What are some songs that have four or more covers that are all worth owning?

I've been listening to "Ain't No Sunshine When She's Gone" all afternoon, really digging every version, from Bill Withers to Sting to Michael Jackson to Tom Jones to Lighthouse Family to Bob Marley to Al Jarreau to Eva Cassidy to Jose Feliciano to Al Green to Jeff Beck to Marvin Gaye to DMX!!!

Q2: What do you consider to be a better song-- a perfect studio recording that nobody can touch or a timeless classic that works beautifully with all shapes and sizes of voices and genres?

Lady Silver Rose * Wolf2009-07-30T07:16:55Z

Favorite Answer

Good afternoon my dear :)
{sorry I'm late ~ I'm not getting all the Q e-mails}

On the subject of 'Ain't No Sunshine', aside from Bill Withers I have versions by Mona, and Jazzamor.

'Summertime' :
Billie Holiday ; Renee Olstead ; Herbie Hancock ; Janis Joplin ; Eva Cassidy


But let's go with my big 'project'... 'Scarborough Fair'.
I currently have 50 versions of this song to go through, and my essential picks so far are : Simon and Garfunkel ; Lesley Garrett ; Sarah Brightman ; Sergio Mendes & Brazil '66 ; The Mediaeval Baebes ; Ray Shanklin and Ed Bogus ; Herbie Hancock ; Nigel Kennedy ; Stacy Hobbs.

I'm looking forward to properly listening to the Queensryche version...!


Q2 : A timeless classic :)
I love finding various versions of songs I like, especially when they have been given different inerpretations.

'Scarborough Fair' is a perfect example, as the covers range through Folk, Celtic, Jazz, Rock, Acoustic, instrumental, etc. I'd love to hear what a Blackmore's Night version would be like...

jonds2009-07-30T06:15:46Z

All Along The Watchtower- Bob Dylan, Neil Young, Bryan Ferry, Dave Mason, Jimi Hendrix, U-2.

Black Magic Woman- Fleetwood Mac, Peter Green Splinter Group, Charlie Musselwhite, Larry McCray,Santana

That's Alright- Jimmy Rogers, Muddy Waters, Etta James, John Lee Hooker

Angel Of The Morning- Chip Taylor, Shaggy, Merelee Rush, Chip Taylor and Carrie Rodriguez

I'd Rather Go Blind- Etta James, The Faces, Rod Stewart, Clarence Carter

Bring It On Home- Sonny Boy Williamson II, Willie Dixon, Robert Lockwood,Jr., Led Zep.

Spoonful- Willie Dixon, Cream, Vivian Campbell,David "Honeyboy" Edwards

Come On In My Kitchen- Robert Johnson, Steve Miller, Peter Green,Keb Mo, Johnny Shines and Snooky Prior.

Cross Road Blues - Robert Johnson, Cream, Dion, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Johnny Shines, Solomon Burke

I Believe I'll Dust My Broom- Robert Johnson, Elmore James, Etta James, Fleetwood Mac,Hound Dog Taylor, Chris Smither, Peter Green


I have listed either the writer and or original recording of each first.

Anonymous2009-07-29T15:55:29Z

Born Under A Bad Sign by Albert King.

Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochran.

Shot Gun2009-07-29T17:04:56Z

Georgia on My Mind - Ray Charles, Willie Nelson, Billie Holdiay, Jackie Wilson

2: Timeless classic. Though a great composer/arranger can fix any "timeless" classic up.

Pinkfloydftw2009-07-29T16:55:03Z

Rollin' and Tumblin' (this song has been covered many many times by many different artists) I just gathered a few well known artists.

Cream
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnz-wd9uMrY&feature=related

Johnny Winter
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=le5MlEscBYU&feature=related

Bob Dylan
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BRBASyxNcnI&feature=related

Jeff Beck & Imogen Heap (my favourite and first one I heard) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jm__TU45RWo&feature=related

Q2: A perfect studio recording because it makes the song so much more special when you know no one can cover the song and make it the same or better. It means it's already flawless and amazing as it is.

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