Covers That Outdo the Original

Two of the biggest influences on me and my world view have been The Clash and Stiff Little Fingers, both noted for the quality of their cover versions.

I am very much a frustrated musician - have all sorts of tunes flying around in my head, unfortunately that's where they'll stay.
But a couple of years ago I thought I'd try to learn the Ukulele - how hard could it be? - but as usual Fat Fingers Freeborn failed miserably.....but I did come across this amazingly talented guy and amongst his repertoire are a couple of SLF covers!

a reply to: Freeborn

SLF! That dude is awesome

Speaking of, Stiff Little Fingers did some great covers themselves.

First up - their cover of Waylon Jennings "Love of the Common People" (which by happenstance was almost simultaneously covered by Paul Young who scored a massive UK hit)




Next, the Wailing Souls' classic "Mr. Fire Coal Man" done with punk attitude -

a reply to: underpass61

I was talking to a mate of mine last week in the pub about SLF's cover versions and their take on Love of The Common People - someone had put Paul Young's version on the juke box.
Although he is an SLF fan I think he'd somehow completely missed the whole Now Then album.

A couple of other SLF covers;









(Any excuse to post a clip from The Specials live on Rock Goes to College, its an outstanding video......you should check it out, it captures a moment in time perfectly.)

Two interpretations of Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode:

Judas Priest - Johnny B. Goode:



Peter Tosh - Johnny B. Goode:



Perhaps "better" (than the original) is a matter of opinion, but I enjoy them both very much.

I can think of a couple more that are rap/hip-hop influenced, but they are a little too adult for ATS.

The Clash - I fought the law.



The Crickets (1960) - I fought the law:

And now for something completely different.

Clout - Substitute:

In 1962, a band called Ronnie Cook and The Gaylads recorded a stupid novelty song called "Goo Goo Muck".


The Cramps made it cool, twenty years later:


This cover defies description:



Probably my favorite tune covered by the Cramps, "Rockin' Bones".

Elroy Dietzel, 1957:




The Cramps, 1980

Creedence's cover of "Suzie Q" is great. The long outro, beginning at about 6:50 is great. Very eerie and psychedelic. At around 7:30, some spooky dissonant guitar chords come in.


.

a reply to: Freeborn

I need to listen to The Fall some more. I had a buddy that was a huge fan. They have an instrumental tune that I have to find. It's great. Kind of ominous sounding. I have no idea what album it was on.

Pet Shop Boys - Always on my mind.

A bit more Clash

a reply to: CaptainHalf

Here's the Sex Pistols doing a twofer with Johhny B Goode and the Modern Lovers' Roadrunner -

And more Clash....

Something a bit different.....



And the original.....

a reply to: ColeYounger2

Its from The Frenz Experiment released in 1988. Probably some of The Fall's more commercial sounding material.
Mark E Smith was an absolute legend, he did things his own way. People tend to either love him or hate him.

Great Sabbath cover: