KW4H wrote: Covers, no matter how well done -- and even if better than the original -- lack the emotional lure and luster of the original...

This is nonsense. lol
yeah... I saw your underline.

Even Bob Dylan said that he liked Jimi Hendrix's version of 'All Along the Watchtower'.

There must be some kind of way outta here
Said the joker to the thief
There's too much confusion
I can't get no relief

Well said!

I've never been good at the name of a song and who sang it; if I hear it, I often know the tune and might know who sang it but rarely know the name of the song.

Sometimes they're even better. I felt like the Doors version of Gloria was far better than Van Morrison's

There were many covers of songs in the 80s that I listened to and later found out about the original.

Needless to say, I liked the cover better because that is what I was used to.

Then I hear recent covers of songs I heard in the 80s, but like the earlier version better.

Its all about what were used to.

But I'm of an unpopular opinion that even some of today's music is good!

-Steve

I don't claim to be the all-knowing guru of anything, so debate and differences of opinion are always welcome! From my experience, the emotional connection between listener and song is a powerful magnet. The originals of songs, even if not as good as a cover, carry a great deal of sway with the original audience.

Depends on the cover band, and what they're covering.

The Beatles played many cover songs that were easily the equal of the originals; so did The Animals & The Rolling Stones.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned these yet.

"I Heard it Through the Grapevine" by Marvin Gaye was much better than the original by Gladys Knight. These came out less than a year apart so "which one you heard first" doesn't apply.

"Blue Bayou" by Linda Ronstadt was better than the Roy Orbison original but not by much. I heard Roy's version when it was new.

I like this Manhattan Transfer's version of Boy From New York City better than the original https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2fN36wq-zc What do you think ?

Steve

+100!!!

When a cover band really makes a song their own, it can be better than the original. When they just try to recreate the emotions of the original, they are destined for ignominy.

The original version by Barrett Strong isn't bad either.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVneDykGjYM

Ray Peterson, came out in 1960. Frankly, this was the version I preferred.


"To Know Him is to Love Him", originally done by the Teddy Bears in 1958 was re-done by Dolly Parton, Linda Rondstadt, and Emmy Lou Harris some years later. Each version is excellent.

Ditto for "Mr. Sandman", done by the Chordettes in 1954 and also covered by Dolly and company years later. (I remember listening to the original with a Galena Crystal and Cats whisker rig, at night in bed).



Is this thread ever in my wheelhouse, eh eh. There were no less than two dozen versions of "Gloria". Of course the later releases, such as by Laura Branigan and Them were popular in main stream music, but the R&B versions were somethin' else again.

I think the 1953 version by the Cadillacs was the epitome, but in looking at my music files, it was also done by the Mills Brothers, Passions, Sultans, Chariots, Valiants, Vito and the Salutations, Earl Lewis and the Channels, the Four Gabriels, & the Five Thrills, to name a few.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYLAAGY ... =MANNYMORA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DO6lyzd ... sonSchmitt

I've this in a vinyl jukebox.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdQ5dNZVRSw

The cover by Eddie Holman I consider inferior, but it was far more popular with the public.

Heavy Metal music has a lot of remakes I like better than the originals. Probably not as popular as the originals. But something maybe more recognizable is remakes of some Blues and Soul classics by this pair of that teamed up for a couple of concert series.Joe Bonamassa and Beth Hart. Some of the best Blues guitar breaks I've heard in a while.
https://youtu.be/nW3OrLHj0lQ

How about "Black Magic Woman"? If I recall correctly, it was written and first performed by Fleetwood Mac. The Santana version is a cover and, in my opinion, a lot better.

Did Carlos Santana ever cut a bad wax, LOL?

Then we have "Blinded by the Light" - Manfred Mann's remake blows Bruce Springsteen's original away, as does Nirvana's cover of "The Man Who Sold the World", as much as I LOVE David Bowie... There are others, too...

F Y'all Info "revved up like a Deuce (a '32 Ford hotrod)..."


Carlos Santana never records a bad note, let alone releases a bad cover.
How about Joe Cocker?
First time hearing him, what the ...? He's not even trying to sound like a Beatle, wow!

And Linda Ronstad said this, she connects to her personal life with her music.

Although he did not write the song, Buck Owens was the first artist to record "Act Naturally" and also owned the publishing rights. When the Beatles recorded to song, featuring Ringo singing lead, Buck was thrilled as Act Naturally was issued as a single, with "Yesterday" on the other side.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5rpAqfd35Q

Covers are, imo, very often better than the originals.

Especially true if there is a great song that received so much airplay that I turn the channel, not because the song is bad, but because I know it forward and backwards, and am sick of it.

A good cover of the same song pumps new life into it, and is a breath of fresh air.

It also, in most cases, honors the original writer and performer.

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery.

Depends on what you call "better".
The 1st one you hear.... tends to become a sort-of "standard" which you become "prejudiced" by.

So perhaps if you heard the cover first... you may judge the original as "not better"
... but only because it doesn't match what your mind became used to.... and loved.

So... it's subjective

Like thin crust or thick thick crust pizza