the Movie Space

Imitation is the greatest form of flattery. In that case covering someone else’s song is a true compliment. Today I will begin a list of what I think are some of the greatest rock covers around. This is not a countdown and there is no certain order, I’m not going to limit myself that way.

All Along the Watchtower - U2

This is one of those rare instances in which the covering band actually covers a cover. The master Bob Dylan wrote this piece and the legendary Jimi Hendrix made it a hit. Then U2 decides to do it again, and that was a good idea in a band filled with good ideas. Lots of energy and the wail in Bono’s voice captured the sorrow that permeates the lines of this melancholy masterpiece. Check it out, on their Rattle and Hum DVD or soundtrack.

Jolene – The White Stripes

Any time that you place a song in the hands of the brilliant Jack White, expect it to go through a series of crunching blows, lo-fi distortion, and some near demonic wails. And not surprisingly it always works. In the case of Dolly Parton’s classic “Jolene” it works amazingly well, it sounds like the song lent itself to the demolition and was happy about it. Catch it on The White Stripes’ Live Under Blackpool Lights DVD.

Live and Let Die – Guns N’ Roses

We all know that Axl Rose is crazy, but we also know that he has been constantly teetering on the brink of genius for years. When Use Your Illusion was released the last thing anybody expected was a cover, but what they got was one of the best covers ever. This song showcases Axl’s multiplicity of octaves and suits his voice quite well, and you can still catch this one on the radio.

Your Mama Don’t Dance – Poison

Many people never knew (and may still not know) that the classic song about the appallingly dull family wasn’t written by Poison. Loggins and Messina wrote this popular ditty , and even Elvis sang a few lines once but it truly became a hit on Poison’s 1989 album Open Up and Say… Ahh!

Simple Man – Shinedown

These post-grunge rockers’ roots run deep, and they more than willingly display them by singing the classic Lynryd Skynyrd ballad, Simple Man. Just one voice and one guitar, this version will please even the most stubborn purist. To catch a ray of the glory, check out Shinedown’s Leave a Whisper.

That’s all for now, keep checking back for part 2, it won’t be long!