Covers
We were listening to 6Music today (through the powers of the internet) and from the bedroom I heard a song that I thought I recognised as the Red Hot Chili Peppers. The more I listened, the more I realised that I was wrong; it turns out that it was Stevie Wonder’s ‘Higher Ground’, which (as I learned today) the Chili Peppers had covered. I didn’t ever know that the RHCP’s version was a cover but I’ve always thought that this song had something lacking (if you click on the links above and listen, I’m sure you’ll agree) and I now know why: it’s a cover. I’m not suggesting that all covers are bad, not at all, some are extremely effective but there are only a handful of covers that really work. Some of the successful and unsuccessful covers (in my opinion) are below:
Successful
- Alien Ant Farm – ‘Smooth Criminal’ – originally Michael Jackson
- Muse – ‘Feeling Good’ – originally Nina Simone
- Cake – ‘I Will Survive’ – originally Gloria Gaynor
- Eva Cassidy – ‘Fields of Gold’ – originally Sting and The Police
- Mike Flowers Pops – ‘WonderWall’ – originally Oasis
Unsuccessful
- Will Young – ‘Light My Fire’ – originally The Doors
- Emma Bunton – ‘What I Am’ – originally Edie Brickell & New Bohemians
- All Saints – ‘Under The Bridge – originally Red Hot Chili Peppers
- Westlife – ‘Uptown Girl’ – originally Billy Joel
- Atomic Kitten – ‘Eternal Flame’ – The Bangles
Correct me if I’m wrong?
