Are you a fan of cover songs? Do you find that a particular cover of a song is superior to the original? If so, then please feel free to post why you feel that way. Original song: Whiplash by Metallica. Superior cover by Destruction. The original may be a classic, but the cover completely trounces the original (Sven Vormann is a much better drummer than Lars Ulrich). Original song: Oops... I Did It Again by Britney Spears. Superior cover by Children of Bodom. The cover gives the song a very, very nice metal makeover (not bad for a joke recording). Original song: Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! by ABBA. Superior cover by Yngwie Malmsteen. Yngwie's cover completely destroys the original. You can really rock out to it! Original song: Summer Night City by ABBA. Superior cover by Therion. Therion adds a symphonic metal tongue-in-cheek flavor to the upbeat original. This next one is very subjective (even more so than the previous). Original song: Burn in Hell by Twisted Sister. Superior(?) cover by Dimmu Borgir. While Shagrath's scratchy vocals are not as good as Dee Snider's, ICS Vortex and his voice are much better (if they would replace Shagrath with Dee's voice the song would be legendary). The instrumentation and chorus are so much better in the cover.
I'm not particularly versed in this area, but here's a song my bro introduced me to ages ago that I like... Sleepless by Cradle of Filth It turns out that that one is a cover of Sleepless by Anathema, and I like the cover a lot more
On the opposite end of the spectrum... Original song: Take On Me by Aha. Far, far, FAR inferior cover by Sadist. The song showed some promise at the start, but the singer had to open their mouth and ruin it.
Destruction is a far superior band to Metallica also. Both have had amazing albums and songs (I do love how punk all of 'Kill 'Em All' feels) but I loooooove Destruction.
Original song: Mr. Crowley by Ozzy Osbourne. Unique cover by Cradle of Filth. The cover offers a neat new sound over the original. Sounds darker which is in tune with Alister Crowley and his life. Original song: Blue Monday by New Order. Slightly better cover by Orgy. The cover slices about 3 minutes off of the original synthesizer fest. It also offers a fuller sounding tune over the original, which sounded rather empty. Original song: Bring The Pain by Method Man. Superior cover by Mindless Self Indulgence. Mindless Self Indulgence completely made the song their own. It is much more energetic. Another subjective choice coming up. Original song: Let's Go All The Way by Sly Fox. Unique and better cover by Insane Clown Posse. The lyrics are different, but the message is better. It also sounds worlds better.
Ear-worm cover songs. Original song: Quick man's theme from Megaman 2. Addicting cover by Hyadain. Hyadain not only updates the sound of the song but also adds lyrics ( an "interesting" story). I had this one stuck in my head for a few days after originally hearing it. Original song: Kidnap the Sandy Claws from The Nightmare Before Christmas. Addicting cover by Korn. I loved the original song, but the cover is steadily wearing away at that. I didn't originally like Korn, but the cover makes me want to revisit their discography.
Covers that are just as good as the original. Original song: You Spin Me Round (Like A Record) by Dead or Alive. Cover by Secret Discovery. It is sad that the video linked for the cover is the ONLY version of that song on youtube (I had to message and ask the guy to move it from Private to unlisted).
Hayseed Dixie does bluegrass versions of many rock songs. Not intended to be better, just different, but I love almost all of them. I've also become a huge a capella fan lately and the gold standard is Straight No Chaser. Their version of Stevie Wonder's Superstition is my favorite.
Original song: Cum On Feel The Noize by Slade. Superior cover by Quiet Riot. The cover adds more energy to the song. Being the most popular of Quiet Riot's songs, it was recorded as a joke.
Original song: Freak by Bruce Dickinson. Better than average cover by Machine Men. The original might be a good rock song, but the cover has much more punch.
Original: Get Ready by The Temptations. Superior cover by Rare Earth. The original is a classic, but the rock version has a better feel.
Original: Ride Like the Wind by Christopher Cross Way better version by Saxon Original: Die with your boots on by Iron Maiden Better version by Sonata Arctica Original: Turn the Page by Bob Seger Better version by Metallica Original: Anarcky in the U.K. by Sex Pistols Better version by Megadeth Original: Twist and Shout by The Isley Brothers Much better version by The Beatles Original: Where Did You Sleep Last Night, by Lead Belly Better version by Nirvana Original: Hey Joe, by The Leaves Better version by Jimmy Hendrix I could go on and on
Original: Hallelujah by Deep Purple. Superior cover by Blind Guardian. The cover is much more upbeat and has better flow. Original: In a Gadda Da Vida by Iron Butterfly. Unique cover by Blind Guardian. The Simpsons did it well.
