Original VS. Cover which do you prefer??

"Lean on Me"
By Club Noveau
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Bill Withers
I've never liked the original (to slow and sappy) but club noveau's version made it tolerable...

"Higher Ground"
by The Red Hot Chili Peppers
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Stevie Wonder
RHCP's version is okay if i'm in the mood for hard rock but you can't top Steve Wonder...

"American Woman"
by Lenny Kravitz
ORIGINAL ARTIST: The Guess Who
Lenny put some funk on this that the Guess Who couldn't do...

"Come Together"
by Aerosmith
ORIGINAL ARTIST: The Beatles
The both sound real close so its a wash...

"Got To Get You In To My Life"
by Earth Wind and Fire
ORIGINAL ARTIST: The Beatles
EWF's version is a bit more soulful...gotta give it to them...

"Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)"
by Stevie Ray Vaughn
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Jimi Hendrix
Nothing can beat jimi's original although Stevie Ray Vaughn comes close...

"Easy"
by Faith No More
ORIGINAL ARTIST: The Commodores
I don't know what the fuck was on FNM's mind when they decided to do this...

"Red Red Wine"
by UB40
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Neil Diamond
UB40 made this their own...

"Cum On Feel The Noize"
by Quiet Riot
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Slade
QR made it a bit more gruffer..they get the nod...

"Kiss"
by Tom Jones and The Art of Noise
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Prince
I like Tom Jones version because he's not gonna hurt himself singing it..but it STILL a prince song..

"I Can't Stop Loving You"
by Ray Charles
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Don Gibson
Ray Charles made it his own...

"Hard to Handle"
by The Black Crowes
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Otis Redding
Otis is the king but the Black Crowes did do a damn good job on this...

"Killing Me Softly"
by The Fugees
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Roberta Flack
Never liked many of Roberta Flacks songs and LEAST of all this one..but the fugees made it bearable

"Hazy Shade of Winter"
by The Bangles
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Simon and Garfunkel
you CANNOT beat that blazing guitar in the bangles version...

"Walk This Way"
by RUN DMC and Aerosmith
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Aerosmith
RUN DMC revived aerosmith's career with their version...nuff said.

"Twist and Shout"
by The Beatles
ORIGINAL ARTIST: The Isley Brothers
Isleys all the way...

"I Shot The Sheriff"
by Eric Clapton
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Bob Marley
Bob Marleys original is a classic but Clapton's is a keeper as well...

"A Natural Woman"
by Carole King
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Aretha Franklin
Name a song aretha can't make her own...

"All Along The Watchtower"
by Jimi Hendrix
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Bob Dylan
Even Dylan had to agree Jimi blazed the shit outta this tune..

"A Little Help From My Friends"
by Joe Cocker
ORIGINAL ARTIST: The Beatles
Close your eyes and you'd think a brotha was singing this...the beatles can't touch it.

"I Heard It Through The Grapevine"
by Gladys Knight / Creedence Clearwater Revival
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Marvin Gaye
MG recorded it FIRST but Gordy released it AFTER Gladys Knight's version..I like all three equally..each one did their own thing with it.

"Respect"
by Aretha Franklin
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Otis Redding
Again Aretha taking someones song and making it her anthem...

"Satisfaction"
by Devo
ORIGINAL ARTIST: The Rolling Stones
Depends on my mood but most of the time the Stones get my vote.

"Proud Mary"
by Ike and Tina Turner
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Creedence Clearwater Revival
Ike and Tina put their foot in this song...they took it.

"Don't Leave Me This Way"
by Thelma Houston
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes
Gotta love thelmas soulful opening and it just rocks nonstop from there..she gets the nod.

"Knock on Wood"
by Wilson Pickett
and Amii Stewart
ORGINAL ARTIST: Eddie Floyd
Amii stewarts is a fun romp in pure 70s disco..but the wicked wilson pickett is pure soul..its a tie IMO

"Ladi Dadi"
by Snoop Doggy Dogg
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Slick Rick
A no brainer...rap remakes are ridiculous..IMO

"Black Magic Woman"
by Santana
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Fleetwood Mac
Santana owns this song..

"Blinded By The Light"
by Manfred Mann's Earth Band
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Bruce Springsteen
I just like the MMEB version cuz it sounds like he's saying "wrapped up like a DOUCHE"

"Hound Dog"
by Elvis Presley
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Big Mama Thornton
Gotta admit one of the FEW songs i like by elvis..

"The Twist"
by Chubby Checker
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Hank Ballard
Chubby owned it..sorry hank

"Emotion"
by Destiny's Child
ORINGINAL ARTIST: Samantha Sang & the Bee Gees
Like the original better and DC's video for this was depressing as shit.

"I Say A Little Prayer"
by Aretha Franklin
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Dionne Warwick
Aretha takes ANOTHER song..

"Don't Make Me Over"
by Sybil
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Dionne Warwick
Sybil version thoroughly modernizes this songs and made it a club fave...

"Live And Let Die"
by Guns N Roses
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Paul McCartney & Wings
The original is great but GNR did a pretty good version..

