Best Cover of a Song Associated with Elvis Presley

[Jamie Renton]

Best Cover of a Song Associated with Elvis Presley

1. Little Sister - Ry Cooder
2. Don't Be Cruel - Chakademus & Plyers
3. Good Luck Charm - The Persuasions

Anyone got any more suggestions?

PS I haven't included Johnnie Allen's 'Promised Land' as it's a song I associate more with Chuck Berry. Otherwise it would be in at number 1!

[Roger Bradley]

How about Don't by Seu Jorge?

He took a familiar song and made something radically new out of it.

[Chris P]

All Shook Up : Ry Cooder and that dude from Cameo (Get Rhythm Lp)
Heartbreak Hotel : Martin Carthy ( I'm not sure if this is great or not, but it's an unforgettably different take on it).

[Dominic]

In 1990 the NME put out a double LP of Elvis covers called The Last Temptation of Elvis. My favourite track on it is Vivian Stanshall's take on (There's) No Room To Rhumba In A Sports Car which includes the line "I eat Big Macs until I climax".

Full tracklisting here: http://www.discogs.com/release/966511

I'm also very fond of Crawfish by Jowe Head and Seetar Man by Cornershop (the b-side was of which is Devil In Disguise by Blood Sausage).

[Rob Hall]

Candi Staton's cover of "In The Ghetto"
Big Mama Thornton's "Hound Dog"

[That Was Jonathan E. Then]

"Little Sister" by 84 Rooms, an arty band of weirdos I managed for about two weeks in San Francisco in 1979. I'll see if I can find a tape and post it for your delectation. Hope it's as good as I remember!

[judith]

My favourite track on it is Vivian Stanshall's take...

Vivan Stanshall is my favorite for takes on Elvis. I like this one, "Death Cab For Cutie":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Omc9lkSjYjc

[Dominic]

... 84 Rooms, an arty band of weirdos I managed for about two weeks in San Francisco in 1979 ...

No relation to 48 Chairs an arty band of weirdos somehow linked to Alberto Y Lost Trios Paranoias?

[judith]

I forgot the reason I was going to make that last post before I saw Vivien Stanshall's name up there, it was to say I liked Percy Sledge's version of "Love Me Tender".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T8FHHqZypT8

[Adam Blake]

The Residents version of "Jailhouse Rock" has given me an enormous amount of pleasure over the years...

[Hugh Weldon]

John Cale did a doomy 'different' version of Heartbreak Hotel.

Didn't Ry Cooder also do 'Money Honey'?

[Rob Hall]

Teddy Thompson's last album is a very good collection of covers, one of which is "I'm Left, You're Right, She's Gone".

[nikki akinjinmi]

I'm also very fond of Crawfish by Jowe Head and Seetar Man by Cornershop (the b-side was of which is Devil In Disguise by Blood Sausage).

I recall Stan Campbell (?) I think it was him, the guy who sang the lead on "Free Nelson Mandela" released by The Specials (aka?) - doing a version of "Crawfish".

[will vine]

Check out Dave Kelly's version of RETURN TO SENDER in which he incorporates Elmore James fabulous guitar riff.....really good.

[Jamie Renton]

Thanks everyone ... more Elvis covers than you could shake a gold lame jumpsuit at

Nikki: I remember the version of 'Crawfish' you're talking about. I'm pretty sure it was Stan Campbell (I wonder whatever happened to him?)

Hugh: Ry Cooder did a very fine version of 'Money Honey' on one of his very fine 70s albums. Though for my money, The Drifters give the definative rendition of this song.

Rob: Candi Staton's cover of 'In the Ghetto' is a gem. Reggaeman Freddie McGregor does a good version too.
But Big Mama Thronton's 'Hound Dog' isn't a cover, it's the original. Leiber & Stoller wrote it specially for her & when she sings 'You can wag your tale / but I aint gonna feed you no more' it's very glear what she's on about.
I reckon the best original versions of songs later performed by Elvis is a whole different thread.

Now I'm off to take lots of drugs, eat a fried peanut butter & jam sandwich & then go & sit on the toilet. You may never hear from me again.

Jamie has left the building.