OT - Best Rock & Roll Cover ?

[Louis]

OK, now that the silly conventions are over and we have nothing interesting to talk about, and because we haven't had a good music thread recently, what do you think the best Rock and Roll cover ever is? My thoughts:

#1 Hendrix doing "All Along the Watchtower" (Dylan)

#2 Metallica doing "Turn the Page" (Bob Seger)

Any others?

Louis

[bagochips3]

How about SRV covering Little Wing? Gives me chills.

[Blue Jays]

White Lion covering RADAR LOVE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVF5ZkG20dQ) originally by Golden Earring.

[navclbiker]

Many people don't know that Steve Miller Band's Jet Airliner (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cjr5U7g6aiA) is a cover of the song originally recorded by Paul Pena. Listen to the original and experience chills! Kinda a backward answer, I know. :cool:

[Blue Jays]

Van Halen covering PRETTY WOMAN (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcB-BRSnlf8) originally by Roy Orbison.

[Blue Jays]

Judas Priest covering DIAMONDS & RUST (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIC7KQPDuDc) originally by Joan Baez.

[Blue Jays]

Joan Jett covering DO YOU WANNA' TOUCH (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHvm88yVvNQ) originally by Gary Glitter.

[72gmc]

This one. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuH9Vpgiva0&feature=related) High school, skipping the closed campus in my friend's crappy Peugeot, girlfriends in the back seat asking us to turn it down... good times.

[Blue Jays]

/\/\ Sweet!

[maunahaole]

THIS. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16u0wwCfoJ4)

[andy mac]

Johnny Cash singing Hurt by the Nine Inch Nails.

I miss him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmVAWKfJ4Go

RIP Big Fella.

[Ray]

How about SRV covering Little Wing? Gives me chills.
Yeah, that was great, but I think to qualify for greatest cover, the cover should be better than the original. And nobody could improve on Hendrix playing Little Wing. So I have to go with Jimi's version of Watchtower also. I once thought the CSNY version of Woodstock was better than Joni's and its definitely more rocking, but I came to like Joni's version better. Then again, her's wasn't rock 'n roll and CSNY's arguably was. God, this is confusing...

-Ray

[Tom]

Cowboy Junkies have two: Sweet Jane and Powderfinger

Jimi Hendrix: Star Spangled Banner

[old_school]

Train Kept a Rollin
from The Tiny Bradshaw Orchestra (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ci4EQDD4CqA)
to Johnny Burnett and his Rock n Roll Trio (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tm9AAVEauEQ)
to The Yardbirds (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4UY8SAxFZw)
to Aerosmith (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2kwctaceDxQ)

[paczki]

Easy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sknk9IwUBQ0&feature=related

[chuckred]

Judas Priest covering DIAMONDS & RUST (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIC7KQPDuDc) originally by Joan Baez.

That was unexpected... with a straight face no less!

[Russell]

Minor Threat - (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone

[d_douglas]

Ahhh, Minor Threat - my personal teenage soundtrack.

On a more contemporary note, Bright Eyes singing 'Blue Christmas'? I thought it was a nice change from all the Christmas crap I hear year after year. . . . .

[paczki]

Minor Threat - (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone

I'd go with 12XU

[cmg]

Dick Dale's version of Hendrix's "Third Stone From The Sun" It will make you cry...............perfect.

[jemoryl]

Run Through the Jungle covered by The Gun Club.

[Steelhead]

Clapton's I Shot the Sheriff, and any cover Pearl Jam does live. :)

[Kevan]

Stairway to Heaven.

[rwsaunders]

Indigo Girls....they rock the house live on 1200 Curfews with Dylan's Tangled Up In Blue.

[Kines]

Cake - I Will Survive.

this is good; the full version is better:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10C68Gzd5GM

KN

[johnnymossville]

Young Man Blues - The Who, as played Live at Leeds.

[bzbvh5]

The Bangles remake of Hazy Shade of Winter by Simon & Garfunkel.

[navclbiker]

Indigo Girls....they rock the house live on 1200 Curfews with Dylan's Tangled Up In Blue.

I second that! :beer:

[malcolm]

I like linda perry's voice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xi-kal5qnM0&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVmFF6_etkI

and an original

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThW0PITB2Ho

[pjm]

Wild Horses by The Sundays
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i-0FB68LoQ&feature=related

[konstantkarma]

the cover song should improve upon the original, not just retrace its steps. Too many "artists" today are lazy and use other songwriters work as fillers on their collections. One example of an improved or otherwise impressive different version of a song, ATMO, is John Gorka's cover of Dylan's "Girl of the North Country" Girl (http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Of-The-North-Country/dp/B000S41QCO)

The original is also awesome, sung as a duet with Dylan and Johnny Cash on "Nashville Skyline"...a fabulous album, ATMO.

