Artists who have never recorded a cover?

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Mainstream-ish pop/rock bands or artists who have had a decent career span (let's say ten years) and who have never, ever recorded a cover. I think if you stick to pop/rock and exclude rap, hip-hop, techno and noodling electronics, it's pretty hard to find anyone at all.

― Susan (Susan), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 08:31 (twenty-two years ago)

The Stone Roses. The Verve.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 08:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Mogwai.

― CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 08:47 (twenty-two years ago)

I can't think of a teenage fanclub one, but I'm sure there must be.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 08:48 (twenty-two years ago)

TFC did "Here Comes Your Man", certainly, and Big Star's "Free Again".

― CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 08:49 (twenty-two years ago)

And "Like A Virgin" and "Older Guys" (Flying Burrito Brothers?), plus some more...

― Nag! Nag! Nag! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 08:51 (twenty-two years ago)

S Club 7.

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 08:52 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't think any of those fit into my remit: pop/rock act that has had at least a ten year career.

― Susan (Susan), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 08:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Looks like Leonard Cohen might have gone 25 years before his first covers in 1992. Hmmmm...

― Nag! Nag! Nag! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 08:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Mogwai are 8 years down the line. Stone Roses managed eleven years (they just never recorded anything). Hmmm...

― Nick Southall (Nick Southall), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 08:55 (twenty-two years ago)

There are surely some sad twats out there who've never done a cover 'on principle'...

Re: Mogwai - you could argue that 'My Father My King' counts as something approaching a cover.

― The Lex (The Lex), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 08:56 (twenty-two years ago)

Radiohead (the Venus in Furs thing does not count)

― Melissa W (Melissa W), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Radiohead have done "Nobody does It Better" and some other stuff I can't think of right now.

Point of order: are we talking *recorded* covers or just performed stuff? I'm sure pretty much every band in existence has covered *something* live.

― CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:05 (twenty-two years ago)

I guess Red Crayola aren't 'mainstream-ish', but they seem to lasted 35 years without a cover. Or have they?

Probably Jandek too?

― Nag! Nag! Nag! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Stone Roses recorded Redemption Song during the Second Coming sessions. It's on a bootleg, it'll probably get official release one of these days.

Oh, and I'm talking about studio-recorded covers, not live covers.

― Susan (Susan), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:08 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Jandek covered some old traditional song - House Of The Rising Sun maybe?

― Susan (Susan), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, having just checked google, Jandek did indeed cover House Of The Rising Sun on Blue Corpse.

― Susan (Susan), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Kraftwerk?

― Nag! Nag! Nag! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Mogwai recorded a Guns 'N Roses cover on a Peel Session, if that counts...

― T. Weiss (Timmy), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:13 (twenty-two years ago)

Underworld.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:14 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't think Underworld can count since te concept of the cover is basically irrelevant in dance music.

Peel sessions are a moot point - loads of bands use them as an excuse to cover something silly/throwaway.

― CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, if you don't count Peel Sessions - New Order.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:20 (twenty-two years ago)

And another one - The Go Betweens.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:22 (twenty-two years ago)

**Yeah, if you don't count Peel Sessions - New Order.**

Their first release was a Joy Division song!

― Susan (Susan), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Kraftwerk may never have recorded a cover. But surely the Go-Betweens must have!

― Susan (Susan), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:23 (twenty-two years ago)

No.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:24 (twenty-two years ago)

The Velvet Underground?

Seemingly a bootleg of a Bo Diddley song...

― Nag! Nag! Nag! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Mogwai covered "sweet leaf" on a Fierce Panda single

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Yes, having just checked google, Jandek did indeed cover House Of The Rising Sun on Blue Corpse.

it's an original, it just has the same title.

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Did the Cure do covers?

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:38 (twenty-two years ago)

We must pray not.

― Tom (Groke), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:40 (twenty-two years ago)

The Cure at least did a Hendrix cover early on.

― Nag! Nag! Nag! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:41 (twenty-two years ago)

Go Betweens is a good answer - checking out their extensive discog uncovers no covers. they have however both performed covers solo

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Tom, surely if they took the place of Robert Smith originals it would be som sort of kindness?

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:44 (twenty-two years ago)

**it's an original, it just has the same title.**

With Jandek, how in fuck can you tell?

― Susan (Susan), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:45 (twenty-two years ago)

the lyrics :)

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Looks like I failed to credit some 70's Leonard Cohen covers, so my already qualified nomination was even more incorrect.

― Nag! Nag! Nag! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:46 (twenty-two years ago)

No, I think a strict containment policy is the only way, particularly in these days of easy downloads. A curious fan of the covered band might be 'intrigued', after all.

― Tom (Groke), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:46 (twenty-two years ago)

have AC/DC done any covers?

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:47 (twenty-two years ago)

The Cure did "Hello I Love You" on a Doors tribute album. Velvet Underground might not have done any covers, but they fall foul of my totally arbitrary ten-year-career rule.

― Susan (Susan), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:49 (twenty-two years ago)

For a 60s band, try the Outsiders (might just fail on the 10 year rule).

Tom, you are right of course. I am getting soft.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 09:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Felt released just one cover in their 10 year career (The Beach Boys' Be Still), which is maybe cooler than avoiding them entirely.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 10:03 (twenty-two years ago)

Pink Floyd never recorded a cover, unless you count "King Bee", which they demoed while still The Pink Floyd Sound.

― Zvia Admon (Zeef), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 10:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Young Marble Giants...although people have covered their songs

― Jez (Jez), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 10:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Not a very long career, Jez.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 11:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Wire?

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 11:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Did the Cure do covers?

They've covered Hendrix, the Doors, Depeche Mode.

AC/DC? Hmmmmmmm. You may have one there. I certainly can't recall one, if they have.

I don't think the Police ever recorded one. Likewise, Gang of Four never bothered with one. The Buzzcocks steered clear of covers, I believe.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 11:59 (twenty-two years ago)

buzzcocks did a beefheart song.

Why do half the people I know in local bands think playing covers is somehow morally wrong? does anyone understand this? at all?

― thom west (thom w), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 12:06 (twenty-two years ago)

Ah, they also did a Tom Waits cover ("Better Off without a Wife")....or was that simply Pete Shelley solo?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 12:07 (twenty-two years ago)

acdc did baby pls don't go on their 1st album & a chuck berry song on the 2nd

― duane, Tuesday, 12 August 2003 12:34 (twenty-two years ago)

Pink Floyd

― Evan (Evan), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 12:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Phish.

