Same Song, Different Singer

Greg Laswell is a nobody, not even a hit single and these days you only have to sell a couple dozen of them to go to #1.

Whitney Houston recorded "I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)" as a celebration of a girl's youth and having fun while searching for love; Matt Alber's stripped-down, slowed-down country version (where he does not change the pronouns) is a mournful plea of a gay man's loneliness and longing.

AH! Good thread!!!! It's a testament to what makes a great song!

SO MANY artists have covered "I Can't Make You Love Me". But, besides the original that was done by Bonnie Rait, the only other version that captures that same mood/feel/resignation of the original, (to me anyway), is Nancy Wilson's cover, and musical arrangement. OH! When Nancy sings the line; "I'm so tired of tryin'", it gets me every time.

I've tried to listen to various males singing the song, but they haven't quite "got" there. Although I have liked the Prince, and Sam Harris versions.

[quote]Greg Laswell is a nobody, not even a hit single and these days you only have to sell a couple dozen of them to go to #1.

This thread isn't about the popularity of the singer. It's about what another artist did with the material. Laswell may not have had a hit with the song, but his interpretation of the song is very interesting.

Kirsty MacColl's "They Don't Know" -- Tracey Ullman's fun girl-group take is a classic, but I also love Katrina Leskanich's wistful acoustic version.

Dolly Parton's "Here You Come Again" slowed down and re-imagined by Clay Aiken.

Cher's "Believe" reworked by an "X Factor UK" contestant a few years back when she was about 16.

First, there was Gladys Knight and the Pips who did "I Heard It through The Grapevine", but then Marvin Gaye came to us with his version, and it was all over, honey! Gladys, "who"? Mmph! The only other group that came near to doing the song justice and close to Marvin's version were the California Raisins!

r8.......Blasphemy! Nobody sings it better than Gladys and her Pips. Creedence Clearwater Revival had a go at it too.

The Bonnie Rait original of I Can't Make You Love Me spoke to me so much because I was going through a troubled romantic time. I would just sob and sob whenever I heard it.

I can't listen to any other version.

R9 I too enjoy the Gladys version best

Of course the queen of this thread is Whitney's I Will Always Live You with its sweeping drama vs. Dolly Parton's simple plea.

Proud Mary from CCR and from Ike and Tina Turner.

Otis Redding's original version of "Respect" is a desperate plea from a working traveling man to his no-good woman: "Do me wrong honey when I'm gone, but all I'm asking is for a little respect when I come home." Aretha took the song and ran with it, turning it into a feminist declaration: I ain't gonna do you wrong while you're gone, so show me some RESPECT! She even spells it out for good measure and tells her man to find out what it means. She ain't playing.

Most of us know the story about Elvis wanting to record "I Will Always Love You" from Dolly. Allegedly Col. Parker told her that Elvis needed some kind of co-writer credit before he went into the studio. Dolly was one of the very few who refused to go along with that because most songwriters would have given a lung to have Elvis do their stuff.

Still, I would have liked to hear his version of it. Say what you will about the Pelvis, but he could sing the hell out of a song.

I think Elvis would've ruined it. I can see him doing it over the top with capes and karate moves.

Elvis didn't want co-writing credit, he wanted part of the publishing, which would have meant that Dolly would not solely control who recorded it and who licensed it. I don't know how common that practice was, but I suspect that it happened rarely.

R2.

Thanks for that.

I can't recall the artist offhand, but a band did a fantastic version of "Hit Me Baby" by Brit Brit that turned it into a plaintive cry for love and affection.

Travis is the band. Here's the cover.

The British band "Talk Talk" had a good run, and a few MONSTER hits! "It's My Life" was HUGE! I think that it was the gay awareness happening at the time that made it so popular. Androgyny was big at that time too. Then the band "No Doubt" redid the song and they had a major hit with it.

I love the Pet Shop Boys version of Always on My Mind 100x more than either the Elvis or Willy Nelson versions. It's one of my all time favorite dance anthems.

Sinatra's version of The Way You Look Tonight is better than Tony Bennett's, Michael Buble's or Rod Stewarts'.

Jonell Mosser made a country version of the Supreme's "Stop in the Name of Love." It's pretty good.

R20

No Doubt took the exact same arrangements and vocal style and copied it.

That cover is awful, and I LIKE Stefani!!!

Everyone knows the original Mad World by Tears for Fears

and the very different Mad World, cover by Gary Jules

I was annoyed by Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time." Her image and her whining made it unlistenable. Then I heard Tuck & Patti's version and it almost stopped my heart.

Beyonce's Sweet Dreams, completely different song.

Thanks OP. Had never heard Laswell's version. It's awesome. Agree with your interpretation. Good call.

Aztec Camera's cover of Van Halen's Jump is a pretty radical departure

Lemonheads Evan Dando covering REO Speedwagon's Keep on Loving You

Dando is king of covers-- Whitney Houston's "How Will I Know"

YAY! Tuck & Patti!!! I LOVE that version of "Time After Time"

That was about as different a spin on a song as one could get with Time After Time above. I didn't get the part with the white couple at the beach though?

Let's see, Rod Stewart, Cat Stevens, Sheryl Crow...

The version I like the best is Keith Hampshire's.

"Time After Time" Two great versions of Cyndi Lauper's original.

Tara Morice and Mark Williams

And Eva Cassidy

Limp Bizkit's cover of George Michael's Faith.

Eddie Floyd's soulful "Knock on Wood."

Lauper also butchered Marvin Gaye's "What's Going On". Madonna did the same to "American Pie." Sacrilege.

Amii Stewart's galloping, disco-fied "Knock on Wood."

Eva Cassidy doing "Fields of Gold".

