Entertainment
Coversions: Our 40+ Favorite Cover Versions of Songs
- Details
- Published on Friday, 14 June 2013 16:15
- Written by Kevin Kizer
Kevin Kizer: One of the things we like to do at The Peorian is compile lists of our favorite things. Sometimes these lists are about the Peoria area but more and more we find ourselves leaning towards pop culture – and in many cases, music. This week we – or more specifically Bill Knight and myself – decided to take a rather in-depth look at the cover versions – or coversions* – of some of our favorite songs.
Bill Knight: Sharing one’s favorite coversions can be provocative. For every mention that a reader recognizes with an “Ah, yes!” there are songs that are reminiscent of other tunes thought to be much better. Musing about music this way is a great excuse to search long-stashed and forgotten records, tapes and CDs, or the Web, or brains’ memory banks.
It’s all in the ear of the beholder. After all, there was the exceptional “I Am Sam” soundtrack of various covers of various Beatles tunes, and there was even an audience for “Hooked on Bach.”
Personally, I believe the most memorable coversions of songs bring something new – a fresh twist, a different enthusiasm or special touch that lets the “remake” stand on its own. They’re creative, if not original.
KK: So here are our 40+ Favorite Cover Versions of Songs. It’s a diverse list that covers lots of genres and eras of music – Bill even takes us back to 1862! We understand there are many more songs we could have included and our ranking order is debatable but, at the very least, we hope this will be a starting point for some good, old-fashioned, beer-soaked arguments or barguments.** So sit back, block off some time and enjoy!
* credit goes to Bill for this comingling
** Bill is on a roll!
40. “I Wish I Was in Peoria”
The Smothers Brothers
Well, we had to start with a shout out to Peoria. This light-hearted song was originally recorded in 1925 by Ted Lewis and quickly became a staple on the folk/jazz band scene. (KK)
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39. “Crimson and Clover”
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
There was a period of time in the ‘80s where old Tommy James and the Shondells songs were hot commodities in the pop world – “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffani and “Mony Mony” by Billy Idol – but this coversion of “Crimson and Clover” by Joan Jett tops them all. (KK)
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38. “California Sun”
The Ramones
While they may have been a punk progenitor, underneath it all they were a surf band. (KK)
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37. “I Shot the Sheriff”
Eric Clapton
This is perhaps the classic example of both the cover and original being, well, classics. (KK)
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36. “Under My Thumb”
Social Distortion
Social Distortion turns a rock song with some soul (1966) into a rock song with some grrrrrr (1990). (KK)
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35. “Am I Blue”
Linda Ronstadt with Nelson Riddle Orchestra
A 1929 hit song by Ethel Waters became popular again 57 years later. (BK)
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34a. “Hallelujah”
Jeff Buckley
This was written and released by Leonard Cohen in 1984 and since has been covered by dozens of artists. Buckley’s is one of the most haunting. (BK)
34b.
Rufus Wainright
Wainright gives Buckley a strong run for his money. (KK)
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Cover B:
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33. “Sixteen Tons”
Jeff Beck and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons
Originally recorded in 1946 by Merle Travis, but made famous by Tennessee Ernie Ford and covered by many, including the unheralded Don Harrison Band, Beck and Gibbons give this a gritty remake. (BK)
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32. “Paradise”
John Denver
John Denver adds a melodic veneer to this classic John Prine song of lament. (KK)
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31. “I Will Always Love You”
Whitney Houston
Many people don’t realize Houston’s signature song was written (and first recorded) by Dolly Parton. (BK)
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30. “Devil Went Down to Georgia”
Johnny Socko
Johnny Socko was a soulful-ska-punk band from Indianapolis in the late ‘80s early ‘90s and all three styles come out in this cover. (KK)
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29. “Sacrifice”
Sinead O’Connor
This classic Elton John (1989) song gets a haunting, minimalistic remake in 1991. (KK)
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28. “Momma Told Me Not to Come”
Three Dog Night
This is a peppier, pop cover of a Randy Newsman song written for and first released by Eric Burdon & the Animals in 1967. (BK)
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27a. “Superstition”
Jeff Beck
Off the 1973 LP “Beck, Bogert & Appice,” this Stevie Wonder classic was originally offered it to Beck before producer Berry Gordy insisted on Wonder releasing it first in 1972. (BK)
27b.
Stevie Ray Vaughn
No defense needed. It’s S-R-freakin’-V off the 1986 release “Live Alive.” (KK)
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26. “Hey Joe”
Jimi Hendrix
Written by Billy Roberts and first released by The Leaves in 1965. (BK)
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25a. “Johnny B. Goode”
The Grateful Dead
The Dead stay pretty faithful to the original Chuck Berry rocker from 1958. (BK)
25b.
Peter Tosh
“Deep down in Jamaica, close to Mandeville” begins this reggae version of Berry’s classic. (KK)
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24a. “Eyesight to the Blind”
The Who
This is the one track on “Tommy” that wasn’t written by Townshend or Entwistle and Townshend’s cover couldn’t be more different than Sonny Boy Williamson II's original, except for... (KK)
24b.
