I would add:
What A Wonderful World - Israel Kamakawiwoʻole
I also love Doc Watson’s version of Cotton Eyed Joe from Places in the Heart - not the version at the dance, the slower version as lip synced by Bert Remsen. Just beautiful.
ETA: any of Seu Jorge’s David Bowie covers on The Life Aquatic soundtrack are also fantastic.
When the Pixies do it, it sounds like a quirky song. When Bowie did it, I was asking her for that dress.
They’re both pretty fucking amazing.
I find Buckley’s version thin, reedy and weak but made for the audience it found. Cale inhabits the lyrics and illustrates the story with the gravitas of an adult. The power of his voice goes from conversational to breaking ecstasy up and down throughout, convincing you that he has lived this tale.
My problem with Buckley’s version is the masses who have misinterpreted it. It’s less appropriate for a funeral than U2’s “40” was for my ascent into manhood.
There’s a twerp at my office who plays it on guitar and sings it at these regular work gatherings styled as ‘talent shows.’ I’m convinced he has no idea what that song is about but thinks it’s some family favorite from a kid’s movie.
Your take reminds me of all those clowns using REM’s ‘The One I Love’ at their weddings.
I read somewhere Cohen wrote over 100 verses for the song. When I first heard his version after I heard Cale’s, I was taken aback by the beat and background singers.
Or “Every Breath You Take”
These two are my all time favorite covers. By far.
A distant third is Boys of Summer by The Ataris.
15 fax pages.
Without John Cale, Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ would’ve been forgotten
How John Cale recorded the definitive version of ‘Hallelujah’
90’s list:
Higher Ground - RHCP
I Will Survive - Cake
Killing Me Softly - Fugees
Istanbul (Not Constantinople) - They Might Be Giants
Every cover on Nirvana Unplugged
Thank you! I’ve never been able to remember who covered BoS, every time I hear it on the radio I say “I gotta remember to look that up” and then naturally forget. That song rocks.
The only correct answers to the best cover songs are any 5 you’d like to choose from Me First And The Gimme Gimmes.
“I don’t want to hear any more new versions of ‘Hallelujah’! Let’s put an embargo on that!’”
-Leonard Cohen
lol
This is phenomenal.
Also, honorable mention to Mark Robson and Amy Winehouse’s cover of “Valerie”.
Not on anyone’s Top 5 list (or, least, it shouldn’t be), I have a soft spot for this:
I had the single on vinyl. Yellow vinyl.
Fun Fact: The Palace team runs out to the Dave Clark Five’s “Glad All Over”, which is an unofficial anthem for the club. One year, they decided to play different covers of the song, one of which is by The Dickies. It was over so quickly, they had to play it twice.
‘Sugar Sugar’ by Wilson Pickett
Heroes - Peter Gabriel
Did they play that TV show in England?
Yep. Saturday mornings.
The home grown stuff was a little…different.
