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Brett Schieber
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Favorite cover of a Beatles song?

Posted over 3 years ago
I realize that covering the Beatles seems almost pointless, but they wrote such great songs that I'm sure it's difficult for some bands to resist covering them at one point or another. In the midst of recording my own version of "You Never Give Me Your Money", it struck me to go on iTunes to try to find some other Beatles cover songs. My favorites of the hundreds that I've found are Stevie Wonder's "We Can Work It Out" and Sheryl Crowe's "Mother Nature's Son". Also, Owsley does a great cover of McCartney's "Band On The Run" and Jon Broeder recorded a cool cover of George Harrison's "The Art of Dying". So here's my question: What are your favorite Beatles covers?
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Comments (61)

  1. SatisfiedMind614
    SatisfiedMind614 says Fiona Apple's "Across The Universe"
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  2. Lester Jonze
    Lester Jonze says The Breeders- Happiness is a Warm Gun
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  3. ivylander
    ivylander says One favorite is Billy Bragg's "She's Leaving Home." Some mildly tacky '80s/'90s production touches, but his voice was made for that song and he nails it.
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  4. Brett Schieber
    Brett Schieber says How could I have forgotten about Fiona's "Across the Universe"?! I didn't see it on iTunes and don't have the soundtrack that it was on, but I'll have to track that down somewhere. By the way, have you heard her live recording of Elvis Costello's "I Want You"? It's very, very good!
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  5. SatisfiedMind614
    SatisfiedMind614 says its on Pleasantville if that helps
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  6. ciaran
    ciaran says The aforementioned Stevie version of work it out, but also the sublime version of Here Comes The Sun by Nina Simone.... And Day Tripper by Otis Redding....
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  7. Structure Destruct
    Structure Destruct says It's a close call between U2 and Tori Amos' covers of Happiness is a Warm Gun. The latter is a lot more progressive, whereas the former is just U2 being U2 on a cover. But both are incredible in their own respect.
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  8. Manos
    Manos says Since Fiona’s version of “Across The Universe” is taken, I'll go with Rufus Wainwright's.
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  9. Terry Staunton
    Terry Staunton says There's a composer called Paul Schwarz who released an entire album of Beatles songs, rearranged for an octet as part of a dance cycle, called Revolution. If you're gonna take on the best, at least do something innovative with it. Ditto, Peter Sellers' rendition of A Hard Day's Night.
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  10. Dale
    Dale says I prefer the Siouxsie and the Banshees cover of "Dear Prudence", or the Breeders version of "Happiness Is a Warm Gun".
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  11. Peggah
    Peggah says I liked Stereophonics - Don't Let me Down.
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  12. sugarbaby
    sugarbaby says Aimee Mann & Michael Penn's "Two Of Us" from the "I am Sam" soundtrack is my favorite...
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  13. Brett Schieber
    Brett Schieber says I forgot this one too - I was given an old video a few years ago that had a tribute to John Lennon concert on it. Hall and Oates did great acoustic renditions of "Don't Let Me Down" and "Julia". Thanks for all of your opinions too! I'm going to check them all out!
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  14. SWozniak
    SWozniak says Three way tie between: Fiona Apple - Across the Universe Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals - Strawberry Fields Forever Eddie Vedder - You've Got to Hide Your Love Away.
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  15. ciaran
    ciaran says Suddenly remembered... Aretha Franklin - Eleanor Rigby Oasis - I Am The Walrus both better than the original versions.... (IMHO!)
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  16. blueone51
    blueone51 says Dionne Farris - Blackbird
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  17. ivylander
    ivylander says Toots and the Maytals did a cracking cover of "Hey Jude."
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  18. ciaran
    ciaran says Buy this - it some greats....
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  19. Sureshot
    Sureshot says I dig the Beastie Boys cover of I'm Down and Paul Weller seems to be a dab hand at Beatle's covers. Although he doesn't really give them a new slant, they're still great to see performed live. Sexy Sadie and Come Together particularly.
