I was listening to a cover of Up The Junction by The Squeeze being performed by a band called The Lathums. It’s so similar to the original song I really don’t understand what could be gained by performing it so closely. There’s nothing wrong with it, but it got me thinking about covers and why some bands aren’t interested in taking their own spin on a song. Personally I would rather just listen to the original rather than a beat for bear cover.

Another example is Take It Easy. I know Jackson Browne Co-Wrote this but it’s practically the same as The Eagles version, I’d simply never feel a need to listen to Brownes version.

What are some other examples of this?

Weezer's cover of Africa.

Weezer’s remake of Toto’s ”Africa” is pretty spot on.

The Pretenders’ 'Back on the Chain Gang' is a perfect example. Same chords, same vibe, but Chrissie Hynde’s voice makes it feel like a completely different song.

Fast Car. The cover brought absolutely nothing new to the table.

Lonestar cover of Walking In Memphis

Rascal Flatts cover of Life is a Highway. Just made it sound more polished and completely soulless.

Basically all the covers weezer does

Travis Tritt has an even more unnecessary cover of Take it Easy.

I was algorithmically supplied a cover of How Soon Is Now that was so precisely identical that it made me angry

Many later Glee covers and American Idol studio recordings are guilty of this.

There were a whole series of LPs Top of The Pops in Uk back in 70s, obviously most of it is pointless but was made as a bargain cash in at the time, if it was on in the background or part of a TV programme drama you might not notice. They seem to get 70% right by my reckoning https://open.spotify.com/album/3ZgEBWOxHDb8XW5wkWY0ps?si=P8NCqXI0Q6ikB5c6Y0oQXQ&utm\_source=copy-link

Except that it is completely flat and lifeless.