BEST cover versions of songs?

[Beth]

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0MXXs_H7Do[/youtube]

It pays off in 'breakdown' form at around 4:53, just hang in there

"what are you doin' up there, LUCY?"

then, treat yourself to 5:54 to get a better sense of what Natalie Cole is "talkin' bout" (not OPALS but...)

***also posted in WORST cover songs thread, because, as they say in that Simpsons episode, I don't even know anymore.

That was one of the most amazing things I've ever seen. I loved that. It made me forget every problem I've ever had, if only for those few minutes.

And before I go to bed, I'd like to add this, a favorite of mine when I was little:
[youtube]
U1jm4lNOh0U[/youtube]
I remember being kind of scared watching her boogie with the old dude.

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

There's a certain FOT who released an EP I'm quite fond of, where he covers songs by Split Enz and Stiff Little Fingers.  It rocks quite impressively.

[Tim K in DC]

There's a certain FOT who released an EP I'm quite fond of, where he covers songs by Split Enz and Stiff Little Fingers.  It rocks quite impressively.

PD?

[dave from knoxville]

Am I allowed to say Ted Leo's Little White Donkey, TL?

[Shaggy 2 Grote]

There's a certain FOT who released an EP I'm quite fond of, where he covers songs by Split Enz and Stiff Little Fingers.  It rocks quite impressively.

PD?

Spike.

[pupscout]

the langley schools music project cover of god only knows is one of the best songs i've ever heard. the other covers can be really good, but funny or bizarre. the god only knows cover is just gorgeous.

and i think faye wong's cover of that song by the cranberries is definitely a notable cover but more in a surprising way and less of a best way.

[erika]

- Cat Power: I Found a Reason and Sea of Love
- Iron and Wine: Waiting for a Superman
- M. Ward: Let's Dance
- Smashing Pumpkins: You're all I've Got Tonight

[Forrest]

Oooh, and Ikue Mori doing Serge Gainsbourg's "Pauvre Lola" absolutely rules.

From Tzadik Records' Great Jewish Music series?! Now we can share everything!

[John Junk]

How 'bout this
[youtube]Esd8n6awI3w[/youtube]

And Magnetic Fields' 100,000 Fireflys as done by Superchunk.

Also, Superchunk's cover of Girl You Want is great.

[dave from knoxville]

I am kind of partial to Johnny Cash covering, well, almost anything, but especially "In My Life". I think when he realized that he was close to the end, he really saw those recording sessions as opportunities to reflect on his life, and took full advantage of them. The Mercy Seat's great, Hurt's good, though I have heard it too many times.

I just think the fact that his recording set-up was so simple, just pick up a guitar and go, along with the fact that he was known for covering other writer's songs, gave him an opportunity to get so many great moments on tape that most artists could not pull off, because recording for them requires so much advance time to write and hone material, and get big arrangements right.

I don't think Neil Young's really "near the end", but I hope that he will take a similar approach in his twilight years, just throwing on tape everything that comes to mind, and then culling out the best stuff for release.

[TL]

Am I allowed to say Ted Leo's Little White Donkey, TL?

As long as Spike ISN'T allowed to say "Ted Leo's Little White Donkey," you can say whatever you want, DFK!

[bruce]

I don't think Neil Young's really "near the end", but I hope that he will take a similar approach in his twilight years, just throwing on tape everything that comes to mind, and then culling out the best stuff for release.

When that happens Dave will finally see the Archives box set which for the record was supposed to actuyally have come out in 2007, but again we've been hearing about it for like twenty years

[Sarah]

This really belongs in a "Favorite cover" thread, rather than a "Best," but I'm partial to Eugene Chadbourne's cover of "A Day in the Life."  I also love the Coolies' "She's Having My Baby."

[dave from knoxville]

Camper's "Pictures of Matchstick Men"?

[masterofsparks]

Couple others I just thought of:

The Brought Low - Don't Lie to Me (Big Star) & 'Til the Next Goodbye (Rolling Stones)
Outrageous Cherry - Lord, Have Mercy on Me (Junior Kimbrough)
New Bomb Turks - Summer Romance (Rolling Stones)