loz Posted September 4, 2010 Posted September 4, 2010 Mikstaw's post in the Guns 'N' Roses post has got me thinking about other moments of musical murder. Times where a cracking song has been absolutely murdered by a cover version. I am not necesarily referring to just bad cover versions but more 'should never be forgiven moments' Some for me are Guns 'n' Roses on no less than three occasions - Knocking on Heaven's Door, Live and Let Die and Sympathy for the Devil Madonna - American Pie (the music really did die that day) Scissor Sisters - Comfortably Numb Limp Bizkit - Behind Blue Eyes Will Young - Light my Fire M People - Itchycoo Park Boney M - Heart of Gold UB40 & Chrissie Hynde - I’ll Be Your Baby Tonight I have to stop now - this could go on a while.
moi Posted September 4, 2010 Posted September 4, 2010 Eric Burdon and the Animals - It''s All Over Now, Baby Blue
RegRabid Posted September 4, 2010 Posted September 4, 2010 The majority of UB40's back catalogue with the worst offender being: Jimmy Cliffs - Many Rivers to Cross
loz Posted September 4, 2010 Author Posted September 4, 2010 The majority of UB40's back catalogue with the worst offender being: Jimmy Cliffs - Many Rivers to Cross I am ashamed to have left that off my original list. UB40 are a major hall of shame contender.
Maksimov Posted September 4, 2010 Posted September 4, 2010 Scissor Sisters - Comfortably Numb I don't like the version, but it was about time someone took the piss out of Pink Floyd. Some people just take that band way too seriously... Gotta give credit to Devo for doing the same to Rolling Stones: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e75BUYdZq-g
RegRabid Posted September 4, 2010 Posted September 4, 2010 I am ashamed to have left that off my original list. UB40 are a major hall of shame contender. Here are a few more by the great song writers.... "Breakfast in Bed " by Dusty Springfield album "Cherry Oh Baby " by Eric Donaldson "Come Back Darling " by Johnny Osbourne & The Sensations "Every Breath You Take " by The Police Here I Am (Come and Take Me) " by Al Green "Homely Girl " by The Chi-Lites "I Got You Babe " by Sonny & Cher 
"I Think it's Going to Rain Today " by Randy Newman 
"I'll Be Your Baby Tonight " by Bob Dylan 
"Johnny Too Bad " by The Slickers "Keep on Moving " by Bob Marley & The Wailers 
"Kingston Town " by Lord Creator 
"Light My Fire " by The Doors 
"Please Don't Make Me Cry " by Winston Groovy 
"Red Red Wine " by Neil Diamond 
"Soul Rebel " by Bob Marley & The Wailers 
"Superstition " by Stevie Wonder "Sweet Sensation " by The Melodians 
"The Way You Do the Things You Do " by The Temptations
PloKoon13 Posted September 4, 2010 Posted September 4, 2010 Metallica - Whiskey in the Jar Metallica - Astronomy Placebo - Bigmouth Strikes Again Mindless Self Indulgence - Tom Sawyer There are many, many more which I can't think of at the moment, but I'm sure I'll post more later. And let's not forget... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN3MGN899yE
Maksimov Posted September 4, 2010 Posted September 4, 2010 And let's not forget... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN3MGN899yE Shatner's version of "Common People" is better than the original, though.
BlueBeard Posted September 4, 2010 Posted September 4, 2010 (edited) There are hundreds of decent songs that have been ruined by cover versions, here's just a few: - Four Seasons - Ain't That A Shame David Bowie - Alabama Song Atomic Kitten - Eternal Flame Bryan Ferry - Jealous Guy Telly Savalas - If David Cassidy - Cherish Johnny Nash - Stir It Up Amazulu - Montego Bay Bananarama - Nathan Jones Bay City Rollers - Keep On Dancin' Bay City Rollers - I Only Want To Be With You Shirley Bassey - Something Carpenters - Ticket To Ride U2 - All Along The Watchtower Pet Shop Boys - Always On My Mind Elton John - Pinball Wizard Edited September 4, 2010 by BlueBeard
Englishman Posted September 4, 2010 Posted September 4, 2010 (edited) Sid Vicious - My Way Britney Spears - I Can't Get No Satisfaction Rolf Harris - Stairway to Heaven Korn - Another Brick in the Wall Sheryl Crow - Sweet Child of Mine Edited September 4, 2010 by Englishman
wicksy Posted September 5, 2010 Posted September 5, 2010 Sid Vicious - My Way I have to disagree about the Sid Vicious version of My Way. I'm no punk rock fan, but for me this is a massive improvement on the original. I love it!
