What's a cover of a song that's better than the original?

Question

One of my favorite bands, Youth Group, does a cover of "Forever Young" originally done by Alphaville. I prefer the cover more than the original.

Answer 1

"in the jungle" by subway coupons

Answer 2

Most covers merely update the original (often for movie soundtracks), with instruments and recording techniques that sound more modern to make them palatable to contemporary audiences. A few, however, change the source material in a way that makes the cover a respectable song in its own right. Hendrix's version of "All Along The Watchtower" is a good example (U2 recorded a decent cover as well). Ryan Adam's acoustic cover of Oasis' "Wonderwall" is arguably another.

Once you get past the modernization factor, though, I think you'll find it rare that a cover improves on the original in tone, meaning, relevance, and the particular way the music supports the lyrics. But if the cover works better for you (or the modernization fits the song more closely to your musical tastes), then you should run with that. Enjoy!

Answer 3

Song To The Siren, covered by This Mortal Coil, the original by Tim Buckley
In A Manner of Speaking, covered by Nouvelle Vague, original by Tuxedomoon
Wonderwall, covered by Ryan Adams, original by Oasis

Answer 4

Marilyn Manson - Sweet Dreams by Eurythmics
Type O Negative - Day Tripper by The Beatles
Johnny Cash - Hurt by Nine Inch Nails (honestly I prefer NIN's original but many people, including Trent Rexnor himself prefer Cash's cover)

Answer 5

LOL. Forever Young is a Bob Dylan song, too. Different words, though.

Grateful Dead turned Buddy Holly's Not Fade Away into a knock-down drag-out fest that could last 20 minutes or more.

Answer 6

The Clashs cover of "I Fought The Law" Originally by Bobby Fuller Four. Better then the Green Day one and I LOVE Green Day.

Answer 7

I liked The Sundays "Wild Horses" over the original Rolling Stones version.

Answer 8

Vanilla Fudge's cover of The Supreme's "You Keep Me Hangin' On."

Manfred Mann's cover of Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light."

Save Ferris' version of Dexies Midnight Runner's "Come on, Eileen."

Answer 9

I like Eva Cassidy's cover of "Time After Time" much more than the original Cyndi Lauper version.

Answer 10

any cover from a Bob Dylan
he's a great songwriter bu whoever covered his music just made it sound that little bit better
Mr Tambourine man Mamma's and the pappa's
It ain't me babe Johnny Cash and June Carter
All along the watchtower Jimmy Hendrix
Knocking on heavens door Guns n roses
...

Answer 11

Forever Young was covered many times, and the original writer was that folk singer named Bob Dylan. but.. blackbird from the i am sam soundtrack and sweetdreams from mariland manson