Cover Songs as Good as the Originals
Often artists revisit songs that have already been recorded by others. They have their own reasons for doing so. Sometimes these Covers become as famous as the Originals, if not better. So this time, I’m reaching into my music vault to play some Cover Songs which sound as good as the Originals.
Thapson
In keeping with my practice, this music is relatively older as I’m “killing two birds with one stone:” Giving my homage to some older classic hits and, additionally, checking their two versions. As we enjoy the music, you can decide for yourself which of the versions you like. I’m sure it will be tough indeed. So here we go.
“Have You Seen Her” – The Chi-lites (1971)
The Chi-lites, an R&B group, have been around with us since the early 60s and had many big hits. While the group lives on, and has been recognized for their work, hardly any of the original members are alive today. One of their monster hits was this one. Some versions don’t include the dialogue portion. It had reached No.1 on the US Billboard R&B Chart when released in 1971.
YouTube.com / James James
“Have You Seen Her” (1990) – MC Hammer
When you have such a fine song, it wasn’t surprising someone would cover it. And, in 1990, MC Hammer did an impressive job, including it among some other, on his “Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt ‘em” album. How good was he? You decide.
YouTube.com / MAYRHYTHM DJ
“Zing Went The Strings of My Heart” (1972) – The Trammps
The first big hit for the disco band: “The Trammps.” Don’t worry about the video not matching with the music, just go with the groove. Listening to the song, you know this band’s niche is. Formed in 1972, they reached their peak when their song, “Disco Inferno” was used in the movie Saturday Night Fever. Another group that’s still around, although most original members aren’t around any longer.
YouTube / TopPop
“Zing Went The Strings of My Heart” (1958) – The Coasters
If you know your music, you’ll definitely say, “hmmm, where’ve heard this before?” And you wouldn’t be wrong because it was originally released by The Coasters way back in 1958. Good music never dies or fades because these songs sound just as good today as they did in ’58 or ’72. Only the fashions change which, in the case of 1972, is good thing in my personal opinion. The Coasters’ other hits I love include Yakety Yak, Charlie Brown, Poison Ivy, Cool Jerk, to name a few.
YouTube.com / MANNY MORA
“Alone Again Or” (1967) – Love
The British “Rock Invasion” had a big influence on the US music scene as American bands became experimental. One of them was the Southern Californian quintet “Love.” Their song and music’s eclectic style reflected this change. Actually, I only noticed this song when I heard the cover version much later. Although I had heard of the band though.
YouTube.com / Love – Topic
“Alone Again Or” (1987) – The Damned
A British touch to the old classic. Wonderful update to Love’s version. This cover version was released by “The Damned” twenty years later in 1987. Funny thing is this band was actually a punk band that later dabbled in Goth Style. But I think they did a great job on this cover and, as I said, helped me re-discover “Love,” the band.
YouTube.com / Phantasmagoria 138
“Pictures of Matchstick Men” (1968) – Status Quo
Status Quo had a big hit with this psychedelic hit. Since I never understood the meaning of this song, I feel it’s interpretive and you can give your own twist to what the meaning is. I guess that’s art for you. In any case, I think it’s a great song/tune.
YouTube.com / Marcel Bravenboer
“Pictures of Matchstick Men” (1986) – Camper Van Beethoven
This time things are switched around as the cover is done by an American band, “Camper Van Beethoven” in 1986. In the eighties, the artists of the 60s came back, a little more mature, to give their last hurrah. Concurrently bands from the 80s were also into that innovative phase and involved giving a nod to the big hits of the past. Camper Van Beethoven is a perfect example of this and I think did an interesting cover of “Matchstick Men” here.
YouTube / CamperVanBethovVEVO
“Cry” (1997) – The Philosopher Kings
This was the song that triggered my re-appreciation of music from my generation. Listening to the song, I felt it was a good interpretation, but also realized that the style was definitely different and reflective of a new generation of music lovers. Listen to this Canadian band do their cover of this originally British hit from 12 years earlier. I still have mixed feelings when I listen to it.
YouTube / The Festival Circuit
“Cry” (1985) – Godley and Creme
And now, the original Godley and Crème version. While the cover version is okay, for me it didn’t seem to embody the feeling of the original. The original British version has a certain depth to it along with a very humorous video to go with it. Hence, I am definitely partial to it.
YouTube / STARCK MUSIC CLUB
“Games People Play” (1969) – Freddy Weller
One cool classic Country Music voice, the late Freddy Weller did a wonderful cover here. Almost overshadows the original. Freddy was originally a member of rock band Paul Revere and the Raiders, but branched out solo on a Country Music career.
YouTube / Wicker Bill
“Games People Play” (1969) – Joe South
Here’s the likely original, and folksier, version done by Joe South, also from 1969. Without this we would not have had the country version, I guess. There are those not into Country Music who’ll love this version. So, which one do you prefer?
YouTube / Beat-Club
“Venus” (1986) – Bananarama
Most people remember the Bananarama version of this song. But do they know it’s actually a cover? I think Bananarama are cooler than that other British all-girls group I forget the name of – which is just as well. I think they gave an interesting freshness and vitality to this song compared to the original.
YouTube / London Recordings
“Venus” (1969) – Shocking Blue
And here’s the original version by the Dutch band, Shocking Blue, sung by the late uniquely good-looking Mariska Veres. With her trademark husky voice and 60s style (likely) wig.
YouTube / redbullet
“Take A Chance on Me” (1977) – ABBA
Who hasn’t heard this by ABBA? And as with all the others, this song too was big hit for them. I don’t need to say much about the group as, at one time, anything they sang turned into a hit.
YouTube / ABBA
“Take A Chance on Me” (1992) – Erasure
Erasure have done an outstandingly funny cover version here. I’m such a big fan of theirs that I’ll have a post on them some other time. They’ve lent the song their signature electro-pop sound and coupled with playing the part of ABBA women, they round off a great cover and homage in one. Who can’t like this one?
YouTube / erasureinfo
“Some Guys Have All the Luck” (1973) – The Persuaders
This is one of those songs that has been covered very widely by various genres of artists. Originally recorded by The Persuaders, it will likely never age as it is released repeatedly by other artists over the years. Let’s check out the original here.
YouTube / ClassicMood
“Some Guys Have All the Luck” (1980) – Junior Tucker
As is often the case, there is also a reggae cover of this song. This one is from 1980 by Junior Tucker. This has a coolness on its own.
YouTube / OBEreggae
“Some Guys Have All the Luck” (1984) – Rod Stewart
Then there’s the popular Rod Stewart cover recorded in 1984. He did a great job with the song by reviving it. I feel it deserved more success than it did.
YouTube / Rod Stewart
“Some Guys Have All the Luck” (1982) – Robert Palmer
I can’t help adding this last Robert Palmer cover or version as we close off. Robert created this song in his own inimitable style with plenty of electro-pop style thrown in. He’s such an innovator and despite changing the lyrics around quite a bit, it’s a fun song.
YouTube / xxxtitanheadroomxxx
And this was a set of covers and originals where the covers became just as popular as the originals.
We’ll check out more music from my “music vault” next time. Until then, let me know if you have any comment using the form below.
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