Who 'said' it better?

[Max]

I guess since recorded music has been around, there have been covers and copies, because obviously playing something already written is easier and makes more sense than to always be writing one's own material. But according to Bruce Caldera of the Backstage Cafe' in E'town you can't technically perform a cover at a venue where you're paid without being 'licensed' or paying a royalty to the writer. Obviously this gets done everyday by thousands who either aren't aware, don't care, or either just aren't pursued. Talent shows are more or less exempt, since they aren't technically paid venues, although cash prizes may bring the whole thing into question.

That little bunny trail aside, there have been many, many recorded covers released, many to much success. Of course permission has been granted, fees have been paid and all that...we're moving on to the question in point. Which version is better, the original or the remake(s)? There is no answer to that question, as the answers are purely opinionated. But the answer behind everyone's opinion is that it is all relative to one's time frame.

I've heard many songs over the years that were very good, only to hear they are a remake. For me, usually the original is a pathetic 'copy' of the version I heard first. Mostly because the original version is usually older and simpler...not as complex musically or technically. That being said, who of these did the better version? My vote is in bold.

Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds-Beatles or Elton John?
Pinball Wizard-the Who or Elton John?
Please Mr. Postman-the Beatles, the Marvelettes or the Carpenters?
Sunny-Bobby Hebb or the Classics IV?
Spooky-Classics IV or Atlanta Rhythm Section?
Don't Be Cruel-Elvis Presley or Cheap Trick?
Help Me Rhonda-Beach Boys or Johnny Rivers?
When Will I Be Loved?-Everly Brothers or Linda Ronstadt?
Love Will Keep Us Together-Captain & Tennille or Neil Sedaka (okay...that's an album track off 'Sedaka's Back')
All By Myself-Eric Carmen or Celene Dion?
Crying-Roy Orbison or Don McLean?
Roll Over Beethoven-Chuck Berry or Electric Light Orchestra?
Ain't That a Shame-Fats Domino, Pat Boone, or Cheap Trick?
Shop Around-Smoky Robinson or Captain & Tennille?
Breaking Up is Hard to Do-Neil Sedaka or...Neil Sedaka (1975 ballad version)?
He Don't Love You (like I love you)-Jerry Butler, the Righteous Brohters or Tony Orlando & Dawn ?
Please Come Home for Christmas-the Uniques or the Eagles?

Okay, without my Billboard books here with me my mind is obviously getting kind of blank. What were some other ones? Are covers and remakes a good thing or bad? Do they reflect on the lack of originality of the one copying or is it just a recognition of a good song? What are your votes on the songs above and what are some other examples??

[Travis]

What? You don't like the Beatles' version of 'Roll Over Beethoven'? I'm shocked, shocked.

Actually, there are too many covers to cover, but I have found that I can accept different versions of a given tune simply because it's interesting to hear what others have done with it.

The most interesting cover I've heard, thus far, is Simply Red's take on Hall & Oates' 'I Can't Go For That' which transforms into an entirely different song called 'Sunrise.'

[GilHerbigJr]

I would definetly have to go with the Beatles on Roll Over Beethoven and then ELO's version and the Beatles Please Mr Postman.
But then that's me

[Max]

Ahh, how could I 'insult' the Beatles? And I most definitely agree with Travis on Simply Red, although I've only heard it twice and even then I didn't pick up on it segueing into another song. Maybe I've never heard it all. Would the 'Sunrise' portion of it be a cover of Eric Carmen's 'Sunrise' off his 1975 debut album? Like I said, I've only heard the 'I Can't Go for That' portion.

[Travis]

I can't recall Eric Carmen's 'Sunrise' but will give it a listen later this afternoon. I do have doubts that Eric's tune will be anything like Simply Red's because I don't believe Simply Red would have only given credit to Eric Carmen's portion (in the song's title) while ignoring that of Hall & Oates.

Of course, I'm being logical which got Mr. Spock into trouble many times.