Whether they’re having a spontaneous moment on stage, paying their respects or using and selling it as if it were their own, artists doing covers of other peoples songs has been happening in the industry for years. Why do you think a lot of old blues and folk songs sound similar? They are all just a regurgitation of past well-known tunes. The cover version is often frowned upon, which can be understandable if the artist does not have his or her own material to back it up. Or at the other end of the spectrum, a bad cover can be forgotten about because of the artists already existing good original material...having said that, the latter is more rare.
Radio 1s Live Lounge has become famous for the expected and pretty much compulsory cover version performed by the guest musician/s. Artists seem to mostly do versions of current chart songs, which can be both a great thing or just very odd. Arctic Monkeys doing “Love Machine” by Girls Aloud was a pleasant surprise, while Kasabian doing “The Sweet Escape” by Gwen Stefani and Akon was not so pleasant.
What I’m really trying to say is that I’m not one to usually prefer a cover to the original. But mastering the skill of simultaneously doing a great version of a song and doing justice to its writer, I think, is an art. The ideology of a cover version should not always be criticised or dismissed. Sometimes one can find the cover to be actually a lot better than the original. It can also make the original artist or writer appear a lot more talented than they initially seemed.
And Remember – ‘imitation is the sincerest form of flattery’!
“Superstar” originally by Delaney & Bonnie (1969), made famous by The Carpenters (1971), covered by Sonic Youth (1994).
I love this song, whoever is singing it. Karen Carpenter for example. Her vocal is so beautifully raw and full of pain- it is undeniably a great version. But there’s just something so haunting about Thurston Moore’s voice on Sonic Youths cover of The Carpenters version. Even in the supposedly uplifting and major chorus, Moore’s interpretation is so chilling and full of melancholy. Something that clearly inspired him about Karen Carpenter. Sonic Youth dedicated a whole album to their unlikely heroes – ‘If I Were A Carpenter’. I love how 60s the song is and remains, yet is pushed so forward by Sonic Youth, with their production and generic 90s sound.
“Feeling Good” originally sung by Cy Grant for the musical “The Roar of The Greasepaint – The Smell of The Crowd” (1965), made famous by Nina Simone (1965), covered by Muse (2001).
Many will disagree with me on this one and say Simone’s version is the best and fairly so. Her voice gives me chills, it was one of a kind for sure. And that famous brass accompaniment from her version is now a main feature on pretty much every cover done of the song. However, Muse’s version (from their second album ‘Origin Of Symmetry’) is just something else. It takes Simone’s arrangement to another level. For example, that famous brass accompaniment I was describing is used, but instead with heavy guitars. The way the music is built up to that moment never fails to give me shivers. And Matt Bellamy’s vocal is outstanding, as per usual (check out his use of the megaphone in the third verse – great touch). They make it seem as though it’s their song, and all great covers should have that effect.
“Killing Me Softly With His Song” originally recorded by Lori Lieberman (1971), made famous by Roberta Flack (changed to “Killing Me Softly” 1973), covered by The Fugees (1995).
This is a great song, period. But there is no denying that The Fugees version is the best. The combination of Lauryn Hill’s super soulful vocal singing that famous melody with a classic 90s Hip Hop beat and bass line is inevitably genius. You gotta love Wyclef Jean’s ‘One Time, One Time…Two Time, Two Time’! I also love the dissonant harmonies used in the bridge, they totally ‘made it their own’ as they say on the X Factor and other such popular competitive television programmes.
“Hallelujah” originally by Leonard Cohen (1984), made famous by John Cale (1991), covered by Jeff Buckley (1994).
A classic song that many thought was actually written by Jeff Buckley, which is simultaneously so wrong yet so right. ‘Right’ in the sense that Buckley took this piece of music to a whole new place. Rolling Stone named his 1994 cover as one of 'The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time'. However, one must not forget the importance of Cale’s version, which was the core basis for Buckley’s cover, melodically and instrumentally. But let’s not beat around the bush, Jeff Buckley’s cover is undeniably the best. His voice and his music will remain in history as one of greatest- he is an irrefutable legend. Which is incredible seeing as he only made one album (‘Grace’ 1994) before his untimely death, aged 30.
“Valerie” originally by The Zutons (2006), made famous and covered by Mark Ronson in collaboration with Amy Winehouse (2007).
Another choice that I could be potentially slated for. I do like the original a lot, it’s a great song, but I just love Ronson’s arrangement on his version. It’s so clever and he could not have picked a better vocalist than the late, great Amy Winehouse (The track comes from Mark Ronsons album ‘Version’ which solely consists of cover versions). I believe the cover to have been very important for commercial music at the time; we all needed a bit of Motown retro. Which is exactly what Ronson contributed to with the production of Amy’s global smash ‘Back To Black’, which devastatingly became her last album. Like Jeff Buckley, she is another musical legend to die so young.
“Maggie’s Farm” originally and made famous by Bob Dylan (1965), covered by Rage Against The Machine (2000).
