Cover songs that improve on the originals

[allan]

"The original Knockin on Heaven's Door was Dylan, right? Comapred with GNR's version, I found Dylan's to be short, boring, unemotional and uneventful."

UNEMOTIONAL?!? The lyrics of the song suggest a man who is dying, and perhaps regretful of some things he has done. I think Dylan's rendition captured that sort of emotion. Dylan and the Dead's live version was even better.... GnR didn't capture that mood at all, IMHO.

"As for Live and Let Die, I suppose it is a matter of whether you prefer hard rock (GNR) or softer rock (McCartney)"

I like some harder rock (old Black Sabbath, Deep Purple, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, Creed), but I generally don't care for Guns n' Roses--although "Sweet Child o' Mine" and "November Rain" are good tunes in my book. Axl Rose is an arrogant prick, and they overrate themselves generally.

I guess I also like the McCartney original (although McCartney isn't one of my favorite artists, I rank John and George well ahead of him as far as favorite former Beatles, and sometimes Ringo too --his All Star band live shows are excellent), because I associate it with one of the better Bond flicks....

 

[allan]

Santana's cover of the Zombies' "She's Not There".

 

[Simon Darkshade]

The Doors cover of "Alabama Song" isn't too bad, nor is the Louis Armstrong version of "The Ballad of Mack the Knife"