(Finished January 27th, 2025) Part 1 of Which Version Is Better?

Hello,

Which version of two songs is better? These are two different versions of the same song. They are usually by different musicians, but not always. Sometimes it’s like the first song, it was an electric version with Derek and the Dominos and then an acoustic version. Sometimes it will be a musician remaking their own song many years later. Then I will make a judgment which is better.

1) Otis Redding “Respect”:

2) Aretha Franklin “Respect”:

Which one is better, this might be the easiest question ever. I know that Marvin Gaye wrote the song, but his arrangement is completely different. You wouldn’t even know it’s the same song if there were no lyrics.

The Queen of Soul’s version is by far the best version and it’s not even close. Not only that but her version is one of the greatest songs of all-time.,

3) Bob Dylan “All Along The Watchtower”:

4) Jimi Hendrix “All Along The Watchtower”:

Not only is Jimi a better singer but his version is better by a large margin.

5) Simon and Garfunkel “Sound of Silence”:

6) Disturbed “Sound of Silence”:

Disturbed’s version is perfectly fine, if not a bit overwrought. No real complaints about the Disturbed version, but the original version is nearly unbeatable. Simon and Garfunkel’s version is also one of the greatest songs of all-time.

7) J Frank Wilson and The Cavaliers “Last Kiss”:

8) Pearl Jam “Last Kiss”:

This one is another one that’s not close- at all. Pearl Jam took a few things from the original and made it a significantly better song.

9) Kate Bush “Running Up The Hill”:

10) Placebo “Running Up The Hill”:

Thanks to “Stranger Things” “Running Up That Hill” exploded back in America’s consciousness. It’s one of those great songs from the 80s that somehow gets forgotten. I knew about the song, but really never considered it for the 80s blogs I like to write. However hearing it with fresh ears in 2022 I think it’s a pretty cool song. It’s definitely the better version of the two songs.

As for the version by Placebo? Well they tried to do something different with the song it just didn’t work. But you got to give them credit for trying.

11) Don Henley “The Boys of Summer”:

12) The Ataris “The Boys of Summer”:

This one is the closest battle so far, honestly I love both versions. Don Henley’s version may be the more iconic version, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best. I’m going to have to call this one a toss up.

13) The Carpenters “Superstar”:

14) Sonic Youth “Superstar”:

This is another battle involving one of the greatest songs of all-time and a cover that’s not quite as good. I know Sonic Youth likes to be considered as sort of a different band. I get it they wanted to do their own version. Again I give them credit for doing their own thing, but the Carpenters version is superior by far.

15) U2 “Where The Streets Have No Name”

16) Pet Shop Boys “Where The Streets Have No Name”:

This isn’t my favorite U2 song, but I prefer Pet Shop Boys version more. Their version is actually pretty cool.

17) Lead Belly “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”:

18) Nirvana “Where Did You Sleep Last Night”:

For this song this is a master class in how to take a song and to make it yours. They took what was a decent enough song and turned it into a classic. This is either my first or second favorite Nirvana song, you probably know the other song that’s in the running.

themusicaddict