U2 have already ruined my day
listening to Planet Rock this morning and they announce they are about to play a U2 cover of the Creedance Clearwater Revival song Fortunate Son - one of their best songs in my opinion.
"This might not be too bad" thinks I, for once willing to give that shower of absolute cunts the benefit of the doubt.

I was wrong. It was the worst kind of ear-rape. They had taken a great song and completely fucked it up. It's in the same league as the fucking All Saints absurd cover of Under the Bridge.

I'm going to get a t-shirt made that says "Fuck you Bono" or maybe just one of these www.8ball.co.uk/tshirt/3/34142/T-Shirts/Offensive-T-Shirts/I-Fucking-Hate-Bono-&-His-Fucking-Face/
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 8:35, 23 replies, latest was 16 years ago)

I have no time for U2
One of my old flatmates was a big fan of theirs. I could never see the attraction myself. Musically simplistic drivel spouted by pretentious wankers who call themselves by ridiculous nicknames like Bono and The Edge.

Covers sometimes work well. Aztec Camera once did a downbeat, acoustic guitar version of Jump by Van Halen, which was entirely different to the original but excellent in its own way.

But others are total wank. Much as I like Lily Allen's stuff, I was listening to her cover of Mr Blue Sky last night and it's not a patch on the original ELO classic. The musical arrangement is similar but her voice doesn't work.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 8:41, Reply)

I'm a big fan of cover songs in principle
Metallica's album Garage Inc. is all covers and with a couple of exceptions, all are better than the originals.
Marilyn Manson has done some fine ones too, as have Monster Magnet.

There's a message there I think. Only do cover songs if the name of your band starts with M.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 8:43, Reply)

I would agree with this.
Missy Higgins did a cover of Stuff'n'Nonsense by Enzo - and it was just right as *her* interpretation of the song - she didn't fuck around with it, and try to make it hers, she just took what they did and applied her favourite style to it.
(Poppet some assembly required., Thu 30 Jul 2009, 8:54, Reply)

Hmmm
Not convinced by that theory, Vipros.

M People's cover of Itchycoo Park...
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 9:01, Reply)

I haven't heard that
will check it out. Itchycoo park is a great song
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 9:07, Reply)

You'll regret it
K2k6 is quite right.
(LongJohnBaldry, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 10:26, Reply)

misunderstood what he was saying I think
at the time I thought it was a bit odd that he'd be advocating what sounded like it would be a rubbish song...
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 10:29, Reply)

Marilyn Mansons cover of the Ramones
'KKK took my baby away' is one of the most intense ear-rapes I've ever heard.

I rather like Thin Lizzy's (and also Metallicas from Garage Inc) cover of Whiskey In a Jar.

Finally I heard Lily Allen covering Straight to Hell by The Clash and decided that perhaps these should be judged on a case by case basis. Fucking Lily Allen.
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 9:04, Reply)

Her cover
of Everybody's Changing by Keane is quite good though.
( K2k6 has a proper job these days, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 9:07, Reply)

they do need to be judged case be case I guess
The Foo Fighters do a good version of the Ramones' Danny Says.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 9:07, Reply)

Can you get a discount for ordering those T-shirts in bulk?
Because I'd quite like one too.

As for AMAZING covers I'd like to nominate Jose Gonzalas and Heartbeats, I don't know how he got that after listening to the original (an electro europop song)
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 9:10, Reply)

Seconded
I really liked the song before I heard the original, and after hearing the electro version I was amazed at what he'd done with it.

I like the original too though. the rest of the stuff on the same album is not so good.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 9:11, Reply)

ooh you scaring people by agreeing with me!?
I have to also say I prefer Nirvana's version of The Man Who Sold The World to Bowie's. But I'm not a massive fan of Bowie generally
( TGB checking Off Topic is still shit at, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 9:15, Reply)

Bowie is God!
I've totally gone off Nirvana. I think I listened to them too much when I was 11.
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 9:17, Reply)

I think they're one of those bands you just grow out of...
...when I was 13/14 I thought they were amazing. Now I think there's only a handful of songs I'd give the time of day.
(LongJohnBaldry, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 10:24, Reply)

I like Bowie quite a lot
but I think you are right about Nirvana's version of that song. It is a good one. Ditto Lake of Fire and Plateau off that album. Better than the originals I would say.
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 9:28, Reply)

Nouvelle Vague's cover of Too Drunk To Fuck
Amuses me greatly with its giggly mellowness.
( The Light in Chains don't touch the Pope's boner, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 10:15, Reply)

U2 covering CCR?
Oh god help us...that's got to be almost as unforgiveable as Oasis coveringmurdering My Generation

Trouble is, you just know they're playing it because Bono/Onob realised it was a war song and found the lyrics really deep, 'cause he's a pretentious cunt like that...urgh...I shudder just thinking about it.
(LongJohnBaldry, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 10:22, Reply)

Oh yes I forgot to mention
How appalled I am at U2 picking such a predictable song to cover.

The worst thing is he'll be milking the lyrics as his own, yet his voice simply isn't a patch on my pal Fogertys. This song is one of his best (generally and vocally).

Fucking Bono
( whenanimalsattackhumans clad in global hypercolour, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 10:29, Reply)

apparently it was a b-side from the early 90s or something
same single had a cover of the Stones Paint it black. I shudder to think what they've done to that....

I hate Bono so much
( Vipros. clever got me this far, then tricky got me in, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 10:30, Reply)

Time to wheel out the old joke I always have to post on anti-U2 threads
_{(I think it was scarpe who originally posted it on an earlier qotw, but I wish to keeping milking it because it is funny)}

What's the difference between God and Bono?

*drumroll*

God doesn't wander round the streets of Dublin in a pair of overpriced sunglasses thinking he's Bono.

EDIT: They got their grubby fingers on Paint It Black as well? Oh, FFS. Why must shit bands shit all over my favourite songs like this?
(LongJohnBaldry, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 10:36, Reply)

I wouldnt count on that.
Come to Dublin - it is awash with Deities in a delusional state.









*wishes he had written, "where the streets are awash with delusional Deities"*
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 10:52, Reply)

Isaac Hayes cover of Burt Bacharachs' 'Walk On By'
is the greatest cover of all time.
(bazmorningstar efil4nat3b, Thu 30 Jul 2009, 10:56, Reply)