If we're doing disco from the seventies, I love the way Gloria Gaynor took the Jackson Five's "Never Can Say Goodbye" from a soulful ballad to a super-disco hit.

Dia Frampton ( from season 1 of The Voice) covering Kanye West 'Heartless'

I agree R42.....Gaynor's version SOARED!!!!

I'd rather listen to "Dear Prudence" by Siouxsie and the Banshees than the Beatles.

Yesssssss, R45!!

Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes' soulful, slow-burn "Don't Leave Me This Way."

Puddles the Clown singing "Royals"

Thelma Houston's galloping, disco-fied "Don't Leave Me This Way."

The definitive version of Buffalo Springfields' "For What It's Worth" (1967) was the haunting1970 version by Sergio Mendes and Brasil '66 with lead vocals by Karen Phillip.

Teddy & Thelma's versions are both epic!! Don't make choose!!!

Don't make *me* choose!

"The Boxer" performed by Nick and Simon.

The Communards featuring vocals by Jimmy Somerville covered "Don't Leave Me This Way" and "Never Can Say Goodbye".

"MacArthur Park" done by Richard Harris, and Donna Summer.

The homo Joe McElderry does it better than cunt Miley Cyrus.

[quote] Greg Laswell is a nobody,

Who is Greg Laswell? He's Charlie Nobpdy, that's who!

Annie Lennox does some awesome covers! My favorite is "Train in Vain" (The Clash)

I Never Promised You A Rose Garden by Martina McBride.

We can be Heros by the Wallflowers and David Bowie and Peter Gabriel -- all three very different.

I Drove All Night by Cyndi Lauper and Roy Orbison. Cyndi does it better.

Ring Of Fire Grace Jones and Johnny Cash. Grace wins.

Bette Midler covered Lorraine Ellison's "Stay with Me" for The Rose.

Judy Collins does her best vocals ever on her version of "Both Sides Now," and that relentless guitar is the sound of the sixties.

"Bad Romance" by On the Rocks. You'll like it if you're into frat boys.

I loved Syd Straw's cover of "Que Sera, Sera" from the Heathers soundtrack. She sang it like a lullaby rather than in the anguished way Doris Day used to sing it.

Kelly Clarkson is an insanely talented singer, one of the best we have. She does a different cover song every night she plays that fans request via twitter. Keeps her concerts fresh - she and the band just work something out. Her version of No Doubt's Don't Speak shows all the beauty and power of her voice and her superior vocal palette. There isn't much Kelly can't sing. She has a trained voice that can conquer many styles.

[quote] Her version of No Doubt's Don't Speak shows all the beauty and power of her voice and her superior vocal palette. There isn't much Kelly can't sing. She has a trained voice that can conquer many styles.

Mary!

I like Phil Collins' take on "True Colours", the 1986 Cyndi Lauper hit.

Headbangers Judas Priest, covering Joanie Baez's "Diamonds And Rust."

(And, with that, this thread is closed. Or, at the very least, should be.)

Kings of Leon's soulful take on Robyn's dance floor anthem "Dancing On My Own"

English band Daughter's sublimely ethereal take on Daft Punk's "Get Lucky"

How Do I Live, by Leanne Rimes and Trisha Yearwood. They were both released at the same time!

"Till There Was You" from The Music Man by The Beatles.

Chenoweth sang the most beautiful version of Till There Was You. The Beatles did kind of sing it.

I always wrote this band off as fluffy girl pop, given their origins in Bananarama, but this song surprised me.

Dreaming

I love Trent Reznor, and his original 'Hurt', but no one can top Johnny Cashs' remake.

Jesus Christ, Tuck and Patti?! Phil Collins?! Was the Muzak version not available on YouTube?

Bettye Lavette soul sear of George Harrison's 'Isn't it a Pity.'

Joplin's version of Rodgers and Hart's "Little Girl Blue" was one of her most beautiful performances. Soulful and sad.

The Beatles Across the universe, Fiona Apple Across the universe. And it's awful that the movie was made with the Rufus Wainwright version.

I can't tolerate the Destiny's Child version of this song but this guy's revamp I love.

Streisand's version of "Stoney End" vs. Laura Nyro's original. Compared to Nyro, Streisand sounds incredibly stiff and soulless. She throws out Nyro's complex antimetric phrasing and almost turns it into a polka. Here's the original:

Another Dando/Lemonheads cover - Kirsty MacColl's "He's on the Beach" (GREAT song in either version)

Dinosaur Jr - Just Like Heaven

The Cardigans do Black Sabbath

The Raincoats - Lola

The original version of the Carpenters' "Superstar".

The original version of The Carpenters' "We've Only Just Begun".

Robert Wyatt / Chic

"California My Way" (1967).

"Mack the Knife" from The Threepenny Opera cover by Bobby Darin.

The original version of "Mas Que Nada".

Hozier singing Snow Patrol's Do I Wanna Know.

Snow Patrol makes it seems as if there is hope and Hozier tells the truth in his version.

Melissa Manchester's 2015 cover of the Ronette's classic "Be My Baby". Great stuff.

Sade does an incredible cover of Thin Lizzys "still in love with you". Of course,anything she does is beautiful.

As much as I dislike Madonna, she does a nice rendition of "If you go away".. That song is a bastardization of the often covered song "Ne me quitte pas", which I think Nina Simone does best.

Gloomy Sunday by Diamanda Galas is nice too....

I personally like Dolly's original "I will always love you"..

Sheena Easton's version of Teena Marie's "I Need Your Lovin'". It's available as a bonus track on the Japanese pressing of Fabulous from 2001.

Morrissey hated 10,000 Maniac's version of his song "Everyday is Like Sunday" so much that he dissed 10,000 Maniac's singer Natalie Merchant in one of his songs (Have a go Merchant).