Eric Clapton with the Who
…Clapton and the Who’s cover for the movie adaptation of “Tommy” from 1975 (with Arthur Brown). (KK)
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23. “Louie Louie”
The Rice University Marching Owl Band’s
Penned and first released by Richard Berry in 1957, then Rockin’ Robin Roberts, and made a 1963 hit by the Kingsmen, although reportedly recorded by more than 1,000 entertainers over the years. (BK)
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22. “Gin and Juice”
The Gourds
This hip-hop classic (1995) got perhaps the biggest makeover in music history courtesy of the Gourds (2001) although Phish is often incorrectly credited with this foot-stomper. (KK)
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21. “Mr. Tambourine Man”
The Byrds
Famously written and recorded by Bob Dylan, this song took on a whole new life with the Byrds cover. (BK)
This one is a bit unique as both versions were released the same years, although Dylan had been performing it since 1964 (as evidenced by the clip below). (KK)
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20. “Bring the Noise”
Anthrax with Public Enemy
Originally written and recorded by Public Enemy in 1986, this rocker was perfect for a metal cover version just two years later. (KK)
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19. “Mother Nature’s Son”
John Denver
Who can make a beautiful song by Paul McCartney (1968) even more beautiful? John Denver, that’s who! And he did on his 1972 album “Rocky Mountain High.” (KK)
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18. “People Get Ready”
Jeff Beck and Sting
Originally recorded by Curtis Mayfield and the Impressions in 1965, this song has been covered by dozens of artists from Aretha Franklin to U2. (BK)
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Original
17. “I Am the Walrus”
Spooky Tooth
A moodier take on The Beatles moody classic recorded in 1970. (BK)
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16. “Kansas City”
The Beatles
First performed by Wilbert Harrison, this rich blues song by Lieber and Stoller turns infectious in the Beatles’ hands. (BK)
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15. “All Along the Watchtower”
Jimi Hendrix
Another Bob Dylan tune this time given a Hendrix makeover. (BK)
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14. “You Were Always on My Mind”
Willie Nelson
First recorded by Brenda Lee in the 1970s, Nelson won a Grammy for his cover. (BK)
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13. “Hot Rod Lincoln”
Commander Cody & the Lost Planet Airmen
Originally recorded by Charlie Ryan in 1955, this version came out in 1971. (BK)
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12. “Live and Let Die”
Guns N’ Roses
Originally recorded by Sir Paul McCartney, this cover finds GNR in all their GNRiness – wailing guitars, wildly fluctuating vocals, a whole lot of hair and gross excess across the board. (KK)
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11. “Twist & Shout”
The Beatles
First recorded in 1961 by the Top Notes, the Isley Brothers’ version became a hit a year later, followed by the Beatles. (BK)
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10. “Roll over Beethoven”
Electric Light Orchestra (ELO)
Also admirably covered by the Beatles, this 1973 version of the Chuck Berry song was ELO’s only hit not written by Jeff Lynne. (BK)
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9. “Behind Blue Eyes”
The Chieftains
The Chieftains gave this Who classic their unique Irish flavor in 1992, featuring Roger Daltrey on vocals along with John Entwistle who delivers an incredible bass solo (as he was wont to do). (KK)
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8. “Baby Mine”
Bonnie Raitt & Was (Not Was)
This song was originally sung by vocalist Betty Noyes for the Disney movie “Dumbo” and nominated for an Oscar. (BK)
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7. “Come a Long Way”
Loudon and Rufus Wainwright
This song was written and originally recorded by Kate McGarrigle (1977), who was Loudon’s wife and Rufus’s mother. (KK)
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6. “Save it for Later”
Pete Townshend
Originally recorded by the English Beat, Townshend version is plaintive with an undercurrent of frustration (Townshend hallmarks). (KK)
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5. “Hurt”
Johnny Cash
This one could be the mark by which modern-day cover songs will be measured, originally recorded by Nine Inch Nails. (KK/BK)
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4. “Wild Horses”
The Flying Burrito Brothers
This heart-rending version actually came out before The Rolling Stones’ version. It was penned by Jagger and Richards who gave it to Gram Parsons for the album “Burrito Deluxe.” (BK)
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3. “Got My Mojo Working”
The Fathers & Sons Jam Band (Muddy Waters, Otis Spann, Paul Butterfield, Mike Bloomfield, Buddy Miles, and Donald “Duck” Dunn)
Written in 1956 by Preston Foster and first released by Ann Cole, but popularized a year later by Muddy Waters himself. (BK)
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2. “Rock ‘n’ Roll Animal”
Mitch Ryder & Detroit
Originally recorded by Lou Reed & Velvet Underground, this is the only LP Ryder put out with his post-Detroit Wheels band called, simply, Detroit. (BK)
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1. “Battle Hymn of the Republic”
Herbie Mann
Somehow he makes the song even more inspirational and soulful. (BK)
Little known fact: this coversion was used by Hunter S. Thompson as his campaign theme music in his failed run for sheriff of Pitkin County, Col., in 1970. (KK)
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