Best Cover. What's your take?
Ok, so I know this has little to do with sports. Bear with me. I got to thinking today, "What is the greatest cover song of all time?" It's not such an easy question as I have several that I just wouldn't be able to take out of my MP3 player. How does this relate to sports? I'll get to that.

But I want your take? What is the best cover song of all time. I'll throw my opinion out there as Dave Matthews Band's version of a Bob Dylan (thanks BrooklynHorn) classic "All Along the Watchtower." If you enjoy either DMB or Bob Dylan, or Jimi's version and haven't heard this version, do yourself a favor and go to YouTube and do a little search. In fact, here you go:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypaH1...
Another good one: Nonpoints version of "In the Air Tonight" originally done by Phil Collins.
Ok, so here's how it relates to sports. During the 2007 season, I'll be recording every UT game and creating a few highlight videos. One for offense, one for defense, one for special teams, and one general highlight film (most likely with several songs). I really want to do some research so this diary will be two fold.
- What is your favorite Cover song?
- What are some really good "pump you up" ready to hit something songs that I can incorporate into some highlight videos? They can be rock, rap, or classical. Please, don't bother with country music for suggestions. It just won't happen. Maybe I missed a genre. Feel free to add your own.
Discuss...
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"pump you up" song
... cant go wrong with "Eye of the Tiger"... get a shot of Colt's eyes through the helmet and then go on from there... or you could focus on Jamaal Charle's eyes... but he usually wears a screen. We dont have any uber-threatening LB's or DB's this season, but if we did, you could get a shot of them sniffing up on the line of scrimmage before a play and mauling the opposing QB.
by deysmak on May 2, 2007 9:38 AM CDT 0 recs
what about
"Highway to the danger zone"... that pumps me up too
by deysmak on May 2, 2007 9:39 AM CDT 0 recs
Jimi's "All Along the Watchtower"
is actually a cover of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower."
by BrooklynHorn on May 2, 2007 9:55 AM CDT 0 recs
Good call
Thanks.
Either way, Dave's version is impecable.
by GoHorns on
May 2, 2007 10:12 AM CDT
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eh
I would say that it's hard to call much of anything DMB has done as "impeccable."
by Jason Mayer on
May 2, 2007 10:16 AM CDT
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Best Cover Song
Easily Townes Van Zandt's cover of "Dead Flowers." Captures the spirit of the song better than the Stones.
I'll get back to you on "pump you up" songs, but let's leave out corny hair metal bands and 80s rock.
Some good ones off the top of my head include "The Ecstasy of Gold" by Ennio Morricone (from The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly) and the Kronos Quartet's music from Requiem for a Dream (currently being used for the Lost promos).
by Jason Mayer on May 2, 2007 10:15 AM CDT 0 recs
requiem
i'm a big fan of the Requiem for a Dream soundtrack. good call.
by billyzane on
May 2, 2007 10:29 AM CDT
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Grunge era
I once found a cover by Pearl Jam of STP's Plush. If you were around for the grunge era, you'll probably realize what a great (and comical) find that is, considering the media used to think they were the same band.
by chief on May 2, 2007 10:27 AM CDT 0 recs
songs
- Landslide by the Smashing Pumpkis (Fleetwood Mac/Stevie Nicks cover); Killing me Softly by the Fugees (Roberta Flack cover); Gin & Juice by the Gourds (Snoop cover); Scarlet Begonias by Sublime (Grateful Dead cover); The Man Who Sold the World by Nirvana (David Bowie cover); Gold Heart Mountain Top Queen Directory by ...And You Will Know Us By The Trail of Dead (Guided by Voices cover). that's all i can think of right now, anyway.
- I don't know about songs that make you want to hit something, but some good songs for football highlights would be "Junior Kickstart" or "Huddle Formation" by The Go! Team. Also, "Bandages" by Hot Hot Heat (especially for the highlight where Stephen McGee inevitably gets decapitated during a game). Also perhaps "It Was There That I Saw You" by Trail of Dead or "Song for Clay" by Bloc Party (starting at the 1-minute mark anyway...). And for the Arkansas State game, "Yawn Yawn Yawn" by Les Savy Fav.
by billyzane on May 2, 2007 10:28 AM CDT 0 recs
More Nirvana
Son of a Gun, Molly's Lips, Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam - all originally performed by the Vaselines
Here is, what appears to be, a good source for cover songs.
Any cover of a GBV song is good times. Hey Joe by the Make Up is pretty good.
I also like the Weezer version of Velouria, originally by the Pixies.
For pump up songs, Teenage Riot by Sweet is good for me. Hell, just buy Gary Glitter's greatest hits.
by Bob LaBlog on
May 2, 2007 11:52 AM CDT
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Velouria ?