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  20. 1234chainsaw
    1234chainsaw says What Daddy Dale and other fans of the Breeders cover said. Plus the Feelies' version of "Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey".
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  21. kat3260
    kat3260 says Joe Cocker covered Beatles tunes well enough that you could think they were his own. I love this Woodstock rendition of "With A Little Help From My Friends" and also his version of "She Came In Through The Bathroom Window."
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  22. SangReal
    SangReal says The Vines' "I'm Only Sleeping", Oingo Boingo's "I Am The Walrus", and Tori Amos' "She's Leaving Home" just about cover it (har har), but there was also this British Beatles cover album called Revolution No. 9 which had some really good covers on it, and the ones I like the most from that were "All Too Much" from Loves Young Nightmare, The Family Cat "Across The Universe", and The Family "I'm Only Sleeping".
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  23. Heli0tr0pe
    Heli0tr0pe says I'm gonna have to go with Elliott Smith's "Because." Perfect combo of song and artist, and so so SO heartbreaking to listen to now. (FYI, it's on the "American Beauty" soundtrack, not one of his albums.)
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  24. UtahSpike
    UtahSpike says Mine are 2 George Harrison songs . . . Low doing Long Long Long or Summer Hymns doing Behind That Locked Door Album wise then it has to be the Backbeat soundtrack, the Backbeat Beatles are regular supergroup featuring Greg Duli & Dave Grohl to name but 2.
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  25. dylanharlem101
    dylanharlem101 says Of the very few that I know, it seems my favorite would have to be.. Sarah McLachlan - Blackbird. It gets me just a bit more depressed than I already am with a touch of hope! :X
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  26. Kent Lambert
    Kent Lambert says Caetano Veloso's "Help!" (from the album Jóia)
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  27. Heli0tr0pe
    Heli0tr0pe says Also any of the many by Harry Nilsson (for a time, the collective Beatles' favorite musician).
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  28. ivylander
    ivylander says Nice one, Roommate.
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  29. 1234chainsaw
    1234chainsaw says I completely forgot about the Nick Cave single "Here Comes The Sun/Let It Be". And Pixies' brilliant cover of "Wild Honey Pie" on At the BBC.
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  30. Slewzeus
    Slewzeus says How about DangerMouse's Mix tape of Jay-z using lots of "White Album" samples....And "Chet Akins Covers the Beatles". Ditto on the Breeders cover of Happiness
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  31. hi-fi gods
    hi-fi gods says Oh man, Sufjan Steven's cover of What Goes On is pretty much fantastic.
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  32. RobP
    RobP says The Damned - Help! Siouxsie and the Banshees - Helter Skelter Tony Bennett - Eleanor Rigby plus a few of the things above
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  33. Bryan
    Bryan says Ray Charles' Eleanor RIgby is fine as well... Also, on one of the newly released Jerry Garcia Band live shows, they do a phenomenal After Midnight > Eleanor Rigby > After Midnight. Pretty ridiclous grooving. It seems as if Eleanor is well covered!
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  34. caughtonfilm
    caughtonfilm says i love the album that came out last year "this bird has flown"; it's just a cover of the entire rubber soul album. my favorite off of the album is yonder mountain string band's "think for yourself".
    Permalink posted 11/06/2006
  35. Thierry Castaing
    Thierry Castaing says Caetano Veloso used to cover Eleanor Rigby during his shows as a medley with Billie JEan, I know that sounds awkward but it is just brilliant!
    Permalink posted 11/07/2006
  36. Brett Schieber
    Brett Schieber says Thanks for all of the cool recommendations. I've got a lot of music to check out now! Thanks!
    Permalink posted 11/07/2006
  37. Skuter30
    Skuter30 says I like U2's Helter Skelter...
