xkcd

by **Gwydion** » Sat Nov 26, 2011 4:30 am UTC

Faith No More's version of "War Pigs" (Sabbath). Much of the feel remains, but with a more polished sound and (in my opinion) better vocals.

by **elihuaran** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:11 am UTC

TheAmazingRando wrote:Glad to see nobody's mention any indie/alternative covers of rap songs. God those are terrible.

Not necessarily. Jonathan Coulton has a great cover of MC Frontalot's "Baby Got Back". It's a nice folky cover with some decently okay guitar work. Also, JoCo's voice. I'd have sex with his voice because of that damned range.

Other covers I prefee over the originals:
-Franz Ferdinand covering Gwen Stefani's "What You Waiting For?". I love this cover to death. Granted, that might be the massive Franz Ferdinand fanboy inside talking.
-Marilyn Manson's "Sweet Dreams(Are Made of These) is also better than the Eurythmics original. I also love said Eurythmics original. Not a big fan of Manson's "This is Halloween" that everyone seems to love, or his original work either.
-Bear McCreary's "All Along the Watchtower". Probably the most controversial choice here. Hendrix's cover is a close second, but it's missing... something. It doesn't help I grew up with new BSG from 11-16, when I was massively expanding my musical tastes.

by **King of Frogs** » Tue Nov 29, 2011 9:54 pm UTC

This version of Hurt is probably my favourite. Not many people know about Camille O'Sullivan because she mostly does covers, but the awesome is strong with her.

Lovely

by **Fedechiar** » Fri Dec 02, 2011 10:13 pm UTC

Wonderwall by Radiohead is a lot more fun than the original - especially the comments at the end. "Is this awful or what?"

Seriously, though, Eddie Vedder's cover of Hard sun by Indio may not be better in every sense, but his voice is awesome

by **UniqueScreenname** » Sat Dec 03, 2011 1:11 am UTC

Rasputina - Bad Moon Rising. It gives it the darkness it deserves.

by **ndkid** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 11:52 am UTC

I'd have to say Metallica's cover of Turn the Page, as opposed to whoever did it originally (I'm blanking right now). I've heard both versions and I think that Metallica's version just has better everything in it.

by **jobriath** » Tue Dec 06, 2011 2:16 pm UTC

While I quite like Nirvana's Lithium, it doesn't match the ecstatic, slightly unhinged energy of Polyphonic Spree's.

cjmcjmcjmcjm wrote:Richard Cheese covering Nirvana's "Rape Me"

Hahah! Deep in Christian territory in the Philippines, I found myself singing this cover on karaoke. With my wife's parents present.

Cheese's cover of "Gin and Juice" by Snoop is also excellent.

by **aldonius** » Tue Dec 13, 2011 3:10 am UTC

They're not really covers in the traditional sense of the word, but Bad Lip Reading do some pretty cool stuff.

And Gang Fight beats the pants off Friday.

by **1337geek** » Wed Dec 14, 2011 4:48 pm UTC

Blind Guardian's cover of John Farnham's "You're the Voice" is wicked awesome.

by **Amie** » Thu Dec 15, 2011 3:04 am UTC

Opeth's cover of Den Standiga Resan > Marie Fredriksson's original, imo.

by **UniqueScreenname** » Mon Feb 13, 2012 3:01 pm UTC

I like Pearl Jam's cover of "Love Reign O'er Me" better than the Who version.

by **Kisama** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 10:38 am UTC

I prefer The Presidents of the United States of America cover of "Video Killed the Radio Star" to the original by The Buggles.

