There have been thousands if not millions of cover versions over the decades. Many have been made to make a quick buck or simply because the artist has run out of ideas or both.
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
11. Message to You Rudy – The Specials 1979. (Orig Dandy Livingstone – 1967). A faithful version from this legendary band from Coventry that became a huge hit at the height of punk in the UK.
12. Four Strong Winds – Neil Young 1978. (Orig Ian and Sylvia – 1963). Considered a Canadian folk classic, this version brings back a ton of teenage ‘angst’ memories growing up is WA.
13. River of Tears – The Drones 2007. (Orig Kev Carmody – 1991) Part of the Cannot Buy My Soul tribute to Kev Carmody, this is taken from the actual concert and highlights why Gareth Liddiard and his various incarnations whether it’s The Drones, Tropical F..k Storm or solo, make him so powerful live.
14. Sweet Jane – The Cowboy Junkies 1988. (Orig The Velvet Undergound – 1970) Lou Reed rates this version as his favourite. I’ll leave it there. 🙂
15. Take me to the River – Talking Heads 1977. (Orig Al Green – 1974) Exciting news this week that Talking Heads are reforming for a world tour which includes Australia in 2025.
16. Carry Home – Mark Lanegan 1999. (Orig Gun Club – 1982) I’m still mourning the loss of Mark Lanegan so there will be a couple of his songs in this list. He was literally a voice for hire and sang some incredible versions of songs that perhaps weren’t well known.
17. Delilah – Norman Gunston 1978. (Orig Tom Jones – 1967) There will only ever be one Norman and my sister Pam still has the record of covers that this was taken from. Who will ever forget Fernando or his original, I Might Be a Punk but I Love Ya Baby…Truly I Do. Love you Norman and thank you for making sense of Australian politics and culture.
18. Helpless – Patti Smith 2007. (Orig Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young – 1970) Plenty of gorgeous covers on this album Twelve, but this stands out as it’s one of my all time favourite tracks from Neil Young.
19. Victoria – The Fall 1988. (Orig The Kinks – 1969) The Fall produced some eclectic and at times very inspired music in the eighties. Ray Davies may as well have written this for Mark E Smith.
20. Boots of Spanish Leather – Rebecca Barnard 2006. (Orig Bob Dylan – 1964) For the most definitive Australian versions of Bob’s songs, go to The Footy Alamac’s own Karl Dubrav’s lists at this link https://www.footyalmanac.com.au/author/moondance/
He’s got this one in there (damn it :)) but I love it anyway. Rebecca is a legend in Melbourne along with her husband Shane O’Mara and sang this at both Bob’s 50th and 80th tribute birthday concerts. I only recently discovered Bob wrote this for his first love Suze Rotolo.
