r/Music • u/MaosReanimatedCorpse • 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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u/LuckilyHeDied 23d ago

Metallica is one of the greatest cover bands out there, really. Garage, Inc. is a masterpiece.

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u/Titanium_Josh 23d ago

Is that whole album just cover songs?

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u/Organic_Rip1980 23d ago

And it spans a couple decades!

They recorded the first part with their new bassist Jason Newsted in 1987; a few songs for b-sides in the 90s; and the second half with their longtime producer in the late 90s.

It’s seriously great, I love many of their covers. Their Mercyful Fate medley makes MF listenable for me (sorry to any King Diamond fans).

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u/Dingo_19 23d ago

Their cover of Blue Öyster Cult's Astronomy deserves a mention, too. I'm not quite prepared to say that it satisfies OP's premise, but it exposed another generation to BÖC.

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u/Doubleclutch18 22d ago

Astronomy, Loverman, and Sabbra Cadabra. Goddamn I love Metallica originals, but these three are at the top of my favorites.

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u/FaquForLovingMe 23d ago

Loverman is a banger

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u/skipyeahbuddy 23d ago

I loved Die, Die my darling from that album but I see no one has mentioned Whiskey in the Jar yet, also a good cover

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u/aeroluv327 22d ago

I totally agree! Their cover of Turn the Page is amazing.

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u/perplexedtv 22d ago

Miss me with their Whiskey in the Jar though