Siouxsie Sioux. Now there's a singer who make other artists' songs her own. Some she did with Siouxsie and the Banshees and others she did as The Creatures (with her then husband Budgie).

Mel Tormè's Right Now, Iggy Pop's Passenger, The Velvet Underground's All Tomorrows Parties / Venus in Furs.

Probably one of the craziest and weirdest is her cover of The Trogg's Wild Thing from the early 80s.

Siouxsie's hauntingly jazzy Witchcraft (orginal by Frank Sinatra) as the Creatures.

"Get This Party Started" was a big hit for Pink, but BOY was it a surprise when Dame Shirley Bassey redid the song! I thought it was a joke, but after the third time hearing it, I liked it. The version is so campy. You can't get too much gayer.

The Times They Are A-Changing - Keb Mo kicks Dylan's ass with this great song. LOVE this version!

LOL at r77. I think the consensus is that Cyndi Lauper is a good songwriter but a terrible singer/interpreter. All of her songs sound better interpreted by others and her cover versions are horrible. "At Last" and "What's Going On" are unforgivable, and if Celine Dion can best you ("I Drove All Night") it's time to have a seat.

Re: Stoney End

I always thought Linda Ronstadt's rendition was the original.

I have to admit I love both Patti LaBelle and Celine Dion's versions of IF YOU ASKED ME TO.

Yet another True Colors that sounds better than the original

I don't have a lot of use for Lauper after "She's So Unusual"...but her covers of "Money Changes Everything" and "When You Were Mine" can stand with the originals.

I like Cyndi's "I Drove All Night", but I found it tacky that she sang Edith Piaf's n"on, je ne regrette rien" in English.

Linda Ronstadt surpassed Elvis Costello on each of his songs she covered. Part of the betterness was her backup band, as we hear in "Girls Talk."

Stunning, slowed down version of The Proclaimers' "I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)"

Thanks, R109. I like him. The fact that he looks as if he could be related to Chris Pine doesn't hurt, either.

I personally think Lauper is underrated...

There are Dusty Springfield versions and then of course

Al Green, "How Can You Mend a Broken Heart?" Soulful, yearning, and so much more heartwrenching than the Bee Gees original.

How about same singer different arrangement?

THREAD CLOSED.

r115, that was good but we cannot close this thread it's the best in ages.

Do people actually listen to these songs or just rush to post their own favorites?

This song was written for these guys:

[quote]that was good but we cannot close this thread it's the best in ages.

LOL! I was joking. This is indeed an extremely enjoyable thread!

[quote]Do people actually listen to these songs or just rush to post their own favorites?

I haven't listened to everything all the way through, but I have listened to most of these links. The various interpretations of various songs are really interesting.

Footnote to Marvin Gayes' "Star Bangled Banner"

"Another famous rendition of the anthem was that of Marvin Gaye at the 1983 NBA All-Star Game at The Forum in Inglewood, California. Gaye's highly soul-flavored performance also received much acclaim from the crowd."

"Marvin Gaye Reimagines 'The Star-Spangled Banner' in 1983 The Motown legend wowed the world at the NBA All-Star Game--Rolling Stone

Home from Wicked

r120, that sucks.

R120, he did that song at Broadway Backwards where men sing songs written for female singers and women sing songs written for men. He brought the house down.

oh really 122. he sucks.

The Supremes' "You Keep Me Hangin' On" as re-vamped by Vanilla Fudge.

End of story.

R20, I don't believe MONSTER and Major mean what you think they do.

I like Gram and Emmy's "Love Hurts" best.

Thanks for the other Lemonheads cover, R83.

DL music threads are hit or miss-- there's a big disco contingent with the Olds that I have trouble getting behind, and then there are the Streisand people--ditto. But some great Motown, so it's a split

This kind of blends all the various tastes on here and is super unexpected: Etta James doing "Only Women Bleed"

Etta James also does a killer cover of G&R's Welcome To The Jungle

I like both Dusty Springfield's and Bay City Rollers' versions of "I Only Want To Be With You"

Angel from Montgomery

John Prine Bonnie Raitt John Prine and Bonnie Raitt

Me and Bobby McGee Kris Kristofferson Janis Joplin

I hate it when people just throw out some names but are too lazy to bring links to performances. If you can't link it don't bother.

Beth Hart is the most gifted female rock and blues singer in the world. Not a surprise she cover's "I'd Rather Go Blind." With Joe Bonamassa on guitar.

Matt Forbes does a terrific version of Rod Stewart's 'Some Guys Have All The Luck'. Great vocals and fun arrangement!

That is the gayest fucking cover I have ever heard R133

Not lazy, r131; cheap. :-)

Gay movie, Philadelphia-- Bettye Lavette, does an amazing cover of the Boss's Streets of Philadelphia

Not a cover per se, but Mike Posner's original, non-dancepop-ized version of "I Took A Pill In Ibiza" is a totally different song. Very sad song about a has-been singer.

^^and yeah, it's unfortunate that the video is a total ripoff of an 80s video -- I'm sure one of you can ID the original.

What does "cheap" have to do with it, R135?

I love Bettye R136. Such depth of feeling and humanity she brings to everything she sings. She never rushes a song, lets it resonate. I haven't heard her Springsteen cover before, thanks.

You are welcome R140. Have you heard her Who cover? This is my dad's favorite song and even he thinks this cover rocks. (In the video you can see the Who band members looking on approvingly)

Joan Osborne and The Funk Brothers. "What Becomes of The Broken Hearted" It's good.

Ya see how this thread is helpful? I've never heard of Bettye Lavette. That was enjoyable R141.

Lani Hall....

r139, Gotta join to post links.

[R145] - I haven't joined and I can post links.

