I asked—and you responded. Fervently and enthusiastically. We like that.
Last week’s Beat column about the best and worst cover songs was admittedly trimmed to the bare minimum for space purposes. But with the limitless availibility online, let me again note that if I had the room, Cake’s take on Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and No Doubt’s remake of Talk Talk’s “It’s My Life” would have definitely made my best list.
And, as I was reminded this evening when Lionel Richie’s “Hello’ turned the XM ‘80s channel into instant mush, we can’t already forget the genius rendition of that song by David Cook on “American Idol” this season (to be fair, Incubus grunged it up first and Cook paid homage to that version). Also worth tracking down, Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins’ rendition of Traveling Wilbury’s “Handle With Care”—a fantastic song given a slightly bouncier edge, but loses none of the melancholy.
I haven’t heard the Foo Fighters’ “Baker Street,” so I went on over to YouTube to check it out. Very Good! Rick Springfield actually also did a cover of this song which I think is very good. I actually saw him do “Life in a Northern Town” live in 2005.
Gretchen Wilson definitely has the best cover I’ve ever heard of “Barracuda.”
If I hear Jessica Simpson’s “Take My Breath Away” one more time, I may lose my mind. They play it on the PA system at work. I have the pleasure of listening to it at least eight times per day. LOL. It gets better. My daughter is getting married in the fall and told me this is one of the songs she is playing at the wedding. I already purchased ear plugs.
For worst, “Baby I Love Your Way/Freebird” by Will To Power. They took a lame Peter Frampton song, an overplayed (though I still like the original) Skynyrd song and mashed them together into a soft rock/soft jazz unholy mess. Truly wretched.
– Tony Jordan
I’ll throw in some good ones in no particular order:
Jason and the Scorchers, “Absolutely Sweet Marie” (Dylan)
Fountains of Wayne, “Better Things” (Kinks)
The Reivers (aka Zeitgeist), “Atlantic City” (Springsteen)
The Replacements, “Another Girl, Another Planet” (The Only Ones)
<<< REM, "Toys in the Attic" (Aerosmith)
Camper van Beethoven, “Pictures of Matchstick Men” (Status Quo)
Holly Beth Vincent and Joey Ramone, “I Got You Babe” (Sonny and Cher)
Joey Ramone, “What a Wonderful World” (Louis Armstrong)
Social Distortion, “Ring of Fire” (Johnny Cash)
Husker Du, “Love is All Around” (The Mary Tyler Moore Show theme)
Yo La Tengo, “Dreaming” (Blondie)
Elvis Costello, “What’s so Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love and Understanding”
(yes, it’s a cover, written by Nick Lowe)
Cheap Trick, “California Man” (The Move)
The Liquor Giants, “Fire Brigade” (The Move)
For the bad ones, I’ll echo Pearl Jam and 311 and add
Van Halen, “Dancin’ in the Street”
Van Halen, “You Really Got Me”
Tiffany, “I Saw Him Standing There”
Hootie and the Blowfish, “I Go Blind”
Thanks for indulging me.
– Scott Jeffrey
I enjoyed your article on cover songs. Cover songs have long been one of my greatest interests involving music. I have a record collection of over 15,000 LP’s, over 6,000 CDs, thousands of 45’s and cassettes – so I know a little about cover songs!
I am 62 years old so my faves are from the earlier days of rock ‘n’ roll, but I still listen to current music.
As for my faves:
1.Gene Pitney’s version of “That Girl Belongs to Yesterday” – written as “My Only Girl” by Jagger & Richards and originally recorded by George Bean (not sure if it was released). Pitney re-wrote it and released it under the new title. It was the Stones first song to hit the charts in the US.
2.Creedence Clearwater Revival’s version of “I Heard it Through the Grapevine”. Originally by Marvin Gaye. I first heard CCR’s version while in the Army stationed in Korea. Loved it from first hearing. It’s real long and benefits from John Fogerty’s gritty performance.
3.Peter, Paul & Mary’s version of “I Shall Be Released”. Written by Bob Dylan and first recorded by the Band. PP&M’s version (from “Late Again”) has a gospel arrangement and, in my opinion, cuts the Band’s version.
