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Bowie General > Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....

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neilwilkesPosted at 2022-01-31 13:33:13(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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I have been meaning to do this for a long time now given the amount of covers that David did during his career, ranging from the sublinme to the 'OMG why did he do that?' so I thought it might be a fun thread to find out what everyone thinks are the best - and the worst - of his various cover versions.

Let's begin with the superb ones, although in no particular order, and we are only considering officially released material - no bootlegs.
Amsterdam - only a vocal & an Acoustic, but this is sublime.
I Can't Explain - first of The Who covers he did, and Ronno's power chord opening sets the stage well.
My Death - another Jacques Brel cover, with the Live version from Hammersmith '73 being sublime
White Light/White Heat - Velvets, and awesome. Forget the live version from '73 as Ronno hits one of the worst bum solos in the history of music but the BBC version from May '73 is superb.
It Ain't Easy - Three Dog Night had the original of this if memory serves, and the Ziggy version is seriously good.
Knock On Wood - castigated at the time, this one worked a lot better than most people gave it credit for - Earl Slick's guitar was excellent on the whole tour too
Wild Is The Wind - both the studio cut & the BBC 2000 versions are simply wonderful. Who would a thunk it that Bowie would do a Johnny Mathis cover!

EDIT - Johnny Mathis only wrote 'Wild Is The Wind', it was Nina Simone who recorded it IIRC.
Like A Rolling Stone - even though this is credited as being by Mick Ronson on his posthumous album 'Heaven & Hull' it is a Bowie vocal, so with hindsight it gets included as it is a stonking track & every fan should go out & buy 'Heaven & Hull' too as it is Ronno's Swan Song plus it features some great music and not a bad track on it either, with appearances by Chrissie Hynde (alongside some wonderful Wah guitar), John Mellencamp & Joe Elliot and of course some ferocious guitar from Ronno.


Now the dogs, and the first 2 are up there with the worst covers ever sad to say.
God Only Knows - absolutely awful version. There is an obvious open door comment here that I shall avoid walking through, however.
Across The Universe - why, when you consider what got dropped to include this turkey?
Love Missile F1-11 - again, why? What purpose does this serve?

I know I said no bootlegs, but I have to give special mention here to 'I Got You Babe' from the 1980 floorshow, as Marianne Faithfull's vocals are so out of tune it's not even funny and the original cannot be beaten anyway.

What do you guys & gals all think?
It will be most interesting to read the follow-up thoughts

Last edited by neilwilkes on 2022-02-02 09:59:09


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V2DavidPosted at 2022-01-31 16:32:56(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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This is an interesting discussion.  I am not a huge fan of the Pin Ups album, but I do like some of Bowie's covers, and I actually like some of the covers you don't like!!

Cactus - This was a great song when performed Live on A Reality Tour, and I actually think one of the stronger songs on the Reality album.  The song feels like a David Bowie song (not a cover).

White Light / White Heat - Bowie performed this song so many times live, it basically IS his song.  Same with "Waiting for the Man".  

Nature Boy & A Foggy Day in London Town - Both songs really show off Bowie's voice, and having Bowie sing with the moody Angelo Badalamenti orchestration is just sublime.

All the Young Dudes - Is it a cover as he originally wrote it for Mott the Hoople?  I actually prefer Mott's version as I don't care for the sax during the chorus in the officially released Bowie version.  That being said, Bowie always did a great live version of the song.

God Only Knows & Across the Universe - God help me but I actually love both of these versions!! But I certainly agree with you about what was left off the YA album.  I don't think YA gets as much love and critical acclaim as it should.  Perhaps it is because it was different then Bowie's other stuff (but so was Low at the time).  But i guess that is a different discussion...

I'm also a big fan of "My Death" and "Wild is the Wind".  It is very interesting to hear the live versions, and how Bowie's vocals had changed through time.

Last edited by V2David on 2022-01-31 16:39:37


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Stranger09DonatedPosted at 2022-01-31 23:14:48(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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I would agree with much of what is said in both the above posts.

God Only Knows and Across the Universe - I know why they are not liked, but I *do* like them though.

Criminal World - I would not say I love this, but I rather like it. The fact it features flute on it is a big positive for me, and the way it is used to.