    Permalink posted 11/07/2006
  38. ciaran
    ciaran says Slewzeus - I think that you mean The Grey Album - very hard to get hold of, and if anyone has a copy spare, I can send my address! ;)
    Permalink posted 11/07/2006
  39. kat3260
    kat3260 says don't know if you're into them, but Gov't Mule does a rockin' "She Said, She Said"
    Permalink posted 11/07/2006
  40. pETULENTfRENZY9000
    pETULENTfRENZY9000 says Off the top of my head. Victor Wooten's version of *Norwegian Wood*
    Permalink posted 11/08/2006
  41. pETULENTfRENZY9000
    pETULENTfRENZY9000 says Off the top of my head. Victor Wooten's version of *Norwegian Wood*
    Permalink posted 11/08/2006
  42. Sweet Lou Killbot
    Sweet Lou Killbot says Just saw Adrian Belew do an insane solo guitar (with plenty of looping) version of Within You Without You. And to throw another Happiness Is a Warm Gun into the mix, I like World Party's. Has anyone covered Yer Blues?
    Permalink posted 11/09/2006
  43. Sweet Lou Killbot
    Sweet Lou Killbot says Just saw Adrian Belew do an insane solo guitar (with plenty of looping) version of Within You Without You. And to throw another Happiness Is a Warm Gun into the mix, I like World Party's. Has anyone covered Yer Blues?
    Permalink posted 11/09/2006
  44. Sweet Lou Killbot
    Sweet Lou Killbot says Just saw Adrian Belew do an insane solo guitar (with plenty of looping) version of Within You Without You. And to throw another Happiness Is a Warm Gun into the mix, I like World Party's. Has anyone covered Yer Blues?
    Permalink posted 11/09/2006
  45. kingkongreggae
    kingkongreggae says Lot's of great choices here, some I wasn't aware of. I'm going to check them out. I've been dying to hear the gray album, but have never encountered it in my travels. My favorite Beatles cover comes from a very unlikely source, a no-hit wonder. And I have to thank Harry Shearer, who played it on his radio show, otherwise I probably never would have heard it. Danielle Dax - Tomorrow Never Knows Already a great song, it would be hard to cover and not seem weak. But this sucker rocks...a driving dance beat, backward looped guitars, Beatles samples littered throughout (Within You Without You, Blue Jay Way, etc.). All climaxing with a sample of the bass line from the Talking Heads 'Once in a Lifetime' (go Tina, the hottest bass player on the planet). Download it and CRANK IT UP !!! Great to have on the ipod and cube dance to.
    Permalink posted 11/10/2006
  46. mister gary at work again
    mister gary at work again says The late, great Funkadelic guitarist Eddie Hazel covered "I Want You/She's So Heavy" on his 1977 solo album Game, Dames and Guitar Thangs. He uses it as a guitar workout, but it's still stellar (the Brides of Funkenstein drop the vocals like they're going out of style). Matthew Sweet does a really nice version of "She Said, She Said" as well. I know it might be sacreligious to bring these guys up in this thread (someone's already mentioned this one, anyways), but I'm a *HUGE* fan of the Oasis cover of "I Am The Walrus" (at least, the first four or five minutes of it before it gets mired in pointless feedback, anyways).
    Permalink posted 11/10/2006
  47. deadmandeadman
    deadmandeadman says I've always liked Pheobe Snow's version of Don't Let Me Down
    Permalink posted 11/10/2006
  48. waymellow
    waymellow says Overwhelming Colorfast has a great version of She Said on their self titled album
    Permalink posted 11/10/2006
  49. retail
    retail says TICKET TO RIDE by The Carpenters
    Permalink posted 11/10/2006
  50. Pseudo Cyborg
    Pseudo Cyborg says I highly recommend "Motown Meets The Beetles". It's got some downers, but some amazing work like The Supremes doing "A Hard Day's Night", the previously mentioned "We Can Work It Out" by Stevie Wonder, "She's Leaving Home" by Syreeta (produced by Stevie Wonder), "Yesterday" by Marvin Gaye... lots of great gems.
