During a bit of a blog browsing session the other day, I chanced upon a comment by someone about the horrendous cover versions that have been forced upon an unsuspecting public over the years. I left a comment, agreeing, and adding a few candidates of my own. However, it got me thinking about the cover versions that have succeeded in taking a song somewhere else, and, if not improving it, at least given the listener a bearable alternative to the original. So here goes...
Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin - It's My Party originally by Lesley Gore, this 80's electronica treatment completely disassembles the original and puts it back together in an interesting and bizzare way.
Dan Reed Network - Money A Pink Floyd classic, this is scary territory for any band, but Dan and the guys grab this track and shove the funk into it. The reworking of the opening bassline and cashtill samples to give it the funk, is nothing short of genius.
Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Blinded by the Light A great example of somebody having a better idea of how to do a Springsteen song better than the man himself, arguably improved by the wonderful Chris Thompson malaprop "Wrapped up like
a douche"
Two other great Springsteen songs leap to mind, "Sandy" beautifully covered by The Hollies, and "Fire" immortalised by The Pointer Sisters. Love him or hate him, The Boss writes a mean song.
Midge Ure - No Regrets Take a classic 60's torch song by Scott Walker, throw in a sprinkling of Ultravox's "Vienna" and you have a great, moody reworking of a great song.
So there you have it. a little food for thought. Covering a classic isnt necessarily a bad thing, but if you're not going to input some of your own creativity, whilst maintaining a healthy respect for the original, you'll be on a hiding to nothing.
As a post script, I've joined the team at AMERICAS METAL where I'll be posting my views in a series of articles on the Hard Rock scene past and present, click on the link and check out my inaugural piece!
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