In many cases I'd rather listen to Weird Al Yankovic's polkas than the originals.

by **philsov** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 3:41 pm UTC

Soul Coughing's "Coffee" song I prefer over the Frank Sinatra original. The instrumentation and backup vocals really help to improve it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=COPlJwqaQm8

by **clockworkmonk** » Wed Feb 15, 2012 4:26 pm UTC

I much prefer Save Ferris' version of Come On Eileen
Then again I am a giant sucker for horns.

by **iChef** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:20 pm UTC

Stone Temple Pilot's cover of Dancing Daze (Led Zepplin) It sounds cleaner and more laid back. In my younger years I always thought that cover sounded the way heroin feels. Judging by the band doing the cover that effect wasn't an accident.

by **UniqueScreenname** » Tue Feb 21, 2012 11:48 pm UTC

Five Finger Death Punch's version of "Bad Company" is better than the original.

by **Annihilist** » Mon Mar 05, 2012 12:33 pm UTC

Marilyn Manson's "Sweet Dreams" cover.

by **piwakawaka42** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 5:48 am UTC

Van Canto's cover of "fear of the dark". All their covers are good, but in most cases the original is pretty good too. But the original was not Iron Maiden's best, while the cover is just...wow.
[/fanboy]

by **Amie** » Wed Mar 14, 2012 6:55 am UTC

piwakawaka42 wrote:Van Canto's cover of "fear of the dark". All their covers are good, but in most cases the original is pretty good too. But the original was not Iron Maiden's best, while the cover is just...wow.
[/fanboy]

I love Van Canto but it doesn't beat Maiden's original for me. Nothing ever will

/fangirl

by **Shro** » Thu Mar 15, 2012 7:23 pm UTC

A cover/remix of the song you've already heard a million times:
Mike Posner - Rolling in the Deep

by **clockworkmonk** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 7:15 pm UTC

I love the entirety of the soundtrack for Stubbs the Zombie, and in many cases prefer the covers on it, excluding The Flaming Lips version of "If I only had a brain".
an example

by **Annihilist** » Tue Mar 20, 2012 10:04 pm UTC

"Stagger Lee" - Nick Cave's version.

by **Diadem** » Wed Mar 21, 2012 1:05 am UTC

Can't believe this song hasn't been mentioned yet: Sinead O'connor's version of Nothing Compares 2U. This example is especially impressive because she takes a mediocre song from a mediocre artist and somehow turns it into something absolutely amazing with real emotion.

poxic wrote:Some covers are widely acknowledged as better: (...) Blinded by the Light as recorded by Manfred Mann.

I know this post is over 2 years old, but, wait, what? The Manfred Mann version is perhaps better known, but better? Surely you must be joking. I mean, sure, it's an ok song when Manfred Mann sings it, but pretty 13-in-a-dozen the way he sings it. There's no emotion. The song really needs Bruce's raw voice.

Also, I love Bob Dylan. I guess he's one of those artists you either love or hate. I love his voice, and in my opinion very few of the covers that have been made of his songs approach the originals. The one major exception is "Like A Rolling Stone' by the Rolling Stones. That version is just awesome.

TheMaestro wrote:Also, anyone care to comment on their favourite version of Hallelujah? There are quite a few good ones...

I love almost all covers of Hallelujah, as well as the original, but I can't stand the Jeff Buckley version for some reason. Not sure why. I guess I just don't like this voice.

by **hurtlocker99** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 6:11 pm UTC

Seether's cover of George Michael's "Careless Whisper" is absolutely fantastic. Gives the song some metal balls.

by **tomhat** » Fri Mar 23, 2012 11:03 pm UTC

Sonic Youth's "Within You Without You".

Magazine's version of the Goldfinger theme is both hilarious and awesome.

Big Star's "Femme Fatale", but I've never really liked Nico's voice.

Dead Kennedys "I Fought the Law" is a beast, and they turned it into a brutal satire of the murder of Harvey Milk and George Moscone.

I prefer Radiohead's "Ceremony" to New Order's, such a shame Joy Division never properly recorded it.

by **peri_renna** » Sat Mar 24, 2012 6:29 pm UTC

Going through the thread - disagree with some of them (I'm obviously not metal enough for this thread, although the Metallica "Turn The Page" works for me), but there's a proverb in Latin about that.

For now, let me say that Eva Cassidy's "Fields of Gold" made Sting's version sound like a knockoff.

by **123** » Wed Mar 28, 2012 3:11 am UTC

Fozzy's cover of Blackout by Scorpions, and Over the Mountain by Ozzy.

