The magic formula of the cover version eludes most. There are many great cover versions but many more are disappointing & pointless. The best cover versions involve a degree of familiarity with he original – even affection for or obsession with the song. The artist must bring something extra to it – either homage or sacrilege, but it has to do something different to you than the original. There are cover bands, tribute bands, revivalists. Many quite competent. I think my favorites are musicians performing classic well-known songs in a totally different, even antithetical, style. A fave is Nouvelle Vague’s versions of the Clash, Sex Pistols & Dead Kennedys – hard to beat. I’ve included US, UK, German, Japanese, Jamaican, Swiss, French, Cambodian [a rich cover version scene pre-PolPot] & Dutch versions, who have a long history of insane versions of Anglo hits as performed by comedians & DIY pirate radio wackos. This is my 5th show devoted to cover versions.
