When covers are good

[Amake]

I wouldn't put too much stock in Youtube's priorities.

On the other hand, Reznor has publicly bent knee to Cash's cover and said "I am not worthy".

Oh hey, I thought of another sweet ass-cover; Total Eclipse of the Heart by Tori Amos. I could listen to it all day.

[Archbio]

I do like Marilyn Manson's cover of This is Halloween.

So now I get all pumped for Halloween? In November? Bah!

KMFDM's cover of Mysterious Ways might not be really great, but I do think it's better than the real thing.

[The Sevenshot Kid]

Cartel shows how to make a good song when you're not high off your ass on cocaine like those Gallagher brothers.
And The Almost cover of "Free Fallin'" is preferable to the original if only because the vocals are a lot better.
And it ain't too hard to beat but Kelly Clarkston but these guys decided to do it anyway.

[Living Bobbeh]

Originally Posted by Fenris

Streetlight Manifesto does a Ska rendition of Such Great Heights by the Postal Service.

I'm a big fan of the Ska scene (as it's one of the few scenes remaining in any sort of popularity that features trombonists prominently) and this, in my opinion, does the original justice.

This, but for most of their album "99 Songs of Revolution: Volume 1". For example, their version of Hell just feels a lot more schmaltzy than the Squirrel Nut Zipper's original.

[Token]

Why Bother, covered by I Fight Dragons. I actually like this more than the original.

[DarkDrgon]

New Found Glory has 2 cover albums, both pretty good. I like their versions of Don't wanna miss a thing, Kiss me, and That thing you do better than the original. Them doing It aint me babe is just as good as all the versions I've ever heard.

OH! this will probably get me flamed, but I like Thrice doing the Beatles better than the Beatles.
Helter Skelter
Eleanor Rigby

[Viridis]

I second Hurt by Cash and anything TMBG has covered (not everyone knows that Istanbul, not Constantinople is a cover).

Relevant.

[A Zarkin' Frood]

See Moonsorrow's version of the Metallica classic For Whom The Bell Tolls, a rather interesting cover I think. (please note that I couldn't verify that it's really the song I'm looking for because all I get is a "not available in yer country yar" notice.)

Same thing with Rage's cover of Paint It Black. There's a live version in case the first link wont work. (click) (e: It might be worth noting, that this live version with orchestra and all predates the "ground breaking" or whatever S&M Metallica did. I know this because the singer went bald before S&M was released)

An instrumental cover of Stairway to Heaven. Technically it's a capella, but there are no lyrics except the screams of the damned.

EDIT: Then there's of course Apocalyptica covering plenty of metal and rock songs, mostly from Metallica, on their Cellos. I mention this because many people haven't even heard of Apocalyptica even though they are more famous than... some people.

[Melfice]

I like Snoop Dogg's Riders on the Storm very much.

It's certainly not better than the original, but it doesn't actually sound horrible.

[Sky Warrior Bob]

I'm not going to say I've got any great gems here, but they all are decent enough. In some cases, a tad better, IMO.


Ghost Riders in the Sky (Spiderbait), from Ghost Rider movie

Somebody's Watching Me (by suttercain666: YouTube user)

You Spin Me Round (Dope)

I will Survive (Cake)

Transformers '80s movie theme (Black Lab)

Theme to Peter Gunn - Spyhunter (Saliva)

Crazy (Ray Lamontagne)

Mad World (Gary Jules) (In case you didn't know, Mad World was originally done by Tears for Fears.)

SWB