There have been thousands if not millions of cover versions over the decades. Many have been made to make a quick buck or perhaps because the artist has run out of ideas, or both.
Personally I’m generally not a fan, but I thought I’d share some of my favourites that have been produced faithfully and respectful the original artist in mind.
I’ve only listed songs that I felt are at least the equal if not better than the original.
- Police and Thieves – The Clash 1977. (Orig – Junior Murvin 1976) Included on The Clash’s first album and would be the first of many reggae inspired songs they would record.
2. Which Will – Lucinda Williams 1992. (Orig – Nick Drake 1972) A beautiful song from Lucinda’s fourth album, Sweet Old World originally recorded on Drake’s seminal Pink Moon.
3. Me and Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin 1971. (Orig – Kris Kristofferson 1970) An absolute classic from one of music’s finest voices.
4. Eight Miles High – Husker Du 1984. (Orig – The Byrds 1966) A wailing tribute from one of punk’s most influential bands.
5. Don’t Want To Know If You Are Lonely – The Hollowmen 1989. (Orig – Husker Du 1986) Billy Baxter’s band had a cult following in Melbourne during the eighties and made a few excellent albums including So Long which this cover version is taken from.
6. 25-41 – Robert Forster 1995. (Orig – Grant Hart 1989). The ex-Go Between has had a long and successful career and I was rapt that he covered this from my ‘Desert Island Disc’, Intolerance.
7. Thankyou (Falettinme Me Be Mice Elf Agin) – Magazine 1980. (Orig – Sly and The Family Stone 1969) Driven by the thumping bass of Barry Adamson, this is taken from the classic album, The Correct Use of Soap.
8. Nothing Compares To You – Sinead O’Conner 1990. (Orig – Prince 1985) The more you dig deep into Sinead’s catalogue, the more you understand how gifted she was.
9. Nebraska – Ponyface 2008. (Orig – Bruce Springsteen 1982) I’m unsure where this terrific band has gone. They covered Bruce’s entire album and were superb live.
10. And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda – The Pogues 1985. (Orig Eric Bogle – 1971) Arguably the greatest anti-war song ever written was given that extra ‘oomph’ by the gravelly tones of Shane McGowan.
