Recently we gave you the ten best covers in pop history. But for every hit there have been many more misses so here are our top ten abominations of other people's songs...
10. Celine Dion – Shook Me All Night Long
The Canadian crooner's version of AC/DC's rock'n'roll classic was described by Total Guitar magazine as “sacrilege” and quite right they are. Dion performed this ill-judged attempt at a Las Vegas concert a few years ago but fortunately it never got released.
9. Madonna - American Pie
Madonna turns Don McLean's classic about the death of Buddy Holly into something barely worthy of a pub on karaoke night. Saccharine, whiney and money-grabbing. It should be deleted immediately.
8. Britney Spears -I Love Rock 'N Roll
Joan Jett's rocking jukebox staple reduced to bubblegum pop. A bit like getting Hannah Montana to cover a Marilyn Manson song.
7. Avril Lavigne - Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Avril has spent her entire career trying to come across as being the real deal, but the harder she tries the more forced it seems. Bob Dylan songs are sacred and should only be touched by those who have genuine credibility. Faux angst-ridden squawking Canadian mall dwellers don't qualify.
6. Michael Bolton - Dock of the Bay
There are certain records in the pantheon of pop that should be illegal to cover on account of their utter brilliance. This is one and anyone with half a brain would realise that trying to recreate Otis Redding's magic is an entirely futile proposition. Michael Bolton clearly has less than half a brain. Vile.
5. Ronan Keating - Fairytale Of New York
Ronan changed Shane McGowan's line “You cheap, lousy faggot” to “you're cheap and you're haggard” because he didn't want to offend anyone. He failed to realise that by even thinking about warbling his way through this classic, he already had.
4. Candy Flip - Strawberry Fields Forever
You'd think a couple of Scousers would be aware that this holy grail of composition and recording from the Beatles would be be best avoided, but no. Instead, they felt putting a Madchester-era dance beat behind it would an improvement. Drugs – don't do them kids. They make you do stupid things. Like this.
3. Jessica Simpson - Take My Breath Away
Berlin's guilty pleasure from the Top Gun movie had the “pleasure” part removed when Simpson got a hold of it. Like a cat being drowned only not as easy on the ears.
2. David Bowie - God Only Knows
Proof that an amazing artist and and incredible song don't necessarily make good bedfellows. Brian Wilson's original is transcendent and beautiful. Bowie sings it like a station platform announcer.
1. M People - Itchycoo Park
“It's all too beautiful” sang Steve Mariott, in the Small Faces classic ode to 60s counter culture. The line sounds somewhat ironic when sung by Heather Small's plastic soul foghorn of a voice. Beautiful it certainly isn't.
Share this
Digg
Del.icio.us
StumbleUpon
Slashdot
Yahoo
Technorati
Newsvine
Googlize this