Walk on By
covered by Isaac Hayes
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Dionne Warwick
Isaac hayes version is over 7 MINUTES long and has more emotion than the original.

 

"Nothing Compares 2 U"
by Sinéad O'Connor.

Original by Prince.

Both kill it, Sinéad's is a standout though.

 

Do 'its a man's man's man's world'!

And 'girl you really got me now'


Awesome idea, although I disagree on the creedence verdict. MMEB always crack me up on that version. It does sound like 'douche'. But I do love that version also.

 

Personally, I love Seal's version.. Bet Helli chooses James...'cause James sings it like no other.

 

I was going to put up the Best Friend's Wedding cover of this but i realized i never heard the original and Oh my God this woman is fricking amazing, I mean reach into your soul amazing.

[YOUTUBE]KtBbyglq37E[/YOUTUBE]


I know this wasn't on the list but this one always touches my heart. The girl I marry will be hearing this during the proposal lol


[YOUTUBE]PL3397DDE20B12E5CA[/YOUTUBE]

 

Destiny's Child version of Emotions cant hold a candle to the Bee Gees.

One remake I like is the D'Angelo version of Cruisin'. I actually think it is equal with the Smokey Robinson version.

One song that nobody can touch is Lovesong by The Cure. I've hear it remade a few times and everyone was terrible.

 

it is on the list...
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Dionne Warwick is the original..her's is perky IMO compared to Aretha's..

 

I like the idea of posting both videos like what TDK did here

 

Only a handful of covers equal or exceed the original...most suck.

That said, Living Color's cover of Love and Happiness by Al Green is one of the best.:rock::smt106

I have both on my smartphone.


[YOUTUBE]hsU6_eSG4k4[/YOUTUBE]
[youtube]cCqI6v4KDiI[/youtube]

 

Dionne Warwick I think recorded this song first before Aretha Franklin. Burt Bacharach is quite a songwriter/composer.

 

A good example of who(may have) done it best is in the following

God Gave Rock N Roll To You
By KISS
Originally recorded by Argent.
I give it s slight tie. Slight because KISS gave a good vocal performance to it.

A World Without Heroes
Cher
Originally recorded by KISS.
KISS wins.

Just The Way You Are
By Barry White.
Originally written and recorded by Billy Joel.
Both have great moments. But this is arguably the best rendition of Billy's song by Barry.

If You Don't Know Me By Now
By Simply Red.
Originally recorded by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes.
Tied. Both very soulful versions. There was even a country version of the song.

Everlasting Love
Originally recorded by Robert Knight followed by Carl Carlton, Gloria Estefan, U2 and others. A feel-good song.

Wild Nights
John Cougar Mellencamp & Meshell Ndege Ochello.
Originally recorded by Van Morrison.

Suspicious Minds
Fine Young Cannibals.
Originally recorded by Elvis Presley.
Honest performance by Rolland Gift. A little more uptempo than Elvis' song.

Rock N Roll Music
By The Beatles.
Originally recorded by Chuck Berry.
Both have the rock feel to it.

This Magic Moment
Jay & The Americans.
Originally recorded by The Drifters.
Lead singer Jay Black once said that he wanted The Drifters' version to get some recognition.

Come On Let's Go
By Los Lobos.
Originally recorded by Ritchie Valens.
The Ritchie Valens version was more percussive than Los Lobos' version. But, both versions work out.

I Only Have Eyes For You
By Art Garfunkle.
Originally recorded by The Flamingos.
Art tried to go for the romance angle with this song. He did a good job. But, I have n't, to this day ever heard anyone do The Flamingos version any justice.

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do
By Neil Sedaka.
Originally recorded by Neil Sedaka.
Only Neil Sedaka could top this song.

These are just a few I can think of.:smt020

 

The In-Crowd
The Ramsey Lewis Trio(instrumental).
Originally recorded by Dobie Gray.
While The Ramsey Lewis Trio's version is longer than Dobie Gray's, a future founding member of Earth, Wind & Fire played the drums on this arrangement. Maurice White played with The Ramsey Lewis Trio. This is a tie because it all depends on a listener's mood.


Didn't I(Blow Your Mind)
New Kids On The Block.
Originally recorded by The Delfonics.
While New Kids On The Block was a new sensation at the time, this version doesn't raise a candle to The Delfonics song.


My Love
Sung by Petula Clark.
Written and sung by Tony Hatch.
I had heard both recordings and had thought the Tony Hatch recording was good. But Petula Clark made the song her own.

Just A Giggalo
Sung by David Lee Roth.
Originally recorded by Louis Prima.
Both versions had the same spirit. But Prima's was more jazzy.


Working In A Coal Mine
DEVO
Originally recorded by Lee Dorsey.
DEVO's rendition was featured in the film Heavy Metal and it was good during the advent of synthesizer rock. But, Lee Dorsey's was good for all times.


Don't Dream It's Over
By Six Pence None The Wiser.
Originally recorded by Crowded House.
Six Pence None The Wiser literally followed the song note for note and used a different key. It is good, but Crowded House's version is better.

