The Top Ten: Covers better than the original

 

John Rentoul
Sunday 30 August 2015 09:20 EDT
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'God Save the Queen': The Sex Pistols after the national anthem
'God Save the Queen': The Sex Pistols after the national anthem (Rex Features)

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Josh Blacker was listening to Jimi Hendrix's 'All Along the Watchtower' and wondered about a list. I could have done Bob Dylan covers alone. (Medical Hulk nominated any cover of anything written and sung by Dylan or Leonard Cohen.) This was one of the most popular recent Top 10s…

1. 'God Save the Queen'

The Sex Pistols after the national anthem. There's always one, Pete C.

2. 'Jealous Guy'

Roxy Music after John Lennon. Envied by Borderlinefools.

3. 'Sorrow'

David Bowie after The Merseys, sighs Pete C.

4. 'Tainted Love'

Soft Cell after Gloria Jones, written by Ed Cobb. Sold by Mary Brown, Rafael Behr and Pete C.

5. 'Song to the Siren'

This Mortal Coil after Tim Buckley. Shuffled by Alastair Meeks and Bruce Jones.

6. 'When the Levee Breaks'

Led Zeppelin after Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie. Nominated by GOsborneGenius.

7. 'Perfect Day'

Bono, David Bowie, Suzanne Vega, Elton John, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Emmylou Harris, Shane MacGowan, Joan Armatrading, Tom Jones and 20 more, after Lou Reed. From Bob Gilmurray.

8. 'Little Maggie'

Robert Plant's arrangement of a traditional song.

9. 'Dear Prudence'

Siouxsie and the Banshees after The Beatles. Addressed by Aimy Saunders.

10. 'The Carnival is Over'

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds after the Seekers. Brought to a close by Sarah Terry.

Next week: Tweets

Coming soon: Obscure sorrows, such as énouement – the bittersweetness of having arrived in the future, where you can finally see how things turn out, but not being able to tell your past self. Send your suggestions, and ideas for future Top 10s, to top10@independent.co.uk

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