Michael Grimm's "These Arms of Mine" is a pretty faithful rendition of the Otis Redding classic, but that bluesy, gin-soaked voice of his leaves my panties moist.

You are welcome R143

That is two of you. Feeling especially virtuous because 90% of what's been posted on this thread is complete crap, sounds like a straight bigot's stereotype of what a gay men would like, e.g. Barbara Streisand over emoting.

Ryan Adams (NOT Bryan Adams) is another master of cover songs

His cover of Oasis's Wonderwall is a classic

Ryan Adams doing Foo FIghters's Times Like These

Even you Streisand fans should know this one: Ben Harper doing Sexual Healing

AI's Chris Daughtry doing a wicked acoustic version of Lady GaGa "Poker Face" that's like an amazing satire of the song-- but it works.

90s power pop king Matthew Sweet doing Magnet and Steel with FM's Lindsay Buckingham on backup

r146, on both IE and Mozilla Firefox I get this message:

Could not save: Posting error #69

forgive me for not reading the entire thread (on my phone), but...

Alex Newell's "Show me Love" is divine.

George LaMond's "Don't Stop Believin" puts Journey to shame

and the B-52s' cover of Petula Clark's "Downtown"

OH! Nuh-Uh, R151! An honorable mention for trying, but no where near Marvin's. I listened until 3:00 minute mark. NOPE! That guy was just singing the song. He wasn't feeling it.

Matthew Sweet again, reinventing DL fave Madonna with a heavy rock version of Justify My Love

R154, where are you posting links? It should be in space marked Web Site Link, not in the body of the post. YouTube links too

r154: are you pasting the link in the "posted by" input field? I've don't that myself several times.

Olds can't deal with remakes R156. Harper's version rocks. Strips the song down. But Big Chill and all. I feel you.

R158, OH! Haha! And may I add, DUH!

Trying again: Supremes vs. Vanilla Fudge: "You Keep Me Hangin' On."

Vanilla Fudge:

RHCP's John Frusciante with a respectful cover of Bee Gee's How Deep Is Your Love

Frusciante doing a quick cover of EJ's "Tiny Dancer"

Child please, R160. Just because you doing something unplugged, ("olds" slang), doesn't automatically make it a good result. I've heard Adele sing "Chasing Pavements" with a full scale orchestra; a band; and...unplugged. All 3 versions are excellent.

Now, here's one.. BUT, you have to be familiar with the original gospel song originated by Tremaine Hawkins. I HIGHLY recommend it!!!! Here's Ledisi's rendition...(and. this is live) She "jazzed" up a gospel tune.

"How Deep Is Your Love" isn't the same without someone jumping off a bridge.

LOL @ R165 trying to sound like a Proud Black Woman™ circa 1975. I know it's a thing on DL but it still cracks me up. Like watching Florence The Maid on The Jeffersons.

Don't know gospel music but the song you posted is pretty cool. Sounds like a lot of early 70s black radio hits, I think it was a NYC radio station called WBLS and a show called Quiet Storm? But thanks-- I will check out the original.

PS: Can you respond in your Florence The Maid voice? Cracks me up. Thanks!

Most well known RHCP cover, Ohio Players Rollercoaster of Love

[quote] I think it was a NYC radio station called WBLS and a show called Quiet Storm?

"OH, Frankie! Don't go..."

LOL!!!

Listened to original version R165. I actually like that better, though I think the cover is great too, ups the energy.

Was expecting Tramaine to be a dude, so was surprised, but will definitely check out more by her, so thanks. Any recos?

Can you explain R165?

R136) Thanks for that one. I also like Molly Johnson's version. I saw her open for another group once and was caught up by her live performance.

Oasis Noel Gallagher does Burt Bacharach's "This Guy's In Love With You"

Fairly faithful cover, surprise is how smooth Gallagher's voice sounds on a standard like this.

@R171; Frankie Crocker! He had probably one of the most sexiest voices of our lifetime! Think better than Isaac Hayes and Barry White! anyway, when his shift ended, ("Quiet Storm), of which he only played very sexy/sensual music, a woman would come on, (with a very sexy voice), begging him; "Frankie, don't go..."

He was ugly as sin in my opinion though...

That's an awesome story, thanks R174. That's why I love these threads.

This version of Ed Sheeran's ' See Fire" is done beautifully by Jasmine. Maybe even better than the original

Jasmine's covers rock, R175.

I love her version of T4F's "Mad World" -- it's so dispassionate and taking it down makes it that much more haunting.

Last one: Evan Dando again, turning Abba's "Knowing Me, Knowing You" into a coffeehouse ballad.

I hated Cake's version of I Will Survive.

[quote]Any recos?

@R170; The Hawkins singers were very instrumental in helping to bring gospel music to the mainstream--"Wade In The Water". If everyone stops and really listen, what is important to all of these hits is the construction of a hit record. Clive Davis is a genius at this! You tell a story, and have a "hook". Now, do all of that in 3 minutes or less. But, back to Tremaine Hawkins... She was married to Walter Hawkins (gay by the way--DL), who wrote some of the most beautiful songs. Tremaine excelled at ballads. In fact, she is still riding the wave of those songs that she did with her ex-husband. She hasn't had any hits since those days. Walter is dead now. I think it was AIDS. Anyway, another big hit she had was a song titled "Changed".

I find this version of the song to be more depressing and reflective of Anne Sexton's poetry.

Joe Henry was impressed with his sister-in-law Madonna's reworking of his song "Stop" from a slow, horseshoe stomp into one of her better recent singles "Don't Tell Me"

Mick Harvey has just released a third collection of Serge Gainsbourg covers. I'm sure there must be complaints about the translation into English, but I like them.

The following songs are all so beautiful--the lyrics. Many have brought them justice, but it was when Natalie Cole brought them to an entire new generation (me), that is what was important. I just love her "Tenderly".

