When the version is better than the original

As we enter another weekend, hopefully in tranquility, I'm sharing with you 3 versions of songs that have surpassed the success and recognition of their originals.

When I thought of publishing this, I had the idea of using the expression “cover”. But that's not the case. “Cover” applies when a band tries to replicate the work of other artists. A good example of this was when Dream Theater recorded Pink Floyd - Dark Side of the Moon live.

In these cases, they are versions. Because there's no intention to make it the same, just to adapt the music to the style and creativity of the band/artist playing it.

The differences in style, vibe, success and recognition are obvious. We often go to listen to the original when a version has piqued our interest.

“Twist And Shout” - Beatles vs The Top Notes

Released on the Beatles debut album, Please Please Me, in 1963, the song soon became one of the most recognizable rock n' roll songs in history.

However, the original song belongs to The Top Notes who released it on the B-side of their single “Always Late (Why Lead Me On)” in 1991.

Before The Beatles, The Isley Brothers recorded a version that made it into the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 in 1992.

“I Fought The Law” - The Clash vs The Crickets

In the yo-yo era of 1960, the band The Crickets created this song, which had its potential in The Clash punk version.

Meanwhile, between rock n' roll and punk, The Bobby Fuller Four gave it a garage rock version.

Recorded in 1965, this version made it onto Rolling Stone list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time”.

The story goes that The Clash got the idea to recreate the song when Joe Strummer and Mick Jones heard The Bobby Fuller Four's version on a jukebox.

“The Man Who Sold The World” - Nirvana vs David Bowie

Released in 1970 as a single from David Bowie album of the same name. When Nirvana performed the version at “MTV Unplugged in New York” in 1994, there was speculation about the originality of the song.

Nirvana interpretation is sad but sublime, surpassing David Bowie original.

I confess, I always thought that The Beatles, The Clash and Nirvana owned the original songs. I found out while doing research for this publication. This is the knowledge gained from the stimulus of making a publication for HIVE.

I continue to promote initiatives that add value to the HIVE ecosystem.

“Banner for Boost” campaign by @CryptoCompany and @PowerPaul deserves focus. More info.

✍️ My native language is Portuguese. The translation was done through DeepL.com (free version).