Song covers that don't sound like the originals

RobertSwanderson · 01 Jan 2007

That Hayes interview also featured a clip of Sammy Davis Jr. singing the Theme to Shaft (which was produced or included Hayes' input). They played it without introduction, and I swear that I thought it was Billy Crystal doing a cheesy impression.

Jimbo · 19 Jul 2006

"Rock Around the Clock"--Telex.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XGXHDMIJw4[/youtube]

Jimbo · 19 Jul 2006

"Memphis"--Silicon Teens.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_p7Ub1NDTVg[/youtube]

72stones · **Joined:** 12 Jul 2006 **Posts:** 2109

Here's two I can think of. There's Badfinger's original of "Without You" and then later would be Harry Nilsson's Grammy winning version of it.
And then there's Robert Johnson's "Stop Breakin' Down" which would later be covered by The Rolling Stones on Exile On Main Street.

Hank · 01 Dec 2004

XTC's All Along the Watchtower is nothing like Dylan's or Hendrix's.

For starters, there's no guitar.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjTSZmDdJdw[/youtube]

Rich Perez · 09 Nov 2007

Led Zeppelin's "Whole Lotta Love" done by Zen For Primates.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AWK_yhBu5DM[/youtube]

Dr. Chris Evil · 26 Jul 2006

RoyalScam wrote:

Fraxon! wrote:

Earth, Wind and Fire's cover of The Beatles' "Got To Get You Into My Life".

Dare I say...I like it BETTER than the Beatles' original.

I can't say I like it better, but it stands on its own merits. EWF definitely made the song their own, the earmark of a good cover.

I liked Stone Temple Pilots' cover of "Dancing Days." I like the way they re-invented it, even though a former friend of mine disagreed.

AMW · **Joined:** 26 Sep 2006 **Posts:** 4543

I've always been curious as to how the original version of "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun" sounded--according to Cyndi Lauper, she rewrote the song (changing it from a male point of view) as the title was apparently originally intended to be a euphamism for a certain type of...um...sex act. Or was it? I don't know...like I said, I've always been curious.

Jeff Leventhal · 12 Jan 2007

Geff R. wrote:

Jeff Leventhal wrote:

Animals - "House of the Rising Sun" (Sounds much different than Leadbelly's version, which I believe is called "In New Orleans." However, I'm not sure if the Leadbelly version is the original. This song may be one of those traditional titles that's so old, no one is really sure of the original version).

Best Version I ever heard of HOTRS was a live recording from Josh White, JR. He said it was his Father's arrangement. Unfortunately, I no longer have the tape & I had the only copy (it was a soundboard). I sadly have no idea what happened to the tape; I hadn't thought of it in years. The other thing I do remember from that show was a lectrue from JW Jr about using soft bristle toothbrushes as part of his between song patter. That in my experience, was UNIQUE!

Geff,
I got a kick out of that story about Josh White, Jr. - particularly the part about his between-song-lecture about the importance of using soft bristle toothbrushes (on many of my own visits to the dentist, I received similar lectures. However, the music which followed was a lot blander than that of Mr. White). I'm not familiar with Josh White (father or son), but if Josh White, Sr. was active during the 1930s or 1940s, then it's conceivable that he could have written "House of the Rising Sun."

Song covers that don't sound like the originals

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