Is that the song at the end of "Fight Club" by the Pixie's?????????? Heard it in Ruidoso a few years ago on "The Kid" and haven't heard it since. Just not sure of the song Title.......
by ouALWAYSsux on
May 3, 2007 4:10 PM CDT
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Where is My Mind
I think that's Where is My Mind. Nada Surf has a version of it that sounds better, but still isn't as good as the original.
Velouria - I'm not sure who is in this video, but it's got good sound quality.
by Bob LaBlog on
May 3, 2007 5:00 PM CDT
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TY
by ouALWAYSsux on
May 4, 2007 3:30 PM CDT
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pump you up
Almost anything by Rage against the machine.
And eye of the tiger was even bad in the eighties. Don't ever play that song. Ever.
by SwimTexas on May 2, 2007 11:37 AM CDT 0 recs
Down with the sickness
by Disturbed is a great pump up song. Best opening to any song ever.
by SwimTexas on May 2, 2007 11:50 AM CDT 0 recs
El Guardia by Les Aus
It's loud guitar, drums, and some random yelling.
by Bob LaBlog on May 2, 2007 11:54 AM CDT 0 recs
Um
I think you're forgetting the best cover song of all time...
Ugly Kid Joe - Cats in the Cradle
AC/DC Thunderstruck makes me want to kick children on camera
by Tbone Stallone on May 2, 2007 12:11 PM CDT 0 recs
Thanks guys
Keep 'em coming.
I'll listen to all of the songs you mention for my research.
Some early thoughts for "pump you up" songs for me are Bionic Jive's "Swarm" for defense and Ra's "Do you call my name" (with extended intro) for offense. I really want something "shifty" with some heavy hits for special teams. Right now, and this is completely preliminary, a starting point for my train of thought is Eyedea & Ability's "Now".
by GoHorns on May 2, 2007 12:15 PM CDT 0 recs
The best cover I've ever heard
is the TV on the Radio version of "Mr. Grieves" (originally by the Pixies). Anyone who is a Pixies fan should check it out.
I also like BZ's vote for Smashing Pumpkins' "Landslide."
Others:
Guns and Roses "Knockin on Heaven's Door" (Bob Dylan)
White Stripes "One More Cup of Coffee" (Bob Dylan)
Pearl Jam "Crazy Mary" (Victoria Williams)
Jonny Cash "Hurt" (Nine Inch Nails)
NOFX "Champs Elysee" (various artists)
by BrooklynHorn on May 2, 2007 12:24 PM CDT 0 recs
Champs Elysee
I heard the NOFX version years ago, but I didn't know who it was. We sang that in my 8th grade french class. The NOFX version is great.
The White Stripes also do an amazing version of Jolene.
by Bob LaBlog on
May 2, 2007 12:32 PM CDT
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Cover Songs I can think of off the top of my head
Old 97s - Mama Tried
Gourds - Ziggy Stardust (Better than the overplayed Gin and Juice)
Merle Haggard and Willie Nelson - Pancho & Lefty
Pearl Jam - Last Kiss
by Wells on May 2, 2007 12:27 PM CDT 0 recs
I like all of those
Particularly the Old 97's and Pancho & Lefty.
by Bob LaBlog on
May 2, 2007 12:30 PM CDT
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blasphemy
The slick, overproduced Willie and Merle version of "Pancho and Lefty" doesn't hold a candle to the original.
by Jason Mayer on
May 2, 2007 1:29 PM CDT
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Additional Covers
My college roommate used to have an extensive collection of little known punk music, and he made me a CD full of only punk covers of well known pop/country/rap/R&B songs. Some were good, some were just funny. This could fall into the category of cover songs that would also be for pump you up music. I cant remember the artists or the songs off the top of my head, but I bet I could did up the CD.
by Wells on May 2, 2007 12:36 PM CDT 0 recs
Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
Did a whole CD of cover songs that could be described as "pump up" music.
by chief on
May 2, 2007 12:56 PM CDT
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maybe not best, but
i can never hear the Dynamite Hack version of "Boyz in the Hood" too many times. classic.
totally not fit for a highlight video, but Iron & Wine does a great remake of Postal Service's "Such Great Heights", made famous by that kaleidescope-y M&M's commercial.
Muddy Waters' "Mannish Boy" is about as good as you can do for getting the adrenaline pumping, although the overt sexual references might make it inappropriate for a football highlight reel.
i'm not a huge rap fan, but anything by DMX is sure to get the blood flowing. i was always partial to the ruffrider's anthem.
by littlevisigoth on May 2, 2007 1:01 PM CDT 0 recs
Dynamite Hack
That has to be the funniest cover ever. The fact that a hardcore gangsta' rap song is set to an acoustic guitar ballad is awesome.
by GoHorns on
May 2, 2007 1:23 PM CDT
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sorry
can't believe I misspelled "aggressive." couldn't find a way to edit the original post, but I assure you it was a typo.
by SelimSivad on
May 2, 2007 1:51 PM CDT
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The Dave Matthews Band Cover of
"All Along the Watchtower" doesn't belong in the same conversation as Hendrix's version. Seriously. End of discussion.
