Top Song Covers

[AvengerRam]

Most cover tunes are just an unknown band's way of getting noticed. The following, however, actually added something new through their remakes:

5. Mad World - Michael Andrews
This cover took a B-side from the group Tears for Fears, which was originally recorded as an upbeat pop song, and made it into a haunting ballad (appeared on soundtrack of the movie Donnie Darko).

4. Hazy Shade of Winter - The Bangles
Okay, I admit it. I had a crush on Susannah Hoffs back in the 80s. So sue me. This cover, also appearing in a movie (Less Than Zero) took a little known Simon and Garfunkel song and made their own. Great harmonies from an underrated group of vocalists.

3. Dancing in the Dark - Pete Yorn
Appears as a bonus track on Music for the Morning After, this cover of Bruce Springstein's 80's hit changes the tempo in a manner that is really more in line with the lyrics than the original version.

2. Land of Confusion - Disturbed
When Genesis recorded this song, they had really moved from rock band to pop band. Heck, the video for the original featured the "Spitting Image" puppets. Disturbed took the song and made it rock, and their video looks like something out of Pink Floyd's The Wall.

1. Wild Horses - The Sundays
If you have not heard this cover, do yourself a favor - find the video on YouTube and give it a listen. This version puts the Rolling Stones original - itself a classic - to shame. One of the best vocal performances you'll ever hear.

Any others I've left out?

[ramsbruce]

Most cover tunes are just an unknown band's way of getting noticed. The following, however, actually added something new through their remakes:

5. Mad World - Michael Andrews
This cover took a B-side from the group Tears for Fears, which was originally recorded as an upbeat pop song, and made it into a haunting ballad (appeared on soundtrack of the movie Donnie Darko).

1. Wild Horses - The Sundays
If you have not heard this cover, do yourself a favor - find the video on YouTube and give it a listen. This version puts the Rolling Stones original - itself a classic - to shame. One of the best vocal performances you'll ever hear.

Any others I've left out?

Gary Jules is in on that Mad World cover, and it is great.

I agree that Wild Horses - The Sundays is a fantastic cover. I bought The Sundays - Blind cassette (which Wild Horses is on) back in the day.

There are so many...

Off of the top of my head I would add:

All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
No explanation necessary, other than Bob Dylan recorded the original for people who didn't know.

America - YES (the band)
Originally recorded by Simon & Garfunkel. YES did a nice job adding the YES sound to this classic.

A few more that I would add that weren't really rearranged, and these bands were already recognized but are still good covers are...

Planet Caravan & Electric Funeral - Pantera
Both originally recorded by Black Sabbath

Supernaut - Ministry
Originally recorded by Black Sabbath

Bauhaus - Ziggy Stardust
Originally recorded by David Bowie

[RamsFanSam]

Great White did many remakes that turned out better than the originals, or at least sound as good, among them a remake of Tom Waits "Once Bitten, Twice Shy" and "D'Yer Maker".

[r8rh8rmike]

"Turn The Page" - Metallica
Bob Seger classic taken to a whole new level of intensity.

"Alone Again Or" - UFO
Love's original infused with life by guitar legend Michael Schenker.

"Hey Joe" - Jimi Hendrix
Another Love original infused with life by another guitar legend.

"You Really Got Me" - Van Halen
The Kinks on HGH.

"What A Wonderful World" - Joey Ramone
One of the most influential musical icons of all time checks out with one to remember.

[RamsFanLSUMan]

In the Air Tonight - Nonpoint

Saw it on a LSU/Bama highlight video (go figure) and fell in love with it

[HUbison]

How 'bout.....

A little help - Joe Cocker
Billie Jean - Chris Cornell
Whiskey in the Jar - Metallica
Love Hurts - Nazareth
I Just Want... - Foghat


and the best example of a "reverse cover"....
Hurt - Johnny Cash covering Nine Inch Nails

and how can there ever be a list of best cover songs without....
Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - William Shatner

[RamsFan16]

In the Air Tonight - Nonpoint
Tainted Love - Marilyn Manson
Holy Diver - Killswitch Engage

[mrdcblue]

What about the bands on Guitar Hero under the "other" list not on the main page. Aren't those unknown bands. Am i taking this in a different direction then entended?

[Bar-bq]

What about...

Ben Folds has some good ones. He does the Postal Service's Such Great Heights, The Cure's In Between Days, and Dr Dre's B*tches A'int S*it (hillarious, by the way).

Hendrix- All Along the Watchtower
The Band- I Shall Be Released (It's actually a Dylan song; howabout that?)

[moloch41]

Supernaut - Ministry Originally recorded by Black Sabbath

It wasn't actually Ministry- it was 1,000 Homo DJs, which was a side project for the band. I believe Trent Reznor actually does the vocals for it too. I do agree it's a great song though and have it on my list along with a few others said already. Here are mine in no particular order...

In the Park- Marilyn Manson- originally done by Gary Neuman

Supernaut- 1,000 Homo DJs- originally done by Black Sabbath

Gimme Shelter- Sisters of Mercy- originally done by the Stones

Hazy Shade of Winter- Bangles- orig Simon and Garfunkel

Personal Jesus- Marilyn Manson- orig Depeche Mode

Smooth Criminal- Alien Ant Farm- orig Michael Jackson

I'm Your Boogeyman- White Zombie- orig KC & the Sunshine Band

Ziggy Stardust- Bauhaus- orig David Bowie

[ramsbruce]

It wasn't actually Ministry- it was 1,000 Homo DJs, which was a side project for the band. I believe Trent Reznor actually does the vocals for it too. I do agree it's a great song though and have it on my list along with a few others said already.

Nice. Yes I know it was 1000 Homo DJs, I actually have the CD Single. I figured since Al was the leader of that project and Ministry has covered that song also, I would list it as Ministry so more people would actually knew who it was.

Trent Reznor is where the story gets interesting. There have been rumors that Trent did the vocals originally but his record company wouldn't let them release it with Trent on vocals. So rumor says that Al either took Trent's vocals and distorted them, or Al actually re-recorded them himself. Most tend to believe from what both Trent and Al have said in the past is that Al re-recorded the vocals so they could release 1000 Homo DJs.

Reznor's vocals on Supernaut actually got released years later on various boxsets. So although unconfirmed it is widely speculated that Al actually does the vocals on the 1000 Homo DJs release.

I'm just shocked that anyone here actually knew about 1000 Homo DJs.

[Keenum]

The band Alter Bridge has done covers of "Kashmir" and "Crazy Train" during a few of their concerts. Crazy Train was great, but their performance of Kashmir was outstanding. I think both those vids are on YouTube.

[moloch41]

I'm just shocked that anyone here actually knew about 1000 Homo DJs.

I'm a big Ministry fan- up until about Filth Pig, that is. After that- it's pretty much been downhill. I've been going to see them when they come to Philly every year with a couple of my friends, but the last two years, their performances have also plummeted. I can't believe they actually walked off stage last year without playing Stigmata- after that, we decided to end our annual pilgrimage to see them. Speaking of Ministry offshoots and covers, Revolting Cocks did open for them last year and kicked azz. Do You Think I'm Sexy? by Revco is definately a classic.

[moloch41]

I forgot- also on the "Less Than Zero" soundtrack with the Bangles "Hazy Shade of Winter", Slayer's "In-a-Gadda-Da-Vida" is also a cool remake.

[AvengerRam]

Another one I like - "Comfortably Numb" (Pink Floyd) by Dar Williams (w/Ani DiFranco).