There’s always a sense of novelty for me whenever I discover some old song being remade. Of course, some of them are better than others … Luis’ List of Kick-Ass (and otherwise) Covers
(nowhere near as definitive as Saint’s Comic movies, of course)
You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away
(covered by Eddie Vedder; originally by The Beatles)
The Beatles are probably the most frequently covered band in history, but it’s extremely rare that you’ll find a cover that’s even on par with the original. I wouldn’t say “kick-ass”, but definitely worth pirating. The only other Beatles covers I really enjoyed were The Vines’ “I’m Only Sleeping” and Fiona Apple’s drunken-stupor remix of “Across the Universe.” Kick-Ass
Bizarre Love Triangle
(covered by Stabbing Westward; originally by New Order)
I’m pretty sure we’re all familiar with the other version of this song, so I won’t even bother commenting on that. I kinda like Stabbing Westward, but their “blt” cover is fucking gay. I never liked the original all that much either, to be honest. Suck-Ass
Tainted Love
(covered by Marilyn Manson; originally by Soft Cell)
pretty good for a freak with bad teeth. Kick-Ass
Time After Time
(covered by Tuck & Patti; originally by Cyndi Lauper)
one of the few times that a cover actually surpassed the original. this version rocked in so many different ways. Kick-Ass
More Today Than Yesterday
(covered by Goldfinger; originally by Spiral Staircase)
the kings of the punk cover bands, Goldfinger hardly ever goes wrong when remaking a song. I actually heard the goldfinger version before I heard the staircase original, and the cover just sounds so much more vibrant.
Kick-Ass
Come On Eileen
(covered by Save Ferris; originally by Dexy’s Midnight Runners)
Save Ferris is a cool band, but the original is a bit difficult to top. Decent
Light My Fire
(covered by Train; originally by The Doors)
A poopy cover by an otherwise great band. This song is probably the reason why I didn’t pick up Drops of Jupiter until very recently. The Creed version of “Riders on the Storm” from the same Doors tribute album is probably the best work those christian mofos have produced in the past five years, btw. Suck-Ass
What’s Going On
(covered by Fred Durst’s children; originally by Marvin Gaye)
Probably the worst cover of any song anywhere that I have ever fucking heard. Listen to Fred Durst’s thinly veiled marketing ploy “turn this world around.” This song is the fucking worst. Really-Suck-Ass
Somebody’s Baby
(covered by Phantom Planet; originally by Jackson Browne)
A really cute cover to an otherwise boring song. Phantom Planet will be huge. You heard it here first. Kick-Ass
Wild World
(covered by Mr.Big; originally by Cat Stevens)
Mr.Big fan that I am, I must admit that you can’t remake this song any better. Cat Stevens rocks. (Interesting sidenote: Mr.Big must be like, the only band in history that is currently remaking its own songs. Try to imagine Just Take My Heart without the lead guitar riffs. Pee-yoo.) Decent