Are Cover Songs Ever Better Than The Original? What Makes A Great Cover?
(Title image by DALL-E 3)
Hi WA Friends!
Today, we’re diving into something that's been on my mind for a while—a follow-up to the post I wrote called "Can Changing A Song Make It Better? Which Version Actually Improves The Original?":
This time, we’re talking about cover songs. You know, the kind of songs that either bring new life to an old favorite or make you wonder why they even tried. Some covers are so good they become more famous than the original, while others… well, they leave people split.
So, are cover songs ever better than the original? What makes a cover really great? Here's my take on some of the more common ways that artists have covered tunes they like.
Staying True To The Original
Sometimes, a cover is best when it sticks close to the original song. It’s like when you make a classic family recipe and don’t want to change anything because it’s already great. These kinds of covers respect what the original artist did but still add a little bit of the new artist's personality.
For example, Whitney Houston’s cover of Dolly Parton’s "I Will Always Love You" stays true to the emotional feeling of the original but adds Whitney’s amazing voice to it.
Another great example is Joe Cocker’s version of The Beatles’ "With a Little Help from My Friends." He kept the message of the song but added his own bluesy, soulful touch.
Staying true to the original doesn’t mean copying it exactly, it means keeping what’s special about it and making it even better in your own way.
Changing The Genre Completely
Then there are covers that take the song and totally change its style. This can lead to something completely new and awesome.
One great example is Johnny Cash’s cover of Nine Inch Nails’ "Hurt." Johnny took the original industrial rock song and turned it into a country ballad full of emotion. Even Trent Reznor, who wrote the song, said, "That song isn’t mine anymore."
Another example is Limp Bizkit’s cover of The Who’s "Behind Blue Eyes." They took a classic rock song and turned it into something more nu-metal. Whether you like it or not, you can’t deny it’s different!
One of my favorite examples is "Come with Me" by Puff Daddy featuring Jimmy Page, from the soundtrack to the 1998 film, Godzilla.
https://youtu.be/X8eoVa3s-vE?si=0gTfopM4_QtFHaCj
This cover samples Led Zeppelin's 1975 song "Kashmir," turning it into a hip-hop track with a powerful rock influence. The combination of Puff Daddy's rap verses and Jimmy Page's iconic guitar work made it a unique and unforgettable reimagining of the classic! You could even call it a little on the mashup side. I always listen to the entire song at the end of the Godzilla movie, and it sounds huge, almost like a live Zeppelin concert, on my home theater system! Lol 😎
Godzilla (1998 movie)
Covers like these make you see the song in a whole new way and can even bring it to people who never would have listened to it before!
Stripped-Down Version
Sometimes, less is more. Stripped-down covers take away all the extra instruments and effects and bring the song back to its basics, usually just vocals and a simple instrument like a piano or guitar. These covers can be really emotional and powerful.
One great example is Birdy’s cover of Bon Iver’s "Skinny Love." She took a complex indie song and turned it into a simple, haunting piano version.
Another great example is Chris Cornell’s acoustic cover of Michael Jackson’s "Billie Jean." With just his guitar and voice, Cornell made the original pop song feel dark and moody. Stripped-down covers remind us of what really matters: the lyrics, the melody, and the feelings behind the song.
Tribute Cover
And finally, we have tribute covers. These are all about honoring the original artist. They’re full of respect and admiration while still adding a bit of the new artist's style.
David Bowie’s version of "Across the Universe" by The Beatles is a great tribute cover. He kept the feeling of the original but added his own glam-rock spin to it.
Another great tribute is Foo Fighters’ cover of "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty. They kept the soulful saxophone melody but added a rock twist to make it their own.
Tribute covers are like a thank-you to the original artist and let fans enjoy both versions without having to pick a favorite.
Tell Me What You Think
Are you a cover song person? I know some do not care for them.
What makes a great cover song? If you had to pick just one, is it:
- Staying True to the Original
- Changing the Genre Completely
- Stripped-Down Version
- Tribute Cover
- Other
Let me know in the comments, AND...
Keep On Rockin' It! 🤘
(Pin by DALL-E 3)
Frank 🎸
~70% Human written content.
Recent Comments
21
Yes! The cover of "All I Want for Christmas is You" by Mariah Carrey is way better than the original by that Vince guy...
But a lot of times, I think they should leave originals alone. Especially when they take a popular song and turn it into country! Yikes. In my opinion that is hardly ever a "win."
Karin
I love this sort of thing. When I was a-growing up in deepest, darkest Shropshire, England, there came on the radio a track called Tainted Love. Little did I know that this huge hit by SoftCell was a cover of a track by Gloria Jones.
Jones's original was a 1964 b-side to My Bad Boy's Comin' Home. This achieved cult status in the UK as a Northern Soul classic. Jones re-recorded it in 1976. Her boyfiend was British Glam Rock star Marc Bolan. He did all the production work on it.
This is not a patch on the original, which was the version that SoftCell heard and were emboldened to cover. From the Motown flavoured Nothern Soul classic to an eighties synth-pop smash. Quite the journey.
Hi Simon
Point well taken!
My wife loves the remake of Tainted Love. When it comes on in the car she turns it up blazing loud and starts singing along with it and laughing. Haha 😎
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
I like when they change the genre completely and keep the same meaning of the song.
I like when the heavy metal band Celtic Frost did a cover of David Bowie’s Heroes and Wall of Voodoo’s Mexican Radio.
Motley Crüe covered Brownsville Station’s Smokin in the Boys Room.
Judas Priest covered Joan Baez’s Diamonds and Rust.
And one of my favorites was Van Halen’s version of Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison.
Hi Steve
I like changing the genre completely, too. 👍
My wife likes Roy Orbison's version of Pretty Woman way better than Van Halen. I keep telling her that's because she's not a guitar player! Lol 😎
Rock On! 🤘
Frank 🎸
I believe it is about finding the perfect balance between honoring the source material and bringing something fresh—whether that's through genre transformation (like Johnny Cash's "Hurt"), stripped-down reimagining (like Gary Jules' "Mad World"), or adding emotional depth through improved production and performance (like Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah").
Abie
Johnny Cash's cover of U2's One nearly saw me end up in the ditch when I heard it for the first time.
Simon
Hi Abie
Yeah, you never know.
Frank Zappa covered Johnny Cash's "Ring Of Fire," and he hated it, Lol 😆
Frank 🤘🎸
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Generally Frank... I am not a huge fan of cover songs... the originals always Rock more for me... but there are a few exceptions!!
Most notably for me (as I have just listened to it) ....
"Sweet Dreams" the Marilyn Manson version!!!
Weird... not for everyone... but I love it!!
Rock On
🤣👍🍻😎🎸🍸
Hi Nick
There are probably many more, too. It can be challenging to recall them off the top of your head.
For example, if you like Crossroads by Eric Clapton, that’s a cover by Robert Johnson.
Listen to Robert’s version and let me know which one you prefer. They’re both great! 😎
Rock On 🤘
Frank 🎸
Just listened to them both Frank....
Clapton is the still the winner for me... but not by much I have to admit!!!
Both great indeed!!
I could sit up listening to music ALL night as the wife is away....
But... it's getting late so I can't!!!
Rock On!!
🤣🍻😎🎸🍸👍
Yeah, I like Eric’s cover better, too, but not by much! Lol 👍
Have a great bedtime movie, Nick! 🎥🍿🍻😎
Frank 🤘🎸
Cheers Frank!!
An early night tonight though!!
🤣👍🍻😎🎸🍸