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Best Cover Songs Ever
BESTS 
Tags: music, cover, remake, album, rock, classic, soul, bob dylan, the beatles, punk, johnny cash, jimi hendrix, the white stripes
A list of some of the best remakes in recent history, in no particular order. Which is your favorite? Do you know a good one not on this list?
| 1. | Fiona Apple "Across The Universe" (originally by The Beatles): Fiona does Lennon proud with her wispy, sensual vocals and sweeping instrumentals. It feels as though she captured what Lennon was originally aiming for, which, considering that he might be the best songwriter of all time, is tough to do. Whenever I hear the Beatles version, it always feels slightly unfinished to me after hearing this one. | | 2. | Nirvana "The Man Who Sold The World" (originally by David Bowie): Kurt Cobain is the perfect guy to cover this strange trip. Bowie's tall vocals make it sound a bit creepy, whereas Cobain takes the edge off with darker vocals and plinky guitar. I believe the only version of this is live, proving that Nirvana is just as good unplugged as they are in studio. It's not even that they can play their instruments remarkably; it's amazing to see how a few guys can captivate an audience with their words and their understated appeal. Bravo. | | 3. | Johnny Cash "Hurt" (originally by Nine Inch Nails): Cash's version is exponentially more tragic than the first, and I mean that in the best way possible. Listening to the vocals of a former addict, or simply as an old man at the end of his life, singing 'I will let you down, I will make you hurt" gives me chills. Plus, it shows that there are still modern classics embedded in our generation. This is a song so good I can't even listen to it that often. | | 4. | Pennywise "Stand By Me" (originally by Ben E. King): I know, I know, a punk cover? Give this one a chance. The original was so good it's hard to go wrong, and hearing it turned into a fun, fast punk-anthem hints that maybe not much has changed since the golden days of the 60's. This song still strikes a chord with anyone whose ever wanted a hand to hold as they walked home. It's nice to see a band put their own spin on a cover while still staying true to the original aura. | | 5. | Whitney Houston "I Will Always Love You" (originally by Dolly Parton): Don't even pretend you don't sing along to this whenever it comes on! You'd only be lying to yourself! Everyone knows this is pop music perfection, but many people might not know that Dolly Parton wrote and performed the original version in 1974. Houston's voice dominates this gem, making it one of the most memorable vocal performances in recent history. | | 6. | Jimi Hendrix "All Along The Watchtower" (originally by Bob Dylan): Dylan is the king of songwriting, but the fact is he's not as great of a vocalist. And we all know no one can play guitar like Jimi Hendrix, so combining these two only makes sense. On one of the most covered songs ever (including a noteworthy version by Dave Matthews Band much later), Hendrix makes it his own with his sultry voice and smooth guitar. Dylan's version sounds a bit raw, whereas the Hendrix version sounds soulful and sweeping without being overproduced. "And the wind began to howl...." | | 7. | The White Stripes "I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself" (originally by Dusty Springfield): Probably the best rock cover you've never heard. Jack White adds a garage-rock flavor without dumbing it down; on the contrary, this version is more emotionally charged. The crashing guitar over the needful lyrics, the soft-low dynamic, and even the way Jack pushes the words from his lips, all conspire to make this an awe-inspiring cover, or simply an amazing song. |
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