*tries in vain to maintain straight face*

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 12:59 (twenty-two years ago)

Did The Smashing Pumpkins do any covers?

Ditto My Bloody Valentine.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 13:09 (twenty-two years ago)

MBV covered 'We Have All The Time In The World' beautifully.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 13:17 (twenty-two years ago)

A few which may or may not be accurate, but I can't think of any covers they've recorded:

Amon Duul II
Hawkwind
Dire Straits
Genesis
Magma (this one I'm sure about)
Rush
Supertramp

possibly Billy Joel (although I can't claim any detailed knowledge of his, ahem, output)

― Nom De Plume (Nom De Plume), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 13:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Did Cab Voltaire do any covers?

― donut bitch (donut), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 13:20 (twenty-two years ago)

That Smashing Pumpkins Aeroplane Flies High box-set has an entire disk of covers, including a dopetacular version of The Cars' "You're All I've Got Tonight". Plus there was that solo Billy C. version of Stevie Nicks' "Landslide" on Pisces Iscariot.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 13:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Cab Voltaire covered the Seeds' "No Escape" on Mix-Up.

― Nom De Plume (Nom De Plume), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 13:29 (twenty-two years ago)

MBV did a Wire (off 154) song on some comp.

ps-it rools

― ddb, Tuesday, 12 August 2003 13:35 (twenty-two years ago)

But did Wire do a cover? For some reason I suspect something from Document and Eyewitness.

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 13:37 (twenty-two years ago)

Fugazi.

Also, Sleater-Kinney does covers live ("Hooked on a Feeling," "White Rabbit"), but I don't think they've ever recorded any.

― Tom Breihan (Tom Breihan), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 13:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Same applies with Belle & Sebastian, though again, they fall on the 10 year career rule.

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 13:54 (twenty-two years ago)

Why do half the people I know in local bands think playing covers is somehow morally wrong? does anyone understand this? at all?

It's not a matter of morality. For me, it's a desire to stake out my own musical territory. I want the audience to walk away humming one of my band's original tunes, not just remember us as the band who covers Belle & Sebastian (although our Kraftwerk cover is ace). Once we get a bit more established, then I'll feel more comfortable about playing covers. (I've had this argument many, many times. Sigh.)

― jaymc (jaymc), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 14:09 (twenty-two years ago)

The Charlatans, I think. At least I don't own one.

― turkey (turkey), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 14:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Did Pulp record any?

― turkey (turkey), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 14:32 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't think there's anything wrong with doing cover songs, so long as:

1. You keep it to a minimum (live or recorded) and
2. Redefine it with your own sound

Ergo, all truly great covers show off the covering band's sound by demonstrating what they can do with a song people may already know.

Now, having half your set/demo be covers...that's a different thing entirely, and I do totally agree that it will compromise things.

― Girolamo Savonarola, Tuesday, 12 August 2003 14:35 (twenty-two years ago)

AC/DC's no good: "Baby Please Don't Go".

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 14:36 (twenty-two years ago)

oh, and Chuck Berry's "School Days" on TNT.

― Hurlothrumbo (hurlothrumbo), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 14:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Did Pulp record any?

I was just reminded of a Polnareff cover they did thanks to Z; also there's a radio session version of "Whiskey in the Jar" that saw an official release on a charity album.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 14:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Mogwai are on the Spaceman 3 tribute/covers album

Didn't Radiohead do a really chronic Aphex Twin cover version album?

(sorry, couldn't resist)

― Kim Tortoise, Tuesday, 12 August 2003 15:01 (twenty-two years ago)

Wire recorded a version of J.J. Cale's After Midnight, though it wasn't for official release. It eventually showed up on the Behind the Curtain compilation.

― Bruce Urquhart (Bruce Urquhart), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 15:40 (twenty-two years ago)

I suppose that counts, although they did manage a good twenty years or so.

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 15:43 (twenty-two years ago)

I can't think of any Steely Dan or Roxy Music covers at the moment. Bryan Ferry did a buncha solo covers, of course.

― Salmon Pink (Salmon Pink), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 15:44 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, they did record the cover in April 1977. It just wasn't released until 1995.

― Bruce Urquhart (Bruce Urquhart), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 15:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Steely Dan: "East St. Louis Toodle-oo" (D.Ellington) on "Pretzel Logic"

Roxy: "Eight Miles High" (Byrds) and "The MIdnight Hour" (W.Pickett) and "Like a Hurricane" (N. Young) on "Flesh & Blood"

― Nom De Plume (Nom De Plume), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 15:51 (twenty-two years ago)

The Cars.

― Sean (Sean), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 16:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Not *entirely* true, there's those garage punk covers they did for Bebe Buell which are featured with the original guide vocals on the two disc Rhino set.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 16:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Compare:

There is a house in New Orleans
They call the 'Rising Sun'
And it's been the ruin of many a young poor boy
And, God, I know I'm one

My mother was a tailor
Sewed my new blue jeans
My father was a gamblin' man
Down in New Orleans
Now the only thing he ever needs
Is a suitcase and a trunk
And the only time he's satisfied
Is when he's on a drunk

Oh, Mother tell your children
Not to do what I have done
Spend your lives in sin and misery
In the House of the Rising Sun
With one foot on the platform
And the other foot on the train
I know he's back to New Orleans
To wear that ball and chain

Well there is a house in New Orleans
They call the 'Rising Sun'
And its been the ruin of many a young poor boy
And God, I know I'm one

...with Jandek's version:

My mother was a tailor
She sewed these new blue jeans
My father was a gambler
Down in New Orleans
The only thing a gambler needs
His suitcase and a trunk
The only pleasure he gets out of life
When he’s all drunk
I know the song I sing when
I spend my time in
Down at the Rising Sun
So mother tell your children
Not to do what I have done
Spend my life in — sitting in misery
Down in the Rising Sun

Almost exactly the same (except rearranged), no?

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Tuesday, 12 August 2003 21:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Also the Pumpkins did a cover of the Animals' "A Girl Named Sandoz" on Pisces Iscariot

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Tuesday, 12 August 2003 21:19 (twenty-two years ago)

Sleater Kinney did "More Than A Feeling" on a KRS comp.

― Leee (Leee), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 21:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Cocteau Twins
Dead Can Dance (do traditional folk songs count as covers?) (Aarglh nm the Sinead song on the live alb) (Wait that's not studio recorded then obv.)
Labradford
Portishead

― Leee (Leee), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 21:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Disco Inferno
Supercollider
Bailter Space
Gordons
(and I was THIS close to saying Tall Dwarfs until I remembered their ABBA cover)

― donut bitch (donut), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 22:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Did any of those mainstream-ish bands last for 10 years? (I have only heard of Disco Inferno)

― N. (nickdastoor), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 22:09 (twenty-two years ago)

Depeche Mode's "Route 66" is the only one I can think of for them - anyone confirm?

