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Right now, the radio stations here are playing Janet Jackson's rip off of America's "Ventura Highway" and Satie's "Gymnopedie" - if that's what it takes to be an "artist" nowadays, then art, as we know it, is DEADEnd Quote

Janet Jackson has to be the least-talented Jackson because she samples too much.  I really hated it when she ripped off Sly & the Family Stone's "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" for her song "Rhythm Nation."  Another song of hers samples the intro to Diana Ross & the Supremes' "Someday We'll Be Together"…

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Right now, the radio stations here are playing Janet Jackson's rip off of America's "Ventura Highway" and Satie's "Gymnopedie"End Quote

Is that the one with a small chant near the end "I bet you think this song is about you, don't you, don't you..." ?

Video set in an undergound car park?

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I feel the pain of the poor, unsuspecting Aussie crowd with their Alien Ant Farm invasionEnd Quote

Well, sometimes the only good song a band does is a cover. i.e. they're not bad performers, but lousy composers.

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Is that the one with a small chant near the end "I bet you think this song is about you, don't you, don't you..." ?

Video set in an undergound car park?


Well, sometimes the only good song a band does is a cover. i.e. they're not bad performers, but lousy composers.
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No, that's another that samples Carly Simon's "You're So Vain." I've never seen the videos for any of this tripe, so I wouldn't know how it looks - but I bet it's awful.

The Alien Ant Farm cover is terrible, but this is an opinion from someone who's been spoiled by good cover songs like UB40's "Red, Red Wine" (by Neil Diamond), The Verve's "Bittersweet Symphony" (by The Rolling Stone's), Nirvana's "The Man Who Sold The World" (by David Bowie), and a few others...

T B

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I don't like any cover of any band that I like.  Especially when a band covers a Led Zeppelin tune
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I always thought Four Non Blondes did a good version of "Misty Mountain Hop".

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I don't like any cover of any band that I like.  Especially when a band covers a Led Zeppelin tune
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Yeah, I don't really like cover songs of bands I like.  Primarily New Order, Depeche Mode, and The Smiths. But, I must say, some bands have covered Joy Division's "Love Will Tear Us Apart" quite well: I'm thinking of Human Drama and The Swans (they both have some pretty good versions). There are a few Madonna covers that sound almost as well as the original performer (or could sound like an entirely new song altogether) like A Flock Seagull's rendition of "This Used To Be My Playground," Rosetta Stone's version of "Rain," KMFDM's version of "Material Girl" (it sounds sooooo demented!), and The Royal Philarmonic Orchestra have their own instrumental take on Madonna's music.

I wonder, how about cover songs by bands that one really likes? Are they OK or do they fall into the same trash bin as Puff Daddy and Janet Jackson? Personally, I like Depeche Mode's "Route 66" and "Sonata Number 14 (Moonlight Sonata)." It's strange, though, most bands that I REALLY like have one or two covers in their ENTIRE careers, if any (I have yet to find any cover songs done by New Order and they've been in the arena for over 20 years). Duran Duran did some covers back in the late 90s, but I thought they were awful (I know that's blasphemy to even say that about Duranx2, but I didn't like their covers at all). Morrissey did a few covers: "Moon River" is the only one I can think of, but nothing really worth mentioning. The Stranglers did a few of them as well and they sound pretty good. David Bowie did a few covers himself of The Stone's "Let's Spend The Night Together" and "Sorrow" (by -----?).

I just remembered! New Order did a cover back in 1987 called "Sister Ray," but I forgot who the original artist was: I think it was either Velvet Underground, Lou Reed, or Suicide, or one of those pretentious avant-garde bands/artists from the 70s (the song sounds, to me, pretty good too - like any regular New Order song).

I have heard "Bizarre Love Triangle" as performed by Frente! and that sounded OK (even though I'm not too keen on acoustic guitars...) as well as Orgy's rendition of "Blue Monday," which I didn't like at all. The Smashing Pumpkins also did a cover of DM's "Never Let Me Down," which I also didn't like. The Cure has done a few covers, but I've yet to hear any of them...

I definitely recommend anyone to get Richard Cheese's Lounge Against The Machine: they're supremely hilarious covers of songs by Radiohead, Rage Against The Machine, NIN, The Beastie Boys, et al. Very funny.

T B

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The best cover I've heard is the cover Puff Daddy did of Sting's I'll Be Watching You.  He change it to I'll Be Missing You, and although i hate to say it, it was really good.  End Quote

I thought it was pure desecration of a darn fine song. Pure theft too. But that's just my opinion.