    Permalink posted 11/10/2006
  51. cooksterkc
    cooksterkc says My top two would have to be Cowboy Mouth's cover of "Tomorrow Never Knows" and En Vogue's "Yesterday". The former, simply because it's absolutely fantastic. If you don't know it, find it! It's on their "Uh Oh" album. The latter - well, with all the covers of "Yesterday" out there, this one's one of the more interesting. Oh, and how can you forget Elton John's "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds"?
    Permalink posted 11/10/2006
  52. fairportfan
    fairportfan says cooksterkc says: My top two would have to be Cowboy Mouth’s cover of “Tomorrow Never Knows” and En Vogue’s “Yesterday”. The former, simply because it’s absolutely fantastic. If you don’t know it, find it! It’s on their “Uh Oh” album Hell, find everything CM have ever done! Go see them live if you have any chance at all. The guy who said "On a *bad* night, they tear the roof off. On a *good* night, they'll save your soul" knew what he was talking about. And, if you do go, tell *Fred* that *mike weber* says "Hello". (If you look at "*my {sadly-out-of-date} web page*":http://electronictiger.com, about halfway down on the right, you'll find a pic of Fred with my step daughter, Helen...) As to my fave Beatles cover, it would have to be one of the songs on Big Daddy's track for track remake of *Sgt Pepper* - either Lucy in the Sky, re-imagined as Jerry Lee Lewis might have done it, or Within You Without You, actually tolerable, as a Beat poetry reading, complete with bongos and flute - but, most likely, their version of A Day in the Life, done as Buddy Holly might have done it (taking off from the "Oh boy!" line...) - which has a nasty little sting in its tail. *Current National Terror Alert Level* Terror Alert Level

    Permalink posted 11/10/2006
  53. jorgegarcia
    jorgegarcia says The Hooters have a great live version of "Lucy InThe Sky With Diamonds" It's really different. It's basically a mandolin, or something like that, and their voices. Pretty cool!
    Permalink posted 11/10/2006
  54. Viva La Britt
    Viva La Britt says I second Heli0tr0pe's vote for Elliot Smith's "Because"- it's ridiculous.
    Permalink posted 11/10/2006
  55. Laffy
    Laffy says Brian Eno does a great "Tomorrow Never Knows" live. The Track is "T.N.K." on 801 live. Artsy fusion....
    Permalink posted 11/11/2006
  56. spolay
    spolay says Aerosmith's "Come Together" is among my favorites, along with U2's version of "Helter Skelter".
    Permalink posted 11/12/2006
  57. walterculboon
    walterculboon says Always liked Yes's take on "Every little thing"
    Permalink posted 11/12/2006
  58. Christian Loves The Floyd
    Christian Loves The Floyd says Well... I particularily like my band's (The Captain Hats) version of "The End" It's great fun to play! :D
    Permalink posted 11/25/2006
  59. Scarlett Echo
    Scarlett Echo says Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Dear Prudence" is better than the Beatles version, imo. ;) I'd have mentioned Rufus Wainwright's and Fiona Apple's covers of "Across the Universe" but they've been taken. I'd like to add Phil Keaggy's "Don't Pass Me By" off his 'Crimson and Blue' album. Also, one of my favourite Holly Cole songs - her cover of "I've Just Seen a Face", from the 'Dark Dear Heart' album.
    Permalink posted 11/27/2006
  60. Scarlett Echo
    Scarlett Echo says Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Dear Prudence" is better than the Beatles version, imo. ;) I'd have mentioned Rufus Wainwright's and Fiona Apple's covers of "Across the Universe" but they've been taken. I'd like to add Phil Keaggy's "Don't Pass Me By" off his 'Crimson and Blue' album. Also, one of my favourite Holly Cole songs - her cover of "I've Just Seen a Face", from the 'Dark Dear Heart' album.
    Permalink posted 11/27/2006
  61. ChelRaquel
    ChelRaquel says HANDS DOWN. Fiona Apple's version of Ja Geru Deva... soooo good!
    Permalink posted 12/06/2006

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