Some adaptations of songs are simply better than their original versions. Many artists work to improve their sound and influence the popularity of their music through remixes and rerecordings, or even covering another artist’s work. Here are some of my favorites.
All Along the Watchtower (Bob Dylan 1967 vs. Jimi Hendrix 1968)
The fourth song off the eighth Bob Dylan studio album “John Wesley Harding” is a dark folk song that features Dylan’s easily recognizable vocals and harmonica. Its cynical message carries through the dim tone of the guitar, harmonica and drums. Jimi Hendrix recorded his own version of “All Along the Watchtower” the next year, and it became an instant classic on his third album “Electric Ladyland.” Arguably one of the greatest songs of the 1960s, Hendrix’s version electrified Dylan’s performance. Jimi’s signature guitar tone is on full display in this song, especially during the large solo in the middle of the recording. Widely regarded as one of the greatest guitar players ever, Jimi Hendrix was, and still is, an icon in the world of music, changing the sound of rock and roll forever. “All Along the Watchtower” was one of the defining songs for the Vietnam War and the counterculture it helped create, and it remains a heavy rock classic.
The Man Who Sold The World (David Bowie 1970 vs. Nirvana 1994)
The penultimate track off the 1970 album by the same title, “The Man Who Sold The World” by David Bowie is a trippy hard rock song with an extremely catchy bass line, guitar riff and Bowie’s signature voice. Released in 1994, “MTV Unplugged in New York” was the last recording from Nirvana made before Kurt Cobain’s death and was released posthumously. Their version of “The Man Who Sold The World” turns the song into a dark grunge rock classic. Nirvana performed their version live a year before its release with their signature angst and grit, along with other popular tracks like “Come as You Are,” “Polly” and “All Apologies” and it remains a classic of the 1990s grunge era.
Fair Chance (Thundercat 2020 vs. Floating Points 2020)
“Fair Chance” by Thundercat is a smooth, low-key slow jam featuring Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B off the 2020 album “It Is What It Is,” which earned a Grammy nomination for Best Progressive R&B Album. I love the original version, but the Floating Points remix takes this song to a whole new level. The house-inspired drums are intoxicating, perfectly complementing the vocals of Thundercat, Ty Dolla $ign and Lil B. It’s hard to listen to this song and not instantly start grooving along.
Walk This Way (Aerosmith 1975 vs. Run-DMC ft. Aerosmith 1986)
While I do love the original version from Boston-based hard rock band Aerosmith, the cover/remix by Run-DMC improves on the foundations set by Steven Tyler and the rest of the band. One of the first hip hop covers of a classic anthem rock hit, “Walk This Way” paved the way for more groundbreaking genre bending songs in the future, like Jay-Z’s collaboration with Linkin Park on the 2006 album “Collision Course,” or the majority of the Beastie Boys’ discography. The iconic guitar riff and some of Tyler’s vocals are preserved, while the drums are reinvigorated with heavy hip hop flair. The 1986 remix rejuvenated Aerosmith’s career and made Run-DMC household names across America. This is an incredibly important song to the world of hip hop and rap, which largely dominates the music industry today.
What are your favorite song covers, remixes or re-recordings? Let me know on Twitter @ronanrhodycigar