Cover Songs and Tribute Albums

The saying, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery" could be applied to cover songs. People like to sing or hum along to a good tune. Usually musicians and artists start by singing and playing already famous songs. Advice from more recent reality shows like "The Voice" or "American Idol" always offer "make it your own". Sometimes the cover actually becomes more famous than the original. I do really enjoy a good cover, to hear another interpretation of a song. Following are just a few covers that may be more famous than the origianl, or at least as popular in their own way, some that never should have been recorded and a few complete albums of covers or tributes. What are some of your favorite covers?

"With a Little Help From My Friends"
by Joe Cocker
ORIGINAL ARTIST: The Beatles

"Walk Don't Run"
by The Ventures
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Johnny Smith
Walk Don't Run by Johnny Smith


"Summertime"
"Summertime" is an aria composed by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. The song is recognized as one of the most covered songs in the history of recorded music, with more than 33,000 covers by groups and solo performers.
by Billie Holiday, Billy Stewart, Janis Joplin

 Summertime by Billy Stewart 

"Spoonful"
by Etta James, Cream
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Howlin' Wolf

"Black Magic Woman"
by Santana
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Fleetwood Mac
 Black Magic Woman by Fleetwood Mac

"Little Wing"
by Derek and the Dominos, Stevie Ray Vaughan, The Corrs
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Jimi Hendrix

"La Bamba"
by Los Lobos
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Richie Valens

"Hazy Shade of Winter"
by The Bangles
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Simon and Garfunkel

"Twist and Shout"
by The Beatles
ORIGINAL ARTIST:  The Isley Brothers

"I Shot The Sheriff"
by Eric Clapton
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Bob Marley

"Just A Gigolo"
by David Lee Roth
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Louie Prima
 Just a Gigolo by Louis Prima

"Respect"
by Aretha Franklin
ORIGINAL ARTIST: Otis Redding

And the worst

Miley Cyrus - "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana
William Shatner - "Rocket Man" by Elton John
Celine Dion - "You Shook Me All Night Long" by AC/DC

... we'll just leave it at that...

Tribute Albums 

various artists on each

Must have...

• "I Am Sam" soundtrack (all Beatles songs)
• A Tribute To Stevie Ray Vaughan [Live]
• Us And Them: Symphonic Pink Floyd (does this count as a cover?)

So so...

• Encomium: A Tribute To Led Zeppelin
• Stone Free: A Tribute To Jimi Hendrix
• Working Class Hero: A Tribute To John Lennon
• Butchering The Beatles
• Crossfire: A Salute To Stevie Ray

And one of my favorite cover stories, if you've made it this far....
"Sgt. Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band"-In 1967, Jimi Hendrix played the song live at the Saville Theatre in Shaftesbury Avenue, which was leased by Brian Epstein, only three days after it had been released on record, with McCartney and George Harrison in the audience