Worst Cover Versions of All Time

[Quinny]

As an antithesis to the best covers thread, how about the worst ones you've heard where you've thought "oh dear God, no". Like the first time you heard DJ Sammy's cover of The Boys of Summer.

For me, the worst one I've heard was (surprisingly) by David Bowie and his version of PF's See Emily Play. The verses are OK, but the chorus. Oh dear God, the chorus....

See Emily Play (2015 Remaster)

Provided to YouTube by Parlophone UKSee Emily Play (2015 Remaster) · David BowiePinups℗ 1973, 2015 Jones/Tintoretto Entertainment Company LLC under exclusive...

www.youtube.com

 

[MickyD]

Harsh, Quinny, harsh!

I bought Pin Ups on the day it came out, as was my wont with Bowie and a few others once upon a time, but it's so long since I listened to it that I'd pretty much forgotten that track even featured!

I can't say the chorus ever particularly bothered me - it's redolent of the "Please come away..." refrain from The Bewlay Brothers on Hunky Dory.

Now, that rather excruciating Bowie/Jagger cover and video of Dancing in the Street for Live Aid, on, the other hand...

Oh Jeez, but I was forgetting The Little Drummer Boy that Bowie did with Bing Crosby. Aaaaaaagh!!!

 

[BDW]

Oasis cover of Cum on feel the noise. 😞

 

[olive green]

Almost any cover by William Shatner, but this one is hard to beat:

Bohemian Rhapsody by William Shatner feat. John Wetton

Bohemian Rhapsody by William Shatner feat. John Wetton was written by Freddie Mercury and was first released by Queen in 1975. William Shatner feat. John Wetton released it on the album Seeking Major Tom in 2011. It was covered by Jeremy Weinglass, The Venetia Fair, Rock4, Stephanie Jackson and...

secondhandsongs.com

Don't listen to it!

 

[unhinched]

Almost any cover by William Shatner, but this one is hard to beat:

Bohemian Rhapsody by William Shatner feat. John Wetton

Bohemian Rhapsody by William Shatner feat. John Wetton was written by Freddie Mercury and was first released by Queen in 1975. William Shatner feat. John Wetton released it on the album Seeking Major Tom in 2011. It was covered by Jeremy Weinglass, The Venetia Fair, Rock4, Stephanie Jackson and...

secondhandsongs.com

Don't listen to it!

When you say don't - you knew we'd just have to.
That is surely the worst thing I ever heard !

 

[WolvesGreen]

"Strawberry Fields Forever" by Candy Flip and Fine Young Cannibals cover of "Ever Fallen in Love" immediately spring to mind.

Crimes against music.

 

[Bernie Bernbaum]

Definitely Jagger/Bowie . Plain embarassing.
Come Together by Aerosmith.

 

[Shadowknight]

Any vanity cover by a celebrity with mediocre singing talent? Bruce Willis, Vic Reeves, Jimmy Nail, etc

 

[BDW]

Any vanity cover by a celebrity with mediocre singing talent? Bruce Willis, Vic Reeves, Jimmy Nail, etc

Jimmy Nail was quality when I saw him live.

 

[Bernie Bernbaum]

I saw a Vic and Bob Big Night Out in Nottingham I think in 1990 and Jim Moir had a decent singing voice to be fair.

 

[ping g5]

It's not the worst cover, but a mate of mine was adamant that Roxy Music's version of Jealous Guy was better than the original... I hate it!

 

[Green Painter]

Madonna. American Pie
The Cores. Dreams
Guns n roses. Knocking on heavens door
Wet Wet Wet. With a little help from my friends

 

[Quinny]

It's not the worst cover, but a mate of mine was adamant that Roxy Music's version of Jealous Guy was better than the original... I hate it!

Their cover of Eight Miles High was pretty poor too.

I worked through Brian Ferry's back catalogue some time ago, and listening to his solo albums, it's quite a thing how many were covers: I think four or five of his albums were nothing but covers (including one of just Dylan tracks which, in all fairness, wasn't bad). I do like his cover of Let's Stick Together which was probably his biggest solo hit (the one with Jerry Hall in the video).

 

[Butternubs]

Almost any cover by William Shatner, but this one is hard to beat:

Bohemian Rhapsody by William Shatner feat. John Wetton

Bohemian Rhapsody by William Shatner feat. John Wetton was written by Freddie Mercury and was first released by Queen in 1975. William Shatner feat. John Wetton released it on the album Seeking Major Tom in 2011. It was covered by Jeremy Weinglass, The Venetia Fair, Rock4, Stephanie Jackson and...

secondhandsongs.com

Don't listen to it!

His cover of Mr Tambourine Man was incredible... and his Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds transcendant...

William Shatner - Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds

William Shatner does a unique cover of Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.From the 1967 album The Transformed Man.

www.youtube.com

Awesome.

 

[Fergy]

I don’t mind Limp Bizkit but their cover of Faith is appalling.