Disturbed's cover of Land of Confusion by Genesis

by **johnie104** » Wed May 02, 2012 9:23 pm UTC

hurtlocker99 wrote:Seether's cover of George Michael's "Careless Whisper" is absolutely fantastic. Gives the song some metal balls.

I agree completely. Somehow George doesn't seem to get that this isn't a happy song. The original is way too smooth.

by **UniqueScreenname** » Wed May 02, 2012 9:37 pm UTC

jobriath wrote:While I quite like Nirvana's Lithium, it doesn't match the ecstatic, slightly unhinged energy of Polyphonic Spree's.

I certainly believe the mental illness aspect of the song more with this one.

by **Art3misX** » Fri May 04, 2012 3:47 am UTC

Technically, Skylar Grey's "Love the Way You Lie" is the original, but the mainstream version is the one Eminem recorded with Rihanna after hearing the demo. I never particularly liked the mainstream version, but Skylar Grey's version is definitely worth checking out.

by **SecondTalon** » Fri May 11, 2012 4:02 am UTC

The more I think about it, the more I find Hayseed Dixie's version of I Don't Feel Like Dancing to be superior to the Scissor Sisters original. Mostly because the singer just sounds so damn tired compared to the original.

by **McGrupp** » Fri May 11, 2012 10:32 pm UTC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjVGJ3YFDc8
Dirty Loops "Baby" - Justin Bieber cover

These guys are a Swedish power trio...well, a Swedish trio anyway, and I'm confused as to where they keep getting all these chops. Nobody likes the original, just check this out, trust me. They have "Rolling In the Deep", "Circus", "Rude Boy" and a bunch of other awesome ones too. The singer reminds me a lot of Stevie Wonder and Michael.

P.S. the bass solo MIGHT make you a little bit horny, also sorry for no actual link but apparently I'm not allowed to do this yet.

by **dhokarena56** » Sun May 13, 2012 3:26 am UTC

Here's the original, Takahashi Youko version of the theme song to Neon Genesis Evangelion.
And here is the Eri Kawai version, which is much more...well, Eva-ish. And more epic.

by **Amie** » Sun May 13, 2012 7:42 pm UTC

Noah's cover of I'm sexy and I know it. WTF WHY DO I LOVE IT SO MUCH?! It's nothing like the original though so you have been forewarned!
Grah... Noah's cover of the LMFAO song. Dammit brain.

by **eSOANEM** » Sat May 19, 2012 10:48 am UTC

For me, the entirety of Apocalyptica's Plays Metallica by Four Cellos is better than the originals. I don't know why, but cellos just seem to fit so much better than the original guitar work.

by **psyEDk** » Tue May 22, 2012 7:27 am UTC

Friend linked me to this one a few days ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuunY8BTqNs

It's the live band Pinn Panelle covering Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites by Skrillex.

by **peri_renna** » Wed May 23, 2012 1:03 am UTC

psyEDk wrote:Friend linked me to this one a few days ago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZuunY8BTqNs

It's the live band Pinn Panelle covering Scary Monsters And Nice Sprites by Skrillex.

Had to look up the original to compare, but yeah, I can see it. Not radically different, just a bit more solid.

by **bosonicyouth** » Thu Jun 07, 2012 7:08 am UTC

Red House Painters - Don't Fear the Reaper

by **Kenji Miyamoto** » Wed Jun 13, 2012 9:29 pm UTC

I don't know how many here know the original:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6skE28zc_M

But I find this cover to be a massive improvement: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REYoatKqE9U

by **Pjotr** » Fri Jun 29, 2012 9:49 pm UTC

Dunno if these have been posted before, but Joe Cocker's version of With a Little Help From My Friends and Blackmore's Night's cover of Bob Dylan's Times They Are A-changin' are pretty awesome. On the latter I saw a Youtuber's comment: "Dylan could write music, sure, but he couldn't sing his way out of a wet paper bag." Which made me laugh, and rings kinda true..

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