BY MIKEY MIGO
In Hollywood these days it's the easy way out to do a remake of an older hit movie. It normally sells a lot of tickets at the box office, but it's a double sided sword. The movie critics and (self-described/absorbed) cerebral fans bitch and complain their collective asses off that production companies are spewing out too many remakes. I'd put myself in the same self-described/absorbed cerebral fan category, but there's a bit of hypocrisy here.
I think it's safe to say that most, if not a good amount of these fans and critics who whine about Hollywood remakes don't say much of anything about a musician remaking someone else's music. The same reasons one could complain about Hollywood and movies, we could (should?) be complaining about the music world.
Yet for some reason, a cover song is more acceptable than a movie remake. Both put their own twists on the original art (not counting the "Psycho" remake or Marilyn Manson's "Personal Jesus") and both are considered as paying homage to the original artist.
What's the difference? Is it that a standard song might be four minutes and the standard movie is anywhere between an hour and a half to two hours? Not just the physical duration of it, but also the time that goes into producing it? Is it the "who" factor of who is actually doing the remaking and who the original artist was? Is there be a difference if say a Nelly covered The Beatles or if the Wu Tang Clan covered them (and they recently did!)? What if K-Fed covered The Rolling Stones or if The White Stripes covered them? Why is there barely any rap/hip hop covers by rap/hip hop artists?
What's really the difference? How can ANYONE justify their response as the "be all-end all" fact on the situation? You can't.
EVEN BETTER THAN THE REAL THING.
"Cover songs that are better than the original"
The subtitle says it all; I've looked hard and deep for cover songs that actually eclipse the original in awesomeness. Here are my picks for the top cover songs that, for the moment, I enjoy more than the originals. I didn't take the time or excruciating effort to label these with numbers of status. I just think these are the top covers of all time. A few might not be on the general census' list, but that's the fun of making lists. Make your own if you feel that angered by my list.
But really, wouldn't you list just be a cover of mine? Hmmmm...
Song: "Bring The Pain"
Covered/Improved by: Mindless Self Indulgence
Originated by: Method Man
This might be blasphemous to many people. I start off Mindles Self Indulgence on a list that features The Beatles Hendrix, Bowie and other music legends. You know though, silly enough, the first time I heard Mindless Self Indulgence's cover of "Bring The Pain" was life changing in many ways. It pretty much opened my eyes to music that was outside of the box. I've always been open minded, but prior to that night wouldn't have expected MSI to be one of my top five favorite bands of all time. Anyways, the cover. The cover is perfect if you get it. If you don't, then you'll get a weird look on your face and think those that do get it are crazy. I've always been a Method Man fan, but Jimmy Urine stole this song from him as if it were the last loaf of marble rye. Pretty much all that's the same is the lyrics. The music, structure, and energy are completely different. The MSI version is like playing the Method Man version on fast forward while kicking him in the balls randomly. If he didn't put out that last album(which rocked), then I'd say he would deserve it.
Song: "Respect"
Covered/Improved by: Aretha Franklin
Originated by: Otis Redding
This a classic song that everyone knows. If you don't know at least the "R-E-S-P-E-C-T" part then you're probably not worthy of owning ears. The thing about this one is that like a few others on this list, I didn't even know it was a cover song. Those are the cover tracks that are the cream of the crop. This one is no different. I've heard the Otis Redding version and it almost takes this song off the list. Here's the thing, you can replicate great songs, but you can not replicate the passion and emotion that Miss Aretha Franklin puts into this song. Even the manliest of men can't sing a long to this song without getting a little sassy with it.
