Cover Versions, Shmover Versions

I still haven't stopped guffawing over this list of top cover songs written by Michael Venture.

First off, many of the originals are not great songs. Even a good cover can't make a mediocre song great. So, now you're probably thinking, "Okay, Muttley, you name ten better."

First off, Venture chose "Wild Thing" by Jimi Hendrix. Hendrix had two superior cover songs, "All Along The Watchtower" and "Killing Floor". His choice of "Personal Jesus" by Johnny Cash doesn't stand up to Cash's cover versions of "Hurt" or "One". The Door's version of "Back Door Man" better than "Howlin' Wolf's? I don't think so.

Here are some others:

Not Fade Away--The Rolling Stones
House of the Rising Sun--The Animals
Respect--Aretha Franklin
Mr. Tambourine Man--The Byrds
Let's Talk About Girls--The Chocolate Watch Band
I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself--The White Stripes
I Fought The Law--The Clash
Sweet Jane--The Cowboy Junkies
Working Class Hero--Marianne Faithful
Twist and Shout--The Beatles
The Man Who Sold The World--Nirvana
When The Levee Breaks--Led Zeppelin
Police and Thieves--The Clash
She Said--The Cramps
Hound Dog, Mystery Train, & Blue Suede Shoes--Elvis Presley
Take Me To The River--The Talking Heads
Tears Of A Clown--The English Beat
Pressure Drop--The Specials
Do You Wanna Dance--The Ramones
Are You Drinking With Me Jesus?--Mojo Nixon

I'll be the first to admit, I've missed quite a few. But, it's Friday and I need a shot of Hornito's.