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Covers that are BETTER than the original

14 October 2012
4.43pm

Into the Sky with Diamonds

New York

Rishikesh

Forum Posts: 939

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10 August 2011

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There obviously aren't going to be many; most covers are at best as good as the original.

I'm going to throw "I Call Your Name" into the ring.

It's a perfectly OK song as produced by the Beatles, but it really comes to life with the Mamas and the Papas.

As noted on one of the other "cover" threads, I might be tempted to also include Joe Cocker's version of "I'll Cry Instead" with that great descending bass lick on the acoustic bass.

Maybe even Judy Collins's "In My Life." That's the only Beatle song where I don't think the voices work to good effect; they're too strong. The song calls for a single serene voice IMO.

[on the other hand, the keyboard solo in the middle of the Beatle version is fantastic]

"Into the Sky with Diamonds" (the Beatles and the Race to the Moon – a history)

14 October 2012
6.48pm

IMDeWalrus

Terrace BC Canada

Decca

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26 July 2011

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I can't really think of any cover versions of Beatles songs that I prefer to the originals… although one very good one was the first one I ever heard -- in fact I heard it before I'd ever heard of The Beatles: Del Shannon's version of "From Me to You". There are a few others that stand out too: Aerosmith did a decent job with "Come Together"… Sarah McLachlan's "Blackbird"… and of course there's Joe Cocker's terrific rendition of "With a Little Help from my Friends". Even Anne Murray, believe it or not, did a pretty good cover of "You Won't See Me". But to my ears anyway, none of them surpass The Beatles' versions.

However, if we ask the opposite question -- how many songs did The Beatles cover that you think were better than the original? -- I'd say "several" -- most of their covers were very convincing, and became THE versions, as far as I was concerned -- especially "Twist & Shout", "Please Mr Postman", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Long Tall Sally", "Words of Love" & "Rock & Roll Music".

I've got nothing to say, but it's okay.. GOOD MORNING! GOOD MORNING!! GOOD MORNING!!!

14 October 2012
11.03pm

Into the Sky with Diamonds

New York

Rishikesh

Forum Posts: 939

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10 August 2011

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IMDeWalrus said,"if we ask the opposite question — how many songs did The Beatles cover that you think were better than the original? — I'd say "several" — most of their covers were very convincing, and became THE versions, as far as I was concerned — especially "Twist & Shout", "Please Mr Postman", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Long Tall Sally", "Words of Love" & "Rock & Roll Music". "

Yup, I agree.

"Into the Sky with Diamonds" (the Beatles and the Race to the Moon – a history)

14 October 2012
11.22pm

Duke_of_Kirkaldy

St. Paul, Minnesota, USA

The Star-Club

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25 August 2012

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Into the Sky with Diamonds said
IMDeWalrus said,"if we ask the opposite question — how many songs did The Beatles cover that you think were better than the original? — I'd say "several" — most of their covers were very convincing, and became THE versions, as far as I was concerned — especially "Twist & Shout", "Please Mr Postman", "Roll Over Beethoven", "Long Tall Sally", "Words of Love" & "Rock & Roll Music". "

Yup, I agree.

I dunno, for me this area gets a bit tricky when one starts saying they outdid fellow legends like Chuck Berry and Little Richard (who were both particularly major influences on them). Having heard the originals of all the songs they covered, I'd say they, at the very least, matched the originals… and surpassed them on "Twist and Shout," "Boys," and the 3 Larry Williams songs.

18 October 2012
4.27pm

Zig

The Toppermost of the Poppermost

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14 April 2010

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Each cover can be debated individually in regard to who did it better. What impresses me most about The Beatles covering songs from other artists is the fact that they respected the integity of the original. A shining example of this is "Words Of Love". When you listen to Buddy's original and The Beatles cover back-to-back, the similarities are striking right down to the voice inflections.

It is no wonder to me that they were so popular in Hamburg, The Cavern and dance halls all across England. They obviously took great pride in learning the songs that were being requested.

To the fountain of perpetual mirth, Let it roll for all its worth.

21 October 2012
11.01am

sinco

The Jacaranda

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19 September 2012

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I really like Stevie Wonder's version of "We Can Work it Out", great harmonica solo. (Although I still prefer the Beatles version)

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