Fill your heart - I love this. I am aware he did not change Biff Rose's arrangement a lot, but for me the change in the ending is interesting and I love the use of strings on it.

Working Class Hero - as a Tin Machine song, and a much changed Lennon cover, probably a 'no' for many, but I like this. The vocals, the dynamics of the recording. Good stuff, imo.

Maggie's Farm - fun cover, imo, putting the Jeepster riff to good use too.

Gemini Spacecraft - love the production on this, for me this mixes fun (the lyrics and David's semi-serious, knowing - that they are ridiculous - enunciation of them), and drama - that 'spacey' synth, and those low saxes, that recall Diamond Dogs.

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jrfatladDonatedPosted at 2022-02-01 00:32:19(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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Two horrors stand out for me...these sprung immediately to mind before I read anyone else's comments - God Only Knows and Across The Universe. Both absolute howlers.

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paperdragonPosted at 2022-02-01 06:30:30(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)
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V2David wrote:

.White Light / White Heat - Bowie performed this song so many times live, it basically IS his song.  Same with "Waiting for the Man".

heh. I get what you're saying, but for that comment Dave and Lou would have both kicked your ass.


...and then my mind split open.
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BallhausDonatedPosted at 2022-02-01 06:52:52(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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Número uno: Wild is the wind.
Rock bottom: love missile f-11.

And i enjoy across the universe a lot

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MythicalkingDonatedPosted at 2022-02-01 12:12:36(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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Totally agree about Across The Universe.  It just didn't fit in and spoilt an otherwise excellent album.  He clearly had other excellent tracks that could have taken it's place and ATU would have been better held back as the b-side to Fame.

Also agree with many of the favs quoted (My Death in particular).  I have a real soft spot for See Emily Play on Pin Ups.

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professormouseDonatedPosted at 2022-02-01 17:07:05(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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Jeff Rougvie says there's a much better version of God Only Knows but it's on a shelf somewhere for now.

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bowiebingoPosted at 2022-02-01 19:29:53(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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Have to say I've got a bit of a soft spot for Across The Universe, but favourite has to be It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City by a country mile, Footstompin' a laudable second.

Too many candidates for worst, but Volare from the Absolute Beginners does give God Only Knows a run for it's money, imho.  Can I also put forward To Know Him Is To Love Him - OK, it's a Steeleye Span cover which is dire in itself, but David's drunken sax really puts the tin hat on it!

Last edited by bowiebingo on 2022-02-01 19:35:51


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SparkyPosted at 2022-02-01 22:10:14(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City followed by Growin' Up.

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Stranger09DonatedPosted at 2022-02-02 00:06:44(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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bowiebingo wrote:

Have to say I've got a bit of a soft spot for Across The Universe, but favourite has to be It's Hard To Be A Saint In The City by a country mile, Footstompin' a laudable second.Too many candidates for worst, but Volare from the Absolute Beginners does give God Only Knows a run for it's money, imho.  Can I also put forward To Know Him Is To Love Him - OK, it's a Steeleye Span cover which is dire in itself, but David's drunken sax really puts the tin hat on it!

Ha, I forgot It's hard to be a saint in the city and Footstompin' - love them both!

I think the Volare cover was ok, not great, but ok for an 80's soundtrack recording.

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homebrewPosted at 2022-02-02 01:35:56(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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You forgot Alabama Song. Hate it.


""I don't begrudge any artist for finding an audience"
- David Bowie abt. 1987
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neilwilkesPosted at 2022-02-02 09:54:25(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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This is great reading!

I know I left a lot off - the problem I have with Cactus is the studio version is a tad tame for me, and the live versions are way way better but I had already used one live version too many as I think the live covers should be a totally separate thread given some were never done in the studio at all - Working Class Hero has already been mentioned so I don't need to revisit that, but I am sorry to say that in general Tin Machine just did not float my boat.
Volare and America almost made my list (I actually quite like both of these) and Mother almost made my list of horrors simply because the Lennon arrangement was just copied and I have always thought the trick to a cover is to make it your own, but just because an arrangement was copied in the end I thought to be a poor reason for inclusion on the horrors - although it is one of the very few releases where both tracks are covers, as it was included with Trying To Get To Heaven last year.
Bowie's versions of Imagine also don't have much going for them but again this may be personal as I always find it ironic to hear very rich people basically singing the Communist Manifesto!
Little Drummer Boy/Peace On Earth also very nearly made the horrors too and I cannot remember why I left it off in the end. Probably an oversight.
Another possible oversight off the horrors list is That's Entertainment too - sorry about this, but The Jam did it far better than the Bowie/Morosey duet but given it's almost all Morosey 'singing' it got left off.