"Killing in the Name" is a pretty good pump-up song.
by Old Tex29 on May 2, 2007 1:25 PM CDT 0 recs
Beat me to it..........Thanks.........
Matthews is good but no comparison to J Hendrix.......My 24 year old daughter and 22 year old son would say otherwise though........punks.....
by ouALWAYSsux on
May 3, 2007 4:12 PM CDT
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Then call me a punk
Nothing against Jimi, he's a legend, but musically, I prefer DMB's version. Take that with a grain of salt though. It's my opinion and I'm not trying to change anyone's mind. But I grew up on music and, to me, musically, it's an awesome version.
by GoHorns on
May 4, 2007 7:29 AM CDT
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I must be old
Cover: I fought the law, The Clash
Pump-up: Overkill, Motorhead, or perhaps Spectral Mornings by Cornershop - but at 14 minutes that might be a bit long. Map of the Problematique by Muse. Railing by Roni Size. Won't fall in love today, Suicidal Tendencies. What's my name, the Clash. The international language of screaming, Do or Die, or Night Vision by the Super Furry Animals. The Boat dreams from the hill, or Boxcar, by Jawbreaker.
For the Oklahoma game - or more specifically Bob Stoops - Sob Story by Minor Threat.
And because I love a little over the top 70s mayhem, Mr Blue Sky by ELO
by DC Trojan on May 2, 2007 2:46 PM CDT 0 recs
RHCP
The Chili Peppers cover of the Beach Boys I get around... http://youtube.com/watch?v=HuaeHXq8Wm8
by Pearland Longhorn on May 2, 2007 2:56 PM CDT 0 recs
worth a cheap laugh
Travis "Hit Me Baby (One More Time)" (Britney Spears)
by gwh65 on May 2, 2007 2:57 PM CDT 0 recs
haha
does she actually has such a song? that's awesome for the defensive highlights ... (though her music sucks)
by Cyrus on
May 2, 2007 3:02 PM CDT
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actually decent girl pop
Clem Snide has a good version of Beautiful by Christina Aguilera.
by Bob LaBlog on
May 2, 2007 3:18 PM CDT
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Pump you up songs
I grew up in the grunge era so I have a special place in my heart for those songs. Here are a few that I think rock pretty good.
- Korn - Blind (the begining part where he screams "are you ready?"
- Limp Bizkit - Stuck & Break Stuff (the last minute or so)
- Hum - Stars
- Saliva - Click Click Boom & Raise Up
- Anything by System of a Down (I like Chop Suey & Aerials)
- Tool - Stinkfist
- Deftones - 7 words
- Anything Rage Against the Machine
A couple of amusing covers are Limp Bizkit - Faith & Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal
by Tater Nuts on May 2, 2007 3:07 PM CDT 0 recs
Helmet
Unsung or anything off of Strap it On would be good. Since all of those bands listed acknowledge being heavily infulenced by Helmet, I thought it only fair to mention them.
by Bob LaBlog on
May 2, 2007 3:17 PM CDT
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"We Are the Champions"
By the queen! Awesome awesome awesome song!
"I want to break free" for some 99 yard rushing touchdown!
"Under pressure" for defensive highlights
Also,
We will rock you
Another one bites of dust
Radio Gaga
Innuendo
Ofcourse all of these are by almighty queen!
by Cyrus on May 2, 2007 3:10 PM CDT 0 recs
Check out some of these...
pump you up:
Metallica "Damage, Inc."
Sevendust "Denial"
cover songs:
Metallica "Breadfan"
Skid Row "C'mon and Love Me"
Also agree with the SwimTexas' comments about "Down with the sickness" by Disturbed and your own comments about "Do you call my name?" by Ra.
by the usual suspects on May 2, 2007 3:22 PM CDT 0 recs
Adding a few more...
Queensryche "Hit the Black"
Audioslave "Set it Off"
Foo Fighters "Best of You"
Joe Satriani "Summer Song" (instrumental)
Pearl Jam "Porch"
Stone Sour "30/30/150"
by the usual suspects on
May 2, 2007 9:14 PM CDT
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Crazy Train
as covered by the Fun Lovin' Criminals.
Type O Negative's cover of "Summer Breeze" is a sentimental favorite.
As for "pump up" tunes, man, I haven't needed/wanted to pump myself up in quite a while. I used to use the first RATM album and early Prodigy stuff. I guess I'm old. Oh wait, I remember, "Hey Man, Nice Shot" by Filter. Screaming along to that used to get the blood pumping...
by Kahuna on May 2, 2007 3:23 PM CDT 0 recs
You understand why I refuse
to use the Filter song don't you?