4.The Kingsmen’s version of “Louie, Louie”. Written and originally released by Richard Berry. The Kingsmen totally wrecked (in a good way) and rocked this little ballad.
>>> 5.UB-40’s version of “Red Red Wine”. Neil Diamond wrote it and released it first, but the UB-40 version updates it and gives it a ska beat.
6.Brook Benton’s version of “Rainy Night in Georgia”. Beats Tony Joe White’s original by adding a real soulful voice to a real soulful song. Tony Joe White has a great voice, don’t get me wrong, but Mr. Benton’s is much more soulful.
As for the worst (that is a relative term and very subjective, but here goes):
1.Radiohead’s version of “Nobody Does It Better”. Originally done by Carly Simon for the James Bond movie. Radiohead start out interestingly, but sadly, they lose interest and camp it up. They have no respect for the song – so why did they bother?
2. Oranger’s version of “Mr. Sand Man” (from “Stubbs the Zombie”). The Chordettes own this song. You must have respect for a song in order to improve it. Snarkiness assures that you will ruin it. Many of the covers on the “Stubbs the Zombie” soundtrack are good – Ben Kweller’s version of “Lollipop” for example, but many of them suffer from Oranger’s obvious feelings of being too hip for this material.
As for your choices – I must disagree with you on your listing of Pearl Jam’s version of “Last Kiss” and Guns N’ Roses’ version of “Live and Let Die”. I loved them! They obviously respect the original material and do it justice.
Thanks for the opportunity to share some of these ideas. I could list hundreds of faves, but you would lose interest quickly and delete this email!
– Dan Hollyfield
I enjoyed your article on Best and Worst Cover songs. I prefer that an artist stick with his own music and not do covers. Rick Springfield made smart choices for his cover song CD. I like his version of “Imagine.” Clay Aiken did well with most of his covers. I love Donny Osmond but I had to laugh when he sang “I Can’t Go for That.” No can Do is right!
– Jennifer
Hard to keep this short—but very fun!
The best cover songs are worked by the artist in their own style, adding that extra something to make the song even better. The cover is so good, the original is (almost!) forgotten:
• All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix
• Proud Mary – Ike and Tina Turner
• The Letter – Joe Cocker
Better cover songs are still very much in the artist’s own style:
• Get Ready – Rare Earth
• I’m a Man – Chicago
• Mr Tambourine Man – The Byrds
The tolerable are certainly listenable—either version is compelling:
• Linda Ronstadt covers
The poor are those that actually lose something from the original—the pain, the passion of the original is missing:
• Most (if not all) covers by Johnny Rivers
• Angel of the Morning – Juice Newton
• The First Cut is the Deepest – both Sheryl Crow and Wilson Phillips
The worst are those that should never have been made, that evoke the fingernails on the chalkboard. These make you wish they were playing the original instead of the cover:
• Slade originals (Cum on Feel the Noize, Mama Weer All Crazee Now) covered by Quiet Riot – did they change anything?
• Mony Mony – Billy Idol
• Breaking Up is Hard to Do – I’m not a big fan of Neil Sedaka performances, and Sedaka covering Sedaka was too much!
– Chip Coutts
I’m glad you wrote this article. I confess I haven’t heard most of these covers, so I’ll check them out online.
I have two additions to the best list, one addition to the worst issue, and a comment on one of your choices. I think Sinead O’Connor did a fab job in covering Elton John’s “Sacrifice,” a song I really didn’t care much for until I hear her sing it.
<<< I love No Doubt's cover of “It's My Life.” Talk Talk’s version was decent, but Gwen Stefani really brings it to life.
A “worst of” list is incomplete without Dolly Parton’s, God bless her for trying, rendition of “Stairway to Heaven.” That one is right up there with Celine’s cover of AC/DC.
While I completely agree with your assessment of “Hazy Shade of Winter,” I am surprised at your thoughts on GNR’s “Live and Let Die.” What?? When I sing the song, which I do for some reason on occasion, you know it’s the GNR version that’s in my head because of my uncanny vocal resemblance to Axl--which is not really on purpose-- it’s just that I can’t sing well. Anyway, I love their version.
