Cover tunes can be so bad, but they can be quite tasty if the artist redoes the song with heart and soul and makes it their own. It also helps to start with really good material.Since I found secondhandsongs.com, I looked at some of my favorite bands to see what covers they've done...and what other artists have remade in their tribute.
The Beatles are probably the most covered band in the world, with a total of 180 of their songs that other artists have performed. Eleanor Rigby has been redone the most times, by 118 artists; "Yesterday" comes in second at 86 times.
The Beatles also did their share of cover tunes...26 songs ranging from Buck Owens' "Act Naturally" to The Miracles' "You Really Got a Hold on Me."
Eric Clapton has only had three of his songs covered, according to secondhandsongs.com; it seems like it would be more, however, ol' slowhand has redone 80 tunes and made them his own. With tributes going to Robert Johnson and BB King, probably the most.
Classic duets include Clapton's albums with BB King, but his most famous duet is probably with Duane Allman, as Derek & the Dominoes.
Thirty-two Jimi Hendrix songs have been experienced by other artists, ranging from the Gil Evans Orchestra to Rod Stewart and the Faces. "Little Wing" is my favorite Hendrix song; with my favorite covers done by Eric Clapton and Steve Ray Vaughan.The Eagles have only performed three cover tunes, but other artists have redone 13 Eagles songs.
Crosby, Stills & Nash redid "Blackbird," and Jefferson Airplane covered "Wooden Ships."
Led Zeppelin did 12 covers of mostly blues material; and were covered by other artists a total of 33 times. Everyone from Tori Amos to Frank Zappa has done Zeppelin, with "Stairway to Heaven" remade a dozen times, even by Pat Boone and Dolly Parton.
Source: secondhandsongs.com is a database of cover songs...with over 40,000 listings.
There's even a couple of albums that are called Under the Covers...
Vol. 1 by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs was just released in April...
and this 1996 release, which only bears mentioning for a great "cover!"
As a drummer, I've played in my share of cover bands, performing everything from country to rock, and folk to punk.
My favorite cover song albums are probably...
Faithful by Todd Rundgren
Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix
Encomium: A Tribute to Led Zeppelin
Riding With The King with B.B. King and Eric Clapton
Related Tags: Music, Rock and Roll, Classic Rock, secondhandsongs.com, The Beatles, Buck Owens, Eric Clapton, Robert Johnson, BB King, Duane Allman, Derek & the Dominoes., Jimi Hendrix, Gil Evans Orchestra, Rod Stewart, The Faces, Steve Ray Vaughan, The Eagles, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Jefferson Airplane, Led Zeppelin, Tori Amos, Frank Zappa, Pat Boone, Dolly Parton, Matthew Sweet, Susanna Hoffs, Todd Rundgren, CybersMusic
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