Chris Isaak - HIM
My Thoughts On

Covers vs Originals – When The Disciple Surpasses The Master

A cover song is a new recording or performance by someone other than the original artist or composer. The new version is typically similar in structure to the original, but the arrangement may be different.

For me, they are just artistic expressions to show how much they love a song, and how much it means to them and to make an homage to the original.

Sometimes, the cover surpasses the original and becomes more famous or recognizable, but of course, it’s a matter of taste too. And everyone can choose their favorite interpretation. These are mine.

 

Wicked Game

 

This mega-hit belongs to the American rock musician, Chris Isaak, a song that is in his 1989 album Heart Shaped World. Super romantic. It has a black and white video of him and the Danish Victoria’s Secret model, Helena Christensen, kissing on a beach.

 

The Finnish gothic rock band H.I.M. did a cover of this song in 1997 for their debut album Greatest Love Songs Vol. 666.

It was the same song but with a heavy twist.

The album had a huge success, especially because of this song, and was the perfect kick-off of their prosperous career.

  • I like both songs, Isaak’s is a classic, but being a huge H.I.M. fan, I prefer their version, because of the heavier tone.

 

Cinnamon Girl

 

This song belongs to the Canadian-American singer, Neil Young, from his album Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere (1969). A song and singer from the hippie times, with a folk vibe.

 

The American gothic metal band, Type O Negative, band did a cover of this song for their album October Rust in 1996. Of course, this is a heavier version, and like any Type O Negative song has that duality of super heavy songs but dark and romantic at the same time.

  • In this case, I also prefer the cover. I’ve always liked the late Peter Steele’s voice tone to be so low and the whole aesthetic and vibe of the band.

 

Blue Monday

 

The English synth-pop band New Order released this song as a single in 1983. It’s a classic 80s song.

 

Orgy, an American industrial rock band, did a cover of this song for their album Candyass in 1998.

The official video was on heavy rotation on MTV at that time, attracting a lot of people who then discovered the original too.

Here’s a live version.

  • I love Orgy’s version, since keeping in mind the lyrics, their version is much more accurate for me, representing the anger and resentment.

 

Total Eclipse of the Heart

 

It is a classic 80s love song recorded by the Welsh singer Bonnie Tyler and written by Jim Steinman.

 

Doro Pesch, the Metal Queen, a German metal singer, did a cover of this song in 2023 for her album, Conqueress Forever Strong and Proud with the Metal God, Judas Priest’s singer Rob Halford, the English iconic metal singer.

  • Although the original is a huge classic, a ballad, I love Halford and Doro’s combination. Her raspy voice and his high tones made this version so perfect.

 

Radar Love

 

Golden Earring, a Dutch rock band, released this gigantic hard rock song in 1973, for their album Moontan.

 

White Lion was a Danish-American glam metal band, and they did a great cover of this classic song in 1989 for their album Big Game.

  • Being a big 80s glam rock fan I love this version as much as the original, and besides this interpretation counts with the amazing guitarist, Vito Bratta, so what’s not to like?

 

Moonage Daydream

 

The song by the English singer-songwriter David Bowie belongs to the album The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars of 1972.

 

The Last Shadow Puppets, an English supergroup formed by Alex Turner (Arctic Monkeys), Miles Kane (The Rascals), James Ford (Simian), and Zach Dawes (Mini Mansions), did a cover of this song, but sadly only for live performances.

  • In this case, I like more the cover, although it isn’t a studio version, the energy, and love these guys put into this performance are remarkable, especially Alex and Miles.

 

Chokehold

 

The British anonymous progressive metal band, Sleep Token, which was formed in 2016 but reached fame in 2023 released this song that same year, as part of their album, Take Me Back To Eden.

 

Will Ramos, Lorna Shore’s singer (an American deathcore band) is a big fan of Sleep Token. I knew the British band thanks to one of his YouTube reactions.

Will has many covers on his channel, and this is one of the best, a great tribute to one of his favorite bands.

  • I love both versions, but Sleep Token’s original can’t be beaten.

 

Hurt

 

This is a song from the American industrial rock band Nine Inch Nails. It belongs to their second studio album, The Downward Spiral (1994).

 

The American country rock legend, Johnny Cash, did a couple of rock covers in his later years, but this one belongs to a different category.

The song is part of the album American IV: The Man Comes Around (2002).

Raw and full of emotions. The song was his way of saying goodbye, since a couple of months later, his wife and then he passed away.

  • Cash did such an extraordinary interpretation of this song, that even Trent Reznor (NIN’s singer) said that the song belongs to Johnny now, and I couldn’t agree more, this version is my favorite. 

 

Somebody Told Me

 

The Killers, an American indie rock band, published their very successful album Hot Fuss in 2004, which contained this song.

 

The American metalcore band, Motionless In White, did a cover of this song in 2020, and then they added it as a bonus track for their 2019 album Disguise, but for the 2021 Special Edition.

  • I never really liked The Killers, even though this song was such an earworm, but I think MIW’s interpretation is a great cover.

 

I Wanna Dance With Somebody

 

This massive 80s hit was recorded by Whitney Houston, the late American singer. It was written by George Merrill and Shannon Rubicam.

This track was in his second studio album, Whitney (1987).

 

Now, it’s the turn of a cover done by Sleep Token, more precisely said by Vessel (singer) and a piano.

A stripped-down, very emotional interpretation.

  • In this case, I choose Sleep Token’s version. Houston’s song is to dance, super pop, and bubbly. But Vessel did a heartbreaking rendition, that is so beautiful.

 

Fell In Love With A Girl

 

This song belongs to the American rock band The White Stripes, for their third studio album, White Blood Cells (2001).

 

Joss Stone, the British soul singer, did a great version of this song, transforming an alternative punky song into a sensual soul track.

  • I like both interpretations, but being a fan of The White Stripes, I have to go with the original, because it is such a unique song.

 

I Heard It Through The Grapevine

 

This song has many beloved versions. It was written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown Records in 1966.

The Miracles recorded the first version in 1966.

 

Another version was done by Gladys Knight & the Pips in 1967.

 

In 1968 Marvin Gaye recorded one of the most recognizable interpretations of this classic.

 

The American rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival, did its cover of this classic for their album, Cosmo’s Factory in 1970.

  • Of all these classics, my favorite version is CCR’s, with the rock instruments especially the guitar, and the feeling in John Fogerty’s voice, for me, it’s so cool.

 

 

Final Thoughts

 

These were just a few selections of my favorite covers with their originals.

There are a lot of other great versions out there, and there will be more in the future. So, just enjoy.

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