What song remakes are better than the original?

[kmla]

My votes would have to go for only 2 songs -

Light My Fire - Jose Feliciano (No flames from Doors fans, please - it's my opinion)
Heard it Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye (so good, most people think it was the original hit)

Well....

What do you think?

[FlashHarry]

1. "California Man" by Cheap Trick beats the original by The Move

Hands down. (I do like The Move, however. Don't get me wrong.)

Also, as great as the original is, I think The Sonics messed-up version of Louie, Louie is superior.

[mitchum]

2. Blake Babies cover of "Temptation Eyes" is sublime...

and I usually don't care for Juliana Hatfield/Blake Babies

[SiobhanClancy]

3. Jimi Hendrix/All Along The Watchtower

beats the Dylan original

[MnFats]

6. Jimi also did a scortching cover...

....of "Like a Rolling Stone" live, too.
those are two great Dylan songs when done by the writer, but Jimi just takes possession of both.....in "Watchtower," Jimi's guitar solo actually has THREE distinct movements...listen for them....he was a God.

[kmla]

7. Ooooh.

Good one. Forgot that one.

[ProfessorGAC]

25. So Does Dave Mason's Version

It's on the self-titled album, that also has a terrific version of "If You Ever Change Your Mind".
The Professor

[FlashHarry]

4. I thought my slow country version of "Number of the Beast" ruled!

Not that more than a few hundred folks ever heard it, though.

(Hum it to yourself--imagine it sung by Uncle Tupelo, slow and aching over a single acoustic guitar... "Six, six, six, the number of the beast/Hell and fire (pronounced 'fahr') were sworn to be released.)

[dani]

5. "Sweet Jane" done by

the Cowboy Junkies.

I love Lou Reed and the VU but I think the Cowboy Junkies version of that song is incredible.

[MissMillie]

16. I love everything the Cowboy Junkies do (n/t)

.

[ProfessorGAC]

24. Mott The Hoople's Is Better Too!

I love that version. It kicks off the "All The Young Dudes" album.
The Professor

[dawgman]

8. love the man in black but

Dave Matthews version of "Long Black Veil" is the best.

[Spider Jerusalem]

39. You haven't heard Nick Cave's version, then,...

Much better. (but then, I'm not a Dave Matthews fan.)

[qb]

9. Knockin' on Heaven's Door by GnR

I know it's heresy, but I really like this version.

I... I... I Yi Yeah! Knock Knock Knockin' on Heavens' Doooor!

[Kolesar]

10. Natalie Merchant covered "Because the Night" by Patti Smith

Natalie did one other super cover song but it escapes me.

[kmla]

11. 10,000 Maniacs did a good cover

of Peace Train. Is that it?

[blondeatlast]

32. NONONONONONO!

First of all, it wasn't Natalie--it was the chick that replaced her in Maniacs. Secondly, Patti even outdid Springsteen's version.

Besides, unless you saw it live like I did . . .

[skippysmom]

40. Natalie did sing Because the Night...

...the new lead singer (name escapes me) sang on the remake of "More than This"

[SiouxJ]

41. Yes! It's on the MTV Unplugged CD

"Because the Night" by the original (with Natalie) Maniacs. Really great rendition!

[xJlM]

12. SRV doing Hendrix's Vodoo Chile (Slight Return)

Just my opinion, though...

[Laughing Mirror]

13. Working my way back to you babe

by the Spinners in the 1980's, I preferred to the original by the Four Seasons in the 60's

and I loved the original (Dec 67) "Heard it through the Grapevine" by Gladys Knight and the Pips better than the Marvin Gaye version, which, if I remember correctly, came out the following summer

it seems to have taken several years for the Marvin Gaye version to become "THE" version

[blondeatlast]

33. I'm with you on "Grapevine." Gladys will NEVER get the

respect she deserves, but that doesn't mean I won't work to correct the injustice.

More passion, more "seething" in Gladys version. Brilliant.

[rock]

14. "You Really Got Me"

Van Halen's remake of the Kink's original. Bear in mind I'm from that earlier era and rather hard-nosed about Rock 'n Roll. But VH did a fine job. I like the orignal too.

[MissMillie]

15. Respect by Aretha Franklin

Original by Otis Redding

but also: Red, Red Wine by UB40
and (I know I'll take a lot of flack for this) Sting's remake of Little Wing

[Qutzupalotl]

17. Joe Cocker's With A Little Help From My Friends

slightly better than the Beatles, and his Feelin' Alright (sic) is better than Traffic's. Livelier, in both cases. Puts everything he's got into it.

[gratuitous]

18. Todd Rundgren's "Good Vibrations"

Just because I feel like pissin' off any Beach Boys fans.

[SiouxJ]

42. Agreed!

I like it better too. But then again, I'm biased because I think Todd is Godd.

[carolinayellowdog]

19. Both Sides Now, Woodstock, The Circle Game

I love Joni Mitchell but in those cases (Judy Collins, CSNY, Tom Rush) the covers were better than the originals.

[MaineDem]

37. Matthew's Southern Comfort

did a good version of "Woodstock".

[Barad Simith]

20. Tom Jones' remakes of...

...Three Dog Night's "Mama Told Me Not To Come" and Prince's "Kiss"

[Pert_UK]

21. "Come up and see me, Make me Smile" - Wedding Present version

Absolutely genius. I love it.

P.

[thom1102]

22. Wild Horses, By the Sundays

Much better than the Rolling Stones original... Very haunting and soulful.

[Bridget Burke]

26. "Wild Horses" by the Flying Burrito Brothers...

Gram Parsons hung out with the Stones & inspired their "country" phase (Beggars Banquet).

It was on "Burrito Deluxe" & Gram sang lead....

[GOPisEvil]

27. You should hear Harriet Wheeler sing it live...

:wow: She hits every note. :wow:

I'd like to see them again someday; they put on a lovely show.

[Enraged_Ape]

23. Harry Nilsson's version of "Without You"

From the Badfinger album No Dice. As much as I love Badfinger, I have to give this one to Mr. Nilsson. He just had an incredible voice and range.

[chiburb]

28. Don't forget Harry's version of "Everybody's Talkin'...

Originally recorded (and written by) Fred Neil.

[blondeatlast]

34. Definitely. You can hear the ache.

[Skittles]

29. well of course it's not BETTER than the original

but I LOVED the Lemonhead's remake of Mrs. Robinson. :D

[chiburb]

30. Several come to mind, including Feliciano's...

California Dreamin'.

I also like:

Kobain's version of Black Girl (he called it My Girl), original by Leadbelly.

[sasquatch]

31. "Hurt" by Johnny Cash

eom

[blondeatlast]

35. Replacements version of "Black Diamond," originally by KISS.

[Boudicea]

36. Patsy's Crazy

Not sure who originally recorded it, maybe Willie, but it's really fast and not very good. And then came Patsy.

[MaineDem]

38. "Radar Love" by White Lion

I thought that was better than Golden Earring's.