Cover versions

This first post will look at cover versions which become more famous than the original. This phenomenon can be down to time. If the version of the song you first hear is not the original then you are more likely to see it as the definitive version. Over the coming months we will come across many of these songs.  Other reasons for a song becoming seen as the definitive version are:-

1. The original singer says that the new version is the definitive version (e.g Leonard Cohen on Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah)
2. Time. The original song is from a long time ago and was a one hit wonder long forgotten (OK that's two reasons in one)
3. The cover version is just better than the original
4. The original artist is a little known band

The first cover version is I Love Rock N Roll by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts. The original version was by British group Arrows. Having recently heard it for the first time recently it isn't actually a bad version of the song. Arrows weren't a big band as I recall. They were managed by the former manager of The Who. I don't even remember this one charting but have a listen and see what you think.

Arrows - I Love Rock and Roll

In 1981 came the version I heard first.  Joan Jett's version had some balls to it and was a hit all over the world. For most people this is the definitive version of the song. Jett had been part of the band The Runaways before leaving to form her own band. 

Joan Jett & The Blackhearts - I Love Rock and Roll

However despite this being the best version other bands couldn't leave it alone and British boyband 5ive and then the greatest crime of all Britney Spears. I will not dignify either of these versions by giving them airtime.

Heavy metal bands are particularly good at cover versions. Many of them started as cover bands. But more importantly they do something different with the song. They cover each others songs but they are particularly good when covering mainstream hits.  This time we are going to look at Die Die My Darling by Misfits. Misfits are a shock/horror American punk band. Their lead singer was Glenn Danzig who inspired Metallica and indeed Metallica have covered several of their songs. Danzig is in my opinion one of the best metal singers of the last twenty years and can be relied on to do different things.  Danzig left Misfits and formed his own band and released some of his best music.  This is a classic track by Misfits.

Misfits - Die Die My Darling

As mentioned previously Metallica have covered many Misfits tracks and this one is no exception. As with I Love Rock and Roll I hadn't actually heard the original until researching this post. However, I was at least aware of it. Metallica released their version on their covers album Garage Inc. For most bands a covers album is a sign of an impending demise. Metallica are not most bands and have been putting out covers for many years as B sides.  This is a strong addition to their cannon. Metallica add power to the aggression and horror of the original. Unlike I Love Rock And Roll I would not necessarily say that this is the definitive version but it is a very strong contender.

Metallica - Die Die My Darling

Kerrang then put out two cds, High Voltage and Higher Voltage. These featured new acts covering classics. Aiden who are possibly more from Misfits school than Metallica put out their version which also appears on the Rain In Hell EP. It is actually quite a tame version of the song but is probably as a result quite an accessible version of the track.

Aiden - Die Die my Darling

The most recent version of the song is by a band called Caliban. It is possibly the most aggressive version of the bunch. Unfortunately for me that means it misses something. I am not a fan of the vocal style of the band  but I leave it up to you to decide which is the best version.

Caliban - Die Die My Darling

More covers in the coming weeks