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Bette Davis Eyes was written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon in 1974. Jackie DeShannon recorded the song that year, but Kim Carnes’ version in 1981 took the song to new heights.
The Jackie DeShannon and Kim Carnes versions are totally different - chalk and cheese. Which made me wonder - which cover versions do you prefer to the originals?
@HannahHowe Johnny Cash's version of 'Hurt' for me.
@Fionnbharr That is exceptionally good.
There is no disputing that The Kingsmen *own* Louie Louie.
Edit: Hendrix, likewise, turned All Along The Watchtower from a typical Dylan folk poem into a portentous sonic journey through an imagined hell.
"Dreams" by the Allman Brothers was Gregg's attempt at doing a song like "All Blues" by Miles Davis, and it's gorgeous. Molly Hatchet's cover changes the time signature and overall feel - still good, but another "chalk & cheese".
I've just finished everything so far of 500songs.com, and a very interesting through line is how Jazz used to very regularly influence Rock'n'Roll, and there was a long, slow, very slow, process of pushing it out in favour of the "Chicago Blues" form.
@HannahHowe This is a great question. Cover songs can open up an endless discussion, and I feature a different cover song on my Mixcloud show every week. Some big ones for me: India Arie covering Don Henley's "Heart of the Matter" and both Juice Newton and Pretenders covering "Angel of the Morning" by Evie Sands.
@HannahHowe There's a whole list of songs which you don't always realise are covers (I'm always slightly surprised when I discover a Blondie song that *isn't* a cover)
- First Cut is the deepest (Rod Stewart/PP Arnold)
- Blue Suede Shoes (Elvis/Mama Thornton)
- Piece of my heart (Big Brother/Erma Franklin)
- I love rock & roll (Joan Jett/The Arrows)
- Time is on my side (Rolling Stones/Irma Thomas)
- Alone (Heart/i-Ten)
Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash/Anita Carter)
@ahchay @HannahHowe the honourable gentleman @DJDarren did an edition of #thePlaylist on unexpected covers a few weeks back. Well worth a listen: https://www.mixcloud.com/DJDarren/theplaylist-020924-huh-i-didnt-know-that-was-a-cover/
@HannahHowe
Oh yeah, Mickey by Toni Basil - originally by Racey with a different name...
Other, traditional (if you like) cover versions I really like
- Cornershop - Norwegian Wood
- Grace Jones - La vie en Rose
- Cud - Urban Spaceman (also Lola)
- Bjork - It's oh so quiet
- Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah
@ahchay @HannahHowe Cud’s cover of You Sexy Thing is awesome 
@WiteWulf @HannahHowe Honestly, they're the kings of floppy indie cover versions.
Snuff's version of I think we're alone now is also great (which is a song that seems to surface every ten years since the Shondells version in the sixties - we're due another one I reckon)
Although, the best Snuff cover version is undoubtably the Shake & Vac song
@ahchay @HannahHowe Snuff are the Kings of the Cover, imho. Their version of I Think We’re Alone Now has some really inspired counterpoints and harmonies in it. Their take on Don’t Fear The Reaper is also fantastic
@ahchay @WiteWulf @HannahHowe They always stamped the covers with their own style. Shake & Vac was fun (as was the EP it was on) but their version of Branflakes always makes me chuckle
@vnvobit @ahchay @HannahHowe they're still great live, pop along if you see them playing nearby
@Len0w0ThinkBad @WiteWulf @HannahHowe I will check that out, thanks :)
@HannahHowe I admit I had to lookup the Heart one, the original was a pretty obscure record (similarly, Hanging on the telephone to be fair)
@HannahHowe
I didn't realise it was a cover, and I haven't heard the original, but the combination Kim Carnes gravelly voice and the arrangement seems like something hard to better.
@philippa It’s a fantastic version, making a good song great. The original is more upbeat and jazzy.
@HannahHowe Bringing a bit of prog in here, Yes's version of America by Simon & Garfunkel proves that you can make a ballad rock more than Joe Cocker's cover of the Beatles With a Little Help from my Friends.
Midnight at the Oasis (Maria Muldaur), version by Brand New Heavies
In my Life (Beatles), version by Diana Krall
Jammin' (Bob Marley), version by Eliane Elias
Inner City Blues (Grover Washington jr.), version by Molly Johnson
I could do this all night, but I'll shut up now 
@HannahHowe The best version of "Nellie The Elephant" is by The Toy Dolls, and the counter-melody added to "Tra La La (The Banana Splits Song)" by The Dickies is a thing of beauty. No, really.
I prefer the original, but China Drum's take on "Wuthering Heights" means a lot to me. And when you wring all the schmaltz and over-production out of "Always On My Mind", as Pet Shop Boys do, it's a damn good song.
@HannahHowe Cyndi Lauper, I Drove All Night
@HannahHowe
All Along the Watchtower - Hendrix
Blinded By the Light - Manfred Mann
Back in the High Life - Warren Zevon
@HannahHowe There are 2 covers that I prefer to listen to over the originals, that's not to say they are better but equally epic.
Mrs Robinson - The Lemonheads / Simon and Garfunkel
Live and Let Die - Guns 'n' Roses / Paul McCartney and Wings
And a shout out to The Rolling Stones for their cover of Little Red Rooster for introducing me to The Blues 