For this weeks Gobify playlist – a selection of tracks ten tracks where the cover is at least as good if not better than the original. It is futile to argue about which is better, what matters is that all of them are doing something interesting.
Happy Mondays - Step On
This is actually a Johnny Kongos song which the Mondays covered for a compilation album. They liked it that much they kept it back for themselves. Is very different from the original and went on to be their most recognisable song.
Wyckham Porteous - Please Please Me
This gorgeous accoustic cover of the Beatles Classic is sadly not on the Spotify playlist - so you will have to take my word for it how good it is. Or failing that here’s a youtube link!!
I have been looking for ages to find this song online. It was Mark Lamarr on radio two who first played this song over here. A real shame that more people didn’t get to hear it. So make sure you listen to it.
All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix
Easily the most obvious one on the list. I am sure even Dylan prefers the Hendrix version
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Red Red Wine- UB40
There are probably many out there that prefer Neil Diamond’s original. Both good but it’s my list and I want this on it so it’s up to me. So there.
Tainted Love – Soft Cell
Original recorded by Gloria Jones was a flop before becoming an unlikely Northern Soul hit in the 70s. But it was Soft Cell’s electro remake in 1981 that became a classic. Marilyn Manson’s was shit.
Mad World – Gary Jules/Michael Andrews
From the soundtrack of Donnie Darko. They slowed it down, stripped it down and it’s all the better for it. It’s that good that Tears For Fears ended up playing their version!
Not on Spotify, so watch it here
Hurt – Johnny Cash
Master producer Rick Rubin turns up at an aging Johnny Cash’s house and gives him a creative nudge in the right direction. The result is Mr Cash’s best work in years inclusing this awesome reworking of a Nine Inch Nails’s song.
Dear Prudence – Souxie and the Banshees
Beatles classic given a gothic edge which works a treat!
Pet Shop Boys – Always n My Mind
Again it is futile to argue whether this is better than the original. What really matters is that they took Elvis’s original, put their own stamp on it – and did a bloody good job of it too!
Out Of Space – The Prodigy
Going to bend the rules a bit to include this. Technically it is a sample of an old reggae track rather than a proper cover. Liam lifts the horus ‘I’m transcending to Outer Space’ from reggae hit ‘I Chase The Devil’. One of the definitive anthems of the rave era.
Go Play- The Link
1- Step On- Happy Mondays
2- Please Please Me- Wyckham Porteous
3-All Along The Watchtower- Jimi Hendrix
4- Red Red Wine- UB40
5- Tainted Love- Soft Cell
6- Mad World- Gary Jules/Michael Andrews
7-Hurt- Johnny Cash
8- Dear Prudence- Siouxsie and the Banshees
9-Always On My Mind - Pet Shop Boys
10- Out of Space- The Prodigy
Posted In Gobify, Mar 02 2010.
Words - The Ginger