― Kim (Kim), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 22:24 (twenty-two years ago)

did kraftwerk ever do a cover?

― gygax! (gygax!), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 22:27 (twenty-two years ago)

Tangerine Dream? Can? Faust? Black Sabbath?

― Andrew L (Andrew L), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 23:59 (twenty-two years ago)

The Monkees
Super Furry Animals
Yes

― Evan (Evan), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 00:20 (twenty-two years ago)

the Monkees is an odd little one..

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 00:43 (twenty-two years ago)

What about Madonna?

(if you're willing to discount Evita and that whole Santa Baby thing)

― Kim (Kim), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 00:55 (twenty-two years ago)

the monkees mention hopefully is a joke...

madonna also did that dick tracy soundtrack with some period pieces on it.

― gygax! (gygax!), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 01:00 (twenty-two years ago)

tangerine dream covered the beatles at some point... i'm forgetting what tho...it's on a mixtape somewhere....

i have a few radiohead performed... "sunday bloody sunday" for example...

i think kraftwerk covered my grandpa's CS101 homework entitled, "HELLO WORLD!"
m.

― msp, Wednesday, 13 August 2003 01:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Madonna covered "Love Don't Live Here Anymore" on her 2nd lp.

Black Sabbath had two covers on their first lp (UK edition) (one cover on the US edition).

I gotta believe Evan was joking. Anyway, if he wasn't, Yes had a Beatles and a Byrds cover on their 1st lp (and technically "Beyond and Before" is a cover of a tune originally performed by Chris Squire's first group).

One artist who's never recorded a cover on any of his studio records is Bruce Springsteen. But he has contributed a couple covers to tribute records and the like.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 02:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Rats; forgot about Route 66, because i was all primed to say Depeche Mode.

Joe Jackson?
Kate Bush?

Blur must have done covers, but I can't think of any off the top of my head.

― derrick (derrick), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 02:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Black Sabbath, to my knowledge...

― Bryan Moore (Bryan Moore), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 02:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Cocteau Twins

They've done "Strange Fruit" and also two Christmas tunes ("Winter Wonderland" and the deliriously happy "Frosty the Snowman").

Kate Bush

She has covered Donovan's "Lord of the Reedy River" and Roy Harper's "Another Day" (with Peter Gabriel).

Joe Jackson

He covered XTC's "Statue of Liberty."

― Ernest P. (ernestp), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 02:13 (twenty-two years ago)

*commits suicide*

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 02:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Black Sabbath, to my knowledge...

Er, read upwards.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 02:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Dead Can Dance (the Sinead song on the live alb) (Wait that's not studio recorded then obv.)

That isn't a Sinead song. It's easy to think so because it was written by another O'Connor. Anyway, Dead Can Dance covered "How Fortunate the Man With None" by Brecht on Into the Labyrinth.

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 02:32 (twenty-two years ago)

The Tragically Hip

― Kim (Kim), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 02:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh also Blue Rodeo haven't.

― Kim (Kim), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 02:47 (twenty-two years ago)

Blue Rodeo covered Rodney Crowell's 'Til I Gain Control Again on Five Days In July

― Bruce Urquhart (Bruce Urquhart), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 02:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Damn! Missed that one.

― Kim (Kim), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 02:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Also the Pumpkins did a cover of the Animals' "A Girl Named Sandoz" on Pisces Iscariot

If you must be completist...

A Night Like This [Cure]
Clones (We're All) [Cooper]
Dancing in the Moonlight [Thin Lizzy]
Destination Unknown [Missing Persons]
Dreaming [Blondie]
Girl Named Sandoz [Animals]
Jackie Blue [Ozark Mtn Daredevils]
Landslide [Nicks]
My Blue Heaven [Whiting/Donaldson]
Never Let Me Down [Depeche Mode]
Over the Rainbow [Harburg/Arlen]
Rock On [Essex]
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer [traditional]
Sad Peter Pan [Chestnutt]
Soul Power [James Brown]
Terrapin [Syd Barrett]
You're All I've Got Tonight [Cars]

― Girolamo Savonarola, Wednesday, 13 August 2003 03:38 (twenty-two years ago)

One artist who's never recorded a cover on any of his studio records is Bruce Springsteen. But he has contributed a couple covers to tribute records and the like.

technically true, but the dude has had four, count 'em four, chart or radio hits with covers: "trapped," "war," "jersey girl" and "santa claus is comin' to town."

not to mention that his not-so-good studio album "human touch" had two three-quarter covers: "cross my heart," largely borrowed from sonny boy williamson (to whom springsteen gave a co-writing credit) and the traditional children's tune "pony boy," on which springsteen gave himself a co-writing credit.

― fact checking cuz, Wednesday, 13 August 2003 03:42 (twenty-two years ago)

Oh, cool - I didn't know that about Human Touch! I remember listening to both those when they came out and basically dismissing them. I've actually been curious to hear them again lately. Yeah, on the other stuff that's why I said "studio albums" - but you're right, the sheer number of stray covers makes them more than just an anomaly..

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 04:22 (twenty-two years ago)

The Tragically Hip covered "Limelight", didn't they? I don't know if it's a studio recording though.

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 04:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Has Bon Jovi recorded any covers? I know they do "I Don't Like Mondays" in concert.

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 04:33 (twenty-two years ago)

I know nothing about Bon Jovi - but reading through this list there are very few mainstream-ish pop/rock acts with a ten-year career who remain unchallenged. I can only see Kraftwerk and the Go-Betweens, and maybe Pink Floyd.

― Susan (Susan), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 07:37 (twenty-two years ago)

And don't Kraftwerk come under 'noodling electronics' anyway?

I thought you were joking about ruling out New Order for Ceremony.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 07:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Peter Gabriel?

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 08:00 (twenty-two years ago)

**I thought you were joking about ruling out New Order for Ceremony.**

OK then, what about Turn The Heater On?

― Susan (Susan), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 08:03 (twenty-two years ago)

I know, but there was some question about whether radio sessions counted.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 08:11 (twenty-two years ago)

if it was released officially then it counts

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 10:21 (twenty-two years ago)

Can covered the "Can-Can" (yes, that one) on one of their later records as part of their "Ethnological Forgery Series".