[rickygarni]

The absolutely perfect "Back in Black" by Hayseed Dixie (say it fast three times – better yet: once should do.)

There was also an amazing version of "MONEY" (Motown's first hit, I believe) covered by everyone from the Beatles to Smashing Pumpkins to the Kingsmen (Louie Louie) to Led Zeppelin to the Doors to Pearl Jam and of course the Miracles and the Supremes and less of course Josie and the Pussycats but none of them compare to the once heard and never forgotten rev by the Flying Lizards, in, probably, about 1977 (the second best year in Rock n Roll.)

Does everyone agree with me?

Find it if you can. I wouldn't know where to look.

Ricky

[old_school]

Aretha Franklin - Respect (Otis Redding)
Devo - Satisfaction (Stones)
James Brown - Night Train (Jimmy Forrest)
Jackie Wilson - In the Midnight Hour (Wilson Picket)
Joan Osborne - Son of a Preacher Man (Dusty Springfield)
Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings - What have you done for me lately? (Janet Jackson)
Stevie Ray Vaughn - Texas Flood (live) (Larry Davis)
J Geiles - Homework (Otis Rush)
Who - Shakin' all Over (Johnny Kid and the Pirates)
Aerosmith - Walkin' the Dog (Rufus Thomas)

[torquer]

Richard Thompson's cover of Oops! I Did it Again.
http://www.richardthompson-music.com/song_o_matic.asp?id=446
We have a live version from his RT collection, but it is also included in his 1000 Years of Popular Music CD/DVD.

[torquer]

Aretha Franklin - Respect (Otis Redding)

Its funny how, listening to Otis' original recording after having heard the Aretha version for so many years, his sounds like the cover!

[paczki]

It may not be the best cover, but I certainly think it's the funniest (warning foul language and bad camera work):


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SunrKwykK_Y&feature=related

[rickygarni]

How about SATISFACTION by the Residents and/or Snakefinger?

Make sure you put your brain goggles on before listening...

Ricky

[dannyg1]

the cover song should improve upon the original, not just retrace its steps. Too many "artists" today are lazy and use other songwriters work as fillers on their collections. One example of an improved or otherwise impressive different version of a song, ATMO, is John Gorka's cover of Dylan's "Girl of the North Country" Girl (http://www.amazon.com/Girl-Of-The-North-Country/dp/B000S41QCO)

The original is also awesome, sung as a duet with Dylan and Johnny Cash on "Nashville Skyline"...a fabulous album, ATMO.

Interesting interpretation of a great song, I agree. There is of course, the other direction...

A popified, interesting version of the Velvet Underground/Nico's 'Femme Fatale' by Duran Duran:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LkJgDK4KV3E

and 10'000 Maniacs made Springsteen/P. Smith's 'Because The Night' soft rock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-MHT40BCNs

And back to Springsteen doing Seeger's 'Eyes on the prize';

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM3CYEdr5fA

[Lazy Bill]

I saw Phish cover Edgar Winter's "Frankenstein" - it was smokin'.
They also did a great version of the Stones "Lovin' Cup".

They used to cover whole albums at Halloween shows: Remain in Light, Quadraphenia, White Album

[csm]

Pete Yohn doing Zevon's Splendid Isolation
or
Social Distortion doing Cash's Ring of Fire
or
Shinehead doing One Meatball (not sure of the original)
or....

[skyflash]

Some have already been mentioned but in no particular order:

Bangles "Hazy Shade of Winter"

Jeff Buckley "Hallelujah"

Jimi Hendrix "All Along The Watchtower"

Deep Purple "Help"

Van Halen "Pretty Woman"

Metallica "Am I Evil"

Warren Haynes "One"

Ray LaMontagne "Crazy"

Tori Amos "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

Folksmen "Start Me Up"

William Shatner "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds"


Okay, well maybe I'm kidding on the last few! :)

[Louis]

The absolutely perfect "Back in Black" by Hayseed Dixie

The original is probably my favorite "crank it up to max volume" tune of all time. I've never heard the cover and will have to look for it.

[Steelhead]

U2, All Along the Watchtower from The Joshua Tree Tour/Movie. I was there!

[Louis]

William Shatner "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds"

How could I have forgotten to include Celine Dion covering AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" in my "best of" list?

[Rich_W]

Daniela Cotton -- saw her live at Puck Underground in Doylestown -- funny thing was we just walked in the place while staying the night before a local century ride. We never heard of her, and within 30 min the place was packed to standing room only.

