Posted in: Rock by zoeyclark on April 1, 2010 | 6 Comments
Three cover songs that I love even more than the original.
Image via Wikipedia
My friend Videomark wrote an article featuring worst covers. It is rare to find people who like the cover more than the original. However, if pop songs are covered by rock bands or rock bands cover rock songs, you might end up with some awesome results. Below is my top 3:
3) Alien Ant Farm: Smooth Criminal
Original song. Michael Jackson
I am not an absolute Jackson fan. I love some of his work (Beat it, Black or White, They don’t really care about us, Bad…) where he combines addictive electric guitar tunes with fun and catchy lyrics. But Smooth Criminal somehow hadn’t made an impression on me. In fact, when I first heard Alien Ant Farm’s version, I wasn’t aware it was a cover. When I found out, I rushed and checked out the original. But guess what, I think AAF has made a kicking rock tune out of a good pop song. Yay for AAF.
2) Warrant: We will rock you.
Original: Queen
I like Queen and “We will rock you” has no doubt been one of my all time Queen favorites. However, I have a tendency to love any fun and fast glam rock band and tune. So Warrant hooked me from the first time I heard Cherry Pie. It is fun and dirty. So I collected every Warrant song and album I could find and discovered a lot of great songs. One of them was this cover. Warrant’s singer has a great voice and the band has just stayed loyal to the spirit of the song while making it faster and more electric-guitar heavy. Queen’s is great to drum along to. If you want to dance more and/or head-bang, check out Warrant.
1)Ugly Kid Joe: NIB (nativity in black)
Original: Black Sabbath
If you are a rock fan, there is a chance you heard Ugly Kid Joe’s Cat’s in the Cradle or Hate Everything about you. While I have a certain respect for Black Sabbath, they are a little too dark form my taste. And for a girl who thinks best voices belong to Jon Bon Jovi or Neil Finn or David Coverdale, obviously Ozzy Osbourne’s singing is not exactly heavenly. But when I heard Ugly Kid Joe’s NIB cover, I fell in love with. It is dark, but it is more fun and well, the singing is much better. Please Black Sabbath fans, don’t hate me. It is a matter of personal taste and I just can’t get enough of this version.I couldn’t find a real video, so I’d advice to listen and not watch.
lillyrose April 1st, 2010 at 6:44 am
great article.. I loved Warrants take on we will rock you and they have stayed true to one of the best rock songs ever made!
I can’t play Queen while I am driving any more it makes me speed!! I think Warrant would definitely get me a ticket!
zoeyclark April 1st, 2010 at 8:03 am
Ha ha Warrant would definitely get you a ticket:) I adore them, they are just so bloody fun. I never saw them on concert, wish I could catch them
Sharif Ishnin April 1st, 2010 at 9:33 pm
I agree that Ozzy’s style was way off my time so UKJ’s version was more listenable. I like both the covers and originals for the other two songs though. I used to jam “We will Rock you!” with friends.The ending solo by Brian May was a masterpiece..lol.
zoeyclark April 2nd, 2010 at 9:24 am
I like the original “We will rock you” too but my glam rock side almost wins over my classic rock side. I have addiction to faster guitar and more danceble tunes;)
Videomark April 2nd, 2010 at 11:58 pm
Trying to find good cover songs that stand on their own is tough. Joan Jett made a career of it. I always liked the original “We Will Rock You”, but you found 3 songs that stand on their own. Good job!
zoeyclark April 3rd, 2010 at 5:12 am
Thanks Videomark. I always think pop singers are usually inclined towards making covers suck. I mean those songs rocked for a reason. But when a pop or a classic rock song is covered by rockers, there is a chance it will survive.