Covers can be good, covers can be great, covers can be better known than the original hit (i.e. ‘Istanbul not Constantinople’ and “Come on Feel the Noise”).
Personally, regardless of how a band performs a cover, it gives you an insight into their musical mindset and an inkling of whether you’d like their original material. On the P2P networks of long ago (and to a lesser extent on Youtube today), I found many bands I never heard but have come to love by searching for ‘Seven Spanish Angels’ covers.
On a slight tangent, while not technically a cover, live versions of famous songs by the original performer can have hidden nuggets of wonder.
Here’s Billy Joel doo-wopping with Boyz II Men on ‘The longest Time’.
Covers can be good, covers can be great, covers can be better known than the original hit (i.e. ‘Istanbul not Constantinople’ and “Come on Feel the Noise”).
Personally, regardless of how a band performs a cover, it gives you an insight into their musical mindset and an inkling of whether you’d like their original material. On the P2P networks of long ago (and to a lesser extent on Youtube today), I found many bands I never heard but have come to love by searching for ‘Seven Spanish Angels’ covers.
On a slight tangent, while not technically a cover, live versions of famous songs by the original performer can have hidden nuggets of wonder.
Here’s Billy Joel doo-wopping with Boyz II Men on ‘The longest Time’.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jDuyUgN0U0
Jump to 2:50 for a verse where BJ takes a (to me) previously unheard turn that I personally prefer to the original.