Covers: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

I was discussing different cover songs earlier and thought it would make an interesting blog topic;  I'm a bit of a cover snob, I either love it or hate it, rarely is there an in between.  First, we'll start with the good, well in my opinion anyway

• Landslide originally performed by Fleetwood Mac is a wonderful song, lyrically beautiful however  there are two wonderful covers that spring to mind.  The first is definitely Dixie Chicks off their album Home.  Natalie Maines has a voice that was made for this song.   I would be lying if I didn't say I love it more than the original. There is a pureness to her voice in this song that just...out does the raspy quality of Stevie Nicks (with that said, Stevie Nicks is a goddess) the second cover of this song that I love is by Bush it was a bonus track on their Sea of Memories deluxe album. In all fairness, there are very few songs by them that I don't love, but this one sends chills right down my spine. 

• Nothing Compares 2 U  written by Prince, and originally performed by Sinéad O'Connor was an okay song a bit overplayed back in 1990 but, that happens.  Sadly, I didn't know of the Chris Cornell cover until after his death.  The rawness in his voice just....works for this song. You can hear the pain, and the loneliness  The versions I've heard of his are all acoustic, just him and a guitar and for that to sound good takes talent.

• Sound of Silence originally performed by Simon & Garfunkel and by Disturbed. This song never fails to bring on the tears. In this case, I much prefer the cover. David Draiman hit a home run with this one. The emotion he brings to this fits the song so much more than the softer sound of the original.

• Hard to Handle  originally by Otis Redding covered by The Black Crowes. For years, I didn't even know it was a cover, and not to diminish anything Otis has done, as Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay is an amazing song but Chris Robinson made it his own or maybe, it's my attachment to it from sitting at the bar in my early 20s hearing friends perform it every weekend. 

• Speaking of making songs their own... I have to mention Johnny Cash's cover of Hurt originally performed by Nine Inch Nails.  There are just no words for how absolutely stunning this rendition is. 

• I'm sure I'm going to be deemed crazy with this one, but Behind Blue Eyes, covered by Limp Bizkit is not a bad cover. It drives me crazy to see it on so many bad covers list. Fred Durst's voice is solid on this cover. It fits the song better than the original by The Who.

I could go on and on in regards to good covers, there's so, so many but I still have the bad, and the ugly to cover (see what I did there? )

•  Don't Dream It's Over was originally performed by Crowded House. I recently came across a version by Bush  from one of their concerts......now I adore  this band I think I've made that clear but Gavin Rossdale's voice does not work for this song.

• Boys of Summer, covered by Ataris, originally by Don Henley no, dudes,  just no. This was awful. It could be worse of course, but I don't see how

• Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) originally by The Eurythmics, covered by Marilyn  Manson.  I seriously don't know what he was thinking but this is just bad, so bad.

• I Love Rock N Roll originally by Joan Jett, covered by Britney Spears. All I can say is what in the auto-tuned hell was she thinking??  I don't mind some Britney songs but this was just awful!!

• Land of Confusion originally by Genesis  and covered by Disturbed. It's a decent song don't ge me wrong but I think my childhood love for it just won't allow me to like it 

• Bad Company, originally by Bad Company and covered by Five Finger Death Punch. There's so, so much wrong this I just can't even begin.

• Bringin' on the Heartbreak, originally by Def Leppard,  covered by Mariah Carey.  Just typing that made me shudder. I remember hearing it and all I could  say was "what the actual hell was that?"

Now to the two ugly that I can think of....

•  Purple Rain, originally by Prince and covered by LeAnn Rimes.  I don't know what possessed her to do that song. She has a beautiful voice and I do actually like her, but that cover was the most hideous thing I have heard come out of her mouth.

•  Every  Rose Has Its Thorn originally by Poison,  covered by Miley Cyrus.  Again, I like Miley's voice, while not a fan I can admit the girl can sing.....but all I could say when I heard her sing it was  "oh honey....no, just no" 

Now, to be completely fair I in general can not imagine anyone covering those two songs and doing it justice. They are two awesome songs and should be left to the respective singers and never be touched. 

 At any rate, my opinions are my own and I know not everyone will agree with me.