Cover Songs that you think are just as good/better than original, plus horrible ones

[TurtleWA]

Originally Posted by snake

All Along the Watchtower and Hurt are the best covers. Even better than the original songs.

Yes indeed.

Some others...Nirvana's cover of 'The Man Who Sold The World' is better than the original by David Bowie. Killswitch Engage's cover of 'Holy Diver' I like more than the original by Dio. And A Perfect Circle's cover of 'Imagine' is almost better than John Lennon's version, imho.

[plastroncafe]

The thing I love specifically about Cash's cover of "hurt" is just how different the song feels with an older man singing it, than when a younger one does.
It almost changes the meaning of the song. Just brilliant.

[TurtleWA]

Originally Posted by plastroncafe

The thing I love specifically about Cash's cover of "hurt" is just how different the song feels with an older man singing it, than when a younger one does.
It almost changes the meaning of the song. Just brilliant.

Yeah I can definitely see that. Songs are open to interpretation for sure. With the younger dude it feels like a drug addiction type of song. Yeah Cash had his drug days. But with old Johnny it's like he's showing some despair similar to that found in Eriksons's final developmental stage. Maybe not so much about the addiction aspects though, like with the younger guy. But more about the struggles some have to cope with in later life. Idk.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by TurtleWA

Yeah I can definitely see that. Songs are open to interpretation for sure. With the younger dude it feels like a drug addiction type of song. Yeah Cash had his drug days. But with old Johnny it's like he's showing some despair similar to that found in Eriksons's final developmental stage. Maybe not so much about the addiction aspects though, like with the younger guy. But more about the struggles some have to cope with in later life. Idk.

Yeah, the Cash version very much feels like a guy at the end of his days looking back at his whole life, painfully.

The original version was Reznor ruminating about the then-present life of self-inflicted drug squalor he was in at the time and, basically, whining about it. Kind of wish he'd go back to that, though... after "The Fragile" he has barely done any music worth listening to.

[snake]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

Yeah, the Cash version very much feels like a guy at the end of his days looking back at his whole life, painfully.

The original version was Reznor ruminating about the then-present life of self-inflicted drug squalor he was in at the time and, basically, whining about it. Kind of wish he'd go back to that, though... after "The Fragile" he has barely done any music worth listening to.

Trent is still quality. Add Violence was actually decent and his newer stuff represents the fact that he ISN'T an angsty teenager anymore. Have you seen the dude now? He's buff as f*ck and has a family.

[TurtleWA]

Originally Posted by snake

No way! Bowie's version is miles ahead.

Perhaps, but I have to say Nirvana or else I get kicked out of the Seattle area. You know the bands somewhat of a local icon. I am biased.

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

Yeah, the Cash version very much feels like a guy at the end of his days looking back at his whole life, painfully.

The original version was Reznor ruminating about the then-present life of self-inflicted drug squalor he was in at the time and, basically, whining about it. Kind of wish he'd go back to that, though... after "The Fragile" he has barely done any music worth listening to.

I know a lot of musicians find it hard to keep making good music after bigger type successes. Sounds like I'm not missing out on much with him.

[Andrew NDB]

Originally Posted by snake

Trent is still quality. Add Violence was actually decent and his newer stuff represents the fact that he ISN'T an angsty teenager anymore. Have you seen the dude now? He's buff as f*ck and has a family.

Trent has been huge for a while now. "Tank Reznor" he was called.

Let's see... I loved Pretty Hate Machine, Downward Spiral, The Fragile... and that was about it. I got "With Teeth" and only liked "The Hand That Feeds." I didn't like anything on "Year Zero." I think I remember it being very political... Trent really angry at Bush or something. I enjoyed "Ghosts" and find myself using those as temp audio tracks in film editing, but these are all strictly instrumental tracks. I haven't heard anything since, so you tell me if there's been anything worthwhile.

Originally Posted by TurtleWA

Perhaps, but I have to say Nirvana or else I get kicked out of the Seattle area.

I've never encountered that in Seattle.

I know a lot of musicians find it hard to keep making good music after bigger type successes. Sounds like I'm not missing out on much with him.

Hip hop artists are the worst about that. You get maybe one "album," two tops, then it's all about the money and cars and such.

[TurtleWA]

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

I've never encountered that in Seattle.

'twas an attempt at humor

[sdp]

I disagree with a lot posted in this thread, one thing I've noticed is if you hear the cover first you tend to like it more than the original as your brain associates that version as the "correct" one.

I can't think of any covers that are truly better than the originals out of the top of my head, I'm sure there are a few but not many, there are some that can be just as good but they're usually very different from the originals. For example I do like Cash's version of Hurt but not as much, I also hate he changed the lyrics.

Originally Posted by Andrew NDB

Hip hop artists are the worst about that. You get maybe one "album," two tops, then it's all about the money and cars and such.

Well it's the same with Metal bands who have all this "anger" and once they're big they really don't have enough to whine or complain about.

[IndigoErth]

Off the top of my head...

I like "Some Nights" by FUN okay, but I prefer the Brandyn Burnette version on YouTube. Also, Steam Powered Giraffe's version of Diamonds (originally by Rihanna).

[snake]

Originally Posted by TurtleWA

Yes indeed.

Some others...Nirvana's cover of 'The Man Who Sold The World' is better than the original by David Bowie..

No way! Bowie's version is miles ahead.

Totally agree with Plastron on Hurt. Perfect, perfect fit. Even Trent Reznor thinks that Cash did it better.