Cover songs of acts we like and don't like

One complaint or observation I have seen sometimes is being too much about the song (and focusing on the "hits"). Why I often like to focus on songs in the forum is because that is easier to share, and then therefore discover and discuss, than whole albums. Usually when I share songs I appreciate the whole albums and choose ones that resonate with me or caught my ear early. I am someone who often likes to move from generalities to specifics (detail-oriented). Of course one might generally not like a band while liking particular songs. And one might not like the song done by a band/artist, but like a cover version of the band.

The other day a not-appreciating Cardiacs post came up where my choice was "Dirty Boy" (it took me a while of listening to the lyrics to realise how "dirty" I think that boy is, by the way. Keep your royal jelly in hand, I'll stick to honey in tea).

Here is the original:



And here are two covers that I like:





Not sure if there are those here who might appreciate either of those covers and dislike the Cardiacs track.

I was wondering if there are any covers of "Prog" (some don't think of Cardiacs as Prog, but I do) songs that you like where you dislike the original. And what are some of your favourite "Prog" or progressive covers where you love the original and the cover.

This cover of Robert Wyatt's Sea Song done by Rachel Unthank & The Winterset is one of my favourites of a song I love in its Wyatt form (love various versions involving her).



While I actually loved ELP's "Trilogy" at one time, I kind of went off it, but I still love this cover by Jad&Den Quartet.



And mentioning the odd cover of a not-Prog song is fine too... Me talking Portishead became something of an in-joke after a response I got on it, even if only funny to me. Now I feel like it's kind of wrong when I don't mention Portishead. Rather like how most every Dream Theater topic at one topic got Magma thrown in. I suspect that I would prefer a Magma cover of Dream Theater than a Dream Theater cover of Magma, although it might be fun to hear James LaBrie sing in Kobaian.

I like the ABBA original, but this version hits me harder.

I prefer Jimi Hendrix's version of All Along the Watchtower.

Edited by Logan - December 03 2024 at 11:58

Mormegil wrote: Not a "prog" song by any means, but Yes' cover of Simon & Garfunkel's "America" is just tremendous. I much prefer the cover over the original.

Cristi wrote: Voivod - Astronomy Domine

I know and like that cover too, and in my case I also love the original (not sure with you).

Logan wrote: Cristi wrote: Voivod - Astronomy Domine I know and like that cover too, and in my case I also love the original (not sure with you).

Not a prog song, really, but I love the heartfelt version of the Beatle's "You Won't See Me" done by Helmut Koellen on his solo album of the same name. Nice.

I just stumbled upon this video and could have posted it on the Peter Sinfield thread. Toyah and Robert Fripp talk about Greg Lake and his Xmas classic. The whole of Toyah's cover is shown at the end of the video. I well remember it when it came out and was so pleased that a major pop artist liked this. Always had a high opinion of her since. She is lovely and Robert is a very 'Lucky Man' (see what I did there lol)

Brand new cover from Motorpsycho here. I like both this version and the original quite a bit:

Cristi wrote: Epignosis wrote: essexboyinwales wrote: Dan Reed Network’s funky cover of Pink Floyd’s money is waaasy better than the original (which always feels out of place on DSOTM) Out of place? I always thought going from "Time" to "Money" made a lot of cents. It also made a lot of sense, because DSOTM has a perfect flow.

I’ve always felt that the musical style of Money just doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the album - I don’t dislike it☺️