Covers that are really different from the original!!

JCDUB · 11-11-2009 6:03pm #1

Hi dudes(ses)!!!

I'm looking for a song (any song) that is covered by another group/artist/musician/orchestra in a pretty different way than it was originally recorded by the initial artist.

It's for a project in college, in which I need to differentiate between the two on a musical level, e.g. tempo, rhythm, instruments or lack thereof, singing style etc.

I have a few in mind, and was thinking about stuff that orchestras and gospel choirs seem to be doing at the moment, as in taking contemporary stuff and doing a really funky and different cover!

Was just wondering if you had any suggestions that might be worthwhile looking into?!

Thanks:)

Rigsby · 11-11-2009 6:15pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_n-gRS_wdI

Kold · 11-11-2009 7:46pm

The Knife - Heartbeats (orig)
Jose Gonzales - Heartbeats (cover)

rednik · 11-11-2009 8:04pm

Rolf Harris covering (murdering) Stairway to Heaven. Led Zeppelin must have allowed this and as to why I'd love to know.

chalad07 · 11-11-2009 8:07pm

All along the watchtower - The Bob Dylan version sounds very different than the Jimi Hendrix version. Both great in their own ways.

JCDUB · 11-11-2009 8:21pm

Thanks for your replys:D

I was looking at the ukelele orchestra of great britain, they do some interesting covers (including Wuthering Heights, Teenage Kicks) but I don't think there's enough depth in the music, just 8 or 10 ukeleles and a guitar.

Keep em coming.

Notorious · 11-11-2009 8:28pm

America I Love You - Originally a Morrissey song and covered by Christy Moore. Moore throws a lot more passion into the lyrics, and completely changes the music that goes with the lyrics.

Hurt - Nine Inch Nails and covered by Johnny Cash. I think I prefer the Cash version. Both are excellent though.

The soundtrack for the film I'm Not There is full of covers of Bob Dylan songs. Sufjan Stevens covers Ring Them Bells; 'tis my favourite on the album. The range of instruments Sufjan introduces into the song is awesome.

K-Ren · 11-11-2009 8:34pm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTNefEWOTNk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ep6fe99Mps

You said different, not good, right?:)

The Pontiac · 11-11-2009 8:37pm

Bob Dylan doing his own songs - almost unrecognisable from the original at times.

Notorious · 11-11-2009 9:47pm

Another one I thought of; Hallelujah by Leonard Cohen and covered by Jeff Buckley. I've heard more people praise the Jeff Buckley version, and even had an argument with someone who insisted it was the original. Cohen > Buckley

anti-venom · 11-11-2009 9:48pm

Check out Opium Jukebox's, 'Music to Download Pornography By' album with covers of Nirvana, Soft Cell etc etc. Also their Sex Pistols tribute album is about as different from the original as you will find.

http://www.amazon.com/Music-Download-Pornography-Opium-Jukebox/dp/B00005086D

Or how about 'A Houseguest's Wish: Translations of Wire's Outdoor Miner'. An entire album dedicated to covers of this one song. A great song but this is overkill.

You could try the 'String Quartet tribute' series; for example, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7CrCz0Oo8k. There is shedloads more of these.

Rigsby · 11-11-2009 9:52pm

Joe Cocker's version of the Beatle's "I get by with a little help from my friends".

Eric Clapton's unplugged version of his own "Layla".

Borneo Fnctn · 12-11-2009 12:23am

Lloyd Cole's cover of Chelsea Hotel. Originally a Leonard Cohen song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBkqPRy1-t8

Kold · 12-11-2009 12:27am

jackpalance wrote: »

Lloyd Cole's cover of Chelsea Hotel. Originally a Leonard Cohen song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBkqPRy1-t8

0_0 That's just horrific.

delbertgrady · 12-11-2009 9:51am

Camera Obscura doing their melancholy take on Abba's Super Trouper is a good place to start.

Mark Kozelek's album What's Next to the Mooon, comprises Bon Scott-era AC/DC songs performed acoustically, all practically unrecognisable.
Similarly, his old band, Red House Painters, covered Shock Me by Kiss, which bore very little resemblance to Ace Frehley's original.

slipss · 12-11-2009 3:23pm

Would Definately have to go with Down with the Sickness

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzdeH6MaNVI

Original (Disturbed)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_U1C8T0ScBU

Cover (Richard Cheese)

smog · 12-11-2009 3:48pm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txVSX_DOrpI

alb · 12-11-2009 4:25pm

Didn't even have to think about this - Mr Grieves. It's not often there's two completely different versions of a song and I like each so
much:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGOxi7U-sNw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1k6dD3WAP0

These versions should have all the differences you're looking for.

telecaster · 12-11-2009 5:17pm

She's a model and she's skanking it up good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U42qkYZ4vrM

iamhunted · 12-11-2009 5:41pm

devo's version of the stones' satisfaction

JerryHandbag · 12-11-2009 6:23pm

Red Hot Chilli Peppers did a barely recogniseable version of The Ramones "Havana Affair" at Slane a few years back. Methinks its on one of their live albums.

anti-venom · 12-11-2009 6:29pm

telecaster wrote: »

She's a model and she's skanking it up good

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U42qkYZ4vrM

I like it! Here's another incredible cover of it........

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_tK1xw8AzA

JCDUB · 12-11-2009 7:20pm

Thanks for your replies, some very interesting food for thought there!

I have some work to do but I'll be back on later to have a proper listen to all your suggestions and maybe discuss your tunes a bit more.

Nice one.