― Nom De Plume (Nom De Plume), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 12:24 (twenty-two years ago)

I think there's a very-hard-to-find version of "Night Time" (originally by the Strangeloves, also covered sloppily by Bauhaus on Swing the Heartache) that Joe Jackson did for a beer commercial at some point in the 80'.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 12:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Peter Gabriel did Strawberry Fields

― Susan (Susan), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 12:26 (twenty-two years ago)

if it was released officially then it counts

What if someone secretly records them jamming and then releases it legally when the 75 year copyright period passes?

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 12:28 (twenty-two years ago)

joe jackson also covered "the harder they come"

― fact checking cuz, Wednesday, 13 August 2003 13:42 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't think Pink Floyd, Rush, Supertramp, or Fugazi were challenged either. Boston? Iron Maiden?

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 14:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Iron Maiden have covered "Crosseyed Mary" by Jethro Tull as a b-side.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 15:36 (twenty-two years ago)

aha, The Lilac Time!

also,
Throwing Muses
Dire Straits

― derrick (derrick), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 17:29 (twenty-two years ago)

I think Rush definitely qualifies, however I actually have a bootleg of a live show where they cover "Bad Boy", the old Larry Williams R&B song (Geddy, of course, announces it as "a Beatles song").

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 17:38 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, they did an instrumental take on "Paint It Black" at the SARS benefit too. I don't think they've recorded any covers though.

― sundar subramanian (sundar), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 17:43 (twenty-two years ago)

Not sure about the studio version, but on their live album Exit Stage Left, in the middle of "La Villa Strangiato," Rush bust into a rendition of "Powerhouse" by Raymond Scott.

There's also a bit of the 1812 Overture in "Temples of Syrinx"

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 17:49 (twenty-two years ago)

i think fugazi hasn't. minor threat did a few....but i don't think fugazi.
m.

― msp, Wednesday, 13 August 2003 18:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Rush's first single was a cover of 'Not Fade Away'.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 18:23 (twenty-two years ago)

Dire Straits is a very good call.

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 18:25 (twenty-two years ago)

Throwing Muses is not (Manic Depression, Cry Baby Cry, Ride Into The Sun).

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 18:28 (twenty-two years ago)

So, Boston, Dire Straits, Fugazi, The Go-Betweens and Pink Floyd then?

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 18:35 (twenty-two years ago)

Has Bon Jovi recorded any covers? I know they do "I Don't Like Mondays" in concert.

Holy SHIT this must be the worst thing ever

― Curt1s St3ph3ns, Wednesday, 13 August 2003 18:38 (twenty-two years ago)

i don't think peel sessions should count.

― fortunate hazel (f. hazel), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 19:04 (twenty-two years ago)

Holy SHIT this must be the worst thing ever

They've also done "London Calling," which I beg to submit must surely take the cake.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 20:24 (twenty-two years ago)

Soundgarden? (I only know of an mp3 floating around of "Big Bottom" from Spinal Tap.)

― Leee (Leee), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 21:14 (twenty-two years ago)

That was semiofficially released on a promo EP (in a medley with "Earache My Eye," wasn't it?).

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 21:20 (twenty-two years ago)

They've actually done a bunch. The Ohio Players' "Fopp" on their 2nd EP. Also there are officially released B-sides with Sabbath ("Into the Void") and Devo ("Girl U Want") covers.

― Mr. Diamond (diamond), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 21:23 (twenty-two years ago)

If you just go by studio albums of new music then Billy Joel has never recorded a cover. Has contributed them to other projects though. (soundtracks, tribute albums)

― Alex Firtzin (AlexZ), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 22:18 (twenty-two years ago)

Soundgarden? (I only know of an mp3 floating around of "Big Bottom" from Spinal Tap.)

They also covered "Girl U Want" by Devo, "I Can't Give You Anything" by the Ramones, something by Fear (possibly "I Love Livin' in the City" or "I Don't Care About You") all as appended tracks to singles and I saw them do "Earache My Eye," "Big Bottom" and Body Count's "Cop Killer" live.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 22:26 (twenty-two years ago)

I think The Cult would be in here if it weren't for "Faith Healer" on their rarities collection.

― Kim (Kim), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 22:45 (twenty-two years ago)

Say what? What about their cringe-inducing skewering of "Born to Be Wild" on Electric?

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 22:46 (twenty-two years ago)

Lilac Time did a Leonard Cohen cover on the b-side of "Madresfield"

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 23:04 (twenty-two years ago)

If you just go by studio albums of new music

I don't know why you would do this. Why wouldn't singles and tracks on compilation albums count?

― N. (nickdastoor), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 23:12 (twenty-two years ago)

Billy Joel covered Dylan on his last greatest hits album

― nnnh oh oh nnnh nnnh oh (James Blount), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 23:32 (twenty-two years ago)

Crap - oh well. This is harder than I thought.

― Kim (Kim), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 23:49 (twenty-two years ago)

Smog's been going for >10 years yeah? i don't recall Smog covering anyone..

― electric sound of jim (electricsound), Wednesday, 13 August 2003 23:52 (twenty-two years ago)

Smog's done covers on Peel Sessions - not released on record though.

Apparently the Go-Betweens' latest single 'Caroline And I" includes a cover of a Titanics song, "Taxi Taxee"

― Susan (Susan), Thursday, 14 August 2003 08:24 (twenty-two years ago)

These 'new Go-betweens' have ruined it for everyone.

Actually they haven't. They've left the 'no covers' mantle to the wankers, which simplifies matters.

― N. (nickdastoor), Thursday, 14 August 2003 08:26 (twenty-two years ago)

Have to say I really like the new Go-Betweens record. I like the stripped-down sound, it's a bit more humble than their emotional epics of the eighties, but they're doing something fresh, which is rare for fortysomethings. Compare with Nick Cave's latest album - yet more plodding piano-led ballads - hearing Rock Of Gibraltar I inwardly cringe for him.

― Susan (Susan), Thursday, 14 August 2003 08:30 (twenty-two years ago)

I genuinely can't think of Blur having ever recorded a cover... but there must be one. There *must*.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Thursday, 14 August 2003 08:31 (twenty-two years ago)

There is. Or rather, are.

― Susan (Susan), Thursday, 14 August 2003 09:31 (twenty-two years ago)

Blur covered Maggie May. Think it was on the Chemical World single.

― olli, Thursday, 14 August 2003 13:31 (twenty-two years ago)

I genuinely can't think of Blur having ever recorded a cover... but there must be one. There *must*.

