Rob’s Top 60+ Cover Songs: Day 5/5

.xX{ Funny Covers }Xx.

55. “Like a Virgin” by Snaut (originally by Madonna)

While living in Spokane, Washington, I had the pleasure of meeting the guys from Snaut and hanging out with them briefly in the studio during the recording of one of their albums. During that time the band handed me one of their previous CDs, which contains such classics as “Coke Whores”, “Fist Full of Love”, and a goofy rendition of Madonna’s classic song, “Like a Virgin”. Fun fact: legend has it that Snaut was once banned from the local Spokane parade for throwing dog food to children.

Madonna’s version
Snaut’s Version (MP3 Only)

56. “Seek and Destroy” by Distorted Silence (originally by Metallica)

Distorted Silence, another local Spokane band, performed this song live at the 1996 Spokane Battle of the Bands, which caused me to buy this CD. Led by the incredibly gifted Jason McKinney, Distorted Silence’s is unique in that the first half is about 1/2 the tempo of Metallica’s original, and the second half is double-speed. The first half is silly; the second half is impressive, especially if you’re familiar with the original.

Metallica’s version
Distorted Silence’s Version (MP3 Only)

57. “I Will Survive” by Cake (originally by Gloria Gaynor)

I discovered Cake (the band, not the dessert) like most other people, after hearing “The Distance”, but it was this goofy version of Gloria Gaynor’s disco classic “I Will Survive” that really endeared me to them.

Gloria Gaynor’s version
Cake’s version

58. “Wild Thing” by Sam Kineson (originally by The Troggs)

It is not uncommon for comedians to try their hands at singing, and Sam Kinison had a big hit with his rendition of “Wild Thing” in 1988. The song was originally written by The Wild Ones in 1965, but was made more famous in 1966 by The Troggs and even more famous in 1967 by Jimi Hendrix. Lots of other artists have recorded it as well, but none of them got to roll around on the floor with Jessica Hahn. RIP Sam, we miss you.

The Trogg’s version
Sam Kinison’s version

Bonus: Jimi Hendrix’s version

59. “Boyz-N-The-Hood” by Dynamite Hack (originally by Eazy-E)

This is another one that probably should have appeared in the list of genre busters, but I forgot about it until late in the day. In 1988, gangster rap pioneers N.W.A. released their debut album, Straight Outta Compton. One month later, chief lyricist Ice Cube along with rapper Eazy-E (who bankrolled the group’s record label with drug money) released Eazy’s solo project, “Eazy-Duz-It”. “Boyz in the Hood,” the hit single from the album, (supposedly) details a day in Eazy’s life. (“I gotta get drunk before my day begins / before my mother starts bitchin’ about my friends.”) In 2000, alternative rockers Dynamite Hack released a laid back rendition of the song that is both classic and hilarious.

Eazy-E’s version
Dynamite Hack’s version

.xX{ My Favorite Cover of All Time }Xx.

60. “Easy” by Faith No More (originally by The Commodores)

For all the in-fighting and noise Faith No More became infamous for, shortly before the band began shuffling guitarists around and a few years before the band imploded, FNM released one of the greatest cover songs of all time. FNM’s version is largely true to the original, and it’s hard to believe such a crazy group of guys were able to (or even wanted to) pull this off. The version posted below is the band performing the song to a bewildered Tonight Show crowd.

Lionel Richie’s version
Faith No More’s version

Well there you have it — my list of my top 60 cover songs of all time. Here are a couple of bonus lists for those of you who stuck it out. Thanks to everyone who read this week’s series of posts and especially to those of you who left/made comments!

.xX{ BONUS #1: Cover Albums }Xx.

Occasionally for one reason or another, bands release entire albums worth of cover songs. Here are a few of my favorites:

Dream Theater – Master of Puppets

On a few rare occasions, Dream Theater has booked back-to-back shows in select cities. On the second night, the band has performed what they call “album covers” — live concerts where they cover one of the band’s favorite albums from start to finish. To date, the band has performed four “album covers” — Metallica’s Master of Puppets, Iron Maiden’s Number of the Beast, Pink Floyd’s The Dark Side of the Moon, and Deep Purple’s Made in Japan. According to the band a fifth cover show is planned, although the date, location and album to be covered are being kept a secret. Here’s a video of the band playing the title track.

