Worst Cover songs! [Archive] - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Ireneparalegal

11-18-2005, 09:33 PM

Songs that are great, but then someone else thinks they can do just as good a job as the original but it turns out bad or just plain WRONG!!!!

Sweet Home Alabama - Lynard Skynard (original)
Sweet Home Alabama - Jewel (cover)

American Pie - Don Mclean (original)
American Pie - Madonna (cover)

Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin (original)
Stairway to Heaven - any group or singer who has done a cover, can't even compare to the original!

Imagine - John Lennon (original)
Imagine - Perfect Circle (cover and yet another attempt at trying to catch gold!)

Shine

11-18-2005, 10:48 PM

Seeing Celine Dion perform AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" gave me nightmare's for an entire month. :lol:

Steve M.

11-19-2005, 06:33 PM

Shop Around - Smokey Robinson and the Miracles (original)
Shop Around - the Captain and Tennille (cover)

The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - the Band (original)
The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - Joan Baez (cover)

Cruisin' - Smokey Robinson (original)
Cruisin' - Huey Lewis and. . .Gwyenth Paltrow?? (cover)

Ireneparalegal

11-19-2005, 06:54 PM

Ireneparalegal

11-19-2005, 07:09 PM

Sweet Child o' Mine - Guns N Roses (original)
Sweet Child o' Mine - Sheryl Crow (cover) YUCK!!!!!!!

HuntingtonM15

11-19-2005, 07:13 PM

Sweet Child o' Mine - Guns N Roses (original)
Sweet Child o' Mine - Sheryl Crow (cover) YUCK!!!!!!!

I don't know about that song, but maybe Sheryl should stay away from covers. I really like HER music a lot, but she was awful the other night on the Johnny Cash tribute. It was like she was trying to match his voice/accent on Ring of Fire, and it was insanely bad.

Ireneparalegal

11-19-2005, 08:38 PM

I don't know about that song, but maybe Sheryl should stay away from covers. I really like HER music a lot, but she was awful the other night on the Johnny Cash tribute. It was like she was trying to match his voice/accent on Ring of Fire, and it was insanely bad.
Yeah, I highly agree, she has a great voice, very distinctive, but NO MORE cover songs Sheryl, pleeeeeeeze.:eek:

consentida

11-19-2005, 08:45 PM

Seeing Celine Dion perform AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long" gave me nightmare's for an entire month. :lol:

This guy I know sang that for the school's talent show one year. This guy has such a high pitched voice...its deafening. It was even worse when he did "I Will Always Love You."

TheGreatPretender

11-19-2005, 10:01 PM

I know this is going to piss off a lot of people but I wasn't too fond of John Lennon's cover of Stand By Me. Also I hated Jessica's version of Take My Breath Away.

Ireneparalegal

11-19-2005, 10:02 PM

I know this is going to piss off a lot of people but I wasn't too fond of John Lennon's cover of Stand By Me. Also I hated Jessica's version of Take My Breath Away.
me too on both.:wave:

dawsongirl

11-22-2005, 05:14 PM

Also I hated Jessica's version of Take My Breath Away.

That song makes my ears bleed profusely. Jessica RUINED IT.

dawsongirl

11-22-2005, 05:16 PM

Who is that country artist...Gary Allen maybe...who did "Best I Ever Had." (is that the right title?) I don't even know who did it first, but Gary's version makes me want to hurl.

Actually, I'm not a fan of Country artists who remake pop/rock songs.

phoebe7165

11-22-2005, 08:04 PM

Limp Bizkit's version of the Who's "Behind Blue Eyes". What the heck is that 'Speak & Spell' crap in the middle of the song?

BTW, does anybody remember Speak & Spell?

musicradio77

11-22-2005, 09:00 PM

I don't like the original version by the Left Banke. The Four Tops version of "Walk Away Renee" is much better than Left Banke's version. Left Banke's original was the worst original version. In addition to that, Jessica Simpson's version of "These Boots Are Made for Walkin'" sounded terrible. I should stick with Nancy Sinatra's original version.

Ireneparalegal

11-22-2005, 09:07 PM

Steve M.