And they didn't write "Daisy Bell" either (though I couldn't tell you who did).

Daisy....Daisy....Give me your answer do.......

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Thursday, 14 August 2003 14:08 (twenty-two years ago)

I can't be sure, but instinct tells me that apart from those early Australian sides (& OK the Sgt Pepper soundtrack), the Bee Gees never recorded a cover in their 40 year career.

― harveyw (harveyw), Thursday, 14 August 2003 15:37 (twenty-two years ago)

twenty years pass...

Fairly sure Talk Talk only recorded original material.

Tough to think of any recent acts who fit the bill. Only one I could think of was Vampire Weekend, but no doubt someone will prove me wrong.

― Dan Worsley, Monday, 17 June 2024 18:01 (one year ago)

Does "Talk talk talk talk" by The Reaction, not count?

― Mark G, Monday, 17 June 2024 21:38 (one year ago)

Psychedelic Furs

― visiting, Monday, 17 June 2024 21:53 (one year ago)

Killing Joke?

― Cognosc in Tyrol (emsworth), Monday, 17 June 2024 21:58 (one year ago)

xp the b-side of Pretty in Pink is a cover of Mack the Knife

― Colonel Poo, Monday, 17 June 2024 22:35 (one year ago)

gah i totally forgot that they had done that somewhere.

― visiting, Monday, 17 June 2024 22:47 (one year ago)

There are no covers on any Parliament or Funkadelic albums.

― Instead of create and send out, it pull back and consume (unperson), Monday, 17 June 2024 23:01 (one year ago)

There are no covers on any Parliament or Funkadelic albums

There is in fact a credited snippet of a song by your beloved Beatles, on the "Uncle Jam Wants You" album, if memory serves :)

― Hongro Hongro Hippies (Myonga Vön Bontee), Monday, 17 June 2024 23:49 (one year ago)

Electric spanking

― Οὖτις, Monday, 17 June 2024 23:51 (one year ago)

What about the Ruth Copeland songs on Osmium?

― Halfway there but for you, Monday, 17 June 2024 23:55 (one year ago)

Abba?

― Zelda Zonk, Monday, 17 June 2024 23:58 (one year ago)

Thank you Shakey, wrong album there I had

― Hongro Hongro Hippies (Myonga Vön Bontee), Monday, 17 June 2024 23:58 (one year ago)

ABBA recorded a medley of folk songs as a b-side.

― Halfway there but for you, Monday, 17 June 2024 23:58 (one year ago)

The Strokes have played covers in concert, but I don’t think they’ve ever recorded one?

― Energy wrong, I log off (morrisp), Monday, 17 June 2024 23:59 (one year ago)

I'm not sure that Mayo Thompson, either as himself or with the Red Krayola, has ever recorded a cover. (He's worked with a lot of other songwriters, but I think the songs were always "new"...)

― Energy wrong, I log off (morrisp), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 00:19 (one year ago)

Vampire Weekend has done covers in Spotify Sessions and things like that. Their version of "I'm Goin' Down" famously appeared at the end of an early Girls episode.

― an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 03:04 (one year ago)

Don't think Prefab Sprout did any covers?

― X-Prince Protégé (sonnyboy), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 03:16 (one year ago)

Sleater-Kinney were mentioned and shot down upthread. Oddly enough, shortly after this thread originally died off they released their most visible cover, doing "Angry Inch" with Fred Schneider on a Hedwig tribute album.

― an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 03:31 (one year ago)

Also, one-time contenders Rush (also shot down upthread) released an EP of Classic Rock covers the next year.

― an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 03:36 (one year ago)

I guess Red Crayola aren't 'mainstream-ish', but they seem to lasted 35 years without a cover. Or have they?
(...)
― Nag! Nag! Nag! (Nag! Nag! Nag!), Tuesday, August 12, 2003 2:05 AM (twenty years ago)

In transparency, I was beat to this (I didn't see it earlier, bc I had searched "mayo" and "krayola"). Regardless, there have been several more albums over the years and no covers yet.

― Energy wrong, I log off (morrisp), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 05:21 (one year ago)

Don't think Prefab Sprout did any covers?

They did a version of the Jim Reeves song ‘He’ll have to go’, which was on the American release of ‘Steve McQueen’.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VI-c6ZHpxhg

― Dan Worsley, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 05:39 (one year ago)

Re: Psychedelic Furs

The Butler Brothers short-lived band Love Spit Love's cover of "How Soon Is Now" was on the soundtrack of "The Craft" and was also the theme song of the show "Charmed." The resurrected Furs now play the song in concert.

― Hideous Lump, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 06:01 (one year ago)

Regardless, there have been several more albums over the years and no covers yet.

well, there was this supposedly recorded in 69:

https://i.discogs.com/JVtquGCm2IVG05fU5giOkS5dDgHe-6y4lg_d08aZyFk/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:600/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTM4NjE5/Mi0xNTc2NTc0NDMw/LTMzNDcuanBlZw.jpeg

can't think of any sly & the family stone covers off the top of my head.

small catalogue, but the silver apples?

― no lime tangier, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 07:05 (one year ago)

Sly covers "You Really Got Me" on his "Ain't But the One Way" album.

― ILX: a violent left-wing mob who hate our country (Tom D.), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 07:10 (one year ago)

up above mentioned,

Cabaret Voltaire also covered VU's 'Here She Comes Now'. Hawkwind covered Pink Floyd's 'Cymbaline'.

― stirmonster, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 07:16 (one year ago)

Sly also covered Que Sera, Sera

― Ward Fowler, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 08:03 (one year ago)

Of course!

― ILX: a violent left-wing mob who hate our country (Tom D.), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 08:11 (one year ago)

loldamn i was just listening to it the other day too!

― no lime tangier, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 08:14 (one year ago)

leaving out their repurposing of other people's poetry i guess the fugs would fit

― no lime tangier, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 08:19 (one year ago)

small catalogue, but the silver apples?

They covered "Mustang Sally" often. Eventually it did get released on "lost third album" The Garden

― Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 08:35 (one year ago)

Killing Joke?

I've heard them cover "Bodies" by the Sex Pistols, but I don't know if that was ever on an album

― Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 08:36 (one year ago)

The Strokes have played covers in concert, but I don’t think they’ve ever recorded one?

They covered Marvin Gaye's "Mercy Mercy Me" on a b-side to something.

― Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 08:42 (one year ago)

The Jesus Lizard don't look to have recorded any covers - and just as I wrote that I see they covered The Stranglers' "Shut Up" as a b-side on a CD single!