Not for UT highlights.
by GoHorns on
May 2, 2007 3:40 PM CDT
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I suppose
but that's a lot more thought than I would have put into it. In the end, I'm not the most thoughtful guy...
by Kahuna on
May 2, 2007 4:00 PM CDT
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songs
pump you up: Refused-"Deadly Rhythm." I can definitely picture Bomar getting concussed to that song.
As for covers: I like that Weezer cover of "Velouria" too. The Get Up Kids also did a really good rendition of "Alec Eiffel" perhaps on the same tribute record. Also, Cat Power's Covers record has some pretty good ones on it as well.
by bklynBEVO on May 2, 2007 4:58 PM CDT 0 recs
cover
any live cover Stevie Ray Vaughan did of Jimi's "Voodoo Child" even though the original is flawless.
Rage's cover of "How I Could Just Kill A Man" is good for both purposes.
I like STP's version of Led Zeppelin's "Dancing Days" but it's really a love-it-or-hate-it version.
And nothing gets me pumped up more than "Tyler" by Toadies. Its not the hardest, but it just gets to me.
by BigTexBD on May 2, 2007 5:03 PM CDT 0 recs
Tyler
Isn't that a cover of Where is my Mind? I kid. I saw the Toadies play Tyler and then follow it up with Where is my Mind. They have a sense of humor.
by Bob LaBlog on
May 2, 2007 5:20 PM CDT
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cover?
Santana "Black Magic Woman"... so good of a cover most people think he was the originator. Not so fast though my young friends. Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac wrote it when they were a British Blues Band, not the more popular (emphasize POP) band with the girlies.
How about "Crossroads" ala Cream as 2nd choice.
by Margaritaking on May 2, 2007 5:07 PM CDT 0 recs
Couple favorites
"Also Sprach Zarathustra" (Original song by Strauss, covered by Deodato, then Phish) and "Roses are Free" (Ween) - two Phish covers I adore.
"Tainted Love" Soft Cell cover of the Supremes original. Just such a unique take on the song.
"Twist and Shout" Beatles cover is, naturally, an improvement on the Isley Bros. original.
by PB @ BON on May 2, 2007 6:25 PM CDT 0 recs
To answer both your questions
- Aerosmith's cover to the Beatles' "Come Together". And a close second will have to be Johnney Cash's "Hurt".
- Van Halen "Right Now". Its always played before a Cowboy basketball game, and it gets everyone pumped
by Rand O on May 2, 2007 9:51 PM CDT 0 recs
Aerosmith's "Come together"?
I would say this cover is more more worthy of worst cover songs ever. They didn't add anything to the original, they didn't change the tempo or musical style, and Aerosmith just can't play as good instrumentally as the Beatles so this cover sounds like a crappy bar band cover of the original. Same with Metallicca's "Turn the Page" reaming of Bob Seager's original. When you do a cover you are supposed to add something to it or change it up, especially when you can't play the original as well as the originator.
Good Covers:
Joe Cocker had a bunch b/c most of his music was covers. His "High W/ a Little Help..." and "Did Anybody Tell Her" is much better than the Beatles versions. Actaully alot of the Beatles music was covers (or at least written by someone else), "Boys on the Docks" by Dropkick Murphy (cover of old Irish bar song) "Cucarina" by Weary Boys (Austin band) is a good upbeat remake of an old country song. As forementioned Dynamite Hack's "Boyz N Da Hood" is classic, as well as Sublime's "Scarlet Begonias". Sid Vicious' "My Way", Dead Kennedys or the Clash's "I fought the Law", Bob Marley's "Redemption Song" is actually a collection of 'samples' of older songs.
Etc....
by El Jefe Del Muerto on
May 3, 2007 5:36 PM CDT
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This subject begins and ends
With Jeff Buckley's version of "Hallelujah"
by horneye on May 4, 2007 9:15 AM CDT 0 recs
no thanks
First and hopefully last time I heard that was at a friend's memorial service in January. It wouldn't have been my cup of tea even under less dire circumstances.
by DC Trojan on
May 4, 2007 9:20 PM CDT
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going back a ways....
how about
Marvin Gaye - Heard it Through the Grapevine
Joplin - Me and Bobby McGee
and since the Beatles were brought up earlier, my favorite is their version of Chuck Berry's Rock and Roll Music...
you know, just for those of us in the geriatric set.......
by agent orange on May 4, 2007 4:35 PM CDT 0 recs
TVZ
I LOVE Townes Van Zandt's cover of the Stones' "Dead Flowers."
But Jimi's "Voo Doo Child" and Rage's "Calm Like a Bomb" make me wanna punch walls.
by getupcolt on May 6, 2007 1:48 AM CDT 0 recs














