Original VS Cover

#1

It's simple - you say which you prefer the original or the cover version of the song then post your own for the next person.

Kraftwerk - Das Modell

Big Black - The Model

#2

Kraftwerk

Original:

Cover:

A lot of people think NIN covered Cash, but Cashs version is the cover.

#3

Definitely NIN. I mean it's better in the first place, but in the context of The Downward Spiral it just can't be beat.

Original:

Cover:

#4

Elvis. The Dead Kennedys cover is just too noisy.

Yes - Going for the One

3rDegree - Going for the One

#5

3rDegree - Especially the first 45 seconds or so.

Johnny Cash - Ring of Fire

Social Distortion - Ring of Fire (the best video was this acoustic version)

#6

It's a fact known by those who have discussed covers with me that, as a general rule, I do not like covers. Jazz standards are a different story. That being said, I have found a few covers that I actually prefer to the originals, and the Dead Kennedys version of Viva Las Vegas that DP posted earlier is one of those.

The problem with the covers that fail is that they often fail because they bring nothing new to the table (sound too derivative and thus seem like a poor man's version of the original) or because they do actually try to take a risk and it just feels odd, more so if I'm very familiar with the original (but not always). I listened to 3rdegree's cover of Going for the One and I didn't like it at all because Yes's Going for the One is so ingrained in my mind after years of hearing it.

As if anyone cares about my opinion anyway.

As to indi's above, I definitely prefer the original. The cover isn't bad, but Johnny Cash is hard to cover and bring something better to the table, IMO.

#7

Now for my turn....

The original ---Rush - "Tom Sawyer"

vs.

The cover --- The Bad Plus - "Tom Sawyer"

What a surprise coming from me, right?

#8

For me it is no contest I adore Rush and have seen them several times in my youth. An amazing trio tbs! <3

I feel the same as you Alex - in that I usually don't dig covers but sometimes I am pleasantly surprised.

Depeche Mode - But Not Tonight

Scott Weiland - But Not Tonight

#9

The original~ the cover is too melodious, it does not work as well with the song, IMO

I prefer the original, it seems more real to me, and sounds somewhat more anguished, but most people prefer the second.

#10

Or maybe this is best

#11

Good example of a cover that isn't mere derivation. I loved Tears for Fears in my undergraduate days, but I'm going to have to go Jules here. Or Indi vis-a-vis Jules.

Man, I could play this game all day long!

Original; Fleetwood Mac

Cover; The Corrs

#12

Good stuff!
While thats a cool cover I much prefer Fleetwood Mac version.

I firmly believe there is a reason why it's called 'classic' rock <3

The Guess Who - American Woman

Butthole Surfers - American Woman

#13

I like the Butthole Surfers better, the instrumentation is awesome, the original is sooooo overplayed.

OR

#14

I don't care much for that song, so I actually prefer the Disturbed version, barely.

The Rolling Stones -- "Satisfaction"

vs.

The Residents -- "Satisfaction"

vs.

Devo -- "Satisfaction"

Yep, three choices this time! That better give you satisfaction.

#15

Going to go Residents here, if only because I saw them perform and not the Stones or DEVO. I will admit, though, that when I was a sprout I thought the DEVO version to be the original.

The original, from the film Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

The cover, Cibo Matto

#16

You saw The Residents perform that one live? I am all kinds of jealous right now.

Also, I have to say, even though I like the original Stones song, I actually much prefer the Devo and Residents covers. Hard to say which one I like more since they are so different.

I would post another song and such with this, but since I just went right before you, I'll let at least one other person go first.

#17

I liked the Cibo Matto cover better actually. It's quite innovative sounding, compared to the original.

I know we talked about this one the other night, but I'm posting it because I wanted an excuse to listen to both of them again.

One - U2

The cover, One - Johnny Cash

#18

MovingPictures07 wrote:You saw The Residents perform that one live? I am all kinds of jealous right now.\

I saw the Residents, but they didn't perform Satisfaction. Not that I can recall anyway...

