I love 'Such Great Heights' by Postal Service (Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie et al.). I like the Iron and Wine version that was used in 'Garden State' and really like a cover by Ben Folds.

This version by Christian "screamo" (??) band Confide is a steaming pile of doo doo.

Who is it that does that "slow" version of "Take On Me" by a-ha, and is there any chance we can ship them off to Norway too?

I heard a horrendous version of Cheap Trick's "Surrender" by Simple Plan.

I abhorred Lenny Kravitz's slaughtering of "American Woman"...

Kym, I think your new avatar is from the Stranglers' "Feline" cover, no?

I can't stand Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons (Wonder Who) version of "Don't Think Twice It's Alright"

Don't like Van Halen's version of "Dancin' In The Streets" either........(I know I'm in the minority on this one)

You are correct!

I'm sure I'm in the minority on this one, but Pearl Jam's version of "Last Kiss" (a.k.a. "Oh Where oh where can my baby be.? The lord took her away from me. She's gone to heaven so I've got to be good. So I can see my baby when I leave this world . . . " ) sounds flat and humorless to me. The first version I've heard (not sure if it's the original) has a melodramatic, cheesy, goofy charm.

Madonna "American Pie"

Frankie Goes to Hollywood's cover of Born to Run.

I don't like any version of that song; I'm not fond of most 50's rock; Chuck Berry being an exception. For me most listenable 50's music is either Chicago Blues, Jump Blues or Jazz.

I have a general affinity for covers of Rolling Stones songs, but I can't stand Melanie's dirge-like, out-of-tune massacre of "Ruby Tuesday."

The original J. Frank Wilson & The Cavaliers song is from autumn of '64. Not exactly a '50s tune.

Do yourselves a favor and check out Fudge Tunnel's rendition of "Sunshine Of Your Love" if you feel like ending it all. This was an abomination from the early 90's long before Cookie Monster Metal became popular.
Also, Ministry desecrated "Lay Lady Lay" and Everclear did a hideous cover of Thin Lizzy's "The Boys Are Back In Town". And, I can't quite remember the name of the musical disgrace that was some chick and a mullet-laden ass clown playing keyboards who destroyed "Baby I Love Your Way" (Will To Power or something?) and maybe they did "Freebird" too, or it was a medley? It gave me douche chills. Easily one of the most insipid, stomach churning debacles ever. And morons lapped it up!

50's style, whenever it was recorded. I actually don't like early 60's "rock" before The Beatles either. Most early 60's was Pat Boone/Bobby Darin, etc.

"Fudge Tunnel'?!? BWAH HA HA HA HA!

I think (I'll have to check) she's recorded "Ruby Tuesday" twice. I have a dim recollection of one being better than the other.

I liked Lenny's "American Woman" (especially the video).

"Stairway" was indeed covered by Will To Power, and also a band called The Far Corporation, I believe. Both sucked, but I'm not a Zep fan, either. Although Zappa's cover was very good.

One of the worst covers I ever heard, though, and it pains me to say this, was by Johnny Cash. One of my idols. He did a cover of the Stones' "No Expectation". I'd heard Michael Hedges' version, and it was awesome (not sure I ever heard a Hedges cover that wasn't excellent), but Cash's? Ugh.

There have been other covers that have made me question the musical judgment of the artist, but nothing is popping into mind at the moment...

Alan

johnny cash's 'bridge over troubled water" cover is just awful.

And the winner is................ Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds by Captain Kirk (or was it Mr Spock?)

Lorne Greene's Hey Jude is pretty godawful.

So is Bing Crosby's