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The Best Cover Versions In The World Ever!

Music // Jim // 29th January 2005

Although I am old and therefore completely out of touch, it does seem to me that a great deal of what passes for new music these days seems to be a load of boring cover versions. The likes of Atomic Kitten and previously Westlife are the worst perpetrators, warming over some dull bygone hit like yesterdays leftovers. It doesn't have to be this way, cover versions can be interesting and innovative. Ideally a cover version should actually improve on the the original rather than just imitate it, here are ten fine examples of how it should be done.

The Stranglers cover Walk On By
Originally by Dionne Warwick
Granted, the extended instrumental workout in the middle goes on a bit but this is a great version of the (pothead granny) Warwick original. Quite heart-rending in its own grubby black t-shirt and naked dancing girls in a cage sort of way.

The Fall cover Lost In Music
Original-ah by Sist-ah Sledge-ah
From the only Fall album I actually legally possess; The Infotainment Scan, comes this surprisingly faithful yet definitely touched by Mark E Smith, cover version. The album also contains a cover version of “I’m Going To Spain”, widely regarded as one of the worst songs ever written. And that is a fact.

Tindersticks cover I’ve Been Loving You Too Long
Originally by Otis Redding
Now, this is more like it, if you are going to a do a cover version then show a bit of class, which the none-more-cool Tindersticks have in spades.
For the last couple of years I have firmly believed that this is just the greatest thing ever. If you have ever been unlucky enough to get a ropey compilation CD from me then this will definitely be on it.
Granted, the singing style is a little less dynamic than Mr Redding, although still great especially for those who appreciate the deeper things in life.
The slow burning soul lament evolves into a huge orchestral refrain with epic strings, plaintive piano, demonic blaring horns and the best drum roll in the entire history of recorded sound. This is what they’ll play at my funeral and I’m already gutted that I won’t be there to hear it.

Tindersticks: Deep, greatest thing ever.

Pet Shop Boys cover Always On My Mind
Originally by Elvis “Burger King” Presley
Originally done as a bit of a joke for Japanese TV I remember reading somewhere. Shits all over the Elvis original from such a height it isn’t even funny. Sad reminder of how the Pet Shop Boys bestrode the 80’s in huge sounding disco excellence and then went shit. Harsh but true, I’m afraid.

William Shatner covers Rocketman (check it out now)
Originally by Elton John
The former Captain Kirk is a cover version artist of some repute, his versions of Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds and Hey Mr Tambourine Man have moved many to bitter, bitter tears. The Shat connoisseur will point you towards this seminal performance, showcased exclusively at the 1978 Science Fiction Film Awards and actually introduced by the original co-composer Bernie Taupin (a proud moment I am sure).
Shat launches into a disturbing exploration of the true meaning of schizophrenia through the medium of talky, shouty out of tune, Karaoke. And the crowd go wild for the way enunciates “ROCK... ET.... maan” half way through. Truly majestic.

Johnny Cash covers Hurt
Originally by Nine Inch Nails
Really the most disturbing thing ever, a really frail old man singing a really, really sad song full of regret and self loathing. Apparently Trent Reznor was moved to tears when he first heard it, bet he was laughing by the time the fucking royalty cheque appeared.
The way Cash’s ghostly voice floats out of the speakers is really quite unnerving, you have been warned.

Blow My Cool by The Soundtrack Of Our Lives
Originally by The Rolling Stones (sort of)
Not strictly a cover version but essentially the song Let’s Spend the Night Together by the Stones only ten times as good. TSOOL are fairly shameless at this sort of thing but to be honest it’s all great so who cares?

Richard Cheese covers Creep
Originally by Radiohead
Another cover version that improves immeasurably on the original. Richard “Dick” Cheese and his band Lounge Against the Machine treat us to a swing version of this otherwise miserable student, why doesn’t she like me?, standard. Includes weak puns, dangerous whistling and the genius adaptation: “I’m a creep, I’m a nut-job”
Mr Cheese makes a living doing this sort of thing, his Ice Cube covers are particularly affecting.

You will Call Me Kompressor by Kompressor
Originally by Paul Simon
From the freaky world of Mr Steve comes this terrifying 1 minute scuzzfest purporting to be a cover version You Can Call Me Al (you know, the one with Chevy Chase in the video). Something to do with Cabaret Voltaire or something, Don’t ask me, personally I like music that doesn’t make an aneurysm seem like a pleasant alternative. Presumably German.

Nirvana cover The Man Who Sold the World
Originally by David Bowie
From one of those repugnant MTV unplugged things this is a cracking version of one of Bowie’s more intriguing efforts from when he was good. The whole album is a load of cover versions actually, Where Did You Sleep Last Night is excellent too.
Lulu also covered this, in somewhat more bombastic and frankly shit manner, years ago.