Worst Cover by Bowie

Inspired by Delvin's question in another thread - David Bowie has recorded plenty of cover versions and while a few have turned out pretty well, in my opinion most of them tend to be overwrought and more than a little embarrassing - he has pretty good taste in what he covers, he just proceeds to beat them to death. He's possibly the A-lister with the worst track record in handling other people's songs.

So what is your least favorite cover version by David Bowie?

For me, it's a tie between his butchery of "Pablo Picasso" and Tin Machine's bludgeoning of "Working Class Hero."

Covering the Pixies' "Cactus" always struck me as utterly pointless.

I like that version of Working Class Hero, though "bludgeoning" is not an inaccurate description. In general I loved the guitarist Reeves Gabrels so much, anything he played on was OK with me.

Alabama Song or Let's Spend the Night Together gets my vote. Among the best are Sorrow, China Girl, It Ain't Easy.

I guess "China Girl" counts only halfway, since Bowie co-wrote the song to begin with.

On Pin-Ups, Bowie gave The Who's I Can't Explain the sloooow treatment. I think that version's already in the dumpster since I never hear it.

"It Aint Easy" is a cover? I looked it up...who the hell's Ron Davies? The missing Kink? Anyone heard the original?

Best: Bowie's bombast works on treat on "Wild Is The Wind."

Weirdest: "I Took a Trip on a Gemini Spaceship", but at least it was done to give Legendary Stardust Cowboy some royalties.

I'm tempted to suggest that his version of Bauhaus' "Ziggy Stardust" is pretty lame compared to the original. In the exact same way that Hendrix's "All Along The Watchtower" or Aretha's "Respect" are. Only in reverse.

Seriously, however: "Wild Is The Wind?"

:::groan:::

His early Mr. T thing was atrocious, as well.

Hey, what can I say, I like Johnny Mathis!

(Now THAT'S one for the "Non-TP Types" thread)

> Covering the Pixies' "Cactus" always struck me as utterly pointless.

Not in comparison to covering Morrissey's "I Know It's Gonna Happen Someday." Bowie, covering a song by one of his most blatant imitators? Cue despair.

I double-checked "Across the Universe" (since I've been skipping it for years). Yep, it's just as awful as I remembered. XTC's "Dear God" may be an awkward insertion on Skylarking, but at least it's a melodic, well-crafted song (regardless of how a listener might feel about its message). Bowie's rendition of "Across the Universe," on the other hand, is completely grooveless, thus throwing off the flow of the man's move groove-rich album to date. (And to think Lennon co-wrote and played on "Fame." Jeez, the guy helps Bowie create his first Number One single, and that's the thanks he gets?)

But I had to get home and dig out my vinyl, to make sure his cover of "God Only Knows" (on Tonight) is as bad as I remembered, too. Yep, that one takes the prize, IMO.

I'm with Willie on this one. I would include Growin Up as one of his best and include Here Comes the Night as one of his worst. Although this probably is my favorite song by another performer that he covers, so I probably judge it harsher.

Dancing In The Streets

"Cue Despair" sounds like a Morrissey song title.

Quote

Dancing In The Streets

Ladies and Gents ... we have our winner!

But Bowie is only holding half of that steaming bag!

You think Keef was laughing up his sleeve at the time?

I have been trying to block that. Aitch is correct.

I'm going to back Delv on this one. His "God Only Knows" is unforgivable and takes the proverbial cake (if indeed there is a proverb about cake):

[www.youtube.com]



Post Edited (04-29-10 07:42)

My first thought was "Alabama Song." I've avoided Pin Ups because it consists soley of covers, so I haven't heard any of those versions.

I actually liked "Pablo Picasso" when I first heard it, but I had never heard the original. Taken on its own, it's not that bad.

As dreadful as "Dancing in the Streets" is, I maintain that "God Only Knows" is worse ... if only because, as Kay said, Bowie has to take all the blame for the Beach Boys cover.

I was going to suggest the Bing Christby duet, but after watching the YouTube of the Beach Boys cover ....

Ron Davies (who wrote 'It Ain't Easy') is some old blues guy, I think, not to be confused with Ray Davies of the Kinks.

I'm gonna vote for 'Dancing in the Streets' as the worst. I actually have a fondness for practically all of Bowie's other covers, misguided or not.