Best Cover Version

[Aztecs27]

Two for me.......The Disturbed's incredible version of Sound of Silence......

and Heart's live Kennedy Centre performance of Stairway to Heaven, made even more special as the audience included the members of Led Zeppelin, plus John Bonham's son playing drums. Their reaction is very moving.

Great shout on the Heart Performance. Well into her 70's now and Ann Wilson STILL has it.

 

[Aztecs27]

I’d go for:

Jimi Hendrix - All a long the watchtower, (Original by Dylan)

Sinead O’Conner- Nothing Compares 2 U (Original by Prince)

The Beatles - Twist and Shout (Original by the Top Notes) people often think it’s a Beatles original track, they just took it and made it iconic.

This is correct.

The Dave Matthews Band version (specifically from the Listener Supported live album from 1999) is just as good in my opinion.

 

[sunshine]

I’d go for:

Jimi Hendrix - All a long the watchtower, (Original by Dylan)

The U2 cover is also better than the original, but not as good as Hendrix. Covers of Dylan songs are frequently better than the original.

 

[sunshine]

My all time favourite cover is Live and Let Die by Guns n Roses. Their version of Knocking on Heaven's Door is also brilliant. Are they the greatest ever cover band?

I watched an episode of Industry last night that closed with Always on my Mind by the Pet Shop Boys, it was a perfect moment, and sounded great.

 

[Beezerk]

I don't know - Scissor Sisters' Comfortably Numb gives it a run for its money.

I’ll raise you Nothings Gonna Change My Live For You by Glenn Madieros, cringe central

 

[Tongo]

Johnny Cash's version of Hurt.

This. Brutal but brilliant. Just makes you stop and listen.

 

[Tongo]

It's already been said but I heard it through the Grapevine by the Slits is superb.

 

[venger]

 

[cliveb]

Surprised nobody else has posted this sooner:

 

[ADB]

 

[The Squirrel]

Every opinion is valid and blah blah blah……

……. But sorry but as a Peter Gabriel fan; just no! - The 80s cheap Casio keyboard version of the iconic brass riff at 1:10 here made me want to punch my own ears.

 

[Orikoru]

Every opinion is valid and blah blah blah……

……. But sorry but as a Peter Gabriel fan; just no! - The 80s cheap Casio keyboard version of the iconic brass riff at 1:10 here made me want to punch my own ears.

It sounds fine but purely because it is a fantastic song in the first place. They didn't really do much to make it their own or put any kind of twist on it.

 

[ExRabbit]

Great shout on the Heart Performance. Well into her 70's now and Ann Wilson STILL has it.

Probably my number two cover after the Hendrix Watchtower. Might even be a tie!

I was introduced to Heart by the guy in the next room to me at Uni in 1980 - Crazy on You - and have loved them ever since.

Nancy Wilson a great guitarist too.

 

[ExRabbit]

Just in case some of you haven't heard the original Sledgehammer.......

 

[TerryA]

Have I told you lately - cover by Rod Stewart is very good but still prefer the Van Morisson original.

 

[The Squirrel]

As Dave Matthews Band has already got some love in this thread for their live All Along The Watchtower (rightly) and so has Sledgehammer (rightly), I'll bring it a full circle and say that Dave Matthews Band did a pretty good Sledgehammer cover on their last European tour (not my video but I was actually at this gig - go see DMB live if you get the chance - they're brilliant - this track is quite unusual as Dave is strapped to his acoustic guitar 99% of the time!).

 

[Aztecs27]

As Dave Matthews Band has already got some love in this thread for their live All Along The Watchtower (rightly) and so has Sledgehammer (rightly), I'll bring it a full circle and say that Dave Matthews Band did a pretty good Sledgehammer cover on their last European tour (not my video but I was actually at this gig - go see DMB live if you get the chance - they're brilliant - this track is quite unusual as Dave is strapped to his acoustic guitar 99% of the time!).

Never realised they covered Sledgehammer. Enjoyed that, cheers.

I second seeing DMB live if you can. I was lucky enough to see them at The Gorge in Washington State which is one of their "meccas" when they tour North America. It was 3 hours of absolute pure musicianship, joy and everything else in-between.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

Mad World - Gary Jules
Valerie - Amy Winehouse
Guns and Roses - Knocking on Heavens Door
Aretha Franklin - Respect
Joe Cocker - With a little Help from My Friends

 

[Norrin Radd]

If you want a truly rubbish cover then listen to rod Stewart trying to sing amazing grace, it's absolutely terrible.

 

[ADB]

As Dave Matthews Band has already got some love in this thread for their live All Along The Watchtower (rightly) and so has Sledgehammer (rightly), I'll bring it a full circle and say that Dave Matthews Band did a pretty good Sledgehammer cover on their last European tour (not my video but I was actually at this gig - go see DMB live if you get the chance - they're brilliant - this track is quite unusual as Dave is strapped to his acoustic guitar 99% of the time!).

Sorry Harry’s version is better than that