And I’m not saying that the original is bad. You have to have a good song to have a good cover in my opinion. But sometimes the cover artist just understands the mission and takes what the original song did and expands on that a hundred times over.
What’re some of your guys’s favorites?
Very common opinion, but “Hurt” originally by NIN covered by Johnny Cash. He really puts his mark on it, especially considering how old he was when he did the cover.
I think Kermit’s cover of Cash’s cover was brilliant.
Definitely a classic.
Heartily seconded, came here to say this.
This is the one.
Yes that’s a great one
The Donnie Darko (slowed down version) of Tears for Fears, Mad World.
Great choice. That was done by Gary Jules, btw.
Jimi Hendrix’s version of All Along The Watchtower by Bob Dylan. It’s likely to be the only version of the song most people have ever heard.
And even Dylan agreed it was better
Is it still a cover if the original artist agrees to let you adopt the song? Dylan said it’s Hendrix’ song now.
yeah I love that Dylan said he felt like he was covering jimi when he played it.
I’m not sure I’d agree that it’s jimis song though considering he never played it out, just made the studio cover for Are You Experienced
Goldfinger version of 99 red balloons absolutely nails it in my opinion
I prefer the 7 Seconds version
Still one of the greatest live acts around.
Nirvana did a bunch of great ones during their brief time together.
The Man Who Sold The World has already been mentioned, but their versions of Turnaround by Devo, Plateau and Lake of Fire by Meat Puppets, and Where Did you Sleep Last Night and They Hung Him On A Cross by Leadbelly are all beautiful renditions in their own ways.
Of those, I’d say that Where Did You Sleep Last Night and both of the Meat Puppets covers are just as distinctly re-stanked by that Nirvana magic as their Bowie cover was. I like their version of They Hung Him On A Cross more than the original too, but tbh it always made me feel a bit weird hearing a white man singing that one. I get that it came from a place of reverence and compassion, but…idk man. I am both mixed race and have mixed feelings on that one lol. At the same time though, if any white man was to cover that one, I’m glad it was him since the hurt inherent to Kurt’s voice was a perfect match for the vibe and tone.
Have you heard the original meat puppet versions? Nirvana basically covered them exactly.
Not saying that’s bad. But when you look at songs like “All along the washer tower” by Jimi, or “Whiskey in the Jar” by Metallica. Those covers are completely changed to fit their style. In my mind, that’s what makes a cover great.
A lot of Nirvana’s style is the Meat Puppets
Good covers, but they lack original twists. Meat Puppets even played the music in the unplugged performance. So really it’s wasn’t Nirvana covering them as much as Kurt Cobain singing.
It’s what I have against Weezer’s cover of Toto’s Africa. Good cover, but it doesn’t scream Weezer at all.
I have heard them and was aware that the Puppets performed with Nirvana on those songs, as well as of the former’s overall influence on the latter.
Still, I think there is a depth to Kurt’s voice and an eccentricity to how he played that nudges those versions over a certain metaphysical edge, but that’s just my take on it. As much as he learned from MP, he was also an avid parasocial student of Leadbelly, and that influence makes each version of those songs very distinct pieces in my ears. Still very similar ofc, but also each their own worlds, with their own flavors.
If you disagree, that is perfectly okay, and, either way, I appreciate you adding a bit of context for the uninitiated.
Lake of Fire is the only one I’d say is maybe better. Especially if we are talking about the MP too high to die version over MPII version.
They are all good songs, though, so I can definitely see your point.
huh I’ve never heard the originals, didn’t realize they were 1:1. I think Kurt’s voice suits them perfectly but yeah agreed that the best covers are transformative, as you can see clearly if you wanna go look at my main comment on here haha
I love Weezer’s Africa just because it’s so fucking funny that they did that but yeah, it doesn’t recontextualize anything or even sound like Weezer. would be a lot cooler if it did
I’ll go check out your comment!
I just find it funny that some Nirvana fans would listen to Plateau by the Meat Puppets and think it was Kurt Cobain singing. Like “He recorded a studio version??”
I wouldn’t even know how you could change Africa to something else and be liked. It’s a tall order for sure. I enjoy Bob Dylan a ton but understand not everyone likes his voice or even harmonica. “All Along The Watch Tower” could easily be changed and enjoyed because it’s the music and lyrics that are loved mostly. Africa is an entire package. I enjoy Dave Matthews Band performing “All Along The Watch Tower”. He puts it in his own style some, but that style isn’t as different as Jimi.
also Jesus doesn’t want me for a Sunbeam which came from unplugged too.
some of my favorite covers nirvana did though were not off unplugged, Love Buzz, Molly’s Lips, And I Love Her
I completely forgot about Love Buzz somehow (that bass line tho) and have already kicked myself for not mentioning their The Vaselines covers. Glad someone brought em up!
I think Incesticide was one of their most vibiest releases and the covers on their are all wonderfully done. Molly’s Lips very much included!
My personal favorites that I like better than the originals and I LOVE the originals:
Whiskey in the Jar - Metallica
Take On Me - Reel Big Fish
99 Red Balloons - Goldfinger
Land of Confusion - Disturbed
La Isla Bonita - Twilight Guardians
Spaceballs - Majestica
Black Betty - Spiderbait
Thriller - Scandroid
Electric Avenue - Skindred
That Spaceballs cover made my day
Yes!!! AWESOME! I think it’s totally great. 😂
I will survive by cake.
My first high school dance freshman year they played the original and i belted out every word from memory because i spent all summer listening to Fashion Nugget.
“(I can’t get no) Satisfaction” as covered by Cat Power. It completely omits the guitar riff and chorus, and lays bare the song for the empty life that it portrays. You wouldn’t even recognize it for The Rolling Stones.
Eric Clapton’s unplugged version of Layla is an entirely different experience than the original.
Against All Odds by The Postal Service
my mind was blown when I learned that was Ben Gibbard from Death Cab For Cutie on vocals
this live version is especially fantastic, from an album of covers by them, I think the Baby One More Time cover is more popular but I prefer the recontextualization of this one
ridiculously emotional, can really feel his pain in it. I would never have thought this was a Black Sabbath cover had it not been mentioned at the top of the video
no notes. perfect cover.
never would have thought this would work as a duet but it’s perfect, 10/10
Someday I Suppose by Drug Church
Boston.
I love a good cover, the best covers recontextualize the meaning of the song imo
I will survive by cake is incredible! 100%. Couldnt agree more.
The Civil Wars pretty much made everything perfect.
And sad. But perfect.
Cardigans, Burning Down the House with Tom Jones. Of course the original is incredible, but this version slaps.
Such Great Heights covered by Streetlight Manifesto. This is one of the songs that makes me think about how much I love my wife.
Iron and Wine do another great cover of this song
I have no idea who that is but I’m going right now to find out.
The horn arrangement just absolutely slays.
Muse did a great job of converting Feeling Good. It was a bold choice and they smashed it.
Yeah, its a great version. Almost a completely different song.
Ninja Sex Party’s cover of “The Last Unicorn.” I think the original is lovely, but their version just clicks with me.
Shrek 2’s version of “I need a hero.”Heartbeats.
Same words, same melody, completely different universes.