― Critique of the Goth Programme (Neil S), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 09:13 (one year ago)

this is hard!

― Critique of the Goth Programme (Neil S), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 09:13 (one year ago)

Broadcast

― nashwan, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 09:16 (one year ago)

ooh good one

― Critique of the Goth Programme (Neil S), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 09:22 (one year ago)

except 60-40 on this Warp comp is a Nico cover: https://www.discogs.com/release/1939634-Various-Warp20-1989-2009

― Critique of the Goth Programme (Neil S), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 09:26 (one year ago)

the Jesus Lizard did quite a few covers! they also recorded a medley of 2 Chrome covers, Wheelchair Epidemic by the Dicks, 2 songs by Trio

― Colonel Poo, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 09:28 (one year ago)

so I now see!

― Critique of the Goth Programme (Neil S), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 09:28 (one year ago)

Someone suggested Buzzcocky upthread which was countered by them having done a cover of Captain Beefheart's "I Love You, You Big Dummy". But this was only on a live album so I think Buzzcocks still counts.

― bored by endless ecstasy (anagram), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 09:33 (one year ago)

Buzzcocks*

― bored by endless ecstasy (anagram), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 09:33 (one year ago)

hmm, they did record a studio demo of it, it's on Time's Up

― Colonel Poo, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 09:37 (one year ago)

Slint maybe?

― Critique of the Goth Programme (Neil S), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 09:45 (one year ago)

nope they covered Cortez the Killer

― Critique of the Goth Programme (Neil S), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 09:46 (one year ago)

how about Earth, the drone/doom band not proto-Sabbath?

― Critique of the Goth Programme (Neil S), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 09:55 (one year ago)

Stereolab?

― fetter, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 10:02 (one year ago)

I would have thought they were bound to have recorded a cover.

― ILX: a violent left-wing mob who hate our country (Tom D.), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 10:06 (one year ago)

nah they covered the Godz

― Colonel Poo, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 10:06 (one year ago)

They covered The Godz ‘ABC’ on ‘Pulse of the Early Brain’.

― Dan Worsley, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 10:10 (one year ago)

xp!

― Dan Worsley, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 10:11 (one year ago)

These 'new Go-betweens' have ruined it for everyone.

The old Go-Betweens also had a recorded cover song - a live 1985 version of 'I'm Gonna Knock on Your Door' appeared on the 2004 expanded release of 'Liberty Belle and the Black Diamond Express'.

― Wry & Slobby (Portsmouth Bubblejet), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 11:02 (one year ago)

Kraftwerk

― Zelda Zonk, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 11:05 (one year ago)

^ disqualified, per recent posts on the Kraftwerk thread

No-one's mentioned King Crimson? Their "arrangement" of Holst on In The Wake of Poseidon would seem not to disqualify them.

― bored by endless ecstasy (anagram), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 12:28 (one year ago)

They covered "Mustang Sally" often. Eventually it did get released on "lost third album" The Garden

― Elvis Telecom, Tuesday, June 18, 2024 3:35 AM (five hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

dunno if it's the best cover of Mustang Sally out there but it is 100% the funniest

― frogbs, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 13:41 (one year ago)

King Crimson covered Donovan and Joni Mitchell live early on, I think some of those performances have been released. Also Belew singing "Free As a Bird" and "Heroes" at some shows.

― Halfway there but for you, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 14:18 (one year ago)

OK, but the OP specified studio work.

― bored by endless ecstasy (anagram), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 14:20 (one year ago)

well, there was this supposedly recorded in 69

Huh, that’s funny… and maybe debatable, but very “fitting” if it qualifies!

― Energy wrong, I log off (morrisp), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 14:32 (one year ago)

OK, but the OP specified studio work.

This makes no sense to me - did Cream not cover "Crossroads" just because their version was recorded in concert?

― Halfway there but for you, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 15:01 (one year ago)

Did Lou Reed ever record a cover?

― kornrulez6969, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 19:33 (one year ago)

how about Earth, the drone/doom band not proto-Sabbath?

They covered Jimi Hendrix's "Peace in Mississippi" on Pentastar.

― Instead of create and send out, it pull back and consume (unperson), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 19:34 (one year ago)

Lou Reed covered "This Magic Moment" for one.

― Halfway there but for you, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 19:35 (one year ago)

Lou Reed did a cover of This Magic Moment

― bbq, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 19:36 (one year ago)

and Foot of Pride

― Pierre Delecto, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 19:38 (one year ago)

There's also 'September Song' and this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBd4SuDNsGQ

― Ward Fowler, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 19:38 (one year ago)

... literally beat me to it by milliseconds

― Blood On Santa's Claw (Tom D.), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 19:39 (one year ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TRijZF0BDc

― Pierre Delecto, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 19:40 (one year ago)

I think them actually recording it does make a difference, I mean Ween does a cover of Bowie's "Let's Dance" every once in a while but I'd hardly call that part of the band's repertoire. that seems pretty important for say King Crimson because I think doing all original music is a big part of the band's vision and I don't feel that's compromised by them doing something wacky every once in a while. also I think in the early going a lot of bands have to do covers, especially back in the 60s and early 70s where a band would get a contract and go on tour within a few months of forming, bit difficult to have a full setlist then

― frogbs, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 19:41 (one year ago)

If we are going by the strictly studio model, The Stooges never recorded a cover.

― bbq, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 19:48 (one year ago)

There's a Prince cover on Ween's debut btw

― The SoyBoy West Coast (Whiney G. Weingarten), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 19:53 (one year ago)

I don't think that really counts, thats like saying I've Seen All Good People is a John Lennon cover

― frogbs, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 19:59 (one year ago)

Crass?

― I painted my teeth (sleeve), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 20:03 (one year ago)

ABC?

― mike t-diva, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 20:13 (one year ago)

Spandau Ballet?

― mike t-diva, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 20:14 (one year ago)

King Crimson did a Donovan cover as a BBC session track. Which means studio but possibly not supposed to be permanent?

Does a song intentionally recorded live gain permanence? Would suggest more intentionality possibly. Recorded for posterity surely

― Stevo, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 20:22 (one year ago)

I call that a studio recording.

― Blood On Santa's Claw (Tom D.), Tuesday, 18 June 2024 20:23 (one year ago)

the last instance of King Crimson did Bowie's "Heroes". I guess maybe not in a studio, but they released a recording of it

― silverfish, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 20:39 (one year ago)

I was thinking of a live recording set up officially , separate comment. So if a band knows it is being recorde4d live for an official release surely different to captured live on sneaky bootleg.