 

Prince, every day and twice on Sunday....
[YOUTUBE]U5ykajMdMuI[/YOUTUBE]

over

sinead o'connor
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I've heard both the Kinks and Van Halen do "You Really Got Me", but I didn't know anyone tried to cover James Brown's classic. I heard Angelique Kidjo cover his tune "Cold Sweat", though.

Rose Royce and the Cover Girls "Wishing on A Star"

 

D-Code by Dust Devil.
Originally called Mambo Gallego composed and recorded by Tito Puente.

Dust Devil remixed this Tito Puente classic. It had been used in many shows but it was best known on Cartoon Network's Adult Swim program(which was better than it is now). It has that Latin jazz/hip-hop feel to it that is infectious. You want to listen to it repeatedly.


Tito Puente's Mambo Gallego just makes you want to dance. It, too, is fun to listen to.




Take Me In Your Arms(Rock Me A Little While)
The Doobie Brothers.
Originally recorded by Kim Weston.
Kim Weston is probably Motown's underrated performers. Underrated because she should be as big as the other artists in the Motown label. Backed by The Funk Brothers band, this song soars.
The Doobie Brothers version was fast paced and strong with vocals and instrumentation. Holland-Dozier-Holland was very impressed with this rendition. Both versions are great.




Helpless
Originally recorded by The Four Tops.
Recorded by Kim Weston.
I first heard this song in the film Auto Focus with Greg Kinnear and Willem Dafoe(Kinnear played actor Bob Crane from Hogan's Heroes and Dafoe played his friend and murderer John Carpenter). It was a great song with Levi Stubbs singing his heart out. Kim's version was pretty good. But Kim Weston is not Levi Stubbs. Both songs are worth a listen.



I Say A Little Prayer For You
Originally recorded by Dionne Warwick.
Sung by Aretha Franklin.
Hands down, Aretha Franklin's rendition of this song trumps Dionne Warwick's. It had a lot of soul in it.



You're All I Need To Get By
Originally recorded by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell.
Recorded by Aretha Franklin.
Both versions from Motown and Atlantic Records are worth a listen. I had first heard the Aretha Franklin version when I was little as I did the Marvin Gaye-Tammi Terrell version. Well, I would give it to Marvin and Tammi. Their chemistry on this song was legendary(one had to wonder if they were having an affair). Aretha Franklin's rendition had a lot of strings and a sax solo. Very good. But Motown really got to me.

 

Sorry lady, I will never agree with you on this one! The Sinead O'Conner version is heart-wrenchingly beautiful!


One of my all time favourite songs is "How can you mend a broken heart", but ONLY the Al Green cover. The original BeeGees version is awful in comparison!!


Original:

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BEST - Al Green:

[YOUTUBE]UgAFcvIw8J4[/YOUTUBE]

 

I had listened to both versions of 'How Can You Mend A Broken Heart?' also. When I first heard The Bee Gees' version, I was 6 or 7 at the time. And I had always listened to this song at night. It was a song where you could either dance slow or sing it around the campfire with your friends. Al Green's version, I would say it is one where you could dance slow, engage in a heavy petting session, all the way to making love. It is a rather versatile song.


Nothing Compare's 2 You. Sinead O'Connor wins that one. Prince is a great musician, composer and lyricist. He is a great singer if the song fits the passion he feels. I don't see him singing Manic Monday(a song he wrote for The Bangles lead singer Susannah Hoffs as a way of asking her out).

 

I think both songs are passionate and heart-wrenching - and the Sinead O'conner/Al Green versions make you feel that. The Prince/BeeGees versions are too airy-fairy lighthearted!

 

Everybody Plays The Fool
Originally recorded by The Main Ingredient.
Covered by Aaron Neville.
Hands down The Main Ingredient's version is the best of the two. It really got your attention with the orchestra's opening notes that sounded like melodic thunder.
Aaron Neville gave the song a light reggae touch to it. It didn't do much for me.



Suspicious Minds.
Originally recorded by Elvis Presley.
Covered by Fine Young Cannibals.
They say you can't take anything away from the King Of Rock -N-Roll. But Roland Gift give the song a little more oomph.



Always On My Mind.
Originally recorded by Elvis Presley.
Covered by Willie Nelson and The Pet Shop Boys.
All good and heartfelt renditions of this song for those who are a little bit country and a little bit rock-n-roll(and pop, too).



Don't Be Cruel.
Originally recorded by Elvis Presley.
Covered by Robert Plant.
The drummer used a guitar case to provide the percussion effect for drums(it was also used in the song All Shook Up and Elvis' Comeback Special from Hawaii).

Robert Plant(before going into bluegrass)made it a heavily percussive piece. But he was once a member of The Honeydrippers(a group that had only two albums that featured a who's who of musicians and Plant sung all of the songs in the first album). I cannot say that Plant improved or distorted the song, but the arrangement is different.



Have You Seen her?
Originally recorded by The Chi-Lites.
I forgot who covered this song.
The Chi-Lites version is THE only version. That distorted guitar gets me every time.