By Dave Siderski

Cover tunes are like movie sequels in most cases, rarely measuring up to the brilliance of the original. However, there are some exceptions to this, cases where the covering artist is able to remain true to the integrity and spirit of the original while, at the same time, successfully interjecting his or her own personal style. With this in mind, here are the ten cover tunes that I most enjoy listening to.

10. “Wonderful World”: James Taylor, Paul Simon, and Art Garfunkel (1978). “Wonderful World”: This song was originally written/recorded by Sam Cooke and released in April 1960. The song itself is nice but not particularly memorable. However, the sound of these three guys performing together is. Simon, Garfunkel, and Taylor, now there’s a band for ya!

9. “Walk this Way”: Run DMC (1986). This song was originally released by Aerosmith in 1975. I’m not a rap fan generally but Run DMC’s remake of this classic Aerosmith tune, with the help of Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, was amazing. It does a great job of blending two different styles of music into a song that is very enjoyable to listen to.

8. “You’re No Good”: Van Halen (1979). This song was written by Clint Ballard and first charted for Betty Everett in 1963. Linda Ronstadt did a cover of “You’re No Good” in 1975 which reached #1 on the charts. Both versions were fantastic but I think Van Halen’s 1979 version was even better. The voice of David Lee Roth and the guitar of Eddie Van Halen adds an entirely new dimension to an already great song.

7. “Crossroads”: Cream (1968). This song was originally written and performed by legendary Blues artist Robert Johnson in 1936. Cream modernized this classic with their 1968 cover. The Cream version maintains the integrity of the of the original blues theme while adding to it the power of Rock and Roll. Eric Clapton is my third favorite guitarist of all-time.

6. Five Finger Death Punch: “Bad Company” (2010). Bad Company is one of my favorite bands and this self-titled song may have represented their best work. Thus, I was naturally predisposed to dislike anyone who tried to copy it. Then I heard a new version of this song a few years ago and just one word: “Wow!” While the original evokes feelings of a gun fight in the old west, this brings forth images of pure Armageddon. I had no idea who the band was at the time but had to find out. Ever since, I’ve been a big fan of “Five Finger Death Punch”.

5. Jethro Tull: “Bouree” (1969). In 1969 Jethro Tull released a remake of Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Bouree” in e-minor for the flute. The masterful flute player that is Ian Anderson brings this piece vividly to life. This is a song that I could listen to over and over again, one is soothing, but at the same giving the listener an adrenaline jolt in certain places. It is one of the finest instrumental pieces I’ve ever heard.

4. The Jimi Hendrix Experience: “All along the Watchtower” (1968). This song was originally written and recorded by Bob Dylan in 1967. What happens when you combine one of the greatest songwriters in rock and roll history with the greatest rock and roll guitarist ever? Something that is utterly amazing and mind blowing to listen to! Jimi why did you have to leave us so soon!

3. Heart: “Battle of Evermore” (1992). Heart has covered this classic Led Zeppelin song numerous times over the past 20+ years. Led Zeppelin, probably my favorite rock and roll band of all-time sets a lofty standard. However, Heart really nailed this one. It’s not Page and Plant but Ann and Nancy Wilson more than do justice and homage to the original, capturing its energy, passion and intensity.

2. Johnny Cash: “Hurt” (2002). In my view, this may have been Johnny Cash’s most touching performance. If I hadn’t heard the Nine Inch Nails original before, I would have believed it was Johnny’s own song. Released less than a year before his death, you can hear and feel the pain of a man trying to come to terms with his life and the regrets that haunted him.

1. Stevie Ray Vaughn and Double Trouble: “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” (1984). There is one and only guitar player who could have pulled off a cover this Jimi Hendrix classic and made it work. That was SRV, my second favorite guitarist in Rock and Roll history. Jimi and Stevie each had unique and distinctive styles which show through in their respective versions of Voodoo Child. Both are mind blowing to listen to. It’s a shame we never had the opportunity to hear these two legends play together. Now that would have been something!
Music is an art where beauty truly is in the eye of the beholder and there is no right or wrong answer. So I invite all of you readers out there to weigh in with your personal favorite cover songs as well and look forward to hearing your opinions.

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