Awful Cover Versions

[calculus]

Now that this cover versions thread (http://forums.macrumors.com/showthread.php?t=281774) is beginning to peter out, how about we consider those covers that were just truly awful?

Here are the ones that make me think "Thanks, but you really shouldn't have..."

Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You

Completely oversung hideous version of a lovely Dolly Parton song.

Linda Ronstadt - Alison

Why, oh why did she do this to Elvis?

Phil Collins - You Can't Hurry Love

Never did I expect to see the words 'soul classic' and 'Genesis drummer' in the same sentence.


Over to you. Who would you charge with crimes against music?

[Jaffa Cake]

In my mind, Fairytale of New York by the Pogues and Kirsty McCall is the finest Christmas song of all time. However, what quite possessed Ronan Keating to warble his way through it I can't imagine – especially as he changed the lyrics to avoid the possibility of causing offence.

And then there's Light My Fire by Will Young...

[netdog]

Everybody who tried to cover Hendrix's Little Wing. How could anybody possibly try to touch what Jimi did with his guitar in that masterpiece.

Those who tried and failed include such greats (and less than greats) as Henry "Hank" Marrion, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Gov't Mule, Sting, The Corrs (with The Chieftains), Pearl Jam, Metallica, Gil Evans, Kingston Wall, Pantera, Concrete Blonde, Steve Vai, Skid Row, Monte Montgomery, John Mayer, and Clapton/Derek and the Dominos.

The best one could possibly hope for would be close but no cigar.

[PreacherKane]

Ronan Keating's version of Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls.
Not really bad, just not needed. :p

Support Your Local Musician on MacRumors.com:apple: :D

[bartelby]

This'll ruffle some feathers:

Hurt - Johnny Cash!

[Mr Skills]

This'll ruffle some feathers:

Hurt - Johnny Cash!

Yeah. Why coudn't NIN leave it alone? :p

[mkrishnan]

Yeah. Why coudn't NIN leave it alone? :p

:D I thought it was cute, too.

Christmas is all around you, come on and let it snooooow! :)

[Queso]

Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You

Completely oversung hideous version of a lovely Dolly Parton song.
You're too kind to Whitney, I wouldn't even thank her for it. Dolly Parton's version is full of fragility and hurt, a really moving song emotionally. Houston turns it into a vocal exercise.

[Kernow]

In my mind, Fairytale of New York by the Pogues and Kirsty McCall is the finest Christmas song of all time. However, what quite possessed Ronan Keating to warble his way through it I can't imagine – especially as he changed the lyrics to avoid the possibility of causing offence.

Good god, I had no idea that this existed - I don't even need to hear it to know it'll sound bad :D

More bad cover versions:

tatu - How Soon is Now? (originally by The Smiths)
Duran Duran - 911 is a Joke (originally by Public Enemy)
Britney Spears - I Can't Get No Satisfaction (originally by The Rolling Stones)

Bad cover versions can be great - especially when the artist completely misses the point of the original song.

[bartelby]

Duran Duran - 911 is a Joke (originally by Public Enemy)

:eek:

I really need to hear that!!

[mkrishnan]

:eek:

I really need to hear that!!

I don't even know how to begin imagining what that would be like. Is it on iTunes?

[bartelby]

I don't even know how to begin imagining what that would be like. Is it on iTunes?

Nope...:(

[zephead]

Hmm... I only had one "good cover version" in the other thread (The Boys of Summer by The Ataris), but I have a few more "bad cover versions".

Twist and Shout - Isley Brothers, originally The Beatles
Baby I Need Your Lovin' - Johnny Rivers, originally The Four Tops
...pretty much any songs covered by Johnny Rivers (but his original stuff is ok)
Led Zeppelin cover bands... *shudders*

[bartelby]

Twist and Shout - Isley Brothers, originally The Beatles


It was originally the Topnotes and the Beatles covered it...

[Kernow]

I don't even know how to begin imagining what that would be like. Is it on iTunes?

It is (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=16599197&s=143444&i=16598934) in the UK :)

[bartelby]

It is (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=16599197&s=143444&i=16598934) in the UK :)

Aah! iTunes had switched to the US store... again...

But back to the point!

OMFG!!!
That's hilariously awful!!!

[CEAbiscuit]

Jessica Simpson: These boots are made for Walkin'

[calculus]

This'll ruffle some feathers:

Hurt - Johnny Cash!

Consider my feathers well and truly ruffled.

You're too kind to Whitney, I wouldn't even thank her for it. Dolly Parton's version is full of fragility and hurt, a really moving song emotionally. Houston turns it into a vocal exercise.

That's an excellent description of the differences between the two versions.


Duran Duran - 911 is a Joke (originally by Public Enemy)


From the bits of it that I've heard I think it's fair to say that the 'Thank You' album deserves an award all of it's own.


Twist and Shout - Isley Brothers, originally The Beatles


Isley Brothers did it before The Beatles

[mkrishnan]

It is (http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewAlbum?playlistId=16599197&s=143444&i=16598934) in the UK :)

I feel white just listening to that song! :o Oh my, that's bad. Bad bad bad.

[artalliance]

...but this time around with the "Proven to suck" guarantee. :rolleyes:

Better Than Ezra's LAID (cover of the fabulous James song).
Goo Goo Dolls' GIVE A LITTLE BIT (Supertramp).

[mkrishnan]

Better Than Ezra's LAID (cover of the fabulous James song).

When sung by James, 'twas such a great. :(

[artalliance]

When sung by James, 'twas such a great. :(

Yes, it was! ;)

[Raid]

Everybody who tried to cover Hendrix's Little Wing. How could anybody possibly try to touch what Jimi did with his guitar in that masterpiece. Ouch, I thought Stevie Ray Vaughan's version was really good. :o

The cover that now draws my ire when I hear it on the radio (you know that 'other' music playing device when you've forgotten your iPod) is Mary J. and her cover of 'One'. It just lacks the sincerity of the original IMHO, and I can't believe Bono actually backs her up in the song. :mad:

[zephead]

It was originally the Topnotes and the Beatles covered it...

Isley Brothers did it before The Beatles

Ahh, my mistake then :o. I should've posted it in the "Covers better than the original" thread, huh?

[MacNut]

Limp Bizkit's cover of The Who's "Behind Blue Eyes".

[Kernow]

Just thought of another topical one - I know it is for charity, but it is still dire:

Walk This Way - Girls Aloud & The Sugababes (originally by Aerosmith & Run DMC)

[bartelby]

Just thought of another topical one - I know it is for charity, but it is still dire:

Walk This Way - Girls Aloud & The Sugababes (originally by Aerosmith & Run DMC)

Which reminds me of:

Under the Bridge - All Saints (I think) (originally Red Hot Chilli Peppers)

[siurpeeman]

ub40 - "can't help falling" in love made popular by elvis presley. i can't stand the ub40 version, but i love the bono rendition.

[rkriheli]

atrocious PRINCE covers:
- ginuwine: "when doves cry":cool:
- mariah carey: "the beautiful ones":(
- tom jones: "kiss" (um, i like tom jones - but this was just horrific):confused:
- jordan knight: "i could never take the place of your man" (UGH - why??):eek:

and off the top of my head
- paulina rubio: "i was made for loving you" (kiss cover):confused: