While listening to one of those sampling stations at the record shop that lets you hear little portions of each song on a CD I realized that there are quite a few songs that have some pretty lame covers. Some songs have only 1 version that is good to me. One such song is What You Won't Do for Love by Bobby Caldwell from 1978. I don't know if he wrote this song for himself but it is a perfect meeting of song and artist. Every other version of that song that I have heard is lacking (actually none of Caldwell's other songs are as good as this- maybe that is why it was his only mainstream chart hit). Go West had a version in 1993 that I liked at the time but now realize it is because I like the song itself, but their remake is not at all charming.

Another tune that has only one definitive version is Just the Two Of Us by Grover Washington Jr and Bill Withers from 1981. I've heard a couple terrible covers of that one as well as the obligatory rap sample version.

One more is Where Is the Love by Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway. This one has been remade alot and not every version is atrocious but the chemistry on the original just can't be duplicated (probably because Flack and Hathaway had a real relationship unlike the other singers put together by the record companies).

What are some other songs that have only one definitive version and the covers sound terrible/weak in comparison? I guess this could include a song that was weak in its original version and had a remake that was much much more definitive.

Take My Breath Away didn't need to be remade, the original was perfection

Total Eclipse Of The Heart is another song that a remake of it was unnecesary, the Bonnie Tyler version was definitive for the song and nobody else could make the song the same

Originally posted by BuffySlayer79


Total Eclipse Of The Heart is another song that a remake of it was unnecesary, the Bonnie Tyler version was definitive for the song and nobody else could make the song the same

That new version by Nikki French is a dance song I remember. Tyler's version is much better, but those dance remakes are made for people to dance to in dimly lit clubs, I don't think they're intended for people to actually listen to. There's a dance remake of Bryan Adams' Heaven and Phil Collins' Something Happened On the Way to Heaven that are just like that.

Back in the 80's or early 90s, I remember an r&b act called By All Means. They did a cover of Marvin Gaye's "Let's Get It On" that made me wish covers were outlawed. I seriously wanted this group arrested and charged with a crime. First of all, there's simply no reason for anyone to cover that song since Marvin's version is perfection. But to do some lame going through the motions version of the song like they did, puke:

Prince's "Kiss" didn't need to be remade by the Art of Noise and Tom Jones. Prince's original was funky, the remake was indeed the art of noise.

Anything by The Beatles didn't NEED to be remade. But several remakes of their songs were pretty good I'll have to admit. In fact The Beatles themselves remade several early rock and roll hits that were pretty darn good!(Twist And Shout, Rock And Roll Music, etc.):D

Faith Hill's remake of Janis Joplin's "Take Another Piece Of My Heart" was totally unnecessary!:eek:

Originally posted by jamesanthony
That new version by Nikki French is a dance song I remember. Tyler's version is much better, but those dance remakes are made for people to dance to in dimly lit clubs, I don't think they're intended for people to actually listen to. There's a dance remake of Bryan Adams' Heaven and Phil Collins' Something Happened On the Way to Heaven that are just like that.

well, I think it's better to remix the originals, like I heard a club mix of Air Supply's All Out Of Love that sounded great

I dont really like Uncle Kracker's version of "Drift Away"

Originally posted by "Weird" Jack Wilso-vic
I dont really like Uncle Kracker's version of "Drift Away"

This is another record that I liked a lot when it was out more because of the song itself rather than the actual recording. Uncle Kracker pales badly in comparison to Dobie Gray as far as singing ability is concerned. Gray's solo original is really one of a kind. I've heard some pretty weird covers of this song; at least Kracker went out and dug up Gray to help him make the song a hit.

Jessica did not need to remake Robbie Williams "Angel". She can't sing for **** and killed a perfectly good song. Get your own damn material.

Originally posted by Penny Lane
Faith Hill's remake of Janis Joplin's "Take Another Piece Of My Heart" was totally unnecessary!:eek:

So did the exact version by Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge. They had that version too.

Although I don't like Jessica's version of "Take My Breath Away," I do think her cover of "Angels" is much better than the original.

No need for Kid Rock's remake of "Feel Like Makin' Love" by Bad Company.

Apparently if you can't sing, you scream.

Originally posted by Penny Lane
Faith Hill's remake of Janis Joplin's "Take Another Piece Of My Heart" was totally unnecessary!:eek:

That was actually a very good move for Faith. It was one of the songs that helped her break into the world of country music. Country fans seemed to give a good response to the new version of the song. It was still well responded to last time Faith went out on tour in 2000.

Hilary and Haylee Duff's remake of "Our Lips Are Sealed" was completely unnecessary.

Originally posted by TradingMooses
Hilary and Haylee Duff's remake of "Our Lips Are Sealed" was completely unnecessary.

me too, I'm willing to bet she'll be like Britney when asked about this song (when Britney was asked about her cover of Joan Jett's I Love Rock N' Roll, she said it was because she always liked Pat Benatar), and Hillary will say "well, I've always loved The Bangles", lol (as we all know, The Go-Go's sang it)

Originally posted by HuntingtonM15
That was actually a very good move for Faith. It was one of the songs that helped her break into the world of country music. Country fans seemed to give a good response to the new version of the song. It was still well responded to last time Faith went out on tour in 2000.

Yeah, I loved the remake! I know Janis' version is legendary, but it just seems like too much screaming for me. :o Faith did a really good job, in my humble opinion.

Originally posted by david&maddie4ever
Yeah, I loved the remake! I know Janis' version is legendary, but it just seems like too much screaming for me. :o Faith did a really good job, in my humble opinion.

Well said! Great avatar and signature by the way! That is my favorite song from the Tim & the DHD album.

Originally posted by HuntingtonM15
Well said! Great avatar and signature by the way! That is my favorite song from the Tim & the DHD album.

Thank you much...your av is awesome, too. :rock:

I love every song on that CD, but I just fell in love with those lyrics. I'll change it soon, but it'll just be another Timmy song. :o

Originally posted by TradingMooses
Hilary and Haylee Duff's remake of "Our Lips Are Sealed" was completely unnecessary.

Everytime I see that commercial for the movie I get violently ill neither of them can sing and I'm a big Go Go's and Belinda Carlisle fan don't mess with my music!

Originally posted by TradingMooses
Hilary and Haylee Duff's remake of "Our Lips Are Sealed" was completely unnecessary.

I agree with you on that one.

Although when the Hillary Duff fans around here start chasing you through the streets, you and I never met.

;)

Aerosmith's version of the Beatles "Come Together."

Hated it!:eek: :eek: ohno: ohno:

The White Stripes' "Fell In Love With A Girl" did not need to be remade by Joss Stone as "Fell In Love With A Boy." :barf:

Originally posted by AKA
The White Stripes' "Fell In Love With A Girl" did not need to be remade by Joss Stone as "Fell In Love With A Boy." :barf:

Oh AKA, we usually agree on everything, I even agreed with you on how bad the Journey video was. :lol: :rolleyes:

I am a Joss Stone fan, I thought she did a great job of singing the song live on the Diva special.

I respect your decision. :wave: ;)

Originally posted by Jrnygrl
Oh AKA, we usually agree on everything, I even agreed with you on how bad the Journey video was. :lol: :rolleyes:

I am a Joss Stone fan, I thought she did a great job of singing the song live on the Diva special.

I respect your decision. :wave: ;)

No problem. :) I concede that she has a great voice. I'm just not a fan of her arrangement.

Originally posted by AKA
No problem. :) I concede that she has a great voice. I'm just not a fan of her arrangement.


:cool: :thumbsup: peacesign:

Originally posted by Jrnygrl
Aerosmith's version of the Beatles "Come Together."

Hated it!:eek: :eek: ohno: ohno:

actually, I thought Aerosmith did a decent job with the song, about the only salvagable thing from the entire Sgt. Pepper's movie

Originally posted by TradingMooses
Hilary and Haylee Duff's remake of "Our Lips Are Sealed" was completely unnecessary.
Anything by either of them is completely unnecessary. Just my opinion, though.

I really hate Uncle Kracker's version of "Drift Away." The thought is nice, but it sounds horrible.

Madonna's version of "American Pie" comes to mind, too. And I definitely hated Limp Bizkit's "Behind Blue Eyes." There are a lot more. I'm not a huge fan of remakes.

Originally posted by *Marilyn Monroe*
I really hate Uncle Kracker's version of "Drift Away." The thought is nice, but it sounds horrible.


After hearing "Drift Away" ad nauseum on classic rock radio stations for the past 20 years, I believe there was no need to revive that song.

Hilary and Haylee Duff's remake of "Our Lips Are Sealed" was completely unnecessary.
Agreed - the Go-Go's version rocks and always will. So there. ;)

The abysmal cover of Dio's "Holy Diver" by Killswitch Engage is completely annoying. Too many metalcore, screamo elements going on that kill a classic metal song.

The abysmal cover of Dio's "Holy Diver" by Killswitch Engage is completely annoying. Too many metalcore, screamo elements going on that kill a classic metal song.

That was the first thing that popped into my mind too. Any modern metal/rock band doing songs by Dio, Sabbath, Maiden, or Priest = epic fail.

Also, Sheryl Crow's "Sweet Child Of Mine"? Shoot me, PLEASE.

And Britney Spears should not go near the Rolling Stones, unless she plans on shagging Mick.

That was the first thing that popped into my mind too. Any modern metal/rock band doing songs by Dio, Sabbath, Maiden, or Priest = epic fail.

Also, Sheryl Crow's "Sweet Child Of Mine"? Shoot me, PLEASE.

And Britney Spears should not go near the Rolling Stones, unless she plans on shagging Mick.


Hopefully Mick has better taste than that lol!

That was the first thing that popped into my mind too. Any modern metal/rock band doing songs by Dio, Sabbath, Maiden, or Priest = epic fail.

Also, Sheryl Crow's "Sweet Child Of Mine"? Shoot me, PLEASE.

And Britney Spears should not go near the Rolling Stones, unless she plans on shagging Mick.
Why not? He's slept with just about everybody else. :eek: :lol:

I know there are Carpenters fans here but I have to admit I can do without their version of "Please Mr. Postman"

To me it pails to the Marvelettes original.

I know there are Carpenters fans here but I have to admit I can do without their version of "Please Mr. Postman"

To me it pails to the Marvelettes original.
I've been a big Carpenters fan since I was 12, but "Postman" never was one of my favorites. No offense taken.

^ Well, I'm on the other end........I love the Carpenters' "Please Mr Postman".
Now their version of "Ticket to Ride", I can do without! :lol:

^ Well, I'm on the other end........I love the Carpenters' "Please Mr Postman".
Now their version of "Ticket to Ride", I can do without! :lol:
Now their cover of Ticket to Ride is one of my favorites!! I mean the version they recorded in 1969, which is a lot rawer than the re-recorded version they did for their greatest hits compilation in 1972. To each his own. :D

Agreed - the Go-Go's version rocks and always will. So there. ;)


Strange thing is that this song was a cover or was covered by the British group, Fun Boy Three--their version makes the lyrics sound dark and twisted.

Now their cover of Ticket to Ride is one of my favorites!! I mean the version they recorded in 1969, which is a lot rawer than the re-recorded version they did for their greatest hits compilation in 1972. To each his own. :D


oh it was remade by the Carpenters twice?? Maybe that version is the one I always heard....and loathed :lol:

Strange thing is that this song was a cover or was covered by the British group, Fun Boy Three--their version makes the lyrics sound dark and twisted.
Wow, I never knew that. Sounds interesting. :cool:

^ it may be on Youtube......isn't everything on Youtube? :lol:

^ it may be on Youtube......isn't everything on Youtube? :lol:
Pretty much. :lol:

I never liked the cover of "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" by Annie Lennox. It was too much synth-driven unlike the Procol Harum version which was organ-driven.

I just hope I never hear the Rex Harrison Version of "A Whiter Shade Of Pale".

Aerosmith's version of "Come Together" by The Beatles!

Why not? He's slept with just about everybody else. :eek: :lol:

David Bowie concurs.

I never liked the cover of "A Whiter Shade Of Pale" by Annie Lennox. It was too much synth-driven unlike the Procol Harum version which was organ-driven.

I just hope I never hear the Rex Harrison Version of "A Whiter Shade Of Pale".
Did you ever hear Sarah Brightman's cover of "A Whiter Shade of Pale"? It wasn't bad.

David Bowie concurs.
OUCH. :eek: :rofl:

any song covered by celine dion

carwash- rolls royce sang the original but i wasn't too keen on the christina aguilera and missy elliott remake

any song covered by celine dion

carwash- rolls royce sang the original but i wasn't too keen on the christina aguilera and missy elliott remake
Speaking of, they NEVER should've touched Lady Marmalade. :mad: Give me the original ANY TIME!!!

"Smooth Criminal" by Alien Ant Farm

The Michael Jackson version was good, but the Alien Ant Farm one was annoying!

"Smooth Criminal" by Alien Ant Farm

The Michael Jackson version was good, but the Alien Ant Farm one was annoying!
I have to disagree. I liked the Alien Ant Farm cover.

any song covered by celine dion
Remind me to pray that she doesn't cover a Velocity Girl song. I'd rather hear Miley Cyrus cover one of them, than Celine Dion.

Bob Dylan and UB40's version of "Cant Help Falling In Love"


yucccccccccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

Terry Jacks' cover of Nirvana's Seasons in the Sun



See how I flipped that! LOL ;)