GREAT COVER VERSIONS

I aim to compile a list of great cover versions of songs.

My view is that to be great a cover version has to somehow add something to the original and not just be an attempt at a carbon copy. It could be a complete re-arrangement of a track, or a great performance that takes a song to a new level or gives it a new twist.

Rather than just decide on the list myself I would like my readers to make suggestions...so please do so by ADDING A COMMENT BELOW (just click on the "comments" label). You don't HAVE to become a follower (but please do!), you can leave anonymous comments if you prefer; either way I WILL reply.

David Bowie: "Let's Spend The Night Together" (original by The Rolling Stones)



The Jam: "David Watts" (original by The Kinks)

Bernie wrote "The Jam's up-tempo punkish take on David Watts by The Kinks was so good that The Kinks ended up covering the Jam's version in their live gigs!"

This is the best version I could find, which has the bonus of an into. by Peter Cook and a rather glamorous friend:



Timebox: "Beggin" (original by Franki Valli and The Four Seasons):



Ray Stevens: "Misty" (original by Erroll Garner):



Bryan Ferry: "Positively 4th Street" (original by Bob Dylan):

Bernie suggested Bryan Ferry's cover of "A Hard Rain's Gonna Fall"; good idea, but I prefer his version of "Positively 4th Street". I wasn't sure which of these two versions to post, so here's both of them:





Rachid Taha: "Rock El Casbah" (original by the Clash):

As a huge fan of Joe Strummer Algerian performer Taha sensed something patronising in the original version and gave it an Arabic make-over.

Taha has an interesting biography: While working in a heating appliance factory in the late 1970s, Taha founded Les Refoulés ("The Rejects"), a nightclub where he would spin mashups of Arabic pop classics over Led Zeppelin, Bo Diddley and Kraftwerk backbeats." (Wikipedia).



Richard Thompson: "Oops I Did It Again" (original by Britney Spears):

From one of his "1000 Years Of Popular Music" gigs.



Billy Stewart: "Summertime" by George Gershwin

Of course there are 1001 versions of "Summertime" but this is outstanding:



Sid Vicious: "My Way"

"Paul Anka heard the original 1967 French pop song, Comme d'habitude (as usual) performed by Claude Francois with music by Claude Francois and Jacques Revaux and lyrics by Claude Francois and Gilles Thibault, while on holiday in the south of France. He flew to Paris to negotiate the rights to the song. In a 2007 interview, he said: "I thought it was a bad record, but there was something in it." He acquired publishing rights at no cost and, two years later, had a dinner in Florida with Frank Sinatra and "a couple of Mob guys" at which Sinatra said he was "quitting the business. I'm sick of it, I'm getting the hell out". (Wikipedia)

Sinatra went on to popularise the song, which is now claimed to be the most covered song ever. Which is the best? There is really only one contender.



Greg Lasswell: "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" (original by Cyndi Lauper):



Foy Vance: "Billie Jean" (original by Michael Jackson):



The Beatles: "Twist And Shout" (original by The Isley Brothers):

Performed at The NME Awards, 1964.



John Cale: "Heartbreak Hotel" (original by Elvis Presley):

John Cale is so lonely he dies on stage. Not in the sense of forgetting his lines, and not literally:



Ike and Tina Turner: "I've Been Lovin You Too Long" (original by Otis Redding)



Sonic Youth: "Superstar" (original by The Carpenters)

In a word...creepy.



The Fall: "Lost In Music" (original by Sister Sledge)



Grace Jones: "She's Lost Control" (original by Joy Division):

OK so it's not a touch on the original. But it is different, and quite scary with the Russell Harty-bashing diva singing it.




Al Green: "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" (original by The Bee Gees):



Hayseed Dixie: "Ace Of Spades" (original by Motorhead):

Don't forget the joker!



This Mortal Coil: "Song To The Siren" (original by Tim Buckley):



Robert Wyatt: "Shipbuilding" (original by Elvis Costello and Clive Langer):



Blondie: "Denis" (original by Randy And The Rainbows):



Noel Coward sings the 1934 original of the song made famous by Amy Winehouse. Song with slides.
Well, not really. It's actually a cover by "Lady Bra Bra":