I'm not actually seeing the original post differentiating about recording.
But would think there was a difference in intentionality knowing one is playing live to professional recording equipment which would have been more conspicuous at one time. Yardbirds Five Live, Ten Years After Undead, loads of other 60s and 70s official live recordings vs we slipped a song into our set and somebody caught it on a recording walkman or whatever.

― Stevo, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 21:00 (one year ago)

Off-topic a bit

I'm intrigued by the fact that Dusty Springfield never recorded a Beatles song. Are there any other pop singers from that time period who didn't?

― Hideous Lump, Tuesday, 18 June 2024 21:36 (one year ago)

If we are going by the strictly studio model, The Stooges never recorded a cover.

Apparently there is this (from The Weirdness):

"I Wanna Be Your Man" (Vinyl edition and iTunes editions-only bonus track)
John Lennon/Paul McCartney

― Energy wrong, I log off (morrisp), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 03:23 (one year ago)

So have we actually found anyone who meets the initial post criteria?

― Zelda Zonk, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 03:57 (one year ago)

Was thinking Duran Duran, but:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AxeUnPQ_Y-M

― paisley got boring (Eazy), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 04:04 (one year ago)

>> Was thinking Duran Duran

The same Duran Duran that recorded an entire album of covers? That Duran Duran?

― Instead of create and send out, it pull back and consume (unperson), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 04:06 (one year ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YecLVBZm6cw

― an icon of a worried-looking, long-haired, bespectacled man (C. Grisso/McCain), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 04:08 (one year ago)

Yeah yeah, missed that part until I searched.

― paisley got boring (Eazy), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 04:09 (one year ago)

(and nice "White Lines"!)

― paisley got boring (Eazy), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 04:09 (one year ago)

Have King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard ever recorded a cover?

― frogbs, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 04:12 (one year ago)

I don’t think Fugazi, Dire Straits, or Boston were ever refuted? Pink Floyd too?

― Energy wrong, I log off (morrisp), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 04:27 (one year ago)

…and Supertramp.

Turns out Boston covered a song called "Magdelene” on a 1994 album, so they’re out. The others seem to check out according to secondhandsongs.com, depending on whether you consider "I'm a King Bee" to be a Pink Floyd song or not. Dire Straits have a cover on this Knebworth set, but that’s a concert recording.

― Energy wrong, I log off (morrisp), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 04:52 (one year ago)

split enz

― donald wears yer troosers (doo rag), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 04:55 (one year ago)

Mogwai.
― CharlieNo4 (Charlie), Tuesday, 12 August 2003 08:47 (twenty years ago) link

if only Charlie had discogs before being smug. hell, even the internet could've saved 'em!

― Western® with Bacon Flavor, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 04:58 (one year ago)

This is the closest you're going to get with Floyd

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eycfdW33E6o

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8v11MzDX8OY

― Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 05:32 (one year ago)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ0fxP-DUBg

― Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 05:33 (one year ago)

Isn't Interstellar Overdrive an expanded cover of the Steptoe and Son theme.

I thought there were a couple of early r'n'b covers that remained unreleased for decades is that just King Bee.

― Stevo, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 06:34 (one year ago)

Supposedly the origin of "Interstellar Overdrive" was from Peter Jenner was (inexpertly) trying to describe Love's version of "My Little Red Book" to Syd. It does sound more like "Steptoe and Son" though.

― Blood On Santa's Claw (Tom D.), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 06:53 (one year ago)

Killing Joke still in this IMO - far as I can tell they played Bodies at a few early gigs (interesting!) but they never recorded it - and I am def of the opinion that only studio recorded covers “count” (itt anyway)

― Cognosc in Tyrol (emsworth), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 08:03 (one year ago)

Gong!

― mike t-diva, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 08:26 (one year ago)

Public Image..?

― Cognosc in Tyrol (emsworth), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 09:05 (one year ago)

unreleased cover of "Twist and Shout"

Oh, and released an instrumental version of "Kashmir", so there's that.

― Mark G, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 11:14 (one year ago)

You know when you're much too late? Someone upthread said "Roxy Music" and nobody refuted, I mean c'mon!

― Mark G, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 11:16 (one year ago)

Faust?

― Ward Fowler, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 11:31 (one year ago)

xp Kashmir just a live thing, no?

never heard about Twist and Shout - what era? recorded-but-unreleased is borderline tho!

― Cognosc in Tyrol (emsworth), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 11:41 (one year ago)

UB40

― your mom goes to limgrave (dog latin), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 12:30 (one year ago)

Someone upthread said "Roxy Music" and nobody refuted

I refute your accusation that nobody refuted, they refuted just two posts below the post you wish they had refuted.

― Halfway there but for you, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 14:04 (one year ago)

Crass and Faust are still viable candidates as far as I can tell/remember

― I painted my teeth (sleeve), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 14:08 (one year ago)

I'm assuming electronic acts like Cluster and offshoots don't count.

― Blood On Santa's Claw (Tom D.), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 14:10 (one year ago)

yeah I think you have to limit this to more or less "normal" rock bands

― frogbs, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 14:16 (one year ago)

secondhandsongs.com seems to confirm Crass, fwiw

(it says that Faust covered something called "Lady Sorrow," originally by Karamel, in 2009 – but I'm not gonna follow the breadcrumbs)

― Energy wrong, I log off (morrisp), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 14:31 (one year ago)

also seems to confirm Split Enz, if they qualify

― Energy wrong, I log off (morrisp), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 14:32 (one year ago)

UB40

UB4ALOL

― nashwan, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 15:02 (one year ago)

Gong!

i was going to say that they covered Soft Machine's "Memories" but that was Daevid Allen solo so yes, Gong is it!

― stirmonster, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 15:24 (one year ago)

The velvet underground ?

― AlXTC from Paris, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 15:47 (one year ago)

Velvet Underground might not have done any covers, but they fall foul of my totally arbitrary ten-year-career rule.
― Susan (Susan), Tuesday, August 12, 2003

― Kim Kimberly, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 15:52 (one year ago)

They used to play a couple of Chuck Berry numbers live but that's all.

― Blood On Santa's Claw (Tom D.), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 15:52 (one year ago)

Also Bo Diddley's "You Can't Judge a Book", I once read somewhere.

