Timmy84 said:

Nothing beats Marvin's version. But, this version is one of the best cover's of any song that I have heard in a long time.

MrSoulpower said:

Technically Aretha and Otis did cover versions but I don't know who did the original. That said, I have to disagree that Aretha's version was the best though I dig Aretha's voice in it and the arrangements. I love Otis' funky church-styled rendition of it.

Timmy84 said:

Well, the song dates back to 1932, when it was first recorded by the Ray Noble Orchestra (with vocals by Val Rosing). Bing Crosby did it one year later.
So you're right, it wasn't an Otis original. But it's forever associated with Otis, even though Aretha recorded it four years before him.

I personally think that it is Otis' finest moment and the best version ever of this song, including Sam Cooke's version.

MrSoulpower said:

Thanks for the information. But yeah, it's definitely one of Otis' signature songs.

Harlepolis said:

I think she just took it in a completely different direction. She took the sexuality out of it, but imbued it with a sense of heartbreaking longing and angst.

the versions of "Always On My Mind" by Elvis, Willie Nelson and Pet Shop Boys are much better than the original by Brenda Lee (which came out shortly before Elvis' version).

errant said:

Nah, I think it was because Massive Attack was on it. I liked the video tho...

MrSoulpower said:

MUCH better, vulnerability has more of a dramatic effect on me.

BTW, thats not an Otis original,,,,its by Little Miss Cornshucks, the original is circa 1949. I wish somebody put it in youtube, its very emotional.

Harlepolis said:

Scroll up, it was originally recorded in 1932.

Timmy84 said:

Oh

I stand corrected....the version I have was from '49 and I assumed it was the orignal, certainly the 1st R&B attempt as far as RnB's concern.
[Edited 2/15/09 13:48pm]

Harlepolis said:

Yeah I know what you mean, lol.

Originally by The Jackson 5

Well "better" is subjective, and generally I give more "points" if you will to originality rather than modifying someone else's work (even if that "modification" could unequivocally be called an improvement). Also it's a pet peeve of mine when someone has a knee-jerk preference to whatever version of a song they heard first either because of being more familiar and a bigger fan of whichever artist's version they heard first or being a young retrophobic phillistine who automatically dismisses anything "old". BUT some cover versions that I like that are interesting modifications of the originals:


All Along The Watchtower-Jimi Hendrix: Bob's version is good but Jimi's version is, while an obvious pick, really still one of the best examples of reinventing a song and making it their own.

We Can Work It Out-Stevie Wonder: I like Both versions but Stevie's version is a rare cover version that really makes you forget that he isn't the one who wrote it all along.

Respect-Aretha Franklin: Otis' original kinda gets short shrift, but Aretha totally changes the mood of this song making it more funky and dancey rather than almost martial and anthemic like Otis'

Que Sera Sera-Sly & The family stone: it's a testament to sly's idiosyncratic genius that he could turn a treacly doris day song into an eerie, bluesy, narcotic mood piece.

Love In Vain-Rolling Stones: I actually prefer Robert Johnson's original but by fleshing this solo acoustic piece into a full band performance they do give it an interesting new sense of size and atmosphere and a slower, moodier crescendo. Johnson's delivery and rhythm are still superior in my mind though

I Fought The Law-The Clash: Bobby Fuller's version (which was itself a cover of the crickets' sans buddy holly) is an amusing mid-tempo early rock story song, but the Clash make it into a fast, raucous, loud, revolutionary rabble-rouser.

Long Tall Sally-The Beatles: If there's one respect in which the Beatles are underrated it's in the notion that they were too tame, too white, too bubble-gum in their early years (which may be somewhat true) but they could occasionally rock as hard and as gritty as any of their influences and they definitely do justice to Little Richard's raw, aggressive style of early rock and add some personal touches by raising the vocal melody slightly and making it more guitar driven.

My Favorite Things-John Coltrane: Jazz artists often take broadway or tin pan alley tunes and make them darker, grittier and more noirish, but coltrane's rendition of my Favorite things totally co-opts the original and becomes the definitive version (in my mind).

Otis Redding-Try A Little Tenderness: what was a thoroughly unswinging and well, tender tin pan alley ballad, Otis gives syncopation and an intense barn-busting, show-stopping crescendo (especially in various live versions).

errant said:

The original was already full of all of those things, though.

I like just about every version of "Never Can Say Goodbye," but the J5 original is still my favorite.

I prefer Isaac Haye's version,,,,sexier.

Harlepolis said:

AlexdeParis said:

Word. It's the swirling flutes and the smokin bass that do it for me! James Jamerson I presume?

errant said:

tron said:

Mods, I move to have both these orgers banned for crimes against common decency.

shorttrini said:

The Beatles version has so much more spirit than EW&F's lifeless cover.

What about Jeff Buckley's - Hallelujah??? Great freakin' song! Very emotional.

and Sting with Little Wing?

just those 2 come to my mind right now...

Okay, just off the top of my head, peeps.

Aretha - Respect
Aretha - I Say A Little Prayer
Jackson 5 - Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing
Jackson 5 - Ready Or Not (Here I Come)
Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower (although I love Bob's original too)
Sinead O' Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U
Chaka Khan - I Feel 4 U
Cyndi Lauper - When U Were Mine
Joe Cocker - With A Little Help From My Friends
Stevie Wonder - For Once In My Life
The Bangles - Hazy Shade of Winter
UB40 - Red, Red Wine
Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine

And there are many, many more, but I don't have all day.
[Edited 2/16/09 5:07am]

lotusflower said:

I'm in a minority, but I always preferred Leonard Cohen's original of "Hallelujah" to Jeff Buckley's (or anyone else's) cover version.

^ why is that? I'm curious

Foo Fighters - Darling Nikki

Not better than the original but Great cover nonetheless

And U2 with Paint It Black?

http://www.youtube.com/wa...UwvYHT23Us
[Edited 2/16/09 5:14am]

lotusflower said:

I always thought Buckley's version was ever-so-slightly pretentious. Leonard put a beat under it and didn't try too hard to milk it. Just my opinion of course.

midnightmover said:

I know, as much as I like EW&F this is the one track that I cannot stand.

Luther Vandross: Creepin
House is not a home

Prince: One of Us,
When will we get paid
Cookie Jar
My Dear (unreleased)

Brothers Johnson: Strawberry Letter 23
2Pac: California

bboy87 said:

Yeah... from the category of "remakes I heard before the original so I like them more"... ditto Aaliyah's "At Your Best (You Are Love)"


"When You Were Mine" by Cyndi Lauper - love her version. Cyndi probably owns this thread.

midnightmover said:

I don't even know who originally did that one. Was it another Motown song that got passed around like a joint "Heard It Through The Grapevine"?