She did the most ROCKING cover of Back in Black... the whole place of 30-40 somethings were all out of their seats rockin and jumpin... what a surreal experience...

http://www.danielia.com/

[93legendti]

Travellin' Riverside Blues - Led Zep
Boom Boom Out Go the Lights - Pat Travers
Statesboro Blues - Allman Bros.
Talk To Your Daughter - Robben Ford
You Really Got Me - Van Halen
Shapes of Things - Gary Moore
Crossroads -Cream (iirc, this was a cover)
Dreams - Molly Hatchett

[davep]

Chris Cornell- Billie Jean

[Louis]

the cover song should improve upon the original, not just retrace its steps.

IMO either improve, or give you a totally new / different take on a song you're very familiar with and have taken for granted for say, X number of years. Obviously it also has to be good, not just different. (kind of like my Celine Dion / AC/DC example :p )

[Steevo]

String Cheese Incedent doing Stevie Wonder's "Boogie On Raggae Woman". Phychedelic funk at its best.

[93legendti]

RH Chili Peppers- Higher Ground

[old_school]

Crossroads -Cream (iirc, this was a cover)


Yes, Robert Johnson
The Cream version of 'Crossroads' also contained a couple of lines from Johnson's 'Traveling Riverside Blues' - the same song from which Led Zeplin borrowed the lyrics "squeeze my lemon till the juice runs down my leg" as the basis for their 'Lemon Song.'

[girlie]

On a different note......video is part of it.

Where the Streets Have No Name (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bCSjWyvZIjI&feature=related)

And on a funny note:
I just like his hair part.

Smooth Criminal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XDeFYDk8atg)

[Tom]

just snagged tix to the "Hendrix Experience"... Buddy Guy, Hubert Sumlin, Hendrix' backup from Woodstock, Kenny Wayne Shepard, Bernard Allison, Brad the guitarist from Aerosmith, Robert Randolph, David Hidalgo and Cesar Rojas, the guitarist from Indigenous, Robby Krieger, others... orchestra center halfway back at the Palace in Albany. If half of those guys show up it'll be worth the price of admission.

[3cb]

How about:
Japan's "I second that emotion"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXshpwRaLwI
Aztec Camera coving Van Halen's "Jump"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qcd3nzJpzTg&feature=related
Nico singing "My funny valentine"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1xplddbEnY
Nico covering Gordon Lightfoot's "I'm not saying"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9DockDEJyo
KD Lang's "Hallelujah"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE
Everything but the girl's "Downtown train" (Tom Wiates, not Rod Stewart's cover)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EypUPD7fLBU
Trent Reznor & Peter Murphy's "Warm leatherette"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zo7ONZlN5Zg
Bauhaus's "Telegraph Sam" and "Ziggy Stardust"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9JUeAQ_urW4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a_YQXFs7Ts&feature=related

and to reclaim the originals:
Fun Boy Three's "Our lips are sealed"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLyzwFwiEXc
Shocking Blues "Venus"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2DBcbZc3ck

[old_school]

A few more famous than the original

Hound Dog - Elivs (Big Momma Thorton)
Twist and Shout - Beatles (Isley Brothers)
Some Kind of Wonderful - Grand Funk (Soul Brothers Six)
Time is on my Side - Stones (Irma Thomas)
Its all over Now - Stones (Valentinos)
Lookin' for a Love - J Geiles (Valentinos)
Susie Q - Creedence (Dale Hawkins)
Summertime Blues - The Who (Eddie Cochran)
Tryin' to live my life without You) - Bob Seeger (Otis Clay)
Think - James Brown (5 Royals)
Look at little Sister - Stevie Ray Vaughn (Hank Ballard)
Slow Down - Beatles (Larry Williams)
Ain't nothin' but a House Party - J Geiles (Showstoppers)

[BumpyintheBurgh]

Richard Shindell's latest CD, "South of Delia" are all covers. A haunting version of Dylan's "Senor", a slower version of Springsteen's "Born in the USA", others by Robbie Robertson, Josh Ritter, Peter Gabriel, Woody Guthrie, and an outstanding version of Jeffrey Foucault's "Northbound 35" with some of the greatest lyrics.

[Sam in VA]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gkq7HLBe178

[chuckroast]

I always liked the Stones' live version of Chuck Berry's "Little Queenie" I think it was on the LP Get yer ya ya's out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcaHfhD9XY0

[Ray]

Bruce playing "Quarter to Three" by Gary U.S. Bonds. That was a great concert staple back in the day and I think made it onto a live album somewhere along the line.

