Songs that became better known 2nd time around

[rich p]

or even 3rd.

I've just been listening to The Tide is High by The Paragons on an old reggae compilation. Really good but made more famous by Blondie.

In the same vein, I preferred the original Living in the Love of the Common People by Nicky Thomas to Paul Young's version.

Any others you can recall especially where the lesser known original was better?

 

[upsidedown]

Every single UB40 cover was better by the original, they really lost the plot after Present Arms.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

The one I really like is the 60s song 'I Faught the Law' by The Bobby Fuller Four - much better than the well known version by The Clash.

Another is 'A Good Year for the Roses' - fancy Elvis Costello taking on a George Jones classic.

'Four Strong Winds' murdered by Neil Young sounds much better with the fine voice of it's writer, Ian Tyson, singing it.

The reverse is true of Willie Nelson who has a really thin and weedy voice so all the original versions of his songs sound pretty rubbish IMO - but he is a terrific songwriter. Crazy, Hello Walls, Georgia on my Mind, Always on my Mind, Funny How Time Slips Away, etc...

 

[Norm]

Try this for size.

IMO, neither better nor worse than the original, but it takes a hugely hormonal, energetic and masculine track, a signature song for a generation's male rage, and it brings something quite incredibly different out of it.

It's easy to over-analyse music but, for me, that version gives the original version even more meaning and power.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Try this for size.

For the sake of those of us that are forbidden youtube at work can you let us know what it is please Norm?

 

[Norm]

I was trying not to, as there is some impact in the surprise, the Ah-Ha moment at which you say to yourself "Well, blow me, THAT'S different!".

It's Tori Amos's version of Smells Like Teen Spirit.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

sorry...

 

[swee'pea99]

or even 3rd.

I've just been listening to The Tide is High by The Paragons on an old reggae compilation. Really good but made more famous by Blondie.

In the same vein, I preferred the original Living in the Love of the Common People by Nicky Thomas to Paul Young's version.

Any others you can recall especially where the lesser known original was better?

Paul Young also did a cover of Tom Waits's Soldier's Things...why anyone would attempt to cover Tom Waits is beyond me.

By contrast, June Tabor's version of Elvis Costello's Useless Beauty is even better than the original.

 

[Theseus]

Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinéad O'Connor

The original version by The Family was not released as a single.

 

[Bman]

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah?

 

[Norm]

sorry...

No need.

If I had thought about it, I would have realised that the words "Tori Amos - Smells like teen spirit (Live)" across the top of the YouTube page might also have been a give-away.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

If I had thought about it, I would have realised that the words "Tori Amos - Smells like teen spirit (Live)" across the top of the YouTube page might also have been a give-away.

Big Brother doesn't even tell you that much!

 

[dellzeqq]

All Along the Watchtower and Hey Joe.

 

[rich p]

I have the feeling that the original writer should be allowed a bit of slack to record his own song even if it's rubbish.
Boz Scaggs sang some of his own songs fairly badly IIRC.

 

[rh100]

I was trying not to, as there is some impact in the surprise, the A-Ha moment at which you say to yourself "Well, blow me, THAT'S different!".

It's Tori Amos's version of Smells Like Teen Spirit.

That would of been if she'd sang Take On Me (sorry....)

I'm a fan of Tori so will have a listen to that one - she's done some good covers. A Case Of You is good (original by Joni Mitchell??)

Also - Mad World by Gary Jules - different take on the 80's version.