10 Covers I Think are Better Than the Original
As much as I appreciate artists singing their own original songs, I am always down to hear an artist put their own twist on someone else’s song. Covers are a way for artists to bring new life to an old favorite or even switch up the entire vibe of a song. Here are ten covers that I enjoy more than the original:
Doin’ Time by Lana Del Rey
This song was loosely based off the song Summertime by George Gershwin and then performed by Sublime but Lana covered it on her album Norman Fucking Rockwell. I am a huge fan of both Sublime and Lana Del Rey but Lana really helped create such a hazy Summer vibe with this cover. Listening to this long instantly has me relaxed and wanting to just cruise around with the windows down
You Send Me by Haley Reinhart
Originally by Sam Cooke, this song is so beautifully romantic and I feel like Haley Reinhart really took it up a notch. She really falls into the romantic vibe and adds an extra sultriness to the lyrics. Her voice is perfect for this cover and it truly sounds like something out of the 1950s.
Sea of Heartbreak by Meat Puppets
This tune was originally written by Paul Hampton and Hal David but performed by Don Gibson. This song has many famous covers from Kenny Price to Jimmy Buffett and George Strait. But for some reason, the Meat Puppets version really sticks with me. The way the keyboard sounds on their version really gives an uplifting feeling to an overall sad song. You can also hear a bit of their rock influence thrown in to make for an excellent cover.
I’m on Fire by Town Mountain
Originally written and performed by the great Bruce Springsteen, I’m on Fire has been covered by so many artists but this cover by Town Mountain really does it for me. Town Mountain is a Bluegrass band with a bit of an old rock and roll sound as well and they really give this song a different life. I absolutely love this song as a bluegrass/country song and the vocalist, Robert Greer, singing these lyrics with his drawl really makes it that much more appealing.
Dream a Little Dream of Me by The Mamas & The Papas
As I mentioned in my “All Time Favorite Songs” post, this is one of my absolute favorite songs. Originally written in 1931 by Gus Kahn, this song has been performed by so many artists including Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and Doris Day. And while I love their versions of this song as well, none of them bring me the peace and happiness that The Mamas & The Papas version does. Mama Cass sings this song so wonderfully that you’d think it was written specifically for her.
Hurt by Johnny Cash
Originally written and performed by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails, the lyrics of this song are so deep and personal that it’s hard to not be affected by it. Johnny Cash covered this song in 2002 shortly before his death and his version of it takes these lyrics and adds a certain rawness to it. It truly sounds like this song was something he could have written about himself. The Johnny Cash version of this song turned out so good that Trent Reznor himself said “that song isn’t mine anymore” because even he loved Johnny’s version better.
Wurlitzer Prize by Kacey Musgraves
Originally by written by Chips Moman and Bobby Emmons, this song was made famous after being recorded by Waylon Jennings. Kacey covered this song as part of a tribute album for Waylon Jennings titled Outlaw: Celebrating the Music of Waylon Jennings. Kacey’s version seems to drag out the notes on the lyrics a bit which ends up adding more emotion to this song. Kacey is an amazing vocalist overall, but something about her singing a country classic like this really hits the spot.
How Deep is Your Love by PJ Morton feat. YEBBA
This song was originally written and performed by The Bee Gees and later included on the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack. I do love the Bee Gees version, however, when I heard YEBBA sing on this cover, my jaw was on the floor. Her voice alone is so breathtakingly beautiful and she makes it seem so effortless to sing like that. PJ Morton makes this song seem like the most soulful gospel and I am absolutely here for it. I listen to this song like once a week now.
Crazy Love by Harry Manx
Originally written and recorded by Van Morrison, this song is overall such a loving song. I am a huge Van Morrison fan but I honestly cannot even compare his version to the cover by Harry Manx. Harry Manx is an artist who blends Indian folk with a bit of blues to create his own groovy sound. His cover of Crazy Love is almost hypnotizing to me and I could seriously lay down and relax to this song. Everything about this cover brings me so much peace and makes me so grateful for love.
Amanda by Chris Stapleton
This song is originally written by Bob McDill and recorded by Don Williams but Chris Stapleton’s cover at the Grand Ole Opry made me fall in love with this song. For starters, Chris sings this song with his wife, Morgane and those two can harmonize so well. Chris Stapleton has such a unique bluesy voice that really compliments this song. He was able to add the extra emotion to it that I feel Don Williams wasn’t.
What are some of your favorite covers? Let me know down below!
