Stereoboard’s Top 10 Worst Cover Versions Revealed (Feature)
Monday, 17 January 2011
Written by Rob Sleigh
Following the response to the recent Christmas Number One, a cover of Biffy Clyro’s ‘Many of Horror’ by X Factor winner Matt Cardle, which saw thousands of people around the country either embracing or snubbing the decision, we decided to ask you to come up with your worst-ever cover version by an artist. And here is the result. To coincide with this week’s ‘The Cover Version: Hasn’t It Had Its Day?’ feature, we’ve put together a list of ten of your least favourite covers. Whether you thought that the original was sacred or just that the cover was too horrendous for words, here is how you responded.
10. Mark Ronson – ‘Stop Me’ (Originally by The Smiths)
A huge hit for Mark Ronson and one of the 14 tracks to be taken from his album of covers ‘Version’, ‘Stop Me’ is probably one of the most controversial cover songs to come out in recent years. Like the other tracks on ‘Version’, which also featured songs by The Jam, The Charlatans and Coldplay, ‘Stop Me’ took the original and translated it into a blend of hip-hop, soul and funk that proved to be an exciting and inventive remake of the Smiths’ track and has since been enjoyed by many. However, others were less pleased. Some people actually did want to stop Mark Ronson because they had, in fact, heard this one before. The Smiths have become known as one of the most important bands to come out of the ‘80s indie scene and, therefore, their music has arguably become untouchable. To many Smiths fans, a soul and funk version just didn’t seem right.
9. Scissor Sisters – ‘Comfortably Numb’ (Originally by Pink Floyd)
Like The Smiths, Pink Floyd are probably one of those bands that should be approached with caution when attempting to cover. The Scissor Sisters’ version of ‘Comfortably Numb’, a dark disco track, was a bold choice by the New York pop group and was almost completely unrecognisable from the original. Fortunately for the Scissor Sisters, some of the members of the ‘70s psychedelic prog-rock band have since expressed their approval of the track. However, many Pink Floyd fans disagree with their heroes and would have preferred it if the classic song had been left well alone.
8. Rolf Harris – ‘Stairway to Heaven’ (Originally by Led Zeppelin)
Including Rolf in any kind of “worst list” doesn’t feel right. The guy’s been bringing joy to people, young and old, for over fifty years, so surely we can forgive him for this one misdemeanour. OK – two misdemeanours if you include his less successful cover of ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, which followed this one. After more than three decades of releasing childhood pop favourites, such as ‘Tie Me Kangaroo Down, Sport’ and ‘Two Little Boys’, and being a TV entertainment hero, Rolf made the questionable decision of covering the Zeppelin classic ‘Stairway…’, complete with wobble board and didgeridoo. While probably not his finest moment, it doesn’t seem fair to hold it against him after so many years of otherwise unflinching quality entertainment. No worries, Rolf – all is forgiven.
7. Shayne Ward – ‘Gotta Be Somebody’ (Originally by Nickelback)
After becoming the first X Factor winner to reach the Christmas Number One and the last to do it with an original song, it wasn’t long before Shayne Ward would follow in the footsteps of his peers and try his hand at doing a cover. Last year, after a few years out of the limelight, Shayne returned with his third album ‘Obsession’ and its lead single ‘Gotta Be Somebody’, a cover of a song by Canadian ballad-rockers Nickelback. Some Nickelback fans didn’t like this new cheesy version. Apparently, it wasn’t quite as good as the original cheesy version.
6. tATu – ‘How Soon Is Now’ (Originally by The Smiths)
As we’ve already established – covering the Smiths = bad idea. Especially if you’re a Russian teenage pop duo. Following the success of their hit singles ‘All The Things She Said’ and ‘Not Gonna Get Us’, tATu opted to release this version of ‘How Soon Is Now’. After two pop songs about teenage confusion, a cover of an indie track from the ‘80s seemed like an odd choice. Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr was said to be unimpressed with the cover, although apparently Morrissey didn’t mind it. Go figure.
5. Leona Lewis – ‘Run’ (Originally by Snow Patrol)
Following the success of her debut single ‘A Moment Like This’ – another X Factor Christmas Number One that also happened to be a cover – and its successor ‘Bleeding Love’, Leona Lewis soon achieved her third Number One single with a cover of Snow Patrol’s ‘Run’. Unsurprisingly, with the song being one of Snow Patrol’s most well-liked hits, it wasn’t long before the cover drew criticism from the indie-rockers’ fans. However, some people might argue that Leona’s version was an improvement. Only some people though.
4. Flat Pack – ‘Sweet Child O' Mine’ (Originally by Guns n’Roses)
Doing a dance version of any rock track is always going to attract some negative feedback. However, doing so with such a highly-regarded classic like ‘Sweet Child O’ Mine’, as Flat Pack and Scottish DJ Mylo did in 2005, probably isn’t the wisest of choices. Predictably, the response wasn’t great. Fortunately though, it never really got anywhere and has since disappeared into obscurity. Can you believe that they even tried redoing Slash’s guitar intro with an electronic beeping keyboard sound? Disgraceful.
3. Alexandra Burke – ‘Hallelujah’ (Originally by Leonard Cohen)
Yet another X Factor winner has made into onto the list. However, unlike the previous two, this one was actually the winning track. Alexandra Burke’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’ was always going to be a controversial choice. If there’s one thing that’s worse than covering a classic song, it’s covering a classic song that has already been covered by someone else and has since become a classic cover. Jeff Buckley’s 1994 version of ‘Hallelujah’ has often been cited as being an improvement on the original, which was itself a much-loved song. Following the release of Burke’s version, fans of both Cohen and Buckley campaigned to get either of the originals into the chart ahead of Burke. Inexplicably, Buckley’s version was pipped to the post by the X Factor. Another great shame for music.
2. Girls Aloud and Sugababes – ‘Walk This Way’ (Originally by Aerosmith and Run DMC)
Some people expressed some disapproval towards Macy Gray’s version of this ‘80s classic. However, surely it was this collaboration by girl groups Girls Aloud and Sugababes that was more unpleasant. ‘Walk This Way’ originally represented the coming-together of hip-hop and rock – two styles of music that were seen as being completely separate and dissimilar up until that point. Although the track itself was never especially groundbreaking, it arguably changed the face of modern music forever. Then Girls Aloud and Sugababes came along with their version. OK, so it was for charity. It was still awful.
1. All Saints – ‘Under the Bridge’ (Originally by Red Hot Chili Peppers)
Oh dear – what were they thinking? Obviously somewhat carried away by their earlier success, ‘90s girl group All Saints bizarrely felt that it would be a good idea to release a cover of the Chili Peppers classic ‘Under the Bridge’, a song about singer Anthony Kiedis’s struggles with drug addiction. Surprisingly, the track still managed to make it to Number One and rock music fans were up in arms. Despite the song’s success, it has almost certainly become known as one of the most embarrassing moments in pop music history.
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR
We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!
9. Scissor Sisters – ‘Comfortably Numb’ (Originally by Pink Floyd)
7. Shayne Ward – ‘Gotta Be Somebody’ (Originally by Nickelback)
5. Leona Lewis – ‘Run’ (Originally by Snow Patrol)
3. Alexandra Burke – ‘Hallelujah’ (Originally by Leonard Cohen)
1. All Saints – ‘Under the Bridge’ (Originally by Red Hot Chili Peppers)