-Ray

[PBWrench]

Lennon's "Stand by Me"

[staggerwing]

Dead Kennedys-Viva Las Vegas (a slightly skewered :rolleyes: version of the Doc Pomus original)

The Dickies-Paranoid (Black Sabbath in double speed)

Sex Pistols w Sid on vocals tearing up "My Way." I always thought it was a Sinatra song, but Google reveals that Paul Anka wrote it. Completely subverts the original.

[davep]

Bruce - Santa Claus is Coming to Town

[CaptStash]

Travellin' Riverside Blues - Led Zep
Boom Boom Out Go the Lights - Pat Travers
Statesboro Blues - Allman Bros.
Talk To Your Daughter - Robben Ford
You Really Got Me - Van Halen
Shapes of Things - Gary Moore
Crossroads -Cream (iirc, this was a cover)
Dreams - Molly Hatchett


It took all the way to p. 4 to gewt to Crossroads? I was working my through in awe that it was missed! Good on ya' Legend.

Of course imho it is the 2nd greatest cover, as the OP mentioned, I too think Hendrix doing Dylan's All Along the Watchtower is #1. But Clapton et. al. is a close 2nd.

CaptStash....

[Louis]

Sex Pistols w Sid on vocals tearing up "My Way." I always thought it was a Sinatra song, but Google reveals that Paul Anka wrote it. Completely subverts the original.

Yes ! I had forgotten that one. That was without doubt the high point of the movie Sid and Nancy.

[Climb01742]

Johnny Cash singing Hurt by the Nine Inch Nails.

I miss him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmVAWKfJ4Go

RIP Big Fella.

very +1

another is patti smith covering bruce's "because the night".

[VeloSlug]

very +1

another is patti smith covering bruce's "because the night".

Actually, Climb, Because the Night was co-written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith. It was covered by many bands, including 10,000 Maniacs. Perhaps that's who you were thinking of?

[Ray]

Actually, Climb, Because the Night was co-written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith. It was covered by many bands, including 10,000 Maniacs. Perhaps that's who you were thinking of?
Yeah, it was originally recorded by Patti - Bruce never put it out on an album until maybe a later live album? I always loved her version and figured nothing could ever top it. Then I heard Bruce play it live in Tucson in '78. I've never felt a higher energy musical performance than his live version of that song. I literally worried that the roof was gonna explode, people would start to levitate, etc. It was well beyond sublime. At the time, I thought he was covering it, but later learned he co-wrote it. If it had been a cover, that one would have been it for all time.

-Ray

[Climb01742]

Actually, Climb, Because the Night was co-written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith. It was covered by many bands, including 10,000 Maniacs. Perhaps that's who you were thinking of?

thanks for the correction. i always thought bruce recorded it first. i love the patti smith version best. has a raw edge i dig. always thought 10,000 maniacs version was too soft/sweet. song needs an edge, IMO.

[paczki]

thanks for the correction. i always thought bruce recorded it first. i love the patti smith version best. has a raw edge i dig. always thought 10,000 maniacs version was too soft/sweet. song needs an edge, IMO.

I think Bruce sings back up on the Patti Smith version. As it should be.

[VeloSlug]

Yeah, it was originally recorded by Patti - Bruce never put it out on an album until maybe a later live album? I always loved her version and figured nothing could ever top it. Then I heard Bruce play it live in Tucson in '78. I've never felt a higher energy musical performance than his live version of that song. I literally worried that the roof was gonna explode, people would start to levitate, etc. It was well beyond sublime. At the time, I thought he was covering it, but later learned he co-wrote it. If it had been a cover, that one would have been it for all time.

-Ray

Ray,
Yep, as I recall, the first Bruce recording of BTN was on the Live/1975-85 release. That version was recorded at the Nassau Coliseum on December 28, 1980. I think Bruce had started performing it during the '78 tour. I like your description of the Tucson performance. There's nothing quite like seeing Bruce, is there?

Glad to know there's another Bruceophile here. I'd use an emoticon, but
I
don't
emote


unless it's a Springsteen show!

[paczki]

I wasn't sure you all deserved it, but since the great one has been mentioned, the truly most untoppable cover. I remember seeing this when I was a kid:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Agl4IvNnQPo

[michael white]

Maybe this.

Roy Hawkins wrote it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qtm66Z3lebc

[Ray]

Ray,
Yep, as I recall, the first Bruce recording of BTN was on the Live/1975-85 release. That version was recorded at the Nassau Coliseum on December 28, 1980. I think Bruce had started performing it during the '78 tour. I like your description of the Tucson performance. There's nothing quite like seeing Bruce, is there?