R131 - wow. I'm so sorry. I guess I just assumed people on DL know how to use google and youtube.

I guess I also don't know how DL.. Perhaps you can explain how you can link to more than one performer in your post.

Or maybe you could go back to doing whatever it is you do in your mother's basement.

Vanilla Fudge's cover of that Supremes song is godawful and overwrought as all get out. Ugh.

I googled "cunt" just now, and there's a picture of R185 there.

Boyzone performing "Words"

R187 - well at least you know how to google. But apparently you can't read. Not bad. One for two.

And now for this:

GOIN' OUT OF MY HEAD

So many people have done this song, but the two that are memorable for me are Petula Clark's, (couldn't find it), and Luther's ), Luther Vandross' version. His album won Best Male R&B Vocal Performance in 1997. If you have a very good ear, you can hear Cissy Houston's voice as a background singer. It's been said that Luther would not record an album unless he could get Cissy Houston. She's just that good! Also, Luther appreciated his background singers, (since he was one at one time--I saw him backup Roberta Flack), and he knew that it was the styling of the background singers that made a hit.

Tina Turner was the queen of covers, it is rare that she did not improve any song she covered. Help was completely reworked and became an anthem for her prior to her comeback success - here she is right before the release of Private Dancer comeback album.

Heart doing Stairway to Heaven and nailing it:

If you don't like the Vanilla Fudge version R186, how about the Kim Wilde cover...

Sonic Youth did a unique cover of the Carpenters' "Superstar", If I remember correctly it was for a Carpenters tribute album. There was a version of "Jambalaya" that sounded like someone planning a murder. I liked it.

As with all covers, it's often a case of hit and miss.

Etta James OWNS this thread. She covered Alice Cooper ("Only Women Bleed"), the Eagles ("Take It To The Limit"), Hank Williams ("Lovesick Blues"), and Kiki Dee ("Sugar On The Floor").

And that was just on her "Deep In The Night" album.

Also not to be missed: Miss Jamesetta's version of "The Boondocks." Originally done by Little Big Town.

k.d. lang does a respectable version of Joni Mitchell's "Help Me."

Nico's version of "These Days" is much better than the original by Jackson Browne.

"These Days" - Nico

I like Bonnie Raitt's funky version of Runaway:

Technically...although Jackson Browne wrote the song, Nico was the first to record it, and she does pretty much own it. Browne didn't release his version until 1973, six years later.

On a similar tip, a Dylan song that Nico did on Chelsea Girl...here sung by Susanna Hoffs of The Bangles in 1984. The whole Rainy Day album (a one-off project featuring various members of the L.A. Paisley Underground scene) is kind of a lost classic, imo.

John Cale's cover of "Heartbreak Hotel" sounded mind-bendingly strange and spooky for its time (1974).

I wonder what Elvis thought of it.

Ain't no Mountain High Enough has been re-done multiple times, but I think La Ross gets the gold star for this one. Ashford and Simpson re-wrote it for her so it has more drama than the original Marvin Gaye/ Tammi Terrell collaboration, which is excellent as well. Cue the Ross haters, but Diana's is undeniably a Motown masterpiece.

I really like Perpetuum Jazzile's acapella version of Toto's "Africa"-

Carly Simon's version of "It Keeps You Running" is far superior to the Doobie Bros. version, IMO. The booming sound of the drums alone brings it to a whole other level.

I liked Mary J. Blige "One" better than U2s original, I think they liked hers better too since they made it into a duet.

God, I hated that, R206.

Bono and The Corrs singing Ryan Adams' "When The Stars Go Blue"

When you believe in things that you don't understand...

The Czars (John Grant) recorded a haunting cover of ABBA's disco-pop confection "Angeleyes," turning it into a spurned gay lover's lament.

There isn't another version of Cyndi's True Colors that gets me the way hers does.

R151) Ben Harper singing Sexual Healing.

Really???!!!

Whoever posted that needs to take 3 seats back.

There is no way his version is better than Marvin Gaye.

Janet Jackson covered Rod Stewart's "Tonight's The Night" and didn't change the pronouns.

Speaking of Janet, Kelly Clarkson does a rockin' rendition of IF...

@r205, I like both versions - Carly and Doobie Bros. Great example of how great artists can distinguish themselves with the same song.

Adalita doing Madonna's Burning Up

Hendrix doing All Along The Watchtower

The Bangles doing Hazy Shade of Winter

Johnny Cash's version of a traditional song God's Gonna Cut You Down

Bruno Mars covering Janet's THAT'S THE WAY LOVE GOES

Dropkick Murphy's doing Woody Guthrie's I'm Shippin Up To Boston

I love Miley Cyrus's cover of Summertime Sadness. Cyrus is nasal as hell but girl can sing, has those great low tones and really excels on Lana Del Ray's song.

I love 'Sin After Sin', R68 Probably the Priest's best album.

They showed great taste in their covers, Spooky Tooth, Fleetwood Mac, I guess they stopped that with 'British Steel'.

Kate Bush, with her high pitched cooky voice, did a Sexual Healing cover.

I like Annie Lennox's No More I love You's

[quote]Kate Bush, with her high pitched cooky voice, did a Sexual Healing cover.

I just listened to that.... nuh-uh. But, different though. I liked the violins.

Bettye Lavette and Herbie Hancock pay tribute to Chaka Khan and Bruce Hornsby. Chaka tearfully approves.

Awesome.

"Sometimes this life is a bitter pill."

Barb Streisand doing Contemporary Christian (and of course changing the lyrics). The arrangement is ridiculous with the "gospel organ" in the background. I'm not saying it's better, because she over-emotes an already dramatic song, but it's noteworthy.

r186, The recorded album version is superb. But I thought a link to that would be insufficient.