Some other interesting ones were Cosmic Dancer (I love the T.Rex version where Bolan just sits cross-legged on the stage at Wembley in fromt of 7,500 people and does this with just vocal & acoustic guitar), and Almost Grown & Round And Round - both old Chuck Berry tracks with the former only existing (AFAIK) on the BBC John Peel show from 1971.

The live versions of the Velvets tracks are by far & away better than the studio versions, although The Hype's BBC Session version of Waiting For The Man in 1970 is stunningly good.

I also wonder if Ronno's Like A Rolling Stone should count as it's a Bowie vocal even though the track is credited to Mick Ronson - this is a seriously great version and to hell with it, I am going back to add this to my list at the top.

Getting back to live covers - Lust For Life is a good one from the 1977 Phoenix Festival, as is I Wanna Be Your Dog from Sydney in 1987

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Stranger09DonatedPosted at 2022-02-02 12:47:25(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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I do like the live 83 version of Imagine, and good shout re the 1970 version of Waiting for the Man - almost got thrown out one of the music rooms in sixth form, when we were jamming on that, first time I ever played bass (I'd forgotten about that until I read this just now).

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V2DavidPosted at 2022-02-02 14:27:40(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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Let me throw in I also love Bowie's version of "America" from the Concert from New York City.  His minimalist approach is fantastic.  Then again, I love most of his acoustic performances through the years.

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bowie78Posted at 2022-02-02 14:31:55(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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agree studio version of Alabama Song....is very hard to listen to!

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DavesolarDonatedPosted at 2022-02-02 16:38:29(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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My most beloved is Neil Young's "I've Been Waiting For You", second one is "Cactus" and then "Amsterdam".

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CamaloadPosted at 2022-02-02 18:54:30(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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I've always found Alabama Song, I Got You Babe, Kingdom Come, Across the Universe and Working Class Hero rather uneasy listens.

Usually skip It Ain't Easy, Try Some Buy Some, I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday .

I love the vocals on all the Baal songs probably more than the song themselves.

Covers I return to most often...Round and Round , Wild is the Wind, Nite Flights, Nature Boy, Waterloo Sunset.

T. Visconti said he wishes Pictures Of Lily had replaced Gemini Spaceship on Heathen .

Good discussion topic as it encourages some excellent listening.

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Stranger09DonatedPosted at 2022-02-03 00:29:13(115 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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RE Kingdom come - know what you mean, I struggle with that one. I don't skip it so to speak but I would never really put it on to listen to on its own.

Nite Flights is a very good one - done well live too on the 1995 tour. Round and Round is fine, and even better live, imo. Re Alabama Song - the studio version is indeed uneasy listening, but live it was pretty good, depending on the audience. I think Bowie and the band did it better when they had an audience that responded well to it - it went down well in Europe, and in the US I reckon it was the Doors cover that helped with the response to it there in some cities.

RE the Baal EP - there's nothing else quite like it in Bowie's catalogue is it? It would have been interesting if had done a little more in that vein. It's not just the vocals that help, but the fine musicianship and production. I don't listen to it often, but when I do I find it very refreshing. While it's hard to find a quiet pressing of the original 7 inch, it's certainly the best source for it (I ripped it from vinyl and de-clicked it, which helped).

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neilwilkesPosted at 2022-02-06 12:33:06(114 wks ago) (Bowie General / Cover Versions - David's best & worst. Let's discuss.....)


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More on Baal EP.
The broadcast versions are not the same as the 7" single versions either - they are quite different sounding. I seriously considered putting this in, but decided not solely because of it's origin being more of a drama than a record, but it is very under rated in general. Jacques Brel wrote some great stuff that seems to suit Bowie's approach.

It really is a very highly subjective thing - I am really enjoying this thread & everyone's thoughts too

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