As I type this, "Gloria," by The Doors, is pulsing through the speakers on my desk. This is a rare case of a remake that is vastly superior to the original. The musical and lyrical improvisation in this song take it to a dimension that even Van Morrison never likely imagined.
Jim Morrison's ad-libs are incredible.
Wrap your legs around my neckThis makes me think of other rock-n-roll remakes that are better than the originals that inspired them. I use the word "inspired," because I think the best remakes are not copies of the originals so much as interpretations of them.
Wrap your arms around my feet
Yeah
Wrap your hair around my skin
Yeahhhh
Joe Cocker's version of "A Little Help From My Friends" is better than the Beatles'. I know. "Heresy!" You scream. But, it's true.
Richie Havens' rendition of "Peace Train" kicks the teeth out of the Cat Stevens version.
What about you? What rock song covers do you think are better than the originals?
2 comments:
Another Doors rendition: Light My Fire. It is a completely different song from the Jose Feliciano version (original?). Though I give chops to Jose nonetheless.
Don't much like Ben Folds cover of Tiny Dancer, but the kids like it.
I like "Mad World" much better by Gary Jules than by Tears for Fears. I first heard it in the movie "Donnie Darko" and almost couldn't believe it was the same song after hearing the original!
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