It was the Wormwood tour; I'll post my favorite number in the what are you listening to now thread.

See, now this is a tough one for me. Can't go wrong either way. I'm going to give the nod to the man in black I guess.

Original, Bee Gees

Cover, Fugees

#19

Ok, I'm going to go with the Bee Gees, with a caveat. As a version of Stayin' Alive, I prefer theirs. But as an actual song I would listen to in my car, at a party, etc - I'd choose Wyclef's.

Now for another one. This classic motown hit has been stuck in my head for days, as Dex can attest to. So damn sexy.

Cruisin' - Smokey Robinson

The cover - D'angelo

Now, go make some babies.

#20

The original sounded somewhat more enjoyable to me.

Swans - No Cure for the Lonely:

cover by Nadja:

#21

The remake, no question.

Or~

#22

The cover, while well performed, is so similar to the original I'm going to go with the original. Speaking of Pink Floyd, the only song I learned to play on the guitar...

Original, Pink Floyd

Cover, Radiohead

#23

The Original. I tend to ALWAYS prefer the original with Pink Floyd songs, unless they are from the Wall. I hate the Wall, so generally prefer the covers then.

Paint It Black

#24

Maybe it's just that the original is so well played, but I'll opt for the cover because it's kind of peppy.

Original, The Police; the Cover, from the film Moulin Rouge.

#25

As much as I liked Moulin Rouge...the Original. I love Sting more.

This is one of the only covers I ever loved more than the original. Make your own vote:

#26

Think I'll go with Filter.

I'll submit my favourite cover ever here.

Original:

Cover: (Yes the names are different and this one's way longer)

#27

Goodness, I didn't know either and loved them both! *votes Massive*

Returning to my Fleetwood-Mac-covered-by-an-Irish-band theme...

Original:

Cover:

#28

I prefer the Fleetwood Mac version. My feelings on most covers are similar to MP's. However I do find one every now and then that I genuinely enjoy.

Here's the original (going with a live version here):

And here is the cover:

I love how prominent the bass is in the cover.

#29

I prefer the original, although the cover is pretty good.

I could only find a live version:

#30

Nick Cave always wins in my book. -

a few covers here:

vs the original....

to be continued in my world....

#31

.....Speaking of Cake.....

#32

I dig the Cake version of that song, I've been working on a cover of the Cake version for like... for-ever. I get too many going at once, and lose focus.

Here's another:

#33

oo I like Cake and cake

I haven't been a Michael Jackson fan since he got weird all those years ago so I actually prefer The Civil Wars version. Plus it just sounds better all rocked up.

#34

OMG - Did you know One Direction did a cover of "Teenage Kicks"?

SCANDALIZED.

#35

#36

Original for sure.

#37

Haven't seen this thread before. Looks like it needs some lovin'. Flava Flave all the way on the last one.

I will concur that the best cover songs bring something new and fresh to the table, be it changing the speed of the song, flipping male and female vocals, or putting the lyrics to what sounds like completely different music. My submission:

ORIGINAL:

COVER:

#38

I like the song when I'm listening to the cover. Chorus gets less repetitive with the modifications.

Spoiler: show

#39

Kind of apropos the Main Job #2 just now, my current favorite cover.

Original

Cover

Parody (via S~V~S)

#40

My preference is towards the original with this one. The cover's bombastic over-dramatic production ruins the eerie silent feel of the original. That parody honestly made me reconsider the original, but that's mainly due to my undying love for Gaius frakking Baltar.

And now for two very different versions of a single song.

#41

I prefer the old-time feel of the latter version.

Original:

Cover:

#42

Love the baseballs. They can be kind of hit and miss but when they hit, they hit it out of the park.

Cake is also a king amongst men when it comes to covers. Looking back over this thread, I see lots of my favourite covers and cover artists are already out there.

So.... lets go with:

The Darkness

Postmodern Jukebox

I'll prefer the PMJ version 9.5 times out of 10. Even though the Darkness was a classic.