Ya know, if Bettye Lavette had been on "American Idol," the person who keeps posting her videos would have been called out as an obsessed "stan" long ago.

I am a fan of Lavette but if he doesn't stop, I'm a gonna post Fantasia gettin up in some gigs.

Sorry Seems to Be The Hardest Word.

Thread closed. Not even AnnE Hathaway could spin gold from this song.

She's an old soul. Fantasia's extra something version of Summertime.

[quote] Fantasia's extra something version of Summertime.

Yeah, and if Gershwin wanted that extra "something" in there, he would have written it now, wouldn't he?

What would a contemporary christian Barbra Streisand fan know about what Gershwin wanted, or meaningful singing or anything in life really?

Black girls don't all sing like Audra. Most don't want to. Audra is an honorary white lady, same as you R233.

Back to Fantasia. Another Gospel influenced version of Always on My Mind. Beautiful AND soulful. (Barbra never could get those two to meet)

Gene Loves Jezebel - More energetic and epic version of Bowie's All the young dudes

I am both listening to many of the postings here when linked, because I love alternative interpretations, and (shamefully, impatiently) skipping ahead to post. I have a couple. First is less-amazing but still relevant to this thread, Gary Jules version of the Tears for Fears song, Mad World. It's only good, not great, but I post it anyway because it's so different from the original and if you love the movie, it just nails so much, and has such a different tone from the original...

"Mad World" by Gary Jules

D'oh!! I totally pasted the wrong thing. But the link is still amusing, to a classic exchange about a Dasani ad from Harper's magazine...Anyway, I guess I will be posting thrice in total. Below is the link to the Jules video, not like y'all couldn't search for yourselves.

R234 Not even that version could make me like "Always on My Mind."

But to get to the real meat of it, here is probably the most powerful cover of anything I have heard. Man oh man. I don't exactly luurrrve everything she has ever done, but Fiona Apple completely 100% knocks this shit out of the park. Fiona does I Want You, with every fiber of her emaciated little being, and spares nothing.

Thank you for fixing my boo-boo, R237. :)

Sound is too digital jizzy, R240. Couldn't go through with it.

Dear R242, you are just being contrary, dear! I won't argue with you, however. Not because you are right, but because you don't want to hear it. I read that they have found the people actually enjoy things more when they know the spoilers. SPOILER: never mind.

Of all the songs covered in "Standing in the Shadows of Motown" - "What Becomes of the Broken Hearted" and "Heatwave," by Joan Osborne are by far the best.

Chaka Khan and Meshell Ndegeocello surprisingly phone it in, and their performances are uninspired and boring.

Joan would have sung every song better, and she should do an album of Motown covers.

Nina Hagen does "My Way" her way.

Laura Branigan's "How am I supposed to Live Without You" is better than Bolton's, her "I Found Someone" is better than Cher's, and her "Power of Love" is certainly better than Celine's. Sadly, they had the bigger hits.

I love Branigan, r246, but I have to disagree. Cher's version of "I Found Someone" is much more powerful than Branigan's. Cher's is the definitive "fuck you" to an ex-lover; Branigan's sounds like a bland cover even though her version came first.

And it's actually painful listening to Branigan strain her vocal chords on "Power of Love." You can literally hear her ruining her voice during the choruses. I don't even like the song much but would much rather listen to the Celine or Jennifer Rush (who co-wrote it) versions.

I will give you "How Am I Supposed To Live Without You" though.

You post twice, R185.

Taylor Dayne doing "Under The Bridge".

TD also did a great cover of "Can't Get Enough of Your Love"

Joan Jett's version of the DC5's "Bits and Pieces" Emmylou's version of Dolly's "To Daddy" Emmylou's version of Bruce Springsteen's "Racing in the Streets" Emmylou's version of "The Boxer" by Simon & Garfunkle

r14, I love redding's version of that song. And its amazing how the songs have two widely different interpretations, but both great recordings.

Speaking of Otis Redding:

I'm not The Bettye Lavette Troll, but the first time I ever heard of Bettye Lavette was at an open air performance a couple days before Obama's 2009 inauguration. A lot of different singers performed that day, this was one of my favorite performances. Bettye Lavette and Jon Bon Jovi singing "A Change Is Gonna Come." On that day, if you watched it live, there was a lot of emotional connotation to that song.

They're wearing coats because that day was incredibly freezing.

Annie Lennox's River Deep Mountain High is as good as Tina's in my book. This always gives me the chills.

It's not an one up game R253, you have posted some good stuff. But your post reminded me that Tina Turner and sexy ass Robert Cray did a subdued singer and star guitarist call and response performance of A Change is Gonna Come. No one owns this song anymore, BUT it is Sam Cooke's song.

Tina also recorded Joni Mitchell's "Edith and The Kingpin" with Herbie Hancock. She's a more versatile singer than her popular credit allows. She sang most every damn thing in her long life and career.

I like Bette Midler's version of "For Free." Joni Mitchell always seemed to be a bit airy-fairy. Bette takes it and gives it punch. I'm wondering if Barry Manilow did the arrangement.

R255, you're right, that is a Sam Cooke song. Here's the Otis Redding version. So many singers have recorded great versions.

I was looking at some Willie Nelson songs on YouTube. Half of them are remakes of somebody else's song that he did as good as, if not better than, the original. Always on My Mind is one. That one was done memorably by Elvis, and by many others. Willie Nelson's version was great. The Pet Shop Boys did a 1980s New Wave version of it.

Some of these posts have been great, suggesting songs that, when sung with a different arrangement, take on a different meaning. But, so many are just : Hey, I know two versions of this song! With the new version adding nothing to our understand of the song. I wish there were more posts like the former, fewer like the latter.