Faith No More – Songs to Make Love To

“Easy” (see #60) was recorded as a b-side, but after fans went crazy for it at converts the band decided to release an EP containing it and three other songs, including the theme from Midnight Cowboy and the Dead Kennedys’ “Don’t Lynch the Landlord”.

Cake – B-Sides and Rarities

While not all of the songs on “B-Sides and Rarities” are covers, most of them are. If you want to hear an alternative band’s take on everything from War Pigs and Mah Na Mah Na (yes, the song from the Muppets) to Strangers in the Night and Never Gonna Give You Up, you need this.

Primus – Rhinoplasty

Primus’ EP Rhinoplasty contains six cover tunes, covering everybody from Herry Reed and Andy Partridge to Metallica (Primus’ version of The Thing That Should Not Be is dead on). If you run across this EP, pick it up; the CD also includes the previously mentioned claymation video to The Devil Went Down to Georgia.

Pat Boone – In a Metal Mood: No More Mr. Nice Guy

This album is so terrible, it’s wonderful. In 1997, popular 50s singer Pat Boone decided to release an entire album’s worth of metal cover tunes from the 80s and 90s, redone in a jazz/swing style. Both Boone’s own fan base and anyone who listens to heavy metal thought the album was a joke, and ultimately the album got Boone dropped from Trinity Broadcasting. Hearing the old crooner cover Metallica’s “Enter Sandman”, Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven”, Guns N’ Roses’ “Paradse City”, Van Halen’s “Panama” and Judas Priest’s “You’ve Got Another Thing Coming” is too hard to describe. If anything good came from the whole project, Boone’s cover of Ozzy’s “Crazy Train” ended up being used as the theme song for the Osbourne’s television series.

Metallica – Garage Days Re-Revisited

By 1986 Metallica was taking the metal world by storm. On tour supporting their third album (“Master of Puppets”), bassist Cliff Burton was killed in a freak bus accident. Jason Newstead was recruited as a replacement and while learning to play together the four members built a home recording studio and recorded multiple cover tunes. Those recordings were then released as Garage Days Re-Revisited. Although I love all five songs included on the EP, I didn’t include any of them on my main list because I hadn’t heard of any of the originals before picking them up and, other than “Last Caress/Green Hell”, I doubt anyone had heard the original versions unless they specifically sought them out after hearing this EP (like I did).

The cassette and CD are long out of print (I have one of each), but all the songs from Garage Days Re-Revisited were included on the 1998 compilation, Garage, Inc, along with several new covers and singles recorded throughout the years.

Guns N’ Roses’ “The Spaghetti Incident?”

Named after a food fight that was referenced in a lawsuit between former Gunner Steven Adler and the band, “The Spaghetti Incident?” contains 13 cover tunes (including the aforementioned Charles Manson tune), although I was only familiar with two of them — Nazareth’s “Hair of the Dog” and the Misfit’s “Attitude”. It’s a good disc if you want to hear what kind of 70s/80s metal influenced 80s/90s rockets.

Cheap Trick – Sgt. Pepper Live

In honor of the 40th anniversary of the Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s album, Cheap Trick (backed by the the New York Philharmonic Orchestra) played the Sgt. Pepper album in its entirety. The album is mostly loyal to the original material; if you like either the Beatles or Cheap Trick, you will like this. Here’s the first track.

The Electric Hellfire Club – Empathy for the Devil

Empathy for the Devil is one of the greatest cover tune albums of all time. To get the joke, you must know that the Electric Hellfire Club are true Satanists, which makes the song selection of this CD even funnier. The covered songs include the Rolling Stones’ “Sympathy for the Devil”, The Cure’s “Killing an Arab”, AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell”, Motley Crue’s “Shout at the Devil”, and INXS’s “Devil Inside”. While none of those songs are particularly sinister in their own right, when compiled together and performed by the EHC … classic. The band has also covered the Charles in Charge theme (complete with Charles Manson samples) and the KISS classic “Calling Dr. Luv”, in honor of band member Dr. Luv who was tragically killed in a car accident.