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Confession!! I actually liked Fun Boy Three's version of "Our Lips Are Sealed". Any profanities may be directed to my email, so as to keep the censor software from blowing a fuse...
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I've never heard it. Then again, it would have been kind of hard, being as how I try to avoid today's music at all costs. The only one I've ever liked that I can recall off the top of my head is "Red Red Wine" by UB40. I'm sure there's a few more I'll think of later.

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I've never heard it. Then again, it would have been kind of hard, being as how I try to avoid today's music at all costs. The only one I've ever liked that I can recall off the top of my head is "Red Red Wine" by UB40. I'm sure there's a few more I'll think of later.
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No, this was an 80s cover... they did it no more than 2 or 3 years after the Go-Gos I think. It's on Living in Oblivion, Vol. 5.

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No, this was an 80s cover... they did it no more than 2 or 3 years after the Go-Gos I think. It's on Living in Oblivion, Vol. 5.
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Wow! And I've never heard it. Hmm... Don't know how I missed that.

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Yeah, there's also the HEAVY sampling to watch out for. Some artists try to pass it off as theirs and that's should be a crime in itself. Right now, the radio stations here are playing Janet Jackson's rip off of America's "Ventura Highway" and Satie's "Gymnopedie" - if that's what it takes to be an "artist" nowadays, then art, as we know it, is DEAD. The radio stations actually have the gall to play this tripe and the numbed crowds go out and buy this shoddy, half-baked product! I feel the pain of the poor, unsuspecting Aussie crowd with their Alien Ant Farm invasion (I was never really fond of covers to begin with, although there are a few exceptions).

Tarzan Boy
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I totally agree with you, T.B.!  It's sad when today's kids go ape over these remakes, not even realizing that another artist had originally done the song some 15 to 20 years earlier (often less).   :(

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Janet Jackson has to be the least-talented Jackson because she samples too much.  I really hated it when she ripped off Sly & the Family Stone's "Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)" for her song "Rhythm Nation."  Another song of hers samples the intro to Diana Ross & the Supremes' "Someday We'll Be Together"…
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It seems like a lot of today's artists can't seem to come up with original material of their own.  I guess they figure that if they throw in a few dance numbers nobody will notice!  

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I think Puff Daddy's version of it was a lot more heartfelt and real, and it did sound better.
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And that is what's so great about opinions... everyone gets to have one.

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Hairspray, how is Puff Daddy's version of it theft?  ok, he used the same tune, but he changed the words to suit his own situation.  I think Puff Daddy's version of it was a lot more heartfelt and real, and it did sound better.
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I will borrow Wicked Lester's quote: "And that is what's so great about opinions... everyone gets to have one."

Thanks WL!  ;)

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I thought it was pure desecration of a darn fine song. Pure theft too. But that's just my opinion.
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I stated pure "theft" as in pure theft of an idea and concept, someone else's creation. I suppose money exchanged hands in this particular example, which makes my meaning of "theft" not to be taken in the literal sense.

I suppose with you around nit-picking my every word I will have to word things in a way where a 13 year-old can understand and have nothing to bitch about.

NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Get a clue! You're acting like a little punk with nothing better to do.

I shall now do the intelligent thing I have should have been doing all along - IGNORE YOU.

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I stated pure "theft" as in pure theft of an idea and concept, someone else's creation. I suppose money exchanged hands in this particular example, which makes my meaning of "theft" not to be taken in the literal sense.

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I totally agree with you, Hairspray.  I don't know if Puffy Diddy-Diddy-Dumb-Diddy-(can't) Do can come up with his own ideas.  His album should have been titled "Easy Way Out" instead of "No Way Out".... :)

As far as covers, the only ones I really like are Depeche Mode's "Route 66" (I think T B mentioned this one earlier) and Electroset's "How Does it Feel" (samples New Order's "Blue Monday").

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No, this was an 80s cover... they did it no more than 2 or 3 years after the Go-Gos I think. It's on Living in Oblivion, Vol. 5.
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I know what you're talking about.  I have that same CD.  I generally don't care for covers, but I will say that that is probably one of the better ones I've heard.

Oh, I just thought of a sampling that I really can't stand.  It's Mariah Carey's use of the Tom Tom Club's song.  I can't think of the title of it right now, but I can hear it in my head.  Uh-oh, now I'm going to be getting into bed with that awful song in my head!  :(    

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Just thought of 2 more that I liked... Quiet Riot's version of "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" (originally recorded and spelled correctly by the Runaways), and Bananarama's cover of Shocking Blue's "Venus".
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Actually the Runaways version was a cover as well...this song was originally written and recorded by Slade...and Mama Weer All Crazee Now is the correct spelling....

