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

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...

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.

Born Under A Bad Sign by Albert King.

Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochran.

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.

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...

Johnny Winter

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

Bob Dylan

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

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

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.

Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman" has had many fine renditions of it through the past 50 years, not just by Coleman and his acolytes, but also by others. do a song search on allmusic.com and drop your jaw...

Q2: timeless classic...

edit: check out Rahsaan Roland Kirk's version of "Ain't No Sunshine" sometime...

Georgia on my mind

Ray Charles

Willie Nelson

The Band

Van Morroson

Michael Bolton

I like a couple different covers of Mecano's "Hijo de la Luna" just as much as the original....I like how different artists/bands put their own spin on it.

Mecano (original)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3REPMDSCh4

Stravaganzza

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1i639LR7WPQ

Belle Pérez & Voice Male

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1JYSHkPF_M

Haggard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_No9V1y0vI

I guess those are my top favorites, but I really like the versions done by Lyriel, Mors Principum Est, Monserrat Bustamante, and Ana Torroja as well.

As to the other question, it doesn't really matter with me as long as the song is good. :) There are advantages and disadvantages to both.

Dim Lights Thick Smoke and Loud Music; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z2otguujX_E

I Fought the Law; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R7elJmji7l4

North Country Girl; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Qhwemir1Ag

Love Hurts; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ICnk-gWx8A

Dead Flowers; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ojXKbYFnus

For Cowboying of any sort. Them ens ul do.

"Don't Fear the Reaper"

Original by Blue Oyster Cult

Covers by HIM, Sever Your Ties, Gus Black, the Goo Goo Dolls, Wolf, the Alice Band, etc.

"Wicked Game"

Original by Chris Isaak

Covers by HIM, Gregorian, Stone Sour, Three Days Grace, etc.

"Rebel Yell"

Original by Billy Idol

Covers by HIM, Dope, Drowning Pool, Children of Bodom, etc.