Bauhaus’ Ziggy reigns supreme for me - somehow it beats the unbeatable! Loved the props to Sisters’ Gimme Gimme too - used to play that on live bootleg tapes, round and round and round.
I’d also give a nod to the north east - China Drum’s Wuthering Heights as a thing to behold, alongside Leatherface’s Eagle - a brilliant version of an oft-overlooked ABBA masterpiece and lastly, The Futureheads’ surprising Hounds of Love.
There must be something in the water in Sunderland… great piece - I’ll be winding myself up with songs I missed off the list all day now :)
Great article! Reading about The Fall and Nile Rodgers, The Slits and Marvin Gaye is guaranteed to put me in a good mood 😊
I think the worst kind of cover is one where the arrangement is so similar that you just think "Why did they bother?" I agree that a new twist is required, especially for something very well-known.
I loved Dolly's response when asked whether she minded Whitney Houston having a bigger hit with "I Will Always Love You". It was to the effect that considering the money it made her she had no problem at all! 😆Legend.
The Fall’s cover of Lost in Music is defo one of my faves too. So many Joan Jet’s Crimson and Clover Bowie’s Sorrow and Across The Universe. And I had forgotten about The Leather Nunn
Another couple for consideration where the respective bands made them their own are Japan's 'Ain't that peculiar' and Lush's version of 'Love at first sight' Never get bored of listening to either.
Grace Jones albums also have a few great cover versions where the arrangements make them different, but which one/s to choose? For sheer bravado would probably offer 'She's lost control' or 'Nightclubbing' for taking the originals out of their comfort zone.
"It's a similar story with The Slits' version of I Heard it Through the Grapevine. Technically, you shouldn't be messing with this revered Motown classic, but mess with it they do with a punked-up twisted dub that still disgraces enlightened dancefloors today."
The Slits cover of I Heard it Through the Grapevine is, to my ears, the best cover version of a song ever made (and possibly one of my favorite songs, full stop). It is the gold standard of unique artistic spin in another genre without just outright imitation, as so many covers are.
For a similar soul to rock/punk cover that isn't such a jarring shift, if the measure of a good cover song means keeping some of the original DNA intact, I also often go with Crimson and Clover.
Surprised to see no mention of Jimi's 'All Along the Watchtower' in the comments. An obvious choice, perhaps, but for me it's the yardstick for all cover versions - I think even Bob preferred it!
And now I have just been reading On Repeat Records by Kevin Alexander here on Substack and I have learnt that Hanging on the Telephone by Blondie is in fact a cover. You will have to look up On Repeat Records if you want to know who wrote the original.
I was just commenting elsewhere that Manfred Mann was the king of covers. Blinded by the Light appeared first on Bruce Springsteens first album, and was written by him. Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn) was written and first performed by Bob Dylan. Both well known songs, but the originals are rarely heard.
I'm not a Deadhead, but The Grateful Dead often did an eye-watering version of Bonnie Dobson's 'Morning Dew.' And arguably none better than the one that was captured on tape on May 26, 1972, at the Lyceum Theatre in London, and included on their 'Europe 72' LP.
One of my own favourites is the Sonic Youth cover of The Carpenter's Superstar
Fantastic cover, I love their take!
And into the groove Baz 👍
Yes mate! And the Redd Kross version of Yesterday Once More on the flipside!
Bauhaus’ Ziggy reigns supreme for me - somehow it beats the unbeatable! Loved the props to Sisters’ Gimme Gimme too - used to play that on live bootleg tapes, round and round and round.
I’d also give a nod to the north east - China Drum’s Wuthering Heights as a thing to behold, alongside Leatherface’s Eagle - a brilliant version of an oft-overlooked ABBA masterpiece and lastly, The Futureheads’ surprising Hounds of Love.
There must be something in the water in Sunderland… great piece - I’ll be winding myself up with songs I missed off the list all day now :)
Cheers and some great ones there. Forgot about Eagle, also one of my favourite ABBA songs!
Of course! I knew I’d kick myself!!! And less than a week since I waxed on about it myself! FFS. 😆
Great article! Reading about The Fall and Nile Rodgers, The Slits and Marvin Gaye is guaranteed to put me in a good mood 😊
I think the worst kind of cover is one where the arrangement is so similar that you just think "Why did they bother?" I agree that a new twist is required, especially for something very well-known.
I loved Dolly's response when asked whether she minded Whitney Houston having a bigger hit with "I Will Always Love You". It was to the effect that considering the money it made her she had no problem at all! 😆Legend.
Thanks Jules - and agree on Dolly! Some good versions of Jolene too, The Sisters of Mercy, The White Stripes
The Fall’s cover of Lost in Music is defo one of my faves too. So many Joan Jet’s Crimson and Clover Bowie’s Sorrow and Across The Universe. And I had forgotten about The Leather Nunn
Leather Nun used to get the occasional spin in the Ritz if I remember rightly x
I love a good cover version that changes things up a little. Charles Bradley also did a great version of 'Heart of Gold', too.
Yes, classic!
Another couple for consideration where the respective bands made them their own are Japan's 'Ain't that peculiar' and Lush's version of 'Love at first sight' Never get bored of listening to either.
Grace Jones albums also have a few great cover versions where the arrangements make them different, but which one/s to choose? For sheer bravado would probably offer 'She's lost control' or 'Nightclubbing' for taking the originals out of their comfort zone.
Great shouts, thanks!
"It's a similar story with The Slits' version of I Heard it Through the Grapevine. Technically, you shouldn't be messing with this revered Motown classic, but mess with it they do with a punked-up twisted dub that still disgraces enlightened dancefloors today."
The Slits cover of I Heard it Through the Grapevine is, to my ears, the best cover version of a song ever made (and possibly one of my favorite songs, full stop). It is the gold standard of unique artistic spin in another genre without just outright imitation, as so many covers are.
For a similar soul to rock/punk cover that isn't such a jarring shift, if the measure of a good cover song means keeping some of the original DNA intact, I also often go with Crimson and Clover.
Great stuff, thanks! And another shout out for Crimson and Clover!
Alien Ant Farm does a brilliant cover of, Smooth Criminal.
Also, Jimmy Buffett's cover of Southern Cross is better than the original, in my mind.
Yes, have heard that - cheers Joe!
Surprised to see no mention of Jimi's 'All Along the Watchtower' in the comments. An obvious choice, perhaps, but for me it's the yardstick for all cover versions - I think even Bob preferred it!
Fair point!
And now I have just been reading On Repeat Records by Kevin Alexander here on Substack and I have learnt that Hanging on the Telephone by Blondie is in fact a cover. You will have to look up On Repeat Records if you want to know who wrote the original.
Very true, only discovered this recently!
I was just commenting elsewhere that Manfred Mann was the king of covers. Blinded by the Light appeared first on Bruce Springsteens first album, and was written by him. Quinn the Eskimo (The Mighty Quinn) was written and first performed by Bob Dylan. Both well known songs, but the originals are rarely heard.
A little late to the party, but here’s a handful of my favorite reinterpretations:
Marsheaux: Billy Idol’s “Eyes Without a Face”
https://open.spotify.com/track/04YObtYkElo3sNcr9hUe1w
Chromatics: Neil Young’s “Into The Black”
https://open.spotify.com/track/6NQfUZb5VummNR8rozb8Ic
In This Moment: Mazzy Star’s “Into Dust”
https://open.spotify.com/track/7uyXaF9E5bIjxOgzgwHvs3
TORRES: Portishead’s “Wandering Star”
https://open.spotify.com/track/27GfCrp62bDE4hxBh7xtcW
Think I need to make a playlist of all the cover songs mentioned here.
I think Amy Winehouse's version of 'Valerie' has far surpassed The Zuton's original (although I still really love the original!)
Jason Isbells album of covers is a fun listen…Georgia Blue celebrating artists from his adoptive home state…the REM covers are really good
Will check it out, cheers!
I'm not a Deadhead, but The Grateful Dead often did an eye-watering version of Bonnie Dobson's 'Morning Dew.' And arguably none better than the one that was captured on tape on May 26, 1972, at the Lyceum Theatre in London, and included on their 'Europe 72' LP.