That said, the Jay James version of I'm Gonna Be is incredible. I never realized what a deeply romantic song it is. And holy fuck, who is he?!? He is sex on a stick. He looks a little old to be on one of those shows, but, damn, he's got the goods. Any gossip or word about this? He is sexy as hell.

Patrizio Buanne's "Un Angelo," which, in my opinion, sounds much better than Robbie Williams' "Angels."

Robbie Williams' "Angels"

This is something that will have divided opinions but I thought it was pretty cool.

Bump for info on Jay James! Or body shots. I googled but couldnt find any.

Thread Closed

Totally agree with R126 about Gram and Emmylou. I would also add their cover of Streets of Baltimore.

My vote goes to Ryan Adams for his version of Taylor Swift's song Bad Blood. He turned it into a sad slow gay ballad that tears your heart out.

So much of this thread is lame shit...but whoever put up Beth Hart knows she really can sing old soul and new blues, with the best musicians in the world. "I'll Take Care of You" originally by Brook Benton and Bobby Bland, ha. Beth is fantastic, better. Who the fuck are they?

This was good, Straight UP, Andrew Garcia does Paula Abdul

I'll Take Care of You

For R265. LOVE this song and no, it doesn't fit thread but who cares

OP chooses to ignore that Lauper's Girls was a cover of the original by Robert Hazzard who wrote the song.

She removed the anger and the edge, turning it into a boppy anthem.

Then brings up Laswell whose version, even with its slow tempo has some of the same qualities as the original.

I still like Hazzard's version best .

Thanks for posting the Beth Hart video. I've always loved that song, and didn't realize what a powerhouse singer she is live, and that she is such a good piano player. She definitely has gifts. I know she doesn't tear up the charts anymore, but I hope her voice still supports her.

R270 here again. I googled Hart. She seems to still have a thriving career in the blues world. She was nominated for a Grammy two years ago. It's funny how people can have a successful career in genres that your unfamiliar with,and thrive. Im happy to see that.

Beth Hart does have a thriving career. She sang at the Kennedy Center honours in a tribute to Buddy Guy, Miley Cyrus named her (long before that) as her favorite singer and Beth is a STAR all over Europe. I wanted her to win that Grammy because Seesaw was a good album and her jazz and blues cover album "Don't Explain" is a great album. She's a singer who hasn't compromised much, at least in final results. Long history with drugs and bipolar disorder. It amazes me that people don't know what a powerhouse rock, blues and jazz singer is in our midst. She is a California chick and a Star Search winner. Ha. Many roads travelled. She is pretty famous now, again. I have seen her many times and had the pleasure of playing with her a few times in Montreal and Amsterdam. She sings what is required of her expected hits and covers but she mostly only ever sang what she loved, so that's a nice place to be. She's a real singer and musician, she stays free and lets loose. Fantastic vocalist with infinite variety to her voice. No gimmicks.

This is one of her original songs, so I am cheating on this thread too :)

(Check for her versions of Strange Fruit or A Change Gonna Come)

Baddest Blues.

Beth sings for Obama and Buddy Guy. With Jeff Beck. "I'd Rather Go Blind." That downward vocal run on the second verse is insane. whenilookeddownintheglassthatiheldtomylipsandsawthereflectionofmytears....

Ten days or so ago, I was driving my elderly dad across ravaged post-flood Baton Rouge for a doctor's appointment. I was jumpy and frustrated by the traffic, my dad, and my life--then this amazing voice jumps out of my radio. I knew the song, one of my favorites--"In Bloom."

But it wasn't Nirvana; it was Roger Miller--no, it was Randy Travis! Actually, it was some guy named Sturgill Simpson, whose awesome voice sounds like the bastard love child of Randy Travis and Roger Miller.

Took me right out of my funk.

Wow re that clip of Beth Hart singing I'd Rather Go Blind. I've seen Etta James do it a few times live, and hers is the definitive version, but damn if Beth doesn't get close. The main difference is I really do believe that Etta would rather go blind. Beth? Nah ,she'll be ok in the morning. Still, she has incredible pitch and delivery, and that vocal run in the second verse is incredible. Her voice is phenomenal.

Loving all the Beth Hart info and music. Thanks.

This a cover that's just as good musically but 100% better visually. Watch through to the end. Very clever, humorous and talented.

Somebody That I Used to Know - Walk off the Earth

[quote]OP chooses to ignore that Lauper's Girls was a cover of the original by Robert Hazzard who wrote the song.

Actually, I didn't choose to ignore it, I never knew about Hazzard's recording. I was in college when Lauper's version came out (pre-internet days) and I just always went with the assumption that she was the first. It never crossed my mind to research the song to see if there had been a "before."

I think what I failed to mention in my original post is the possible gay overtones of Laswell's version. The sadness that he can't seem to find a girl despite pressure from his parents. The sadness that he can't get into the party lifestyle with the girls. I can see the song being sung by a gay-questioning young man and echoing the thought about "Why am I different from other guys? Why can't I get a girl." I like that you can pull different interpretations out of the same song.

Sonic Youth had a sort of alter-ego band, Ciccone Youth, that put out a one-off album. On it were 2 Madonna covers: Burnign Up and Into the Groove(y), which is a sort of dark, grungy version of the song. It sounds like something from a horror movie.

Alanis Morissette did a cover of "My Humps" that really highlighted what a vapid piece of shit that song was (especially when you watch the video).

The Flaming Lips version of Kylie's "Can't Get You Out of My Head" turns it from a cutesy song about a crush to a tweaked out song about obsession.

BECAUSE I WANTED TO!!!!

...besides, Wilson Pickett and Tina Turner had versions of the song too.

So...no gossip on Jay James? I want him!