― fetter, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 16:08 (one year ago)

Merzbow

― This is Dance Anthems, have some respect (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 16:09 (one year ago)

not true! lol

― I painted my teeth (sleeve), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 16:19 (one year ago)

this covers 'Wild Thing":
https://www.discogs.com/release/718547-Society-For-Cutting-Up-Merzbow-Severances

― I painted my teeth (sleeve), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 16:20 (one year ago)

(also includes a Motorhead cover for good measure)

― I painted my teeth (sleeve), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 16:20 (one year ago)

Gong!
i was going to say that they covered Soft Machine's "Memories" but that was Daevid Allen solo so yes, Gong is it!
― stirmonster, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 16:24 (fifty-four minutes ago) bookmarkflaglink

Soft Machine too, though Second Hand Songs list Memories as being a Wilde Flowers song I don't think it counts as a cover version because Hugh Hopper wrote it.

― This is Dance Anthems, have some respect (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 16:21 (one year ago)

Also The Wilde Flowers never released anything

― This is Dance Anthems, have some respect (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 16:22 (one year ago)

Although Hugh Hopper was not a member of the band when they recorded it - he was their roadie - so it's in a grey area.

― Halfway there but for you, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 16:27 (one year ago)

_Velvet Underground might not have done any covers, but they fall foul of my totally arbitrary ten-year-career rule.
― Susan (Susan), Tuesday, August 12, 2003_

Oh I see that now. Well 5 albums seem decent enough !

― AlXTC from Paris, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 16:40 (one year ago)

oh yeah 10-year rule disqualifies Crass as well

― I painted my teeth (sleeve), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 16:53 (one year ago)

I don't think that really counts, thats like saying I've Seen All Good People is a John Lennon cover
― frogbs, Tuesday, June 18, 2024 3:59 PM (yesterday) bookmarkflaglink

I mean, they jam it out and add new stuff but it's definitely a cover of "Shockadelica"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRgo2wlbz0Q

― The SoyBoy West Coast (Whiney G. Weingarten), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 16:59 (one year ago)

Well 5 albums seem decent enough !

Plus two studio odds & ends collections! It is kind of remarkable that VU never put an R&B cover or something on tape.

― Energy wrong, I log off (morrisp), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 17:18 (one year ago)

"Foggy Notion" is apparently a cover of a song by the same name by Hy Weiss.

― Halfway there but for you, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 17:37 (one year ago)

..or close enough that he received co-songwriting credit.

― Halfway there but for you, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 17:38 (one year ago)

Merzbow also did "Silent Night" on a Christmas compilation:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rBOanPoEek4

― I painted my teeth (sleeve), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 17:45 (one year ago)

Fugazi are still eligible here, I believe?

― I painted my teeth (sleeve), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 17:48 (one year ago)

Are we counting interpolations as covers? Fugazi sings the “Ring the Alarm” dancehall hook on Fell, Destroyed.

― bbq, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 18:09 (one year ago)

..or close enough that he received co-songwriting credit.

I don’t know enough about that songwriting credit but it doesn’t seem like a cover anyway (otherwise the credits wouldn’t be shared, would they ?): the velvet underground seem like a pretty good answer to that question !

― AlXTC from Paris, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 18:19 (one year ago)

There's a story behind the Hy Weiss writing credit... but I've completely forgotten it.

― Blood On Santa's Claw (Tom D.), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 18:20 (one year ago)

It is kind of remarkable that VU never put an R&B cover or something on tape.

Meanwhile later on, Lou liked doing "Tracks of My Tears" live in the 90s:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KKc3l6g8fVk

― paisley got boring (Eazy), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 18:39 (one year ago)

There's a story behind the Hy Weiss writing credit... but I've completely forgotten it.

The "She made me do something that I never did before" verse comes from this song

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v3Ac47sfZTg

Hy Weiss isn't listed as the songwriter of "Later For You Baby" but as owner of Old Town Records (who released the track in 1955) he may as well have been.

― Elvis Telecom, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 21:22 (one year ago)

Although Hugh Hopper was not a member of the band when they recorded it - he was their roadie - so it's in a grey area.
― Halfway there but for you, Wednesday, 19 June 2024 17:27 (four hours ago) bookmarkflaglink

Considering that Wyatt and Ayers were in The Wilde Flowers with Hugh, and considering Hugh would be in Soft Machine in 1972 when it was first released on obscure demos compilation "Rock Generation Vol. 7-8", and considering The Wilde Flowers' version wasn't released until the 90s, and considering both versions were demos not intended for release, I think it's not so grey.

― This is Dance Anthems, have some respect (Camaraderie at Arms Length), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 21:29 (one year ago)

(xp) Wow, I'd never heard that before, Lou totally ripped it off!

― Blood On Santa's Claw (Tom D.), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 21:35 (one year ago)

wow x2

― I painted my teeth (sleeve), Wednesday, 19 June 2024 21:45 (one year ago)

conversely it'd be interesting to do a thread on electronic artists that did record covers

― scanner darkly, Saturday, 22 June 2024 05:20 (one year ago)

xposts thanks for laying that one out. As one of the answerers on the VU question thread, I never knew that detail, but guessed it must be something like that...

― Mark G, Saturday, 22 June 2024 08:46 (one year ago)

Gonna go out on a limb and proclaim that The Durutti Column never recorded a cover version. Maybe?

― henry s, Saturday, 22 June 2024 14:15 (one year ago)

Not exactly a prolific career, but well over ten years and nary a cover that mine eyes can see: The Blue Nile

― henry s, Saturday, 22 June 2024 14:31 (one year ago)

XPost

“I get along without you very well” was a Durutti Column single a-side, vocal by Lindsay Reade

― Mark G, Saturday, 22 June 2024 18:05 (one year ago)

Ah, well then I stand behind The Blue Nile. And as a bonus I'll throw in the Paul Buchanan solo LP, to pad out the offerings.

― henry s, Saturday, 22 June 2024 19:06 (one year ago)

About Paul Buchanan...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BUAskru82k

― Blood On Santa's Claw (Tom D.), Saturday, 22 June 2024 19:26 (one year ago)

OK, The Blue Nile only.

― henry s, Saturday, 22 June 2024 19:35 (one year ago)

durutti column also covered “white rabbit”

― brimstead, Sunday, 23 June 2024 02:15 (one year ago)

one month passes...

Kraftwerk cover “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence” in tribute to Ryuichi Sakamoto at Fuji Rock 2024 pic.twitter.com/BknIo3TsRp
— Patrick St. Michel (@mbmelodies) July 27, 2024

Kraftwerk cover Ryuichi Sakamoto (Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence)

― Mark G, Saturday, 27 July 2024 18:14 (one year ago)

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