Jun 21, 2023·edited Jun 21, 2023Liked by Tyler Jorgensen
Just listening to the Luke Combs version of Fast Car and had to come back to this post. I don't really find that this adds much to the original Tracy Chapman song, which is a really excellent tune IMO. Although the shift of perspective to having the main character be a guy is not without value.
I guess It's not really the point of this post to point out remakes that we don't think hit and we could go on and on with that thread. So in that way, my post doesn't add much value either. So take that, me!
Between the covers you mentioned above and what Shekhar listed in his comment I’m having a difficult time coming up with any others that I think are worthy. Maybe, and it’s a big maybe, the Joan Baez version of Bob Dylan’s Blowing In The Wind. In fact most of Dylan’s songs that ended up being covered are arguably better than the original. He could write so well, but singing wasn’t a strength of his.
"Hallelujah" - Jeff Buckley covering Leonard Cohen
"The Man Who Sold the World" - Nirvana covering Bowie
"I Got You" - Pearl Jam covering Split Enz
"Throw Your Arms Around Me". -Pearl Jam covering Hunters and Collectors
"Killing me Softly" - The Fugees covering Roberta Flack
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" - GNR covering Dylan
Not quite a cover, but Run DMC and Aerosmith doing "Walk This Way" > original
And then I looked up this list and realized the following are covers:
"Respect" - Aretha covering Otis Redding
"I Will Always Love you" - Whitney Houston
Do I have a hard time asking for help when I need it? Sure do, but am getting better. Reminding myself vulnerability is not weakness but rather a virtue has helped.
Higher Ground Chili Peppers is definitely more my jam (obligatory RHCP mention) but definitely won’t at all claim superiority over Stevie Wonder. (And they appropriately shout out and pay respect to Mr. Wonder in the song).
Hurt: Johnny Cash vs Nine Inch Nails (maybe equal depending on mood, NIN is definitely very raw in a different way (trigger warning, not a family song).
Dead Flowers Townes Van Zandt covering Rolling Stones. Maybe also wrong here but Lebowski version is the one I've grown to love.
What are some other covers that are better than the original? I Fought the Law by the Clash, maybe. Superman by REM is certainly more well known than the original, though The Clique’s version is pretty awesome. Others?
Just listening to the Luke Combs version of Fast Car and had to come back to this post. I don't really find that this adds much to the original Tracy Chapman song, which is a really excellent tune IMO. Although the shift of perspective to having the main character be a guy is not without value.
I guess It's not really the point of this post to point out remakes that we don't think hit and we could go on and on with that thread. So in that way, my post doesn't add much value either. So take that, me!
Between the covers you mentioned above and what Shekhar listed in his comment I’m having a difficult time coming up with any others that I think are worthy. Maybe, and it’s a big maybe, the Joan Baez version of Bob Dylan’s Blowing In The Wind. In fact most of Dylan’s songs that ended up being covered are arguably better than the original. He could write so well, but singing wasn’t a strength of his.
Best covers imo?
"Hallelujah" - Jeff Buckley covering Leonard Cohen
"The Man Who Sold the World" - Nirvana covering Bowie
"I Got You" - Pearl Jam covering Split Enz
"Throw Your Arms Around Me". -Pearl Jam covering Hunters and Collectors
"Killing me Softly" - The Fugees covering Roberta Flack
"Knockin' on Heaven's Door" - GNR covering Dylan
Not quite a cover, but Run DMC and Aerosmith doing "Walk This Way" > original
And then I looked up this list and realized the following are covers:
"Respect" - Aretha covering Otis Redding
"I Will Always Love you" - Whitney Houston
Do I have a hard time asking for help when I need it? Sure do, but am getting better. Reminding myself vulnerability is not weakness but rather a virtue has helped.
Not gonna lie the Beatles one is a lot better. Also when are you writing about Rock Lobster?
I’m shocked that Smooth Criminal by Alien Ant Farm was failed to be mentioned
Higher Ground Chili Peppers is definitely more my jam (obligatory RHCP mention) but definitely won’t at all claim superiority over Stevie Wonder. (And they appropriately shout out and pay respect to Mr. Wonder in the song).
Hurt: Johnny Cash vs Nine Inch Nails (maybe equal depending on mood, NIN is definitely very raw in a different way (trigger warning, not a family song).
Dead Flowers Townes Van Zandt covering Rolling Stones. Maybe also wrong here but Lebowski version is the one I've grown to love.
What are some other covers that are better than the original? I Fought the Law by the Clash, maybe. Superman by REM is certainly more well known than the original, though The Clique’s version is pretty awesome. Others?