Glad to know there's another Bruceophile here. I'd use an emoticon, but
I
don't
emote


unless it's a Springsteen show!
There are several of us around. Do a forum search. A few threads dedicated to Bruce and mentions in many more. On a good night the Dead were as good in a completely different way - but I've never seen anyone better.

-Ray

[VeloSlug]

thanks for the correction. i always thought bruce recorded it first. i love the patti smith version best. has a raw edge i dig. always thought 10,000 maniacs version was too soft/sweet. song needs an edge, IMO.

No problemo, Climb. Cool thing about this song is that it has been covered in so many different ways. Patti's version is bold & raw, I love it. If you haven't already, delve into some of her other work. Definitely edgy, moody & best enjoyed late at night while in a dark room and a good beverage.

[VeloSlug]

I think Bruce sings back up on the Patti Smith version. As it should be.

Indeed. Thanks for the other link, too.

[VeloSlug]

There are several of us around. Do a forum search. A few threads dedicated to Bruce and mentions in many more. On a good night the Dead were as good in a completely different way - but I've never seen anyone better.

-Ray

Ah, Ray, sorry to say I don't share your fondness for The Dead. I did see them a few times; Workingman's Dead is on my top ten desert island list. Other than a few occaisions of chemically altered reality, I never got into the extended jam style.

It's all cool, though.

emoticons!

[PBWrench]

Speaking of Patti - Gloria from the Horses album is one of the best.

[Fixed]

i am not a rocker but some cats like this http://www.roxyrama.com/classic/releases/roxy_music/albums/country_life.shtml
cheers

[Blue Jays]

/\/\ Which cover tune do you have in mind, Fixed?

[Fixed]

sorry i was thinking cover art
cheers my mistake :crap:

[VeloSlug]

Speaking of Patti - Gloria from the Horses album is one of the best.

YEEEESSSSSSSSSSSS!!!

[Elefantino]

How about SATISFACTION by the Residents and/or Snakefinger?

Make sure you put your brain goggles on before listening...
Close. Very close.

The winner is, however, this cover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8fORGIhbAc) of the song, which is beyond outstanding.

Thank you all for playing and good night.

Tip the waitress.

[rounder]

no way. devo was a one hit wonder...s/b rolling stones

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzjLX7BjJJM

[rounder]

Ginger posted this...thought it was really good...

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=829401773913198414

[Jeff N.]

LA Woman...Billy Idol
With A Little Help From My Friends...Joe Cocker

[Fixed]

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=16071865
cheers

[girlie]

Close. Very close.

The winner is, however, this cover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8fORGIhbAc) of the song, which is beyond outstanding.

Thank you all for playing and good night.

Tip the waitress.

Completely!

[girlie]

i am not a rocker but some cats like this http://www.roxyrama.com/classic/releases/roxy_music/albums/country_life.shtml
cheers

I can feel that :D

Or the classic. http://991.com/newGallery/Red-Hot-Chili-Peppers-The-Abbey-Road-EP-89395.jpg

[fiamme red]

Celine Dion singing AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long."

:crap: :rolleyes: :) :p ;) :D :no:

[93legendti]

i am not a rocker but some cats like this http://www.roxyrama.com/classic/releases/roxy_music/albums/country_life.shtml
cheers
Great pick! I still have the album in the basement.

Here's a nice cover:

Like a Hurricane - Roxy Music

[Climb01742]

Close. Very close.

The winner is, however, this cover (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8fORGIhbAc) of the song, which is beyond outstanding.

Thank you all for playing and good night.

Tip the waitress.

funny tidbit about devo... guess what mark mothersbaugh is doing now? everyone here has almost certainly heard his music over the last 10 years without knowing it. a very good place for go for music...

http://www.mutato.com/

[Chad Engle]

RATM - Renegades of Funk

[William]

Seven pages and no mention of Dread Zeppelin??? :confused:






William :rolleyes:

[Russell]

Dead Kennedys-Viva Las Vegas (a slightly skewered :rolleyes: version of the Doc Pomus original)

The Dickies-Paranoid (Black Sabbath in double speed)

Sex Pistols w Sid on vocals tearing up "My Way." I always thought it was a Sinatra song, but Google reveals that Paul Anka wrote it. Completely subverts the original.

How 'bout the Dickies version of Silent Night?

[Tom]

The Howdy Doody theme.

Just as musically twisted as the premise of that show.

[rounder]

I know that this is a long thread, but there should at least be one song by the blues brothers...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDr4f1jGH04

[jspa]

White Lion covering RADAR LOVE (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVF5ZkG20dQ) originally by Golden Earring.

Storm Troopers of Death did it better.

Whoops, I meant the Judas Priest version of Daimonds and Rust.