What makes a good cover of your favorite band/artist's songs?

for me an cover artist needs to convey the emotion that the original had with the song. If they are just running through the motions and don't come across that they feel the song its not going to work.

Johnny Cash's hurt is a great example of a cover that has equalled or surpassed the original

There was a guy I saw a while back that could have done a great Buckley. This dude Imaad Wasif (who unfortunately made a much less interesting record than his live performance, part of which because he had a band live and went acoustic with songs that benefited from more for the record. Also he didn't let the voice out like he did live. The record was very conservative, bummer).

Anyways, for me there is no clear formula. I like a new spin though. The way I see it, if you're going to cover my favorite band chances are you aren't going to surpass them playing one of their songs verbatum. You have to make it one of your own songs, and make the idea that it's a cover more of an honor, and a sign of respect than just remaking the song.

A perfect example that I've been showing off a lot lately, but it's my favorite cover and there have been some cover questions lately.

Stevie Wonder - We Can Work It Out (originally, the Beatles)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HA5nboJWgZY

Imaad Wasif, in case you are interested. I like this song, but it was so much better live, and it is by far the best track on the record.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qr0KK8aXoNg

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Awww, James. I have to call blasphemy. Springsteen's Blinded By The Light is way better. (insert smile face to indicate that it's all in good fun)

In order for a cover of a song to work for me it has too be done almost equal to the original if that makes any sense what so ever.. I guess this is why I am not a fan of most of the covers I have heard.. Artists such as Britney Spears, and Avril Lavinge need to stop murdering fantastic songs from fantastic Bands and continue with the Bubble Gum music that made them stars in their respective genres..

Turn The Page-Metallica(Bob Seger)

While My Guitar Gently Weeps-Jeff Healey(Beatles)

The cover must be a high quality and usually be at least equal or better than the original.

ex.. Blinded by the Light by Manfred Mann is better the Bruce Springsteen.

In the 70's Rita Coolidge did a cover of Higher and Higher that sounds nothing like the Jackie Wilson original.

Well, I'll have to admit Buckley was a master at range and transition, he is missed and he was a legend, although, there is not a single song of his that I can think of that was catchy. The problem with a good cover tune is that 99 percent of the time, it's a top forty catchy tune. I love how people put twists to them though. Van Halen's version of You Really Got Me, or Aerosmith's version of Train Kep-a-Rollin. In order to make a GREAT cover you have to "snake" it, but at the same time make it your own. It's kinda what made bands like Zeppelin great, also if you listen to the Beastie Boys Licensed to Ill, there are a few Zeppelin tunes in there, it's a wonder they never got sued, but Zeppelin did the same with quite a few of thier tunes so they really can't say **** about it, no one really knows all that stuff per se, and that's what makes great cover tunes. :)

I think that all it takes really is that they make it their own. It is stupid when a band does a cover and it sounds exactly like the original. I think that GNR's cover of Live and Let Die is a great example of taking a great song and completely making their own...

But you know Katatonia did a Jeff Buckley cover Nightmare by the Sea? http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=0BThMWI25qg coverversion: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AizlYBd3FVs

Sorry to say but if they can't sound EXACTLY like the originals what's the point? Even then I fear it would be just "clonish". That's not to say I don't like particular songs that are often covers.Then they have to be arranged so differently that there is no real comparison to the original.

I beg to differ with Nate who said that no one can cover the Who. Some examples of who can:

Sex Pistols- "Substitute"

Ramones- "Chinese Rock"

Scorpions- "I Can't Explain"

the singers vocal range has to be there with the original, but the instrumental cant be afraid to venture from the original