From a spare, folk-y Neil Young to a full-on 70s sound...

Hanson did an awesome, acoustic, slowed down live version of Christina's Dirrty about 10 years ago. I love the hormonal roar from the audience around 0:45.

Kelly Clarkson, every night. She sings a cover of everyone from Oasis, Eminem, Rihanna, Adele, Shania Twain, Aretha, Bob Dylan, Florence and the Machine, Sia to Tammy Wynette. Simple and raw singing. Beautiful voice. Patty Griffin's Top of The World. Live.

Cissy Houston. I know she's not everyone's cup of tea, but I really like her voice and she recorded and performed many covers. The Ronettes' "Be My Baby", Elton John's "Your Song", and "Tomorrow" from Annie are some of my favorites.

Here's a live performance of "Tomorrow", she does two other songs as well of which "Make it Easy On Yourself" is another cover, seemingly everyone has done.

This is not bad. Not bad at all... By a guy, especially...

Roel Manlangit performing live

Queen of the night (don't go there...)

[quote]Cissy Houston. I know she's not everyone's cup of tea

Better than Whitney AND Dionne put together!

Janet does Joni's Beat of Black Wings...

"It's Gonna Take a Miracle" is a popular song written by Teddy Randazzo, Bobby Weinstein, and Lou Stallman. It was first an R&B hit in 1965 for The Royalettes, who reached the Top 30 on the U.S. R&B chart and peaked at number 41 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number 37 on Cash Box.

The song was originally written and intended for Little Anthony & The Imperials, but they never recorded it due to a royalty dispute with the song's writers/label owners Teddy Randazzo and Don Costa at the group's record label, DCP (Don Costa Productions) Records. Imperials member Sammy Strain recalls:

"We had a lot of hit records (with DCP) but we hadn’t received any royalties,” said Sammy. “We protested and said we’re not going into the studio anymore until we get an accounting. We didn’t record for about eight or nine months. In the interim, Teddy Randazzo produced a girls group out of Baltimore called the Royalettes. He gave them a song called “It’s Gonna Take a Miracle” which was written for Little Anthony & the Imperials. When it first came out, everybody thought it was us. He also produced Derek Martin who had a hit called “You Better Go”. But we missed a million seller with “Gonna Take a Miracle” when we went on strike with the record company."

The most successful version of "It's Gonna Take a Miracle" was the 1982 remake by R&B and gospel artist Deniece Williams. Her version went to number one on the R&B chart for two weeks and reached number ten on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

[quote] Here's a live performance of "Tomorrow"

I guess the part about the daughter—whoops I mean the sun coming out tomorrow was lost on her.

Bumping this thread b/c it's so great.

How about Jose Feliciano's verision of "Light My Fire."?

I think he improves it!

Richard Harris rules!

Always hated Donna's disco version.

Great version of "Love the One You're With" by the Isleys.

Original "Oye Como Va" by Tito Puente.

"Here Comes My Baby" by Cat Stevens.

"Here Comes My Baby" by the Tremeloes.

Of course, the queen of this thread is Dolly Parton, with her simple, understated, devastating take on her own classic, "I Will Always Love You."

As opposed to the blowzy, bombastic, always-over-the-top Whitney Houston, with her Tarzan yell on "I, ay-uh-ay-uh-ay I, I uh-ay-uh-ay-uh-ay I, will always love YOOOOOOOO." All that fake, phony "extraness" bullshit.

It was done for comedy, but Alanis's version of My Humps. It goes from a song about females using their bodies to get what they want to a song about sexual harassment.

R2 Beautiful...has me in tears.

How about some remakes of Beatles songs?

"Fool on the Hill" by Sergio Mendes and Brasil 66.

"With A Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker.

"In My Life" by Judy Collins.

"Octupus's Garden" by Raffi!

"Turn Turn Turn" by Judy Collins.

"Sunny Goodge Street" by Donovan. The original.

"Sunny Goodge Street" by Judy Collins.

Loved this version of M. Gaye's "Sexual Healing"

From the tv show "Moonlighting."

"Abraham, Martin, and John" by Smokey and the Miracles.

Dvorak's Symphony 9 - First Movement.

and......"Initials BB" by Serge Gainsbourg.

Bump.

Building "Tears Dry On Their Own" on top of "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" was an inspired choice by Winehouse and cohorts.

Bowie's Modern love covered by The last town chorus

T.V Carpio's version of The Beatles "I Want to Hold Your Hand" from the film "Across the Universe". A slow downed song of longing.

This makes me so happy for some reason.

J and Bey. Forever Young

Marvin Gaye and Gladys Knight and the Pips both recorded "I heard It Thru the Grapevine" with Gladys doing the first rendering making it a huge hit. Then Marvin re imagined it, slowed it down, and he owned it. Made it a huge hit.

The Beatles with John Lennon singing lead on "There are Places I Remember" and then later Bette Midler sang it. I love that song!

Jerry Butler who was a huge star in R & B years ago got a hit from "Make It Easy On Yourself" as did Dionne Warwick, of course.

There have been a lot of covers of Wild is the wind, written by Dimitri Tiomkin and Ned Washington, originally performed by Johnny Mathis. Every singer seems to bring something different to it, but George Michael did one of the best versions.

I like that too, r318. If you like that you might like this:

My favorite version of "I Will Always Love You" is Linda's.

"Somewhere over the Rainbow" by Brother Iz, R.I.P.

I heard Social Distortion perform "Ring of Fire" in concert. It was fun to hear it performed as rock n roll. The original is still better, though.

Whitney’s How will I know

For R327

Thanks, r329. I like the change in tonality.

For R320

William Shattner provides a different interpretation of “Mr Tamborine Man.” His shows desperation

Tori Amos

Great stuff posted! Thanks for the bump!