Cover Versions from Heaven and Hell!

Cover versions are almost always worse than the original. This tends to work as a general rule when listening to a cover. There are some very notable exceptions though. Johnny Cash’s version of Nine Inch Nails song, ‘Hurt’, is so good in fact, that Trent Reznor (NIN front man) doesn’t even consider the song as his anymore.



However, my favourite cover version has to be Nirvana’s cover of ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night’. The song is a traditional American folk song, most often associated with the American musician Lead Belly, who recorded several versions in the 1940s. Yet, Kurt Cobain and Co. brought a completely different dimension to the song, creating a haunting and incredibly sinister version on the band’s MTV Unplugged in New York album. Cobain’s intensity bubbles over throughout the song, culminating in the screamed final verse.




Nirvana are not a one trick pony when it comes to epic covers, though. Their version of David Bowie’s ‘The Man Who Sold The World’ comes very close to trumping ‘Where Did You Sleep Last Night’. The same names tend to appear at the top of the best cover lists again and again. There is a good reason for this... they are the best. Whether it’s Jimi Hendrix covering ‘All Along The Watchtower’, Guns N’ Roses version of ‘Knockin’ On Heavens Door’ or Jeff Buckley’s cover of ‘Halleluiah’, they are all highly rated for a reason. However, there are some great covers that have not been fully recognised. Foo Fighters’ cover of Arcade Fire’s ‘Keep The Car Running’ may not necessarily better the original, but it is a fine attempt.

Yet, a great cover needs to channel the original, whilst also giving it a new direction. This description fits Aerosmith’s cover of The Beatles ‘Come Together’. It was already an incredible song, but Aerosmith managed to capture everything that made the original Beatles version great, and take it up a few notches. The song has been covered hundreds of times since, yet not even the King of Pop, Michael Jackson, could exceed Aerosmith’s sprawling version. Steven Tyler’s sultry swagger and raspy vocals appear to have been destined to grace this song.



Unfortunately, for every good cover, there are about ten awful covers. Some songs should just be left alone. The worst cover version ever? Girls Aloud and Sugababes horrific cover of Aerosmith’s awesome ‘Walk This Way’ for the official Comic Relief charity single. Yes, it raised money for charity, but it is terrible from start to finish. Just because the song is amazing, does not mean that two overrated girl bands can turn up and make a lazy, half-arsed cover. Terrible.