Covers better than originals...

[Skummy]

I've argued that Cash's version of "Hurt" is no better than NIN's, although I can't say I've done so passionately. I just don't understand why most people's argument is that Johnny Cash has more emotion in his voice, when that's just not true. Trent Reznor sounds about ready to break down through the whole song, while Cash sings in a very matter of fact way, which actually adds to it, in my opinion, as it's more a tale of him accepting his fate, rather than the more self-loathing dynamic of the original. I'd place them about equally, though, I don't think one's any better than the other.

Cash's "Mercy Seat" is incredible, though. I'm not sure if I prefer it to the original or not, but he does do it fantastically. It's a very Johnny Cash song in itself, which is probably why it works so well, whilst some of his other cover versions, like "Rusty Cage", while good, can seem a little gimmicky.

Whoever said Goldfinger's version of "Just Like Heaven", though, yuck. Horrible, horrible, horrible cover. They absolutely murder it. I've never heard a good Goldfinger cover, or song for that matter, but Just Like Heaven is completely, without doubt, the worst of the bunch. The original is incredible, but Goldfinger's sucks a massive schlong. The only cover I've heard of that's even verging on tolerable is by Deadsy.

In fact, I don't think there are very many good covers of The Cure at all. Voltaire and Tori Amos both pull off Love Song fairly admirably, Tricky does a decent enough Lovecats, and the aforementioned Deadsy Just Like Heaven are alright, but otherwise, they're just not a band that lend themselves to being covered.

Some people were claiming that Cash's version was better because Reznor just wrote the lyrics without actually having any feeling behind it, but Cash actually lived through those emotions

I've never heard that argument, and it's fucking ridiculous. Trent Reznor wrote that song about his own heroin addiction. It has far more relevance to his life than it ever would to Johnny Cash's. People just seem to relate the song to the video, and to the fact that it was his last single, and decide that makes it so much more emotional. Out of that context, yeah, it's still an emotional song, but not the heartbreaking epic emotional journey that some people seem to act like it is.

Edited January 11, 2007 by Skummy

[Plankton]

Some people were claiming that Cash's version was better because Reznor just wrote the lyrics without actually having any feeling behind it, but Cash actually lived through those emotions

I've never heard that argument, and it's fucking ridiculous. Trent Reznor wrote that song about his own heroin addiction. It has far more relevance to his life than it ever would to Johnny Cash's. People just seem to relate the song to the video, and to the fact that it was his last single, and decide that makes it so much more emotional. Out of that context, yeah, it's still an emotional song, but not the heartbreaking epic emotional journey that some people seem to act like it is.

[Olive the other Jiberdeer]

I've argued that Cash's version of "Hurt" is no better than NIN's, although I can't say I've done so passionately. I just don't understand why most people's argument is that Johnny Cash has more emotion in his voice, when that's just not true. Trent Reznor sounds about ready to break down through the whole song, while Cash sings in a very matter of fact way, which actually adds to it, in my opinion, as it's more a tale of him accepting his fate, rather than the more self-loathing dynamic of the original. I'd place them about equally, though, I don't think one's any better than the other.

Cash's "Mercy Seat" is incredible, though. I'm not sure if I prefer it to the original or not, but he does do it fantastically. It's a very Johnny Cash song in itself, which is probably why it works so well, whilst some of his other cover versions, like "Rusty Cage", while good, can seem a little gimmicky.

Whoever said Goldfinger's version of "Just Like Heaven", though, yuck. Horrible, horrible, horrible cover. They absolutely murder it. I've never heard a good Goldfinger cover, or song for that matter, but Just Like Heaven is completely, without doubt, the worst of the bunch. The original is incredible, but Goldfinger's sucks a massive schlong. The only cover I've heard of that's even verging on tolerable is by Deadsy.

In fact, I don't think there are very many good covers of The Cure at all. Voltaire and Tori Amos both pull off Love Song fairly admirably, Tricky does a decent enough Lovecats, and the aforementioned Deadsy Just Like Heaven are alright, but otherwise, they're just not a band that lend themselves to being covered.

Some people were claiming that Cash's version was better because Reznor just wrote the lyrics without actually having any feeling behind it, but Cash actually lived through those emotions

I've never heard that argument, and it's fucking ridiculous. Trent Reznor wrote that song about his own heroin addiction. It has far more relevance to his life than it ever would to Johnny Cash's. People just seem to relate the song to the video, and to the fact that it was his last single, and decide that makes it so much more emotional. Out of that context, yeah, it's still an emotional song, but not the heartbreaking epic emotional journey that some people seem to act like it is.

[darkrayne]

Well here's one that really got my attention-

Shinedown's cover of "Simple Man" which was originally done by...Lynyrd Skynyrd...

This guy's voice is just incredible IMHO!!

[VerbalPuke]

Nine Inch Nails - Dead Souls (Joy Division)

Osaka Popstar & The American Legends Of Punk - Blank Generation (Richard Hell)

The Dillinger Escape Plan - Like I Love You (Justin Timberlake)

Between The Buried & Me - Us & Them (Pink Floyd)

Chris Cornell - Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)

Deadsy - Paint It Black (The Rolling Stones)

Faith No More - War Pigs (Black Sabbath)

And some others.

Blah to that preference of the covers of Blank Generation and War Pigs.

In regard to Blank Generation, I can't imagine anybody doing it quite like Richard Hell. It was one of the definitive songs of the punk generation and I don't think anybody could have captured the same brilliance with it that Hell does.

Still, they are your ears so I can't say you're wrong.