So now you know. 
Thanks for all you do in service of music. I think you’re great!
– Jennifer Ferris
“Stairway to Heaven” by Dolly Parton. Found on her “Halos and Horns” CD.
ICK.
– Lee Anne Fuller
Just wanted to give my 2 cents worth on the best cover songs of all time.
I absolutely love Cake’s versions of “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor. It’s one of my most played songs on my iPod. They also do a good job of covering Sabbath’s “War Pigs” and “Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love To Town” by Kenny Rodgers. Gosh...I loves me some Cake!
But my favorite of all time I think is Van Halens version of “Pretty Woman”. Even having the audicity to cover Roy Orbison took a lot of courage, but somehow they pulled it off! Even Roy’s trademark growl! Mercy! That version always made me smile. I never heard if he liked it, but I’m betting it made Mr Orbinson smile also.
Keep up the good work, I read your stuff every single week!
– Chris deTreville
I agree that the Bangles version of “Hazy Shade of Winter” is in the top ten, but how can you have a best cover song list and leave off “With a Little Help From My Friends” by Joe Cocker?
The title track from his second album, he completely reworked this Beatles song, trumping Ringo’s version from “Sgt. Pepper” by a wide margin. It’s a classic.
The other best cover song is Dave Edmund’s version of Elvis Costello’s “Girls Talk” from his “Repeat When Necessary” album (yes it was originally a vinyl album). I usually think Elvis Costello does the best versions of his own songs, but Dave Edmunds, with his high energy rock’n’roll approach, wins this one hands down, making the song his own. (If you want a candidate for worse cover song, check out Linda Ronstadt’s version of “Girls Talk” from her “Mad Love” album).
Love your column, read it religiously.
– Bruce Raterink
>>>I had the unfortunate experience of hearing Faith Hill [shudder!] cover Janis Joplin’s “Piece of My Heart.” It is gruesome!
There may be worse covers, and you named one of my most hated- Pearl Jam’s “Last Kiss” but “Piece of My Heart” is fresh in my memory
Speaking of “Last Kiss”, have you heard of the book “I Hate Myself and Want to Die” by Tom Reynolds? It’s the most depressing songs ever.
The two songs that immediately leap to mind are in there, “Honey” by Bobby Goldsboro, and “Brick” by the Ben Folds Five. The commentary is hilarious, though. Try to read it if you can.
I’m a big fan of your writing.
– Jean Lewis
My favorites:
“Always Something There To Remind Me"--Naked Eyes. This version is so much livelier than what R.B. Greaves slept walked through in the ‘70s.
“Bad Time"--Jayhawks. There’s nothing wrong with the Grand Funk Railroad version of this, but the Jayhawks make it much more breezy, melodious, and more alive.
“Jolene"---Paula Cole. I’m guessing this version is pretty rare since I got it from a compilation CD from a Seattle radio station. Her version is complete with some grunting toward the end.
“Landslide"---Smashing Pumpkins. Much much better cover than what the Dixie Chicks did. The Chicks’ version is on my worst cover list.
“Smooth Criminal"--Alien Ant Farm. Normally I wouldn’t list something that you already did, but I wanted to say THANK YOU for giving a little love to this awesome Michael Jackson cover.
Worst
“What’s Going On"--Cyndi Lauper. Don’t get me wrong, I love Cyndi. But, there are some songs that should not be covered and Marvin Gaye’s “What’s Going On” is, or should be, very high on that list.
“Where The Streets Have No Name/Can’t Take My Eyes Off You"--Pet Shop Boys. Not one, but two bad covers in a medley. This is brutal--and it’s made worse because of the latter original song being used in that god awful Planter’s Nuts commercial.
“Is She Really Going Out With Him"--Sugar Ray. Nobody touches Joe Jackson’s signature song---and certainly not Sugar Ray.
Thanks!! You do a great job.
Jeff Stapleton>/b>
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