Hi all. How about a song from Burt Bacharach & Hal David wrote and was recorded by Richard Chamberlain in 1963, Dionne Warwick 1963, she had a rerecord with a 1964 release, Dusty Springfeild recoreded it in 1964 but released it in 1967, Burt Bacharach released a version after the hit in 1971. It was covered by many others but the cover that was the most successful was done by Karen and Richard Carpenter and the song was They Long To Be Close To You released in 1970.

They were incredible writers. Another song was "Always something there to remind me" by Naked Eyes, originally done by Dionne Warwick. I'm assuming they wrote that too. According to Wikipedia RB Greaves recorded it too and was released in 1970.

The well done covers that come to mind are songs that were written by brilliant songwriters who didn't have especially good singing voices. Bruce Springsteen is one, and Leonard Cohen is another. So a lot of their songs were covered many times by other artists. Some of those covers were mediocre, but others were brilliant. Here are two that I like.

Bruce Springsteen's Born to Run performed by Frankie goes to Hollywood
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sqbwOyr5Alc

Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah performed by k.d. lang
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYiMJ2bC65A

And BTW, k d lang's covers of Roy Orbison's songs are also very well done. Don't know if they're better than the originals, but they're very good, as are her duets with Roy Orbison.

"Because The Night" performed by Patti Smith was a great song written by her and Bruce Springsteen.

I recall the Stafford version being played frequently on 77 WABC, NYC back when it charted, never heard the original. I figured Stafford was doing a tribute to Elvis thing. If I had the task of producing another cover of the song I would take a pass. The Stafford version production is perfect and I can't think of any way to change it that could be an improvement.
The "synthesizer" sound is likely a mellotron. They are capable of producing a vast array of instruments including a full drum set and percussion. The samples in this case are a number of tape loops recorded and played back at 30 ips. When tuned up mechanically and with fresh loops their sound is stunning.

Carlos held off on signing a recording deal until he could get one with Columbia. His musical hero Miles Davis was on Columbia. Carlos wanted to be part of the the same esteemed company.

Carlos held off on signing a recording deal until he could get one with Columbia. His musical hero Miles Davis was on Columbia. Carlos wanted to be part of the the same esteemed company.

FYI, the reason there are three of these replies is that my ISP was offline when I hit the reply button, and it came out in triplicate when they went back on line. Mod, please remove two? Thanks.

The Stranglers cover of Walk On By.

Better or worse then Dionnes ?

Matter of taste and criteria , but certainly a strong version.

"Get Together" was written by Dino Valenti, later of Quicksilver Messenger Service.

The Youngbloods had the version most have heard. But the Kingston Trio recorded it first, then the We Five. David Crosby too. I've never geard any of those, and only because of wikipedia do I know about them.

But, Jefferson Airplane recorded it on their first album "Jefferson Airplane Takes Off", which is a way better album than credited. I've had that for 42 years, and unless I have the Youngbloods version on a soundtrack album, it's the only version I have.

How about a cover version that the original artists sing backup? Lorrie Morgan singing Don't Worry Baby.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qq2Ayilg--8

Steve

The only thing you might be missing is perspective: "Covers" can be (or seem) better than "originals" if you learned the remake version well -first-.

To most of us, the "best" version of any song (and indeed, the "best music" in general, almost always) is what -we- listened to when we were between 11 and 25 years old. What was popular in that era, what our friends played, what was in the movies we saw, and so on.

So, "my" version of The Loco-Motion is by Grand Funk Railroad, but the Kylie Minogue one from the 1980s is decent enough too. I know there is an old version by Little Eva, but that is not the "real" version to me. That one is a "musical history" recording, like Beethoven or Beatles music: Enjoyable and worth listening to, but it was never part of "real life" and it can never be so.

The Bangles have a dynamic, enjoyable song called Hazy Shade Of Winter that I like.Then I heard a version by Simon and Garfunkel. Theirs seems very slow and plodding by comparison, but it was first, so many people may like it better.

As with KW4H, my version of The Lion Sleeps Tonight is by Robert John. Somehow, I completely missed the 1982 version, I should go listen to it.

I vote for the late, great Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt," originally by Nine Inch Nails. The video is quite powerful. Plenty others have covered it, but it so fits Johnny. Even Trent Reznor, of NIN who wrote it said it was now Johnny''s song. He wasn't all that thrilled with it until HE saw the video.
RW

Ahh, you youngsters, LOL! Please to allow a little senior perspective.


It is to me. Little Eva came out with it in the spring of 1962.


You apparently also missed the original by the Tokens, charting in December, 1961.


Would that be the same lyrics as "Hurt" by Timi Yuro, from autumn of 1961?

An Asterisk for the better version...

Diamonds and Rust
Joan Baez
Judas Priest *

The Green Manalishi
Fleetwood Mac
Judas Priest *

I don't think "Hurt" by Johnny or NIN is the same as the version referenced from 1961.
RW

The song actually dates back to 1939, granted The Tokens version was unique as they made some additions to a song originally written in Zulu. The Weavers recorded a version in the US in 1952. Between the original, the Weaver’s version, and the Token’s version, there were a *lot* of cover versions!

Sinead O'Connor's song "Nothing compares 2 u" came out in 1990 however it was written by Prince and recorded in 1985 and released by a band that I believe he fronted called "the Family"

Quiet Riot had two notable covers; "Cum on feel the noize" and "momma weer all crazee now" which were originally recorded in the 70's by a band called Slade

The Regents Barbara Ann remade by the Beach Boys. I was a 60's teen.

Nick

Nothing against Phil Collins, but he shouldn't be singing " You Can't Hurry Love." The Supremes
Did he also do "Groovey Kind Of Love?" Wayne Fontana/Mindbenders.

So country fans don't feel left out, how about a tune written and recorded by Marvin Rainwater in 1957,
"Gonna Find Me a Bluebird".
This is a classic country tune, dripping with steel guitar and simple chord changes, but it reached #1 in the pop charts as well. The song is 2 verses and a chorus with a musical "hook" between the 3rd and 4th line of each, a pause in the vocal and a 3 note progression down to the last line, which at the end he sings in a monotone. He's sadly falling back into a depression, keeps trying to whistle a happy tune. Over the next decade there were at least a dozen covers. Edit: found a list of 21 covers.

Eddie Arnold saw a potential crossover hit, did a pop version, with backup singers, tinkley piano arrangement and no steel guitar.

Petula Clark, who I thought would still be chasing boys in the schoolyard, was already in her mid-twenties in 1957 and a recording star in England. Her version chases a rainbow fast enough to jive to. Backup singers do a verse, there's a fiddle part, then she still has time to repeat the chorus and the 2 verses again, She is definitely through with crying over you.

I tried the Brenda Lee version, but she turns it into such a slow sad lament, never gets out of 1st gear.

Stonewall Jackson stays fairly true to the original, but adds his own little quirks. He changes "my dreams come true" to "my dream came true" not quite the same. He sings the chorus always one beat behind the music, maybe that's his "sound" or is he just not paying attention? I don't know.

The cover I like best is by Kitty Wells. She sings it well and her producer Owen Bradley uses that hook, turns up the volume of the pedal steel. as it comes in slow, sharing the sorrow then rising an octave or two to lead into the verses again.

If you only have time for one version, listen to Kitty Wells. But Marvin Rainwater wrote the song and sings it exactly right, happy start, then the melancholy monotone, "all for you..." That was I think his only hit song.

Wanna find me a Bluebird, a Sparton blue and chrome.
Or some Crosley re-pro, ..Do do ... needs ... a ....home.