This was a very significant song in Dylan’s career, as it was his way of rebelling against the conventions of folk- ‘I ain’t gonna work on Maggie’s farm no more’. I appreciate this song in the sense of musical culture, but to be frank, as a piece of music, it doesn’t have much of an effect on me. It probably would have if I were a rebellious kid living through the 60s and the great changes of popular music at the time. So forgive me for being biased, but Rage’s version has the effect on me that the original would have had at the time of release. The cover may be more blatant in the sense of rebellion, i.e. being angry, political rap metal from the 90s and the band having the name that they do. However, one can’t control the effect music has on oneself. I just can’t resist a drop and a heavy riff, what can I say?!
“Respect” originally recorded by Otis Redding (1965), made famous and covered by Aretha Franklin (1967).
I bet you thought this was an original by ‘The Queen of Soul’, so did I! I love Otis Redding, he is a soul legend but come on; Rita’s version is the one! It is a female anthem. Even a man could feel empowered listening to that voice, ‘R.E.S.P.E.C.T find out what it means to me!’ It is a classic in every respect (pardon the pun).
“Fields of Gold” originally and made famous by Sting (1993), covered by Eva Cassidy (1996).
Another beautiful female vocal. Eva Cassidy tragically died aged 33 of Melanoma (a type of skin cancer). Her cover is so simply arranged, and rightly so, as all you need to hear is her utterly heart-wrenching angelic voice. I cry whenever I hear her version. But credit does goes out to Sting for this fantastic bit of songwriting, such great lyrics. Eva Cassidy was known for her stunning covers of classics, e.g. “Imagine” by John Lennon (nothing beats his original though!), “Over The Rainbow” by Judy Garland and “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon & Garfunkel. However, I suggest you watch the video of her last performance. In the knowledge that she had months to live, Cassidy sung the classic, “What A Wonderful World” by Louis Armstrong to her fans, friends and family. This way you will feel the full emotion of her vocal whenever you hear it.
“Mad World” originally and made famous by Tears For Fears (1982), covered by Gary Jules & Michael Andrews (for the film ‘Donnie Darko’ in 2001).
I adore both versions of this song, especially in view of the fact that they are arranged so differently. The Tears For Fears original is definitely an 80s anthem, however, I just prefer the song when it’s done as a ballad. It accentuates the haunting lyrics and eerie title hook, ‘it’s a very, very mad world’. This will make more sense if you have seen ‘Donnie Darko’ (starring Jake Gyllenhal), as it plays such a vital part in affecting the audience the way it does at a specific point in the film. I shan’t give anything away, but all I will say is that the film is a cult classic and it emphasises how brilliant this cover is.
“Babe I’m Gonna Leave You” originally recorded by Joan Baez (1962), covered by Led Zeppelin (1969).
Okay, just to clear things up, I am not a fan of Joan Baez in any way shape or form, so it is inevitable that I would believe the Led Zeppelin version to absolutely kill the original. However, I think anyone would agree with me on this one, Baez’s voice is almost deafening in its shriek and deathless vibrato. Anyone would think this song is a Zeppelin original by the way they have arranged it. They transformed the track from being 3 minutes of drab to 7 minutes of musical heaven. They were so ahead of their time. There really is no point in me trying to sell this one to you, just listen!
Sorry guys, I know this is a list of ten but I thought I’d just slip in an extra two…can’t help myself, don’t judge me!
“California Dreamin’” originally by The Mamas & The Papas (1965), covered by Bobby Womack (1968).
Like “Feeling Good”, this is one of the most covered songs in history and I think one of the best songs ever written (Rolling Stone can back me up on that one). I first heard soul singer Bobby Womack’s version when I saw the 2009 British indie film ‘Fish Tank’ (which won at Cannes Film Festival and BAFTA). I fell in love with his cover of the song. The arrangement in collaboration with Womack’s velvety, rich voice is so beautiful. It’s epic. It also plays an important role in ‘Fish Tank’, so watch it!
Slightly breaking the rules again, but here goes…
As a guitarist myself, another cover of The Mamas & The Papas track that I absolutely adore is Eddie Hazels from his solo album ‘Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs’. Hazel was the lead guitarist of 70s funk bands Funkadelic and Parliament (among others). He was ranked 43 on the list of Rolling Stone’s ‘100 Greatest Guitarists Of All Time’, yet is annoyingly still quite unknown and underrated. Check out his stuff to know what I mean, his playing is sublime.
“Sea of Love” originally by Phil Phillips (1959), covered by Cat Power (2000).
The original song was a hit when it was first released and the same happened in 1985 when covered by The Honey Drippers (lead by Robert Plant), because…well, the song is just a darn right, timeless hit. But I think Cat Powers cover is the best. Her voice is one of a kind, and in her version the only parts used are, quite rightly, voice and guitar. Whether you deem the song as happy or sad or somewhere in between, her delivery is full of raw emotion. And Cat’s version, I think, showcases the spirit of the song in the best possible way.
So I hope I’ve either changed your mind about ‘the cover version’, or just confirmed your belief in it!
Take care.
Ms Gelli B.
X