11-22-2005, 09:12 PM

That song makes my ears bleed profusely. Jessica RUINED IT.

"Take My Breath Away" was a bad song from the start! :p

Ireneparalegal

11-22-2005, 09:13 PM

"Take My Breath Away" was a bad song from the start! :p
:lol:

dawsongirl

11-23-2005, 03:27 AM

BTW, does anybody remember Speak & Spell?

I do!! :wave: I also had Speak and Math.

phoebe7165

11-23-2005, 12:51 PM

"Take My Breath Away" was a bad song from the start! :p

I totally agree!!

Another one I thought of:

OK, I like some of Mariah's stuff but I heard her version of Def Leppard's "Bringin' on the Heartbreak" on the radio and I was like noooooo!!!!

I do!! :wave: I also had Speak and Math.

I don't think I remember Speak and Math!!

Courtnee

11-23-2005, 01:01 PM

Also I hated Jessica's version of Take My Breath Away.
Thats probably the only song by her I can stand....but yeah original=much better

Ireneparalegal

11-23-2005, 03:33 PM

Crazy - Seal
Crazy - Alanis Morissette (OMG!!! Just soooo bad, I heard it in the store today while I was Xmas shopping....UUUGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!)

musicradio77

11-23-2005, 04:14 PM

What's sad abt her version, is that Willie Nelson also sings on this song, but you would never know it.

I've never listened to Willie's version. The worst cover song that I know of is Frank Sinatra doing "Mack the Knife". Bobby Darin's original is much better.

TheGreatPretender

11-23-2005, 05:03 PM

Crazy - Seal
Crazy - Alanis Morissette (OMG!!! Just soooo bad, I heard it in the store today while I was Xmas shopping....UUUGGGGGHHHHH!!!!!)
She said that was her favorite song too.. you would think she wouldn't want to ruin it. :rolleyes:

Ireneparalegal

11-23-2005, 07:11 PM

She said that was her favorite song too.. you would think she wouldn't want to ruin it. :rolleyes:
Exactly!!! Why would she do such harm to a wonderful song????? beats me...

Ireneparalegal

11-23-2005, 07:16 PM

Uuuuugggh...just thought of another bad cover song

Satisfaction - Rolling Stones (Original)
Satisfaction - Britney Spears :mad:

Steve M.

11-27-2005, 08:15 PM

Also, the Bangles's cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "A Hazy Shade of Winter" blows!

The Chauffeur

11-28-2005, 01:05 AM

Also, the Bangles's cover of Simon and Garfunkel's "A Hazy Shade of Winter" blows!
I agree, and even though I am a fan of 80s music, I've always detested The Bangles :lol:

Dean Winchester

11-28-2005, 06:22 PM

I am part of the minority that likes Yoko Ono, and I have definately warmed up to her voice.

But still... her remake of Imagine is so bad that I am surprised she didn't order the master tapes burned. She really tries to belt the song out like a Mariah or Whitney song and we know Yoko doesn't have that style of voice, it is pure rot and she should be glad she waited until after Lennon's death to record that song, he would've divorced her as soon as he heard it, lol.

bookman

11-28-2005, 06:46 PM

Worst cover song ever: The Wallflowers doing David Bowie's "Heroes". atrocious, offensive, infuriating.

Steve M.

11-28-2005, 10:33 PM

"American Pie" by. . .guess who???? :p

Zoneboy

11-29-2005, 04:45 AM

Linda Ronstadt Has Managed To Desecrate A Few Classics In Her Lifetime.:rolleyes:

Tracks Of My Tears originally by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
I Will Always Love You originally by Dolly Parton
We Will Rock You originally by Queen
Tumbling Dice originally by The Rolling Stones
Ooo Baby Baby originally by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
Blue Bayou originally by Roy Orbison
Heat Wave originally by Martha and The Vandellas
When Will I Be Loved originally by The Everly Brothers
You're No Good originally by Betty Everett
Love Is a Rose originally by Neil Young
Desperado originally by Eagles
Just One Look originally by Doris Troy
Silver Threads and Golden Needles originally by Springfields
It Doesn't Matter Anymore originally by Buddy Holly
After The Gold Rush originally by Neil Young
It's So Easy originally by Buddy Holly
The Waiting originally by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Dean Winchester

12-05-2005, 06:25 PM

Linda's remade a bunch of songs, but not all of them were bad. As far as I'm concerned, she made You're No Good (maybe Betty Everett did it first, but Linda recorded the ultimate recording of this song), When Will I Be Loved, It's So Easy, Blue Bayou and Hurt So Bad her own, and she also recorded very competent versions of Tumbling Dice (Jagger himself openly liked Linda's recording), Heat Wave and Poor Poor Pitiful Me.

sounds like you seriously dislike Linda the way you listed some of the best songs in Linda's catalog among her covers you hate, haha

Linda Ronstadt Has Managed To Desecrate A Few Classics In Her Lifetime.:rolleyes:

Tracks Of My Tears originally by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
I Will Always Love You originally by Dolly Parton
We Will Rock You originally by Queen
Tumbling Dice originally by The Rolling Stones
Ooo Baby Baby originally by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles
Blue Bayou originally by Roy Orbison
Heat Wave originally by Martha and The Vandellas
When Will I Be Loved originally by The Everly Brothers
You're No Good originally by Betty Everett
Love Is a Rose originally by Neil Young
Desperado originally by Eagles
Just One Look originally by Doris Troy
Silver Threads and Golden Needles originally by Springfields
It Doesn't Matter Anymore originally by Buddy Holly
After The Gold Rush originally by Neil Young
It's So Easy originally by Buddy Holly
The Waiting originally by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers

Dean Winchester

12-05-2005, 06:29 PM

another cover I hate is Nikki French's Total Eclipse Of The Heart.

I love the type of dance music that Nikki made, but Total Eclipse Of The Heart is a song that Bonnie Tyler has asphaulted and placed her hand in the cement of. Her recording of the song is almost perfect and there was absolutely no point in doing a cheesy dance remake of that song. Dance mixes and Jim Steinman do not mesh well (just listen to the club mixes of Celine's It's All Coming Back To Me Now, which was also a Steinman song) and this was no exception, but the song is so beloved the remake still went to #2.

Dean Winchester

12-05-2005, 06:35 PM

I just noticed you left out the one Linda Ronstadt cover that is generally viewed as the absolute nadir of her career, "Back In The U.S.A." by Chuck Berry. She basically sang the song in a monotone voice and her cover was pure crap, and has even made plenty of "worst of" lists.

I just find it funny you listed some of her GOOD covers (Blue Bayou, Heat Wave, You're No Good, etc....) and then forgot the one that is pretty much universally regarded as a suckfest.

Steve M.

12-05-2005, 11:39 PM

Zoneboy

12-06-2005, 12:28 AM

I just find it funny you listed some of her GOOD covers (Blue Bayou, Heat Wave, You're No Good, etc....) and then forgot the one that is pretty much universally regarded as a suckfest.

LOL, I can't believe I left that one out but don't criticize me for doing so. I'm not perfect & you're right, her versions of some songs weren't that bad. My only gripe is that she's made a living getting rich of other people's material.

Ireneparalegal

12-06-2005, 12:34 AM

LOL, I can't believe I left that one out but don't criticize me for doing so. I'm not perfect & you're right, her versions of some songs weren't that bad. My only gripe is that she's made a living getting rich of other people's material.
You know, i grew up in the 70's, I didn't know until way later that those were cover songs. I like a few of her songs. But I agree, she made her career outta covering other people's songs. But hey, she did it well because she was not criticized, she made money and her tours were succesful. I liked it when she went with her roots and decided to record mariachi music. Those albums are beautiful. But of course, there too, on some songs, they are cover songs.

Dean Winchester

12-06-2005, 01:03 AM

LOL, I can't believe I left that one out but don't criticize me for doing so. I'm not perfect & you're right, her versions of some songs weren't that bad. My only gripe is that she's made a living getting rich of other people's material.

actually, she started out doing originals and only had moderate success, the big problem is that when You're No Good became a #1 hit, the record people kept pushing her to do cover songs and there was like 5 or 6 albums of that until the format got stale. In the early 80's when she tried for a harder Pat Benatar/Chrissie Hynde style she did have a few hits with original songs though, like "How Do I Make You" and "Get Closer"

Linda had a great voice and I think that's really how she made a lot of those songs her own, even though I think Carly Simon was more talented as she actually wrote her hits during that period.