Valerie Posted September 5, 2010 Posted September 5, 2010 Jamie Callum's cover of The Love Affair's Everlasting Love is a hanging offense.
Scott Posted September 5, 2010 Posted September 5, 2010 This one is so bad it's funny. Celine Dion singing AC/DC yes you read that right. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rzTDfbbMXI
Ruh Buh Juh Posted September 5, 2010 Posted September 5, 2010 These are 4 youtube "stars" if you will (the one with the red hair being the most popular, and the guy with the straightened brown hair the least) and they're well known for writing songs and playing them on the ukelele/guitar/acordian for all their YouTube fans to see, but they tried to join forces for this band called the "Sons of Admirals" covering Cat Stevens' "Here Comes My Baby" and blimey, it's a shocker. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR5wKLfzGHo
Maksimov Posted September 5, 2010 Posted September 5, 2010 Sid Vicious - My Way To say he killed the song is probably a compliment in this case.
PloKoon13 Posted September 5, 2010 Posted September 5, 2010 I don't know if this counts as a cover, but I'm not entirely sure what the Smiths were thinking here... I'm not sure why they'd butcher their own masterpiece.
loz Posted September 5, 2010 Author Posted September 5, 2010 Morrissey loved Sandie Shaw. He would have let her sing their entire back catalogue if he could have got her to agree to it. I agree it was a mistake.
yorkleyblue Posted September 6, 2010 Posted September 6, 2010 I can't argue with most of you, and particularly with regard to UB40 and their butchering of the soundtrack of my teenage years. Their first album, though, was and is a classic, IMO! Metallica - Whiskey in the Jar I thought Mettalica's cover of a Thin Lizzy cover of a Dubliners cover of a traditional Irish folk song was better than the slightly more dirgey version that Lynott managed to use to break through to POP world.
Hutch Posted September 6, 2010 Posted September 6, 2010 I can't argue with most of you, and particularly with regard to UB40 and their butchering of the soundtrack of my teenage years. Their first album, though, was and is a classic, IMO! SIgning Off was brilliant. Present Arms wasn't bad either. remember Madam Madusa from the enclosed 12" single? those two and Rat In The Kitchen are about all the UB40 you could ever want, or need. here's a 9 minute version of Madam Madusa*: *aka Maggie Thatcher
Tim W Posted September 6, 2010 Posted September 6, 2010 With fear of Bluebeard never buying me a pint again - just about ever cover song Rod Stewart has ever recorded especially every soul classic he's murdered with that croak he calls a voice.
moi Posted September 6, 2010 Posted September 6, 2010 (edited) With fear of Bluebeard never buying me a pint again - just about ever cover song Rod Stewart has ever recorded especially every soul classic he's murdered with that croak he calls a voice. oh it hurts me to risk conflict with the gorgeous BlueBeard (who is to Charlie Drake as Prince Charming is to Buttons) but Tim W has hit the nail on the head here. And here is a horrible David Hasselhoff cover of Glen Campbell's Rhinestone Cowboy. You can like or dislike the original but Glen C sang it effortlessly, where as the Hoff posturises and simpers like a middle-aged tart trying to recapture her/his lost youth Edited September 6, 2010 by moi
bonetti Posted September 6, 2010 Posted September 6, 2010 With fear of Bluebeard never buying me a pint again - just about ever cover song Rod Stewart has ever recorded especially every soul classic he's murdered with that croak he calls a voice. His version of Angel was sacrilege
bonetti Posted September 6, 2010 Posted September 6, 2010 Jamie Callum's cover of The Love Affair's Everlasting Love is a hanging offense. And so is his cover of Hendrixs' The Wind Cries Mary - Cullum is a cruise ship singer and no more
Chippy Posted September 7, 2010 Posted September 7, 2010 His version of Angel was sacrilege I quite liked Angel, Never a Dull moment was a brilliant album, sort of see where Tims coming from as I am not too impressed with Rods versions of Soull songs. I must admit to liking that croak he calls a voice though.
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