Covers that are better than the original

**chinchekked** · 08-21-2011 05:48 PM

I always liked Babyface's version of "For The Lover In You" more than the Shalamar original.

**Gandalf** · 08-21-2011 06:12 PM

Any Scott Walker cover of a Jaques Brel song. Scott Walker is the finest of any living vocalist IMO. He adds depth to any cover and Brel's songs were so well composed and lyrically imbibed.

**Jimanuel Boogustus** · 08-21-2011 08:17 PM

Originally Posted by miles

Any Scott Walker cover of a Jaques Brel song. Scott Walker is the finest of any living vocalist IMO. He adds depth to any cover and Brel's songs were so well composed and lyrically imbibed.

What?!

Sorry, I hate to do this but I have to object simply because covering Brel means 99% of the work is done. The rest is simply subject to the cover artists tone and ability to hold a tune.

I know you could say this about 99% of all other covers but Brel is that 1% where the context of a song is absolutely Brel, so to cover Brel is simply to mimick Brel and to deviate from that only diminishes the overall quality of the song.

**Gandalf** · 08-21-2011 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by Jimanuel Boogustus

Originally Posted by miles

Any Scott Walker cover of a Jaques Brel song. Scott Walker is the finest of any living vocalist IMO. He adds depth to any cover and Brel's songs were so well composed and lyrically imbibed.

What?!

Sorry, I hate to do this but I have to object simply because covering Brel means 99% of the work is done. The rest is simply subject to the cover artists tone and ability to hold a tune.

I know you could say this about 99% of all other covers but Brel is that 1% where the context of a song is absolutely Brel, so to cover Brel is simply to mimick Brel and to deviate from that only diminishes the overall quality of the song.

No, Brel had a crappy voice and a sleazy tone, Walker made it epic and beautiful and had the best voice I have ever heard in my lifetime. Walker makes the song, Brel brought it into existence. There is no finer voice than that of Scot Walker. Just listen to the tunes, dude.

**Gandalf** · 08-21-2011 08:24 PM

I do respect the originals too, but the beauty of Walker is what takes it to a new league and it does. It's that sublime baritone and it really adds so much to Brel. He wouldn't be known as well were it not for the patronage of Scott.