Zoneboy

12-06-2005, 01:22 AM

actually, she started out doing originals and only had moderate success, the big problem is that when You're No Good became a #1 hit, the record people kept pushing her to do cover songs and there was like 5 or 6 albums of that until the format got stale. In the early 80's when she tried for a harder Pat Benatar/Chrissie Hynde style she did have a few hits with original songs though, like "How Do I Make You" and "Get Closer"

Linda had a great voice and I think that's really how she made a lot of those songs her own, even though I think Carly Simon was more talented as she actually wrote her hits during that period.

Her earliest effort as lead singer of the Stone Poneys wasn't too bad. I actually liked their version of Different Drum better that Michael Nesmith's original. Her first chart single as a solo artist was Love Has No Pride which was a cover of Bonnie Raitt's original. I also grew up in the 70's & I have to admit that at that time, I didn't know that a lot of her songs were covers. Truth is , I like her version of Blue Bayou a little better than Roy Orbison's original. What's really funny is that she did a cover of Desperado by The Eagle who started out as her band.

Steve M.

12-06-2005, 09:40 PM

LOL, I can't believe I left that one out but don't criticize me for doing so. I'm not perfect & you're right, her versions of some songs weren't that bad. My only gripe is that she's made a living getting rich of other people's material.

Ther'e nothing wrong with that - Joe Cokcer's second album is practically nothing but covers - but Ronstadt's covers are mostly middle-of-the-road mush with little or no imagination. ohno:

SBTB Geek

12-07-2005, 12:40 AM

Lindsay Lohan - "I Want You to Want Me"

Zoneboy

12-07-2005, 05:19 AM

Gwyneth Paltrow's version of Bette Davis Eyes is just awful when compared to Kim Carne's version. I have to admit that I've never heard Jackie DeShannon's original so I can't compare it with the others.

Moonlight Lady

12-07-2005, 02:56 PM

Don't Leave Me This Way: Original by Thelma Houston
Don't Leave Me This Way: 80's version by the Communards. (late 80's)

Dean Winchester

12-07-2005, 03:46 PM

Don't Leave Me This Way: Original by Thelma Houston
Don't Leave Me This Way: 80's version by the Communards. (late 80's)

The Communards' version was a lot better than Sheena Easton's remake from a few years ago :gag:

dawsongirl

12-08-2005, 04:43 PM

Lindsay Lohan - "I Want You to Want Me"
I haven't even heard that and already my ears hurt.

Ireneparalegal

12-08-2005, 05:17 PM

I haven't even heard that and already my ears hurt.
Oh God, I heard it...YUCK!!!!

Also, anything that Britney Spears covers IS BAD!!!!!:mad:

Shine

12-08-2005, 05:35 PM

One that I forgot to mention was Huey Lewis and Gwenyth Paltrow's cover of Somkey Robinson's "Cruising". Everytime I hear this cover I run to the nearest garbage can. :barf:

Dean Winchester

12-08-2005, 07:03 PM

Barbra Streisand's covers of Life On Mars (David Bowie) and With A Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles) were horrific, but she also did a hell of a version of John Lennon's Mother during the same era so it balances out.

Ireneparalegal

12-08-2005, 07:54 PM

One that I forgot to mention was Huey Lewis and Gwenyth Paltrow's cover of Somkey Robinson's "Cruising". Everytime I hear this cover I run to the nearest garbage can. :barf:
That movie of theirs was a joke too...:rolleyes:

12-08-2005, 11:07 PM

George Benson ruined Carpenters' "Masquerade." Ruined it. Just plain ruined it.

Same can be said about the Ruben Studdard's cover of their "Superstar." Even Luter Vandross's version wasn't that hot.

Ireneparalegal

12-08-2005, 11:12 PM

George Benson ruined Carpenters' "Masquerade." Ruined it. Just plain ruined it.

Same can be said about the Ruben Studdard's cover of their "Superstar." Even Luter Vandross's version wasn't that hot.
"This Masquerade" was originally an instrumental written by Leon Russell. It was featured on a 1976 album by George Benson, for which he received a grammy.

Steve M.

12-08-2005, 11:17 PM

"This Masquerade" was originally an instrumental written by Leon Russell. It was featured on a 1976 album by George Benson, for which he received a grammy.

I thought it was originally a Leon Russell song. Who wrote the lyrics?

Ireneparalegal

12-08-2005, 11:23 PM

I thought it was originally a Leon Russell song. Who wrote the lyrics?
It is a Leon Russell song...lol
He wrote it or composed it, not sure abt the lyrics. Maybe it was one of those instrumentals that had lyrics but just wasn't sung. George Benson's version was Record of the Year; it is also the only record to occupy the number one spot on theJazz, R&B and Pop charts at the same time...I love his version, very jazzy.

BTW, Leon Russell also wrote the Carpenters' song Superstar. He wrote for Joe Cocker, BB King and Ray Charles. Just some of the stars he wrote for.

12-09-2005, 05:16 PM

Yeah, Russell wrote a lot of their stuff.

Most of those songs aren't necessarily original Carpenters' songs, but their versions of them are definitely among the most popular recordings.

Dean Winchester

12-09-2005, 05:26 PM

Cher recorded Superstar a year before The Carpenters did and released it as a single, but her version wasn't a hit

Ireneparalegal

12-09-2005, 06:21 PM

Cher recorded Superstar a year before The Carpenters did and released it as a single, but her version wasn't a hit
The Carpenters "superstar" is THEE BEST.

catlover79

12-19-2008, 10:58 PM

catlover79

12-19-2008, 11:04 PM

The Carpenters "superstar" is THEE BEST.
:clap :yeahthat

catlover79

12-19-2008, 11:26 PM

I haven't even heard that and already my ears hurt.
Same here!! :lol: To tell the truth, I was never crazy about that song to begin with.

dawsongirl

12-20-2008, 12:40 AM

One that I forgot to mention was Huey Lewis and Gwenyth Paltrow's cover of Somkey Robinson's "Cruising". Everytime I hear this cover I run to the nearest garbage can. :barf:
That song sucks no matter who does it.

dawsongirl

12-20-2008, 12:41 AM

Who is that country artist...Gary Allen maybe...who did "Best I Ever Had." (is that the right title?) I don't even know who did it first, but Gary's version makes me want to hurl.
I wish I knew what the hell I was talking about. :lol:

HuntingtonM15

12-20-2008, 12:47 AM

Has anyone else here heard Olivia Newton-John's cover of "Ring of Fire"? It appeared on her 1977 album Making a Good Thing Better - not in this case!! Love ONJ, love "Ring of Fire", BUT NOT TOGETHER!!!! :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

:lol: As I said on the first page of this thread, Sheryl Crow's version was horrendous, too. And I'm a massive Sheryl fan.

catlover79

12-20-2008, 10:42 AM

That song sucks no matter who does it.
Hey, I like Smokey's version...

catlover79

12-20-2008, 10:43 AM

:lol: As I said on the first page of this thread, Sheryl Crow's version was horrendous, too. And I'm a massive Sheryl fan.
I'll have to take your word on this, Michael - I've never heard Sheryl's version. I don't think I want to. :lol:

HuntingtonM15

12-20-2008, 01:25 PM

I'll have to take your word on this, Michael - I've never heard Sheryl's version. I don't think I want to. :lol:

You definitely don't! She tried adding this fake twang that she doesn't have, and "bad" doesn't begin to describe it.

Shine

12-20-2008, 02:10 PM

That song sucks no matter who does it.

The Smokey Robinson version is a classic.

Shine

12-20-2008, 02:11 PM

I wish I knew what the hell I was talking about. :lol:

That goes without saying, Cathy. ;) :lol:

Shine

12-20-2008, 02:15 PM

You definitely don't! She tried adding this fake twang that she doesn't have, and "bad" doesn't begin to describe it.

