Remakes/Covers that shouldn't be done

[Nitt1300]

Some originals cannot be improved on.

The Righteous Brothers "Unchaind Melody"
Jimi Hendrix's "All along the Watchtower"- yeah, I know Dylan wrote it- Jimi owned it.
Patrick Swayze's "Roadhouse"

 

[Woodpecker]

A lot of remake discussion (including Roadhouse) covered here

 

[LionJim]

My three years of high school.

 

[GrimReaper]

"Inglorious Bastards." Sorry, Quentin, close, but no cigar.

 

[psuro]

Here is one that should not have been done……but was anyway.

 

[Midnighter]

Covers are interesting subjects to discuss; while some are untouchable, others can emerge entirely different (and in many instances better). I think there are generally two categories for covers - Straight Covers (with little/no changes; retains a lot of the original spirit/intent), and Cover Versions (which have changes that are noticeable in terms of vocalization, musicianship, etc.). Something like 'Hallelujah' is fine when sung by Leonard Cohen, but better when sung by Rufus Wainwright or Jeff Buckley. Sinead O'Connor's version of 'Nothing Compares 2 U' is so good no one cares that Prince wrote and performed it first.

A song I heard recently, that I thought was amazing because I'd never heard it before, is Ana Gasteyer's cover version of 'Book of Love'. I did some research and found that it was best known as a Peter Gabriel song, but that he did not write or originate it - it was written by Stephen Merritt of The Magnetic Fields and released in 1999. Gabriel covered it in 2004. Gasteyer then covered it for her debut album in 2019. Her version completely changes the mood/tone of the song; Gabriel's is great, but almost feels like spoken word. She harmonizes more and really sings it - just a tremendous effort that may be the best love song I've ever heard (up there with Kate McGarrigle's 'The Walking Song').

Peter Gabriel



Ana Gasteyer

 

[Midnighter]

Oh - a song that should never be covered: The Smiths - How Soon Is Now?

 

[BobPSU92]

Here is one that should not have been done……but was anyway.

Good Christ how that sucks mighty.

 

[Woodpecker]

 

[ApexLion]

Love blues Traveler but Imagine is just one of those songs ya don’t touch imho

 

[PSU87]

Good Christ how that sucks mighty.

Its a little bit country, its a little bit rock n roll....and a lotta suck

 

[GrimReaper]

Good Christ how that sucks mighty.

Its a little bit country, its a little bit rock n roll....and a lotta suck

Yinz need to see this one. Myron Floren's intro is priceless.



There is Welk version of Afternoon Delight that's even better, but, for the life of me, can't find it.

 

[bbrown]

Covers are interesting subjects to discuss; while some are untouchable, others can emerge entirely different (and in many instances better). I think there are generally two categories for covers - Straight Covers (with little/no changes; retains a lot of the original spirit/intent), and Cover Versions (which have changes that are noticeable in terms of vocalization, musicianship, etc.). Something like 'Hallelujah' is fine when sung by Leonard Cohen, but better when sung by Rufus Wainwright or Jeff Buckley. Sinead O'Connor's version of 'Nothing Compares 2 U' is so good no one cares that Prince wrote and performed it first.

A song I heard recently, that I thought was amazing because I'd never heard it before, is Ana Gasteyer's cover version of 'Book of Love'. I did some research and found that it was best known as a Peter Gabriel song, but that he did not write or originate it - it was written by Stephen Merritt of The Magnetic Fields and released in 1999. Gabriel covered it in 2004. Gasteyer then covered it for her debut album in 2019. Her version completely changes the mood/tone of the song; Gabriel's is great, but almost feels like spoken word. She harmonizes more and really sings it - just a tremendous effort that may be the best love song I've ever heard (up there with Kate McGarrigle's 'The Walking Song').

Peter Gabriel



Ana Gasteyer

Gabriel did that Covers Album called Scratch my Back. JMO but it proves the OP's point. Some of them should have been left alone and I say that a HUGE Peter Gabriel fan.
But Like you mentioned about notable changes and Gary Jules version of Tears For Fears Mad World..

 

[LionJim]

Idle question: When listening to a suck song, how long does it typically take to recognize that it sucks? Halfway through? What? TIA.

 

[Phlebitis]

Here is one that should not have been done……but was anyway.

 

[Thorndike2021]

Still trying to wrap my tiny head around the need for the Depp version of Willy Wonka. Gene IS Willy Wonka, forever.

 

[manatree]

Still trying to wrap my tiny head around the need for the Depp version of Willy Wonka. Gene IS Willy Wonka, forever.

Burton’s film with Depp was more inline with the tenor of the book. Dahl himself disowned the first film because it deviated too far from the screenplay that he wrote for the film. That being said, Wilder’s portrayal was charming beyond words.

 

[manatree]

Idle question: When listening to a suck song, how long does it typically take to recognize that it sucks? Halfway through? What? TIA.

Several years ago, I got to know a blind guy named Cary who was working on his PhD in chemistry that rode my bus. He did his UGrad at Purdue. One year, I splurged for some good seats for the PSU - Purdue basketball and took him along. Unfortunately, Purdue slapped us silly. Partway into the second half, Cary turns to me and says “I bet you wish you could see what I see!”

 

[Connorpozlee]

 

[WSTLion87]

 

[manatree]

I always think that Puddles does some fun interpretations.

 

[Obliviax]

 

[bbrown]

On the other hand this one is pretty terrific...

 

[Phlebitis]

On the other hand this one is pretty terrific...

I have never seen that before. I had to work out who that very excellent singer that pulled it all together was and see it is the one and only Joe Jackson. Also learned Ben Folds produced it. Very interesting all around.

 

[bbrown]

I have never seen that before. I had to work out who that very excellent singer that pulled it all together was and see it is the one and only Joe Jackson. Also learned Ben Folds produced it. Very interesting all around.

+1. Joe Jackson is terrific, his Look Sharp and Night and Day albums are way underrated.
Ben Folds is also really, really good.
In full disclosure it's a terrific sing along song while driving really fast. LOL.

 

[Midnighter]

+1. Joe Jackson is terrific, his Look Sharp and Night and Day albums are way underrated.
Ben Folds is also really, really good.
In full disclosure it's a terrific sing along song while driving really fast. LOL.

Ben Folds is maybe the most impressive individual performer I’ve ever seen live. He’s incredible.