Cover Versions We Definitely Needed

What an amazing performance this is; equal to the classic original, an amazing achievement.

 

I always felt like Tom Waits wrote this for Springsteen

 

This is fantastic; it must please Ringo to know about covers like this and how The Band thought it was the best song on the White Album.

 

California Dreaming-The Mamas and Papas...

 

?

 

first recorded by Barry McGuire...

 

Ok, still written by John and Michelle Phillips though, or have I been misled all these years?

 

This is arguably The Beatles best cover, and the definitive version of the song for me :

 

John & Michelle wrote it...what's that got to do with it? Barry recorded it first M&P is a cover of Barry's recording...; ) if you play the stereo version in one channel you can hear Barry's "all the leaves are brown" vocal! eerie!

 

Wilco - "One Hundred Years From Now" Rockin' take on the Gram Parsons/Byrds song.

 

Robyn Hitchcock & The Egyptians - "The Bells Of Rhymney" Pretty reverent take on the old standard.

 

Otis Redding - "Shake" Otis speeds the heck out of this Sam Cooke number.

 

Next to last? I think it's the second best (the best being the original).

 

If I had a nickel for every time someone used the word penultimate wrong, I'd have more money than Jeff Bezos.

 

another obvious example: Ike & Tina Turner's version of Proud Mary:

 

Pop is my least favorite U2 album but Elvis Costello's version of Please does help redeem it (starts 49 seconds it):

 

I've always loved what Buddy Guy did to this Vaughan Brothers tune "Long Way From Home".... he really made it his own in tribute.

 

X-“Breathless”

 

Willie, in fine form...not that Billie Holiday and Frank Sinatra were slackers.

 

All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
Go Now - The Moody Blues
Time Is on My Side - Rolling Stones

 

Aretha Franklin - Respect

 

Their version is the best version of the song IMO. I also love the Animals' cover of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood."

 

Van Halen - You Really Got Me
Eric Clapton - I Shot the Sheriff