I've never really liked Sheryl Crow. I remember when her first song "All I Want To Do" came out back in '94 or '95, the radio played in none stop. It didn't help that I disliked the song to begin with. I think "If It Makes You Happy" was a pretty good song though.

HuntingtonM15

12-20-2008, 02:19 PM

I've never really liked Sheryl Crow. I remember when her first song "All I Want To Do" came out back in '94 or '95, the radio played in none stop. It didn't help that I disliked the song to begin with. I think "If It Makes You Happy" was a pretty good song though.

Her album tracks are usually way better than her singles, in my opinion. I love her, but going to her concerts it's a bit annoying sitting through "My Favorite Mistake" and "Soak Up The Sun." :lol: I also never really enjoyed "The First Cut Is The Deepest" while it seems like everyone else does.

MickeyMac

12-20-2008, 02:48 PM

For really bad cover versions check out some of the 1950's pop versions of R&B classics:

Sh Boom-The Crew Cuts(the original version by the Chords)
I'm In Love Again-The Fontane Sisters(originally done by Fats Domino)
Goodnight Sweetheart Goodnight-The McGuire Sisters(originally done by The Spaniels)
Fever-Peggy Lee(originally done by Little Willie John)

and Pat Boone's version of "Tutti Fruiti" That one is almost comedy.

dawsongirl

12-20-2008, 02:52 PM

The Smokey Robinson version is a classic.
I'm sure it is, but I don't like the song.

dawsongirl

12-20-2008, 02:54 PM

That goes without saying, Cathy. ;) :lol:
Seriously, I don't even know who Gary Allen is! And I can't place the song at all. I'm sure it made sense in 2005.

dawsongirl

12-20-2008, 04:06 PM

Just say no to Celine Dion doing Happy X-mas. DAMN.

HuntingtonM15

12-20-2008, 05:18 PM

Seriously, I don't even know who Gary Allen is!

You aren't missing too much.

Zoneboy

12-20-2008, 05:27 PM

You aren't missing too much.

Depends on what he's singing, The Best I Ever had wasn't one of his better efforts but Man to Man (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42G38fMfMu0) was great.

Shine

12-20-2008, 08:33 PM

Just say no to Celine Dion doing Happy X-mas. DAMN.

That's a terrible cover! :eek:

Shine

12-20-2008, 08:33 PM

Seriously, I don't even know who Gary Allen is! And I can't place the song at all. I'm sure it made sense in 2005.

:lol:

Jonathan

12-20-2008, 09:07 PM

Seriously, I don't even know who Gary Allen is! And I can't place the song at all. I'm sure it made sense in 2005.
Gary Allan is primarily a country singer. He is pretty good if you like country! :thumbsup:

catlover79

12-20-2008, 09:37 PM

You definitely don't! She tried adding this fake twang that she doesn't have, and "bad" doesn't begin to describe it.
:rofl:

catlover79

12-20-2008, 09:38 PM

Her album tracks are usually way better than her singles, in my opinion. I love her, but going to her concerts it's a bit annoying sitting through "My Favorite Mistake" and "Soak Up The Sun." :lol: I also never really enjoyed "The First Cut Is The Deepest" while it seems like everyone else does.
I've always really liked "Safe & Sound", which was played over the ending credits of K-PAX. :cool:

catlover79

12-20-2008, 09:40 PM

Just say no to Celine Dion doing Happy X-mas. DAMN.
Never heard it. but my ears are bleeding just picturing it!!! :eek:

dawsongirl

12-20-2008, 09:43 PM

Never heard it. but my ears are bleeding just picturing it!!! :eek:
I was listening to a Christmas station and it came on. I heard maybe 10 seconds and switched it.

catlover79

12-20-2008, 09:46 PM

I was listening to a Christmas station and it came on. I heard maybe 10 seconds and switched it.
That would be enough to scar anyone for life. :eek: :lol:

HuntingtonM15

12-20-2008, 09:48 PM

I've always really liked "Safe & Sound", which was played over the ending credits of K-PAX. :cool:

Yeah, I love that song. I actually love most of that album, but "Soak Up The Sun" and "Steve McQueen" are ones that were WAY too overplayed. I guess that's good for her, though. :lol: