There's been a lot of remakes of 80s songs recently. Which ones do you like and which ones do you hate?

I personally can't stand Limp Biskit's Faith. They sound like they're high on drugs while singing it. (Which they probably are)

The new version of Billy Joel's Uptown Girl by Westlife isn't too bad. (But then again, the fact that it's almost identical to the original probably explains it!) ;)

totally agree with you there on Floppy Cracker's version of Faith, but then again I'm not a great fan of any of their stuff.

I must say though, I was VERY impressed with Alien Ant Farm with Smooth Crim. It was always my favorite sequence in Moonwalker (1920's gangsters etc) and probably my favorite song by mister Jackson. the AAF version is superb, and the filmclip pays tribute to him in a way.
Sometimes I wonder though, AAF at number one position on the oz charts with a Michael Jackson cover, and Michael Jackson himself with a new single only peaking #30, I wonder if he's cut about that?? I certainly would!

....still, I do prefer his funky version to AAF

Yeah Retro, That version isn't too bad at all. But of course, the funky original is far superior.

yeah Recker, you can't beat a good funk synth riff. I also like how the chorus "Annie are you ok" on the Jackson version is on the 'off beat'(funky) rather than right 'on the beat' (rock) like Alien Ant Farm, but it's cool how their different -it seperates them.
Other than that song - another song I thought was 'ok' was LEN's cover of Kids In America - It wasn't too bad I guess, but of course Kim's version blows it away

I like Sheryl Crow's remake of "Sweet Child O'Mine better than GNR's version.

Alien Ant Farms version of "Smooth Criminal" rocks!

You're both right, "Faith" was stupid, it was more shouting than singing! But I do like some stuff from Limp Bizkit.

Phil Collins' version of "True Colors" just doesn't compare to Cyndi Laupers.

Tori Amos' remake of "I Don't Like Mondays" is a GREAT remake!! I really didn't like the original, but Tori gave it that change it needed.
Tori Amos also does a good remake of Depeche Mode's "Enjoy The Silence" they are both off her latest album of covers entitled 'Strange Little Girls'.

Billy Idol just did a remake of Simple Mind's "Don't You (Forget About Me) for his Greatest Hits CD. It is pretty cool!

Originally posted by Trixter:
<STRONG>Phil Collins' version of "True Colors" just doesn't compare to Cyndi Laupers.</STRONG>

Cyndi can never be covered, it's just not possible - her voice and music truly stands alone

I love AAf's version of Smooth Criminal. Made me like the song again. Sorry, just never was a Jackson fan.
Trixter - you're so right about Tori's remake of I Don't Like Mondays! OMG, First time I heard that I got chills. It was a great song to begin with and then for her to do it....oh, I was in heaven.
Anyone heard of a band called Wheatus? They do a great version of Erasure's Respect. It's pretty similar to the original, so there ya go.
Retro - Too true about Cyndi. NO one can do it like her, but I do enjoy Phil's version too. I think it's more I just love that song.

wow VioletFoxx I would never imagine Wheatus doing a Erasure cover - I'll have to look out for that one :) yeah Phil's version of True Colors is ok - it has a more modern feel
The original version is pretty special to me too! it reminds me of going on a school trip and it was playing on the bus radio. Still haven't heard Matchbox20's version of Time After Time.....

Hey Retro~ Matchbox did a version of Time After Time? I'm so gonna look for that! That song has very special memories for me too, of my best friend in high school. Luckily I still keep in touch with her, so that's cool, but the song still reminds me of our glory days. I hope you do get to hear Wheatus's Respect. It's so good. It gets no airplay on the radio here, but they do play it on the digital music channels on tv. I just pop in the cd whenever I wanna hear it though. :D

I'm a bit of an Eddy Grant fan myself and I see he's re-released Electric Avenue. Couldn't see any immediate difference though.

I can't stand Limp Biskit's version of Faith. Then again, at 35 I'm probably considered 'old' by the younger generation, assuming I wouldn't know good music if it jumped up and bit me in the a$$.

Atomic Kitten's version of "Eternal Flame" is quite good :)

AAF "Smooth Criminal" - I love it. I think it's driving sound portrays the meaning of the lyrics well. Also, they sound like they are having fun, a total tribute to Michael. But for pure listening pleasure, the original still rules.

Limp Biskit "Faith" - I would rather take an ass-whipping than listen to anything this band offers.

Sheryl Crow "Sweet Child O' Mine" - Love Sheryl, hate this cover. I just hope Axl was high the first time he heard this. Axl's nasally screech was cool, Sheryl should leave the screeching to the experts.

Billy Idol "Don't You Forget About Me" - who else could pull off a cover of an 80's classic than another 80's classic? Great job!

Has anyone heard Marah Carey's cover of Robert Palmer's "Didn't Mean to Turn You On?" Is it any good?

Speaking of remakes, has anyone noticed that Garth Brooks has copied John Mellencamp's concept for his new album "Scarecrow", right down to the cover photo? :rolleyes:
http://www.metacritic.com/media/music/artists/brooksgarth/scarecrow/picture.jpg http://us.ent2.yimg.com/album.yahoo.com/images/muze/album/120/124946.jpg
That kinda pisses me off.

I Love Smooth Criminal! :D

Limp Biskit I am not a big fan of although I do like that song "Keep rollin rollin rollin" :rolleyes: Does that make me a BAAAAD person?! :confused: :p He has no business doing any 80s remake I can think of though.

I also like Sheryl Crow but I am not a fan of her version of Sweet Child O Mine. I keep waiting for it to really rock and it just never gets there.

I have not heard this Billy Idol one yet. I am going to have to pick up that greatest hits cd. I've heard it's great! I bet he puts a different twist on "Don't you".

Mariah Careys remake I'll prob never hear. Not a big fan of her.

:eek: :eek: On the Garth Brooks ":Scarecrow" cd. First Chris Gaines and now this?!? What happened to his originality? I hate to see that.

Are there any remakes on the soundtrack for "Not just another teen movie"? Gotta check that one out.

...now I gotta go find more Nolanbuc posts to stalk! ;)

"Not Another Teen Movie" is an ALL COVER soundtrack.

Me personally, IMVEPO, I avoid 80s covers the best that I can. I prefer the originals in pretty much every case (There are a few singers I'll make exceptions for, though, if only because I'm hoping they'll be in the movie I'm writing).

Alien Ant Farm...To borrow an 80s term, "Gag me with a spoon!". I don't like this aggro...I can't even call it rock without laughing.

Then again, as always, your mileage may vary.

Sincerely,

John "outofplacechild" Kilduff

The artists I'm willing to make exceptions for: Pink and No Doubt (Both have 80s sensibilities to their sound and look)

I have to say that I don't care for the recent covers of 80's songs myself. The worst is Marilyn Mansion cover of "Tainted Love". It flat out sucks IMHO!!!!

Honerable mention goes to Ace Of Base's "Cruel Summer". It pales in comparison to the original.

Robyn

I haven't heard Mariah's version of "I Didn't Mean To Turn You On," but I did hear that Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis let her use the original backing track (from the original version by Cherelle) as a sample for her version.

Anyway, some great 80's covers:
Ivy - "Digging Your Scene" (The Blow Monkeys) from their 2001 CD
Goldfinger - "99 Luftballoons"
Marilyn Manson - "Tainted Love" (actually a 60's song covered by Soft Cell in the 80's)
David Gray - "Say Hello Wave Goodbye" (a song actually written by Soft Cell!)
Reel Big Fish - "Take On Me"
Powerman 5000 - "Good Times Roll" (OK, that's kind of cheating, the original came out in 1979)
Simple Minds - "Homosapien"
Neil Finn - "Throw Your Arms Around Me" - this song was originally recorded by Hunters & Collectors in 1986-7. The brother of the lead singer was in Crowded House.

I know there's tons more, I just can't think of 'em right now.

Marcus covered M's Pop Music.

And, via Touch It, Monifah sampled Laid Back's White Horse.

I danced to a very cool eighties cover song last time I was out. It was a electronic dance version of Sunglasses at night. The song from Corey Hart. The new version is made by two guys. I only remember one name. Tiga & ???. It is a cool version.

Just today, I heard a remake of TOM PETTY'S : FREE FALLING by JODIE MESSINA (SP?) .....pretty good.

The best one I've ever heard, and one that IMO will never be beat is 2003's Stand Back by Linus Loves featuring Sam Obernik

A great Stevie Nicks cover paired with a wonderful Footloose inspired music video .. Stand Back by Linus Loves is my choice for greatest 80's cover ever :thumb:

Click here to watch the music video (mms://a238.v28002.c2800.g.vm.akamaistream.net/7/238/2800/v001/mos.download.akamai.com/2800/Media%20Repository//Video//LinusLoves//LinusLovesftSamObernik_StandBack_300k.wmv)

TRIVIA ABOUT THIS SONG: It was a UK top 40 hit in 2003, yet the original 1983 Stevie Nicks version didn't appear in the UK charts at all

There are sooo many remixes of the songs right now...actually id prefer them to make remixes then an actual remake

these including
1) Call on me- Eric Prydz
2)out of touch- united nations
3)waiting for a star to fall- cabin crew

omg but nelly even included a bit of spandau ballets true in his song N DEY SAY :lol: :lol: funny

I have to say that I don't care for the recent covers of 80's songs myself. The worst is Marilyn Mansion cover of "Tainted Love". It flat out sucks IMHO!!!!Robyn


I didn't think it was that bad, I guess mainly because I like the video so much (I love you Chyler Leigh:vampire: )

Personally, my favorite remakes are The Hippos version of 'Our Lips Are Sealed' and NOFX's cover of 'Electricity'. It may be sacrilege, but I like the covers better than I like the originals! If ever you get the chance, I suggest you pick up the Before You Were Punk compilation cds.

Thanks for sharing whistledog. That was cooolllll!!!!! :thumb: :clap: :clap: :clap:

I danced to a very cool eighties cover song last time I was out. It was a electronic dance version of Sunglasses at night. The song from Corey Hart. The new version is made by two guys. I only remember one name. Tiga & ???. It is a cool version.

The cover is by Tiga & Zyntherius. Definitely a very cool cover.

There are sooo many remixes of the songs right now...actually id prefer them to make remixes then an actual remake

these including
1) Call on me- Eric Prydz
2)out of touch- united nations
3)waiting for a star to fall- cabin crew

omg but nelly even included a bit of spandau ballets true in his song N DEY SAY :lol: :lol: funny

I love that Eric Prydz song. I had no idea that it was a cover/sample of the Steve Winwood song "Valerie." I was actually listening to the local 80s radio station here and they played the Steve Winwood song and I about drove off the road when I heard the chorus. The first thing that came to mind was the Eric Prydz song.

There is another cover/sample of "Out Of Touch" called "Out Of Time," although I can't remember who the artist is.

No Doubt did a decent cover of Talk Talk's 'It's My Life.'
Any recognition Talk Talk gets is good IMO.

On the topic of remakes, there's two new tribute albums to two of my favorite '80s artists.

Rocket: A Tribute to Dead or Alive
www.doatribute.com

The Fixx: An Electronic Tribute
www.fixxtribute.com

check 'em out. There's a cool remake of "Red Skies" by Gene Loves Jezebel.

Randall

I have just heard Mylo do Sweet Child o Mine!!!!!! I really dont know what to make of it!!!!! I really want to hate it, she's really softened it up,, Guns n Roses songs should not be soft!!!

This acoustic remake of NWA is pretty hot:
http://www.ninagordon.com/audio/straightouttacompton.mp3

Annie Lennox's cover of Heaven (by psych furs) is sweet.

Scissor Sisters do a good version of Comfortably Numb (oops, thats probably 70s)

In Europe 80's covers are filling the charts. Mostly trance covers and I have to say I like most of them. To put all the songs here that have been covered is to much. I have 10 double cd's with 80's trance covers and what about all the Tribute albums that have been made. I have 3 Depeche Mode, 1 Madonna, 1 Soft Cell, 2 Human League and 1 U2 tribute album.
There are also 80's artist that go with the flow and release their own remixes. For example Depeche Mode - Enjoy the Silence 2004.

Today I got 4 cd's In the mail, with Gregorian remakes of 80's songs, it has an awesome cover of Fade to Grey by Visage.

I like the remake of "Don't dream its over" made by Sixpence None The Richer

I like the cover of "the whole of the moon" by Novastar. Mandy Moore has also a remake of this song, but I don't like that one

And there's a cover of "How soon is now" by Tatu, which is very ok! :D