Cover better than original

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:24 pm

Here's a topic to think about, how many tracks can we think of where the cover version became the version every one thinks of or was better than the original.

I can think of Do You Want To Know A Secret by The Beatles cover version by Billy J Kramer far better, my favourites the Searchers released a number of in essence cover versions which were in my opinion better than the Original.

Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis better than Carl Perkin's original

As a little teaser for something I may start on a regular basis let's have a little competition , I know it could be researched but none of you will do that will you????.

Here's the original version of another example where cover was probably far better, that being Gene Pitney's version of I'm Gonna Be Strong massive hit in UK and top ten in US.

So no one else sees your answer e-mail it to
[email protected]. Who is this by? Answer on Monday.

http://tinyurl.com/rv2ca

j_gary · Post by **j_gary** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 6:30 pm

Vanilla Fudge, "You Keep Me Hanging On".

Sorry Roy, no idea on the Pitney number.

sowhat · Post by **sowhat** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:22 pm

Hmmm...

Blue Suede Shoes by Elvis better than Carl Perkins' original

I disagree... Carl's own version is as good as Elvis', imho...

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 9:35 pm

Great example there Gary, I concur.
Sheena I did not like either but would go with ELvis if pushed, but hey that's what good about friendly debate.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:10 am

No idea Roy. The chorus is really a letdown compared to Pitney's version.
Elvis and Carl Perkins, like both versions, Elvis's version is more rocked up.
I like Billy J's version but like The Beatles version better. Kramer's is fast and always loved the bass part in The Beatles version.

bassman · Post by **bassman** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 8:49 am

One 60's song that I much prefer the cover version of is Go Now.

I could never get into Bessie Banks original version, but The Moody Blues hooked me with their cover of it.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 9:00 am

Yes good example Jon, in fact I do think a lot of sixties cover versions of 50's songs were better but in a lot of case I think the first version you hear is sometimes the definitive one for one's self.

leftyguitars · Post by **leftyguitars** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:01 am

Joe Cocker - With a little help from my friends. It must rank as one of the best covers ever, certainly (in my opinion) better than the original.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 12:44 pm

I won't say this is better than the original but Cocker's cover of She came in through the Bathroom Window was also good.
Take me for a little while, Vanilla Fudge was also great, forgot who did the original.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 3:18 pm

Blinded By the Light by Manfred Mann. Terrific. Springsteen's version is awkward.

Also that other Springsteen tune that MM did a cover of, much better than original. Can't think . . . um . . . .

winston · Post by **winston** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 4:19 pm

No idea Roy.

Bob the answer you were looking for is the Supremes. I also like the version of "You Keep Me Hanging On" by Vanilla Fudge much better.

dean712 · Post by **dean712** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:23 pm

Paul, I agree 100% on the Manfred Mann thought. Much better version.

Did they also cover "Because The Night" by the Boss? I know 10,000 Maniacs covered that, and did a nice version of it.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 7:55 pm

Patty Smith had a huge hit with Because the Night during th late 70's.
I didn't know Take Me for a Little While was by The Supremes, they should have covered a few more. Great bass-drum solo on that, Tim Bogart and Carmine Appice were a great rhythm section.
Tim was one of my heroes when I was a kid starting out.

royclough · Post by **royclough** » Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:16 pm

Some good examples though disagree on Joe Cocker prefer the Original, Joe Brown who probably means nothing to most on here but very well known in UK, did an excellent version. Cocker's whilst a cover yes was more of an interpretation as he approached it totally differently and so it became his own in some ways.

Take Me For A Little While was originally done by Evie Sands, covered by a number of acts which leads on to Hollies I can't let Go, Evie Sands did original but give me Hollies version any day but it is another example of their version was first time I had the song so to me I thought it was the original at the time of release.

Anyway come on you guys/gals only had a few attempt the answer to original version I posted of I'm Gonna Be Strong

"Here's the original version of another example where cover was probably far better, that being Gene Pitney's version of I'm Gonna Be Strong massive hit in UK and top ten in US.

So no one else sees your answer e-mail it to
[email protected]. Who is this by? Answer on Monday".

http://tinyurl.com/rv2ca

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 2:27 pm

One of Roys personal favorites haha!: Louie Louie, Kingsman cover is much better than Richard Berrys.
I also agree on interpretation rather than cover with Cocker, he made them his own.

I have no idea who did I'm Gonna be Strong Roy.