Covers that are better than the originals!

[Foxhound]

The first release of Fever was the one by Little Willie John in May 1956:





A very decent rendition, it topped the Billboard R&B chart and peaked at #24 on the Billboard Hot 100.

A cover by Peggy Lee was released in June 1958:





Though it peaked at #8 on the Billboard Hot 100, I find it unlistenable (and Peggy Lee unwatchable).

The McCoys cover released in 1965 got to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is the one I like the most:

[Foxhound]

Originally Posted by dwill123

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This cover by the Jimi Hendrix Experience from their Are You Experienced? LP released on 12 May 1967 was also terrific:

[dwill123]

[Foxhound]

Baby I Need Your Loving by the Four Tops was released on 10 July 1964 and made it to #11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart:



Johnny Rivers' cover was released in 1967 and got to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart:



Rivers' version was slower in tempo. Both excellent but I'm giving the nod to Johnny Rivers.

[Foxhound]

If I Were a Carpenter by Bobby Darin got to #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1966:



The cover by the Four Tops in 1968 got to only #20 but I think it's better:

[dwill123]

[Foxhound]

People Get Ready by the Impressions reached #14 on the Billboard charts after being released in 1965:



I hated it both then and now.

I really like the 1985 cover by Jeff Beck with Rod Stewart guesting on vocals though:

[dwill123]

I love this version

[Foxhound]

Gil Scott-Heron's version is certainly the best one I've heard!

[Foxhound]

Whiskey in the Jar is a traditional Irish song of unknown origin.

Here's the version by the Highwaymen released in 1962:




It was also the signature piece of the Dubliners throughout the 1960's:




Thin Lizzy's take released 3 November 1972 was a quantum leap better than previous versions:




Metallica did it better again with this version released on 1 February 1999:

[Foxhound]

The first release of Double Shot of My Baby's Love was the one by Dick Holler & the Holidays in 1963:






A cover by Dale & Grace was released in 1964:





But it wasn't until the Swingin' Medallions version was released in 1966 that the song became a really big hit despite being banned from airplay on many stations for its suggestive lyrics:



Included in the above video are clips of the sensational Sandy Sarjeant the lead dancer on Ready Steady Go!:



The song though made far more sense performed by a female singer. The Goodees did precisely that in 1969 and did it very well indeed:

[Foxhound]

Walk Away Renee was released in July 1966 and got to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100:



A cover by the Four Tops was released on 18 January 1968 and got to #14 in the States, #3 in the United Kingdom and #2 in Canada:



They're both excellent but I might choose the cover by the Four Tops if you backed me into a corner.

[dr wu]

Spooky Tooth...I Am The Walrus......couldn't embed a you tube clip.....apparently I don't know how on this forum...sorry. :(

[Foxhound]

Click on [youtube] tags when you're posting a reply and then insert the part of the Youtube address after the = between the tags. You can use the QUOTE function to examine my coding and view what I did here:

The release by the Beatles on 24 November 1967:



The release by Spooky Tooth in July 1970:



I agree though. Spooky Tooth's version was better.

[dr wu]

Thanks....I recall that technique now...different on other forums.

I'm a fan of Spooky Tooth....especially Spooky 2.

[Foxhound]

I agree. Spooky Two was their best.

[Foxhound]

The Rolling Stones covered several of Chuck Berry's numbers. Two of the best of these covers by the Stones appeared on their live LP Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out!

Carol by Chuck Berry was released in August 1958:



Little Queenie by Chuck Berry was released in 1959:



Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! was released on 4 September 1970:

[dwill123]