6. Run DMC – Walk This Way (originally by Aerosmith)
Does it count as a remake if the original band fully participates in the music video and sampling of the music thereof? Hell, yes, and the final product is rather amusing and may just prompt you to pull your Adidas Superstar Shoes out of the closet. You do know what Adidas stands for, no?
(Aerosmith original here. Run DMC remake there.)
7. The Bangles – A Hazy Shade Of Winter (originally Simon and Garfunkel)
The Bangles updated the tune’s vibe for the yuppie rock-bottom film, Less Than Zero. The girls rock much harder than their male counterparts in this song, and the result is a pretty kickass pop product.
(Simon and Garfunkel original here. Bangles remake there.)
8. Hole – Gold Dust Woman (originally Fleetwood Mac)
Courtney Love may be a trainwreck, but she displays occasional moments of musical lucidity, within which she is usually accompanied by Melissa Auf der Maur. This phenomenon probably isn’t just a coincidence, but the fact of the matter is that their voices blend together beautifully.
(Fleetwood Mac original here. Hole remake there.)
9. “Sympathy For The Devil” – Guns ‘N Roses (originally by Rolling Stones)
Yes, Axl Rose is a total prick, but the incredible texture of this remake makes it worth it. Of course, the GNR studio process is usually overcomplicated, but, in this case, it works… despite the requisite mental image of Tom Cruise as the vampire Lestat.
(Stones original — live at Altamont at the scene of the Hell’s Angels stabbing — here. GNR remake there.)
10. Killing Me Softly – Fugees (originally by Roberta Flack)
Lauren Hill’s voice is absolutely haunting in this remake. Wyclef Jean and Pres Michael may have thought themselves destined for longevity and musical greatness, but it’s hard to remember much except for Hill’s voice, which drowns out even the Caribbean-influenced, soul-tinged music beneath.
(Roberta Flack original here. Fugees remake there.)
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11 comments
I’ve always liked the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ remake of Rollercoaster (orig. by the Ohio Players).
One of my favorite covers is Annie Lennox’s “Train in Vain” — The Clash meet Al Green.
I LOVE love love Johnny Cash’s version of this song. I can barely get through it without tearing up at some point..
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Well done. Here’s another:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4kVBdVBn9w&feature=related
Sting’s version of Little Wing was brilliant. He’s still a douchebag though.
For pure obscurity I’ll cite Nuclear Assault’s cover of Good Times Bad Times by Zeppelin.
Okay, while admittedly not in the same vein as those listed above, and a bit overplayed after his death, the Israel ‘K’ remake of “Somehwere Over the Rainbow” still enchants. And it’s use in the final scene of ’50 First Dates’, when she awakens to meet her daughter while on a boat surrounded by glaciers makes the rest of the movie worth watching
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2A2Jt4WOxN8
there’s also Concrete Blonde’s version of Leonard Cohen’s “Everybody Knows,” Cake’s rendition of Gloria Gaynor’s “I will Survive,” and the awesome Elvis Costello take on “I Am Beautiful,” made famous by Christina Aguilera but written (i think) by the lead singer of 4 Non Blondes (Linda Perry?) — it’s a must-hear.
dig your site Agent. I’ve written you a role (in my head) in the next Bond vehicle…
i was just thinking of that song by Leonard Cohen that Concrete Blonde sang on the Pump Up the Volume soundtrack…excellent!