San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
Ryan Adams
Great article.
I love Ryan Adams’ (2003) cover of Oasis’ “Wonderwall.” The Lemonheads’ version of Simon & Garfunkel’s “Mrs. Robinson” is another favorite. Also, check out the cover of The Jawbreaker song “Kiss the Bottle” by The Vansaders. Totally changes the vibe of the song.
Donna Summer
Donna Summer’s 1978 version of (the 1968 Richard Harris hit) “Macarthur Park,” and Paul Anka’s swing version of (Van Halen’s) “Jump.”
Jose Feliciano
In college, I was a big Doors fan. But I was floored by Jose Feliciano’s cover of their song “Light My Fire.” The simple acoustic guitar arrangement and his clear voice was genius! I still listen to this day.
The Clash
As you wrote, there are many to choose from. My favorite is the Clash’s 1979 cover of “I Fought the Law.” The energy and power they bring to the song is fantastic! It was written by Sonny Curtis of The Crickets in 1960 and was a hit in 1966 for the Bobby Fuller Four when they covered it. Other covers I like are Cheap Trick’s “Ain’t That a Shame,” The Who’s “Summertime Blues” and The Rolling Stones’
Toots and The Maytals
My favorite cover song of all time is “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by Toots and The Maytals. It takes an already great John Denver song and puts it to a reggae beat. Add Toots Hibbert’s vocals, some Jamaican local lyric changes, and you have a version that is the way I sing along with it anytime I hear the song.
One reader’s top 10
Naturally, you missed a few cover songs that are better than the original versions:
1. Jimi Hendrix Experience, “All Along The Watch Tower” (Editor’s note: This song was included in Varga’s article.)
2. Super Session, “Season of the Witch”
2. Heart, “I Got the Music in Me” (recorded live on the Mushroom Label before they signed with a major label). The song has been recorded by many, but this is by far the best version.
3. Rod Stewart, “(I Know) I’m Losing You.” Musically, I prefer The Temptations’ original, but vocally, Rod is better.
4. Joe Cocker, “Unchain My Heart.”
5. Joe Cocker, “The Letter”
6. Joe Cocker, “With a Little Help From My Friends”
7. The Righteous Brothers, “Unchained Melody”
8. Jay and The Americans, “Cara Mia.” It was originally from an operetta.
9. Janis Joplin, “Me and Bobby Mcgee”
10. Cream, “Spoonful.” I have Howlin’ Wolf ’s (original) version, but Eric Clapton’s version with Cream really does it for me.
Another reader’s top 10
That was excellent article and I really enjoyed it. Here are a few of my favorites
Willie Nelson
I love Willie Nelson’s (2012) cover of “The Scientist” by Coldplay. It tears at my heart every time I hear it.
Santana
I really enjoyed your article. I would definitely put Hendrix’s “All Along the Watchtower” and Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah” in my list of best covers. I would also include Santana’s version of “Black Magic Woman” in that list. They really made that song their own. A lot of people don’t realize that the song is a cover of a Peter Green-era Fleetwood Mac song.
Brandi Carlile does a cover of Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison Blues” that is brave, fun and surprisingly good. Lastly, a local favorite, (mandolinist/singer) Chris Thile recorded a great cover of the White Stripes’ “Dead Leaves and the Dirty Ground.” Thile and his magic mandolin, accompanied by his accomplished string-playing companions from his band, Punch Brothers, created a fantastic bluegrass version of this Jack White classic.
The Who
The Who’s (1969) performance
5.
“Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus (Doubleday)
6.“Holly” by Stephen King (Scribner) 7.“Tom
Lake” by Ann Patchett (Harper) 8.“Let Us Descend” by Jesmyn Ward (Scribner)
9.“A Fire in the Flesh” by Jennifer L. Armentrout (Blue Box)