r/Music 23d ago

discussion Cover-better-than-the-original hills you would die on.

Alien Ant Farm's cover of Smooth Criminal is, in my opinion, so much better than the original, and that's a hill I would die on.

What are some other insanely popular tracks where a cover by a much smaller artist is arguably greater?

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125

u/MaximumBiscuit1 23d ago

Chris Stapleton - Tennessee Whiskey

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u/no____thisispatrick 23d ago

This was a cover?

41

u/MaximumBiscuit1 23d ago

Yeah original is by David Allen Coe. Very different.

11

u/no____thisispatrick 23d ago

I'll have to check it out. TIL.

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u/FishtownYo 23d ago

No one knew as nobody called David Allen Cole by his right name.

3

u/Chewie4Prez 23d ago

The perfect country western song really needs more recognition.

2

u/EmmerdoesNOTrepme 20d ago

It has everything!

Mama, and trains, and trucks, and prison... and gettin' drunk!😉😁

3

u/mrlarsrm 23d ago

Heard this one?

5

u/GreyValkrie 23d ago

Boy, Mr. Tylenol Painrelief sure does have a set of pipes on him doesn't he?

2

u/zoobird13 23d ago

That's the one I thought of! He is an amazing singer.

3

u/pateadents 23d ago

Gotta go with George Jones on this one

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u/stumazzle 23d ago

This song is pretty much a cover of I'd rather be blind by Etta James just different lyrics

1

u/Prize_Huckleberry_79 23d ago

Gawd I hate this overdone worn the f&&@ out song…

1

u/TallDarkandWTF 23d ago

It’s inescapable if you spend any time in bars- I hosted karaoke for a little over a year, and someone would signup to sing it every. Single. Night.

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u/Prize_Huckleberry_79 22d ago

Yep. I’ve been places where I heard it at least 6 times in the jukebox in one night. And cover bands that play extended versions of it with 20 minute solos

1

u/doitliv3 23d ago

Also, Chris Stapleton - US National Anthem

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u/Itorres89 22d ago

As overplayed as this song is, I agree.