly as good as the orginal!)
Hendrix...
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bz85o1paFMQ[/media]


Sting...
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLQjVvDTRPQ[/media]

 

Continuation from above...

Matt Rach (one of my favorite up and coming guitarists, phenomenal young player, look him up!)
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZajolB4oPA[/media]