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Actually the Runaways version was a cover as well...this song was originally written and recorded by Slade...and Mama Weer All Crazee Now is the correct spelling....
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Well, the spelling thing was sort of tongue in cheek, but I had always thought Slade's version was a cover also, I guess because I had heard the Runaways do it first. Should have known better, because Slade always used not-quite-right spellings on some of their song titles, like "Gudbye To Jane" and " Myzterious Mizster Jones". Thanks for the info!

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Well, the spelling thing was sort of tongue in cheek, but I had always thought Slade's version was a cover also, I guess because I had heard the Runaways do it first. Should have known better, because Slade always used not-quite-right spellings on some of their song titles, like "Gudbye To Jane" and " Myzterious Mizster Jones". Thanks for the info!


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Wow, I had forgotten about how they used funky spelling in their song titles!  LOL!  Ilove Slade's song, "My Oh My".  I play that one all the time, in fact.  I don't think it did too well on the charts but I always thought it was one of their finer works!  ;)

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 Some covers are bad but some have an originality and spirit that says to the original thank you for the lessons you have taught.
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And this is exactly what the very first post in this thread was saying...funny how everything comes full circle?  :D

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And this is exactly what the very first post in this thread was saying...funny how everything comes full circle?  :D
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It's a cover post! LOL!

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I always thought Four Non Blondes did a good version of "Misty Mountain Hop".
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I bought Encomium and it was a big disappoitment!

I like the way Creed's new song has a subtle touch of Kashmir. ;)

I also hate when Robert Plant tries to remake a Zeppelin song!  He puts in all this Indian sounding music that makes me cringe! example..when he did MTV unplugged!  Someone needs to hand him some drugs so he can make some good music again.  ::)  :-/

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I don't like any cover of any band that I like.  Especially when a band covers a Led Zeppelin tune
End Quote

The worst Zep cover was "The Battle of Evermore," by The Lovemongers. They don't even sing the song right, it's just an attempt to see how much they can sound like Robert Plant.

???  ::) :P

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Say what you will about Christian rock. Geoff Moore and the Distance did an incredible job with their covers of The Who's "I'm Free" and Sly and the Family Stone's "Stand".
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Did someone diss Christian rock?

Another great cover was Gilby Clarke's version of the Stone's "Dead Flowers"....

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I must admit - i generally hate covers of songs, the originals always seem better, however there's a couple in which have improved the song. I think alien ant farm - smooth criminal is an absolutlt brilliant version, i do prefer it to mj's. However bands like atomic kitten shouldn't be allowed to re-do classics like 'eternal flame' they have ruined my fav song ever. I cant even stand to hear it on the radio or watch the video.

Oh and about 'our lips are sealed' - im not sure if anyone has mentioned this cause i have skim read through the posts, but  the go g'os co-wrote it with terry hall of fun boy three - so u cant really say its a cover. They just released it at a later date.
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I don't mind Atomic Kitten doing a cover of Eternal Flame, I think that her voice was well suited to the song, but when I realise how many people love that song, I realise how many people would hate to see it being covered by anyone, not least one of the greatest bands of the last year (particularly over here in Britain). What does annoy me is when people hash up the song they sing. I remember hearing Strangers With Candy singing A-Ha's Take On Me... I was like, what the hell was that...

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Just thought of 2 more that I liked... Quiet Riot's version of "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" (originally recorded and spelled correctly by the Runaways), and Bananarama's cover of Shocking Blue's "Venus".
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I liked the Chipettes' cover of "Venus" better...  ;)

AAF's version of "Smooth Criminal" is awesome, I was watching MJ's Smooth Criminal short movie on Vh1 a week or two ago and his SC song sucked! I have a feeling Britney Spears' version of "I Love Rock & Roll" is gonna suck too...

Irene Cappola's (?) cover of "Sunshine Superman" (titled "Legend of a Cowgirl") was ok, no one here has proably heard it...

I downloaded MXPX's version of "Barbie Girl" earlier this month and it was funny as crap (and crap is very funny!). A lil too grungy, I'm not into metal, but I like rock.

Smashmouth's version of "I'm a Believer" wasn't BETTER than the original, but a good new rendition of it.

Isn't "Falling for the first time" by BNL (ya know, the naked ladies) a cover of a song, I know I've heard that tune b4...

That's all for now...and the whole Puffy, P, Papa Diddy Pop, Pop Diddy.../Sting song is the same deal as "I'm a believer".

<edited for this> ...and about Marilyn Manson's new cover for the Not Another Teen Movie soundtrack, it's a stupid song, but very funny!

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Irene Cappola's (?) cover of "Sunshine Superman" (titled "Legend of a Cowgirl") was ok, no one here has proably heard it...
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Imani Coppola, actually, and I have heard it. I own the Chupacabra CD, in fact. It was a freebie, so no sidelong looks from anyone!

"Legend of a Cowgirl" isn't strictly a cover of "Sunshine Superman", however, but it does sample Donovan's song heavily.

To be honest, I wouldn't mind if the entire CD went missing...

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has anyone mentioned Marilyn Manson's latest lame attempt? Soft Cell's "Tainted Love".. you know, the first few times he did covers of 80s tunes, it was almost ironic, and almost made it statement.. now it just says "They needed a song for the soundtrack, and I'm too lazy to write new material"
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Considering the kind of movie it was meant for(Not Another Teen Movie), I didn't think it was so bad myself. The movie itself has scenes that leave much to be desired. Keep in mind also that when he does covers he doesn't just do 80's covers. Patti Smith's "Rock 'n' Roll N***er" was from the 1970's.

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has anyone mentioned Marilyn Manson's latest lame attempt? Soft Cell's "Tainted Love".. you know, the first few times he did covers of 80s tunes, it was almost ironic, and almost made it statement.. now it just says "They needed a song for the soundtrack, and I'm too lazy to write new material"
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I thought "Tainted Love" was an old R&B song covered by Soft Cell...Maybe I'm thinking of something else.

Tarzan Boy

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the best cover I've heard of Duran Duran, has to be Bjorn Again, an ABBA cover group, doing "Girls on Film"..
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Really? Strange that an Abba tribute band would be singing a Duran Duran song!

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They did a Erasure one too which is brilliant
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Err... wasn't it *Erasure* who covered the *ABBA* song - (Take a Chance On Me, I think)?

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I didn't like Sixpence None The Richer's version of The La's "Here She Comes". And I despise The Honeydrippers' redo of "Sea Of Love"  and "Last Kiss" by Pearl Jam. :P
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SNTR's "There She Goes" (not Here She Comes) did suck!...never heard Sea Of Love, and Last Kiss was ok, it was sad  :'(

Don't worry, I'll be okay!  :'( ;D

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SNTR's "There She Goes" (not Here She Comes) did suck!...never heard Sea Of Love, and Last Kiss was ok, it was sad  :'(

Don't worry, I'll be okay!  :'( ;D
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Puff Daddy's cover of both "Every Breath You Take" and "Roxanne" were both trash.  I kinda liked Save Ferris' cover of "Come on Eileen" by Dexy's Midnight Runners.  Has anyone heard Disturbed's cover of "Shout" by Tears for Fears?  It's....well....disturbing.
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Yeah i hated puff daddy's version, as nothing can top stings voice on the originals. The police are one of my fav bands ever. You reminded me of letters to cleo when  you said save ferris ( cause of 10 things i hate about you) and i really like their covers of 'cruel to be kind' and ' i want you to want me'. Think they really updated the originals and made them sound great IMO.

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Often the same information is available on http://www.allmusic.com. I don't know CD's that admit that they have stolen (sampled) other CD singles' tracks.
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I guess, but insome cases you can pretty much predict if somethings a cover. For example, destinys child's version of 'emotion' is said on the inlay that it was written by barry and maurice gibb - quite predictable to guess it was a cover of the bee gees then.

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I quite like the pet shop boys version of 'You were always on my mind'. I know Elvis did it before, but was it his originally?
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I don't know about Elvis, but Willie Nelson did it. I liked his version fine, but I like The Pet Shop Boys' the best.  :)

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I quite like the pet shop boys version of 'You were always on my mind'. End Quote

I agree with this one.  In fact, I put it on CD, just to listen to in my car.  When it comes on, I turn the volume up as loud as I can.  Something about that song MAKES me crank the volume up.

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The worst Zep cover was "The Battle of Evermore," by The Lovemongers. They don't even sing the song right, it's just an attempt to see how much they can sound like Robert Plant.

???  ::) :P
End Quote

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Just thought of 2 more that I liked... Quiet Riot's version of "Mama Weer All Crazee Now" (originally recorded and spelled correctly by the Runaways), and Bananarama's cover of Shocking Blue's "Venus".
End Quote

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Ooh just thought of another cover of a cover 'Dont leave me this way. Origianally done by Harold melvin and the bluenotes, then some woman in 1977 ( sorry have no clue of name but it begins with a T if that helps!) and then The Communards in '86.
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Thelma Houston is who you're thinking of.

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I don't know if anybody knows this, but The Sex Pistols' cover of The Monkees' "(I'm Not) Your Steppin' Stone," was a cover of a cover. I believe The Dave Clark Five did that originally.
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The Farm also did a cover of "Steppin' Stone" circa 1991.

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As for "Video Killed the Radio Star", The Presidents of the United States covered it for The Wedding Singer soundtrack.  They did a fairly decent version of it.

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Yeah i didn't think it was a bad cover, even though i do prefer the original, as do most.