I seem to have encountered a lot of wonderful songs by hearing a cover first and then somewhat embarrassingly learning it’s not the original. Would love to know your faves you came across this way!

Question

S.A.V. · Answer

“Inspiration Information” by Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings: Truly I think this could be one of the best songs in the world. Every time I hear the opening horns I just feel all warm and blissed out. The original is wonderful too, but I heard the Sharon Jones (may she rest in peace) version first and it blew my mind.

Jamie · Answer

Fallin ’ Rain by Karl Blau: Of course Link Wray’s original is in a league of its own, but Karl Blau’s pure adoration of this song is so apparent in his cover. You can see it reflected in his extended attention to the actual “fallin’ rain” part of the song, which is brief in Wray’s version but satisfyingly drawn out in Blau’s. Love an homage that takes its creative liberties in the right direction!

JaperMoon · Answer

Juice Newton - Angel of the Morning: Love the big drama this song has.

This is the basis for the Shaggy song Angel, though it’s not a straight cover. And what a name, Juice Newton.

Brax · Answer

“Accidentally Like a Martyr” - The War on Drugs: First heard on The War on Drugs “LIVE DRUGS” album.

Never thought I’d have to pay so dearly

For what was already mine

My guts were on the floor. I was scrambling to figure out why a song this good wasn’t on any of their studio records and discovered it’s a Warren Zevon song.

The War on Drugs cover kicks ass, but Zevon’s voice in the OG carries a despair and anguish only the person that wrote it could have. Magical, haunting, and beautiful.

Jessica Smith · Answer

Save It For Later by Eddie Vedder: Original by The Beat but this version on “The Bear” is so emotional.

Zoe · Answer

Oh My God - Lily Allen: From the same Mark Ronson album that brought you Winehouse’s Valerie.

I really like the Kaiser Chiefs version, but this turns the tone up a notch and transforms the cynicism of the original into some incredible sass. Plus the music video has what can only be called Lily Allen Jessica Rabbit.

Ginny Branch · Answer

Heartbeats: I definitely heard The Knife version before the original by José Gonzalez. Both versions are tops

Eric · Answer

“Skinny Love” - by Birdie: Although I knew it was Justin Vernon’s (Bon Iver) - I adore this version so very much!

Dylan · Answer

This Mortal Coil - Song To The Siren: went my whole life not knowing this was a cover! i'm seeing Massive Attack tonight, and apparently Elizabeth Fraser (of the Cocteau Twins, who sings this incredible version) will be doing this cover with them tonight! eeeeeeeeee!!!

Big Red · Answer

I'm on Fire - Taylor John Williams (or Bruce Springsteen lol)

frostie delite · Answer

Holding Out for a Hero Frou Frou: Iconic that it’s from the Shrek 2 soundtrack and you only hear it in the ending credits but this is the best cover! Frou Frou makes any song their own 💚

Nicole · Answer

Valerie (originally by the Zutons): I’d only ever heard the Amy Winehouse cover.

Mo · Answer

sea of love - cat power: I first heard this version in the movie Juno and I loved it, then one day I was listening to oldies and came across Phil Phillips' version from the 50s. Very different vibes, but I enjoy them both. Of course now I realize the cover of the album literally says "The covers record", so it probably should have been obvious...

Jessica · Answer

Lianne La Havas - “Weird Fishes”: Her voice is everything and this Radiohead cover is so swimmy and sweet.

Jessica · Answer

Caroline Polachek - “Spring Is Coming With A Strawberry In The Mouth”: This cover of Operating Theatre is so incredible because it feels so true to Caroline I 100% would’ve believed it’s an original track.

Jessica · Answer

Ethel Cain - “Everytime” (Spotify Singles): Ethel Cain’s cover of “Everytime” by Britney Spears is absolutely gorgeous.

chio · Answer

‘sometimes’  muna (Britney spears cover)

Lucy Propper · Answer

PLAYLIST OF SONGS AND THEIR COVERS: This one is special to me. Playlist I made of songs and their covers. I love covers

Paul Clarkson · Answer

William Bell - I Forgot to Be Your Lover: I heard Billy Idol's "To Be Your Lover" sometime in the 80s and only later discovered William Bell's sublime original.

Kaianne · Answer

Inside and Out (Feist): My mom heard this and went why are you listening to this weird version of a Bee Gees song

Emily · Answer

This Must Be The Place: This Must Be The Place by Talking Heads! I heard the Kishi Bashi version first…

faye · Answer

Crimson and Clover - Joan Jett: Did not know this was a cover for a VERY long time. And when I found out my reaction was like ‘huh. Can’t possibly be better.’ (Her version is now on my beloved playlist of covers where the singer didn’t switch the pronouns.)

Runner up: I Want You To Want Me as sung by Letters to Cleo on the 10 Things I Hate About You soundtrack. Took me less long, but…still a while!

Gail · Answer

Wild Horses by The Sundays: Took me yearsss to discover it’s not originally theirs. But even in learning it was the rolling stones first, I have forever loved The Sundays take more.

Dylan · Answer

My COVER LOVER collection: featuring all my favourite covers of all your favourite songs <3

Brandi · Answer

She's Not There (Griff): The whole concept of this soundtrack is banger covers of “British Invasion” songs, all done by female vocalists - this one being my favorite. The show was awesome too, RIP

Brandi · Answer

Maneater (Lower Dens): Much more atmospheric than the original.

Heather M · Answer

Almost any Gram Parsons cover: I’m sure this is sacrilege to say, but I like most Gram Parsons covers more than the originals… the tribute album Emmylou Harris pulled together for him, Return of the Grievous Angel, is gorgeous, particularly $1,000 Wedding with Evan Dando and Juliana Hatfield

Bex · Answer

It's My Life (Talk Talk): the original “it’s my life” is by mark Hollis with the band talk talk. As covered incredibly by No Doubt. This will take you down a longgg rabbit hole of the incredible new wave albums of talk talk. You’re welcome!! This is fun!

Dylan · Answer

Natalie Imbruglia - Torn: not actually her song but she made it famous! somehow both nostalgic and timeless. a karaoke classic.

i actually love the husky vocals in the original by Ednaswap:

ella sahlman · Answer

I'll Cover You: best cover playlist :)

Annie Pontarelli · Answer

Nirvana - The Man Who Sold The World (MTV Unplugged): I love covers but this one really shook me to my core (or whatever 10 year old me would have said) when I found out years later that this was a David Bowie song.

Minna Kelly · Answer

Saint Etienne covering Neil Young's Only Love Can Break Your Heart: Both iconic in my eyes, although I thought it was an SE original for the longest time oops. Listen to the Saint Etienne version in the morning and the Neil original at night for maximum heartbreak.

Spines, Flicks, and Wax · Answer

Yesterday (En Vogue): My mom bought Funky Divas on CD when I was in second grade. I didn't know some band called The Beatles sang it until a teacher (rarely rudely) informed me.

Admittedly, I still kind of like this version better.

B. A. Griffin · Answer

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Higher Ground: Also the original, for your listening pleasure:

Analisa Burns · Answer

Janis Joplin's cover of "To Love Somebody": no one does it like Janis <3

Ginny Branch · Answer

Wild Heart (Futurebirds): Nothing touches Stevie singing this, especially the video of her backstage singing it 😭 but this cover is excellent