Song: "With a Little Help from My Friends"
Covered/Improved by: Joe Cocker
Originated by: The Beatles
Blame the television show "Wonder Years" on this one. As a kid, that TV show would be on my must watch list so the opening theme song would obviously stick with someone. As I got into my tween years I discovered this thing called "Woodstock" and was immediately enthralled by its magic and legacy. One of those magical moments from that little festival was Joe Cocker's "With a Little Help from My Friends". The emotion that man pulled from himself sticks in my head as if I were there. It being about 15 years older than I am makes what I said even more remarkable. Then lets pile up the memories and add the Saturday Night Live stuff. With Belushi on stage mimicking Cocker's movements and singing a perfect cover of this cover was superb. I just rambled and didn't even mention the creators of the song, The Beatles. Maybe it's just due to my own personal experiences, memories, and taste but I really only consider them the writers of this song. Cocker owns it.
Song: "Black Betty"
Covered/Improved by: Ram Jam
Originated by: James "Iron Head" Baker
I had no idea that this song was originally recorded in 1933. What even boggled my mind even more was that this was an African American work song. When you put two and two together as I never really did, I can understand why the Congress of Racial Equality and the NAACP both boycotted the song. My BIGGEST pet peeve is racism and I will argue and fight my thoughts on equality to my death if warranted. Before I did my research on this, I thought it was just a catchy tune from the 70's that's been on many soundtracks that I've grown up to love. The credibility and love for this track went out the window and I probably shouldn't have included it on my list. But I learned something and think as many people should know about this nonsense as possible.
Then just when I'm ready to sum up my mini-review on the song, I find out that this whole racial theory is FAR from the truth. Apparently "Black Betty" is a term for a gun, or a bottle of booze, or a prostitute, or a slew of other possibilities. So, if that is the true meaning behind it then I guess I can continue to enjoy it.
*deep breath*
Sometimes I learn a lot while writing these things.
Song: "China Girl"
Covered/Improved by: David Bowie
Originated by: Iggy Pop
Iggy Pop is one weird dude. David Bowie is one even weirder dude. To me Bowie owns this song purely because it's more widespread. I've heard it and become way more accustomed to it. They're fairly similar and Pop's original version is just as good, but it's more of a first (and thousand more to follow) impression effect that sorta wins this one for Bowie. If I had heard Iggy's version the same time as Bowie's then it would probably be on more of an even playing ground.
Song: "Dazed and Confused"
Covered/Improved by: Led Zeppelin
Originated by: Jake Holmes
This is a weird one. Jake Holmes debuted "Dazed and Confused" in 1967. The then Yardbird, Jimmy Page saw him perform it in Greenwich Village. Page then would go on to rework the song and later release it on Led Zeppelin's debut release. That's all fine and dandy, but Page credited himself as the sole songwriter without giving Holmes any credit at all. That's some shady business there if you ask me. Holmes being classy (and obviously not all there) chose NOT TO SUE and instead wrote Page a letter about the situation. Jimmy Page didn't even have the balls to reply. The research involved with this column is really messing with my head and thoughts on certain songs, bands, and musicians.
Song: "All Along the Watch Tower"
Covered/Improved by: Jimi Hendrix
Originated by: Bob Dylan
It's odd to think that this song is a cover song. What's even odder is the fact that Hendrix covered a Dylan song that was released the same year as the original. In 1968, Hendrix heard Dylan's song and went on to play it in homage to Dylan. What would happen would result in one of the most well known Hendrix songs. What's weird is that it's not even a real Hendrix track. It's in a billion movies and TV shows, it's played a billion times on the radio, and its known world over. It's not that Dylan's version isn't good, in fact it's very good, but it just didn't have that extra something that Jimi provided it. It's not only arguably one of best cover songs of all time, but one of the best overall songs of all time. If you don't agree with that then find a bridge and utilize it as you see fit. Interesting enough, Hendrix's hit "Hey Joe" is also a cover! It's originally by a band called "The Leaves". It just screws with me to think of either of those two songs as anyone's but Hendrix's.
I know MANY people will say Cash's cover of "Hurt" should be on my list, but I'm a die hard Nine Inch Nails fan and I will always hear Reznor's voice in my head when I think about this song. That's not disrespect towards Cash, but rather just what my brain triggers when the song is brought up.
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