The Blues Brothers Soundtrack

Yeah, pretty much the whole thing. Rawhide!

.xX{ BONUS #2: Cover Bands }Xx.

… and then there are bands that make a living performing cover tunes.

Dread Zeppelin

From Wikipedia: “Dread Zeppelin is an American band best known for performing the songs of Led Zeppelin in a reggae style as sung by a 300 pound Vegas Elvis impersonator.” That pretty much sums it up. Here’s Dread’s version of the Zeppelin classic Immigrant Song.

Richard Cheese

Richard Cheese has released eight albums worth of cover tunes so far, with four more on the way. Each album contains a dozen or so covers of rock, rap, and popular songs. The joke does eventually get old, but it’s funny while it lasts. Here’s Richard and the guys performing a lounge version of Baby Got Back.

Apocalyptica

Apocalyptica is a Finnish metal band that has covered bands such as Metallica, Sepultura, Slipknot and Pantera with four cellists and a drummer. I first heard about the band years ago with their cover version of Metallica’s “One” and have followed them off and on throughout the years. Here’s Apolcalyptica pretty freakin’ amazing live cover of Metallica’s Enter Sandman.

.xX{ BONUS #3: The Runners Up }Xx.

Here’s what ended up on the cutting room floor. Some of these were removed because I didn’t think the original was very well known. Some of these I just flat out forgot about until it was too late, and discovered them from online searches (or through friends). Some of them got cut because I thought they were good, but not great. Had the list stretched to 100, all of these would have been on there. Most of these are also available on YouTube — happy searching!

(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – Rolling Stones (Otis Redding)
After Midnight – Eric Clapton (JJ Cale)
All Along the Watchtower – Jimi Hendrix (Bob Dylan)
Always on My Mind – Pet Shop Boys
Billie Jean – Chris Cornell (Michael Jackson)
Born to be Wild – Ozzy Osbourne and the Muppets
California Girls – David Lee Roth (Beach Boys)
Cocaine – Eric Claptop (JJ Cale)
Crazy Mary – Pearl Jam (Victoria Williams)
Cum On Feel the Noize – Quiet Riot (Slade)
Dancing in the Street – David Bowie and Mick Jagger (Martha Reeves)
Darling Nikki – Foo Fighters (Prince)
Do Ya Think I’m Sexy – The Revolting Cocks (Rod Stewart)
Get it On (Bang A Gong) – The Power Station (T Rex)
Hard to Handle – The Black Crowes (Otis Redding)
Hazy Shade of Winter – The Bangles (Simon and Garfunkel)
I Heard it Through the Grapevine – Creedence Clearwater Revival (Gladys Knight and the Pips)
I Put a Spell on You – Creedence Clearwater Revival (Screamin’ Jay Hawkins)
I Shot the Sheriff – Eric Clapton (Bob Marley)
Jailhouse Rock – Motley Crue (Elvis Presley)
Kick Out The Jams – Rage Against The Machine (MC5)
La Bamba – Los Lobos (Ritchie Valens)
Lean on Me – Club Noveau (Bill Withers)
Louie Louie – The Kingsmen (Richard Berry)
Maggie’s Farm – Rage Against the Machine (Bob Dylan)
Mony Mony – Billy Idol (Tommy James)
Mrs. Robinson – The Lemonheads (Simon and Garfunkel)
My Way – Sid Vicious (Frank Sinatra)
Oh Pretty Woman – Van Halen (Roy Orbison)
Proud Mary – Ike and Tina Turner (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Respect – Aretha Franklin (Otis Redding)
Signs – Tesla (Five Man Electrical Band)
Summertime Blues – Eddie Cochran (The Who)
Superstar – Sonic Youth (The Carpenters)
Susie Q – Creedence Clearwater Revival (Dale Hawkins)
The First Cut Is The Deepest – Sheryl Crow (Cat Stevens)
The Man Who Sold The World – Nirvana (David Bowie)
Up Around the Bend – Hanoi Rocks (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
Venus – Bananarama (Shocking Blue)

This week has been fun, but thank goodness it’s over. Back to regular ‘ol blogging next week …