The Best/Worst Song Covers Thread

[D'Snowth]

I wasn't aware until recently that "You're No Good" by Linda Ronstadt was actually a cover... so, I have to say, after hearing the original for the first time, I have to go with Ronstadt's version, no question.

 

[Sgt Floyd]

I prefer Bowling for Soup's cover of Stacy's Mom over the original by Fountains of Wayne.

Also Really anything on Zebrahead's Panty Raid album (they do covers of songs sung by women and hit the ball waaaay out of the park for something i'm assuming isnt meant to be taken seriously)

 

[Drtooth]

This really bugs me. There's a movement in advertising to take downbeat, slower, depressing or eerie versions of more upbeat tunes and use them as mood music for perfumes and movie trailers. Now, I wouldn't say any one of them is awful (they're not that good, though), but en masse as a movement, it's downright obnoxious. Especially since they're all moaned out by the same sounding female vocalists that sound like they've recorded these after getting an unexpected wrong number phonecall at 3 AM. Think that cover of "My Humps" with all the satire and irony drained out.

Examples? The oh so romantic sounding "Addicted to Love" for some sort of fragrance. Calvin Kline maybe? Something that's faux-artistic and pretentious, but the really bad kind of pretentious that doesn't even know how to do pretentious right. Then there's one for a Liam Neeson film that uses a slowed down, moany version of "One way or Another." OH! I get it! Because if it sounds ominous, the lyrics can be reinterpreted as serial killer-y! AH! I wouldn't have got the heavy handed, obvious imagery of the film had the lame music not pointed it out. I swear there's like one or two more. There's the really bad "Crazy in Love" they used for the commercials for the trailers for "Twilight with the names swapped out and NOT researched bondage thrown in." I'd say that started off the trend, but the minor key variant of "Once Upon a Dream" from Maleficent kinda did. It just wasn't surrounded by poor imitations.

Also of note, there's this commercial for a video game that uses "Ready or not, Here I Come, You Can't Hide" (or whatever it's called, it goes like that), slowed down, but sung by a choir of little British boys. And I got to admit, it's a nice touch, the original song sucked anyway, but it's very freaking Squicky considering a choir of young boys is singing it. Like Michael Bluth and Maebe singing "Afternoon Delight," but with very unfortunate implications that they're a CHOIR of YOUNG BOYS.

 

[mr3urious]

Think that cover of "My Humps" with all the satire and irony drained out.

Ah yes, Alanis Morrisette's cover of the Black Eyed Peas song. Now that's another cover I like a lot better, mainly because it better delivers the tongue-in-cheek misogyny the original was trying to convey through Alanis' wailing singing voice.

 

[Drtooth]

Now imagine that without the humor, satire, or even talent.

UGH. I'm so sick of hearing these versions of songs in commercials in a lame attempt to be artistic.

 

[Drtooth]

I have to make a huge correction here. It wasn't "One way or Another" that was used in that trailer for Liam Neeson's latest self knockoff of Taken, it was "Welcome to the Jungle." Which actually makes it worse, as the context of the song is stripped away, and even worse, it's emo music ruining hard rock.

Also noticed that Fox is using the same lame tactic marketing Gotham, this time with "Shout." Not "You make me wanna Shout," but rather the 1980's pop hit. Still sounds awful. And I do actually like Gotham so that puts me in a weird position.

 

[D'Snowth]

I almost cried from laughter listening to this:

Clearly, Jack Klugman can't really carry a tune, but at the same time, to hear Oscar singing about Felix's vanity (and Felix bragging about how he can wear the color apricot) is hilarious.

 

[charlietheowl]

Dusting off this thread to showcase one of the worst covers ever, Grand Funk Railroad (a band that I like, mind you) with their version of "Gimme Shelter" by The Rolling Stones.

Why? Why would you cover a song that is perfect in its original form, so neatly tied up with the original band? Everything comes together in the Rolling Stones' version for one of the most foreboding, ominous songs of all time, and this sounds like they just had time to kill in the studio.

 

[Oscarfan]

I recently played Rob Gee's cover of Billy Joel's "You May Be Right" on my radio show and ugh, it was horrid.

 

[AquaGGR]

Eugh, I just heard Scott Stapp (the guy from Creed who does the nose-yodel thing)'s performance of the national anthem and...ooh boy.

I cringed so hard.