[Scruffy The Janitor]

<br />

Nine Inch Nails - Dead Souls (Joy Division)<br />Osaka Popstar &amp; The American Legends Of Punk - Blank Generation (Richard Hell)<br />The Dillinger Escape Plan - Like I Love You (Justin Timberlake)<br />Between The Buried &amp; Me - Us &amp; Them (Pink Floyd)<br />Chris Cornell - Billie Jean (Michael Jackson)<br />Deadsy - Paint It Black (The Rolling Stones)<br />Faith No More - War Pigs (Black Sabbath)<br /><br />And some others.

<br /><br />Blah to that preference of the covers of Blank Generation and War Pigs. <img src="style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid="" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" /> <br /><br />In regard to Blank Generation, I can't imagine anybody doing it quite like Richard Hell. It was one of the definitive songs of the punk generation and I don't think anybody could have captured the same brilliance with it that Hell does. <br /><br />Still, they are your ears so I can't say you're wrong.<br /> Edited January 12, 2007 by Steaming Pile Of Shit

[Skummy]

I'm on a real Shane MacGowan trip lately, but fuck it, his version of "Danny Boy" owns your soul.

[TOG]

I'm probably lowering my fiend status around here considerably, but I prefer AFI's cover of "Halloween" to the original. Both are great, but AFI's is way better for me.

[Farmer Reil]

Goldfinger's 99 Red Balloons and Just Like Heaven are far superior to the originals. How anyone can say differently baffles me

The original JLH is so damn slow, you'd still be listening to it in three months time.

[Skummy]

It's MEANT to be slow. It's a fucking BALLAD. It's the perfect speed. Goldfinger's is far too fast, and lacking in any emotion, Deadsy's is too slow.

[Matt]

Nirvana's cover of "The Man Who Sold The World", originally by Bowie. I like both, but I prefer the cover.

Quoted for emphasis, loved the Bowie version however the Nirvana version > *

I also agree with the 99 Red Balloons too. And ugh... I don't think I can think of any more... Oh wait, Mad World by Gary Jules was better than the Stereophonics(?) version, IMO, it just felt more passionate.

[Liam]

Mad World is a Tears For Fears song, and it works better for me, as it is a sad song sung in an upbeat manner...pretty dark in the way its done.

As for Cash/NIN "Hurt" argument, I think that Hurt works at its best at the end of Downward Spiral, having listened to all the album. Cash's song is probably better, but as a set piece in the bigger picture, I prefer NIN's.

Oh, and Skummy, as for Cure covers, "Inbetween Days" by Ben Folds is good.

Edited January 12, 2007 by Liam Byrne

[Skummy]

Stereophonics did Mad World? :/

Tears For Fears did the original, though.

Ben Fold's Inbetween Days is indeed very good, I forgot that one. My point still stands >_>

Edited January 12, 2007 by Skummy O'Hooligan

[Matt]

Where the fuck did I get Sterophonics from... After listening to it on Youtube, I recognise Tears for Fears' version of it, but I want to know why the fuck I said Stereophonics. Clearly I'm mad. Clearly.

[JStarr]

On Prince's Emancipation album, he busts out two very nice covers, the better one being "I Can't Make You Love Me," originally by Bonnie Raitt.

The other was "One of Us," which Joan Osborne put on the pop charts. I hate her version, though, and Prince turns it into a fucking arena rock anthem. Excellent stuff.

[apsham]

i like pearl jams baba o'riley more then the who.

Since I'm not a believer in the whole God business, that's pretty much the closest anyone has come to a sacreligious statement on here recently.

But either way, to say what may not have been said I like the switch up with:

Moneen's "Accidents Are On Purpose" > Alexisonfire's "Accidents"

Alexisonfire's "Passing Out In America" > Moneen's "Passing Of America"

[MalaCloudy Black]

Oh, that reminds me that Gary Jules' cover of "Mad World" is awesome. Way, way awesome. I mean, I love the TFF original but to me, it pales in comparison to Jules' cover.

Oh, and while I heart Metallica's "Battery" Machine Head's cover is way way way good.

Edited January 13, 2007 by Cloud Henry

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

Aphex Twin's version of "Heroes" by Bowie. Haunting genius.

Aphrodite's "Rockafella Skank".

The mix of Daft Punk's "Da Funk" with Chemical Brothers.

Feeder's cover of "Can't Stand Losing You" by The Police.

FC Kahuna's and LRD's covers of Felix Da Housecat's "Silver Screen Shower Scene".

Mint Royale's mix of Gene Kelly's "Singing In The Rain".

Hybrid's version of Andreas Johnson's "Glorious".

Myleene Klass' version of "Zarabande".

No Doubt's version of REM's "End Of The World" and their cover of "Come On Eileen". Also their cover of the Vandal's "Oi To The World" ISN'T as good as the original but it's a good pop-ska version nonetheless.

The greatest ever cover track: Polysics' version of The Knack's "My Sharona".

President's Of The USA's version of The Buggles' "Video Killed The Radio Star" is pretty good.

Apollo 440's remis of Puretone's "Addicted To Bass" is much better than the original.

[METALMAN]

President's Of The USA's version of The Buggles' "Video Killed The Radio Star" is pretty good.

I like Ben Folds Five's cover of that song

[The Third Dukes]

Seger or Metallica -- Metallica's version of "Turn the Page" is just inches better, but it fits the category perfectly.

I also feel ashamed for liking Alanis Morrisette's cover of Seal's "Crazy". I beg for forgiveness.