Best Cover Songs of the 60's

If you follow American Idol each week like I do, you'll remember Simon saying that he wanted the contestants to redo songs with their own style. He didn't want them to completely butcher the original, but instead do an interesting take on it. Also, take a look at the hit show Glee. Each week you have several covers of famous songs done by the cast. And go figure, some of their remakes are now outselling the originals!

A great site to check out who really made that song is Second Hand Songs. I go there a lot to fact check. They have an extensive list of who has covered the song, and who was the original artist.

This got me thinking about writing my top 6 favorite covers of the 60's. There were lots of them as people tried to cash in on other people's success. (i.e. The Beatles) So, I know you may or may not agree with my picks, but here's what I think are the cream of the crop:

1. All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix, 1968 (Bob Dylan, 1967)

(Not sung by Bob Dylan. Couldn't find a video available.)

2. You Keep Me Hanging On - Vanilla Fudge, 1967 (The Supremes, 1966)




3. Telstar - Ventures, 1963 (The Tornados, 1962)




4. Light My Fire - Jose Feliciano, 1968 (The Doors, 1967)




5. Please Mr. Postman - The Beatles, 1963 (The Marvelettes, 1961)





6. With A Little Help From My Friends - Joe Cocker, 1968 (The Beatles, 1967)





And some terribly awful attempts...

Beatle Barkers: Seriously? You made a record of dogs barking to the Beatles? Oh. My. God.

Tommy Sands & Annette Funicello - Let's Get Together: I'm sorry, I like Annette and all, but the Hailey Mills version was the best. Tommy Sands with his "ye ye yeahhh" makes me sick each time I hear it. No wonder his career ended. (Or was that due to ol' blue eyes cutting off his cash & fame?)

Mrs. Miller - When I first heard this lady, I couldn't believe myself. Be sure to get her CD, Mrs. Miller's Greatest Hits. Yikes!