Sharing the Fun of Cover Songs (Part 1)
by Robert Hackman
Photograph by Freestocks on Unsplash
Cover me, come on, baby, cover me
Lyric from the song ‘Cover Me’
By Bruce Springsteen
This week, I am taking a break from more serious writing for much-needed fun.
Anyone who knows me realizes how much I enjoy popular music of various genres. I collect music and create different song mixes when I can, and I am frequently intrigued to learn their origins.
I thought starting a dialogue about worthy song covers would be enjoyable. Some become the definitive version, others laudable variations.
I remain amazed by how thoroughly I can enjoy multiple versions of a song representing dramatically different takes on the same piece of music.
For the purposes of this article, I have not included cover versions in which the singing, tempo, instrumentation, arrangement, and style I deem too similar.
This list represents the first of at least two installments:
- Respect – The definitive version is by Aretha Franklin, originally composed and performed by Otis Redding.
Otis Redding https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KvC9V_lBnDQ
Aretha Franklin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JzqGZjFnYnA
- Among many fabulous cover songs, a worth runner-up from Aretha is her cover of the Beatle’s Eleanor Rigby
The Beatles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HuS5NuXRb5Y
Aretha Franklin https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TlHaX55wG0Y
- I Heard it Through the Grapevine – The original by Gladys Night and the Pips. The definitive version is by Marvin Gaye, his best-selling single of all time, although he did not initially want to record it. Another unbelievably good cover of it is an 11+ minute version by Creedence Clear Water Revival. One of only a handful of songs for which each studio version is excellent in its own right.
Gladys Knight and the Pips https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BQRcUxNJEbs
Marvin Gaye https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWG3npfEoHo
Creedence Clearwater Revival https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ixqofv-Oi74
- Walk this Way – The cover version by Run-DMC is considered superior by many to the original by Aerosmith.
Aerosmith https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4c8O2n1Gfto
Run DMC (with Aerosmith) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUScFNXAq0w
- Angel from Montgomery – The original was performed by singer-songwriter John Prine. Bonnie Raitt sings the definitive version.
John Prine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CDLCr0fxOQ
Bonnie Raitt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4S1Q1vfngA
- Raitt, more of an interpreter and arranger of songs than a singer-songwriter, has too many worthy covers to mention. One honorable mention is her rendition of John Hiatt’s song, A Thing Called Love. Her voice and slide guitar playing make the difference on this one.
John Hiatt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHWUPiimFPE
Bonnie Raitt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tncuWWAVk48
- Baby Don’t You Do It – The original was by Marvin Gaye. However, I believe the best version, entitled ‘Don’t Do it,’ is performed live by The Band. The Who also gives it a commendable rendition.
Marvin Gaye https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sm3nnxOyUzI
The Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-c_E-W3yhHY
The Who https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjpkYoYKDzE
- America – Originally written by Paul Simon and initially performed by Simon and Garfunkel, gets stretched out on a progressive rock version by the progressive rock band Yes. Similar to CCR’s version of I Heard it Through the Grapevine, I find it is equally good as it is different.
Simon and Garfunkel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eo2ZsAOlvEM
Yes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CACWj18ruk
- Stormy Monday – Originally written and performed by T-Bone Walker in 1947, it has been a widely recorded standard by bluesmen for years. I believe the Allman Brothers perform the definitive version, which clearly draws on the Bobby Blue Bland 1962 version.
T-Bone Walker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VAPDJheC0Jk
Bobby Blue Bland https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CACWj18ruk
The Alman Brothers Band https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bqa1s4jhkQ8
- All Along the Watchtower – Originally written and performed by Bob Dylan. Jimi Hendrix performs the definitive version. My personal favorite is from Dave Mason, who earlier played on Jimi Hendrix’s version. Another of only a few songs for which the first three studio recordings are all excellent.
Bob Dylan https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT7Hj-ea0VE
Jimi Hendrix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TLV4_xaYynY&list=PLO5vcVMwRmojg6Qi0-Ka8ypPBYsONWtvr
Dave Mason https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erHGEagAk_g
- Good Love – The original was written and performed by The Rascals. I think the best version is performed in the studio by The Grateful Dead, who performed very different versions of it live for many years before their studio version. Jerry Garcia and the Dead made a living through interpreting songs by others in addition to their own material. Honorable mention is their live performance of Buddy Hollies Not Fade Away.
The Rascals https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oy625sZAHN8
The Grateful Dead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB1erm6yMw4
- Not Fade Away – the drums on the original were played on a cardboard box. Buddy Holly was way before his time. Tragic that he was lost so young.
Buddy Holly https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN2L84dvoag
The Grateful Dead https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTPndsG_KA4
- The Rolling Stones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gj8TJUniGwk
- Wake Up Everybody – The original was by Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes. The newer rendition is from an excellent album of cover songs of soul music from the ’60s and ’70s conceived by John Legend and Amir Questlove. A result of their being inspired by the historic Presidential campaign of 2008.
Harold Melvin and The Bluenotes featuring Teddy Pendergrass https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB1erm6yMw4
John Legend and the Roots featuring Melanie Fiona and Common https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB1erm6yMw4
- Hallelujah – The original by Leonard Cohen. I believe the best cover version is by John Cale. However, most consider the definitive version to be by Jeff Buckley.
Leonard Cohen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYEOLvPEQ4k
John Cale https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYEOLvPEQ4k
Jeff Buckley https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYEOLvPEQ4k
- Got To Get You into My Life – The original is by the Beatles. I find the cover by Earth Wind and Fire to be at least as good.
The Beatles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r95-7zfgtLw
Earth Wind and Fire https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mL7jUYjAaC4
- Tears of a Clown – Originally written and performed by Smokey Robinson, one of the best songwriters ever. His songs have inspired multiple covers by a diverse group of artists. The English Beat performs an excellent ska version of the song.
Smokey Robinson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMEz0lB6hBI
The English Beat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMEz0lB6hBI
- The Beat’s version of I Can’t Get Used to Losing You is an Honorable mention from the same album.
Andy Williams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzuZ0JWA6n4
The English Beat https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiExlzTsPrU
- I Don’t Need No Doctor – The original is by Ray Charles, and the more recent version is a live cover by John Mayer. I think both are excellent.
Ray Charles https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fPPDehYZkoE
John Mayer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js6JHwHYFk4
- Clocks – The original song by Coldplay gets a salsa treatment by the Buena Vista Social Club.
Coldplay https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFW2uSCZ0uE
Buena Vista Social Club (with Coldplay) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_8sB_aaHnU
I hope you enjoy these originals and covers as much as I do. Hopefully, you will hear some new music.
Share the joy. I encourage you to explore and contribute your favorite cover songs to the conversation.
Please contact me if you want help interpreting your own versions of leadership, to benefit you, your family, your team, and your organization. I welcome the conversation.
Robert Hackman, Principal, 4C Consulting and Coaching, helps people live and lead with fewer regrets. He grows and develops leaders through executive coaching consulting, facilitation, and training of individuals, teams, and organizations. He is committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. He facilitates trusting environments that promote uncommonly candid conversations. Rob is also passionate about the power of developing Legacy Mindsets and has conducted over 50 Legacy interviews with people to date.
A serious man with a dry sense of humor who loves absurdity can often be found hiking rocky elevations or making music playlists. His mixes, including Pandemic Playlists and Music About Men, can be found on Spotify.