1. Red Hot Chili Peppers vs. All Saints - "Under the Bridge"
Red Hot Chili Peppers: The pop-alternative ballad "Under the Bridge" became Red Hot Chili Peppers' biggest hit and signature song besides the rap rock-meets-funk "Give It Away" in 1992, thanks to heavy rotation of the music video on MTV and the song crossed over to American pop radio. It has since become one of the greatest songs of the 90s.
All Saints: Girl group All Saints took a R&B twist on the ballad plus sampling the beginning guitar instrumental from the original song with some pauses. This song became one of their biggest hits in 1998, however the Red Hot Chili Peppers gave a mixed review of the cover, praising the sound, but criticizing the omission of the last lyric, which referred to drug use.
Verdict: The original version wins. Nuff said.
Verdict: The original version wins. Nuff said.
2. Don McLean vs. Madonna - "American Pie"
Don McLean: This patriotic ballad became McLean's signature song and magnum opus and became a number-one in his native America in 1971. Not only that, this 8.5-minute ballad is about the famous 1959 plane crash which killed Buddy Holly, Richie Valens and The Big Bopper, known as "The Day That Music Died".
Madonna: Madonna recorded this song as the lead single for her 2000 critically derided film The Next Best Thing, it eventually became a number one hit in the United Kingdom and a Top 30 hit in her native America. Don McLean has praised the cover saying it was a "gift from a goddess" and that her version is "mystical and sensual". Due to the success of the song, it eventually became a last-minute addition to the international tracklist of her album Music, however in a 2001 BBC Radio 1 interview, she expressed regret of adding the song to the album and at her request, the song was not added her greatest hits album GHV2.
Verdict: Well Madonna's version is maybe more recognisable, but it's McLean's version that is more recognisable in the adult contemporary charts.
3. The Who vs. Limp Bizkit - "Behind Blue Eyes"
The Who: "Behind Blue Eyes" was intended for the Lifehouse rock opera, however Lifehouse was scrapped and the songs recorded for the rock opera were included in Who's Next and other albums. The song became an Top 40 hit in the United States and set blueprints for ethereal wave, evidenced by the opening.
Limp Bizkit: After their first three nu metal-influenced albums, Limp Bizkit took a step further after their guitarist Wes Borland departed and was replaced by Mike Smith, they released the genre-changing Results May Vary, which unsatisfied critics. Their 2004 cover of "Behind Blue Eyes" was criticised by Allmusic, calling it "boneheaded". However, their music video received critical praise as it was released to promote Gothika starring Halle Berry.
Verdict: Well Limp Bizkit's version is popular in modern rock stations, but it's The Who that is more common.
4. Talk Talk vs. No Doubt - "It's My Life"
Talk Talk: "It's My Life" became Talk Talk's most successful hit, charting at #13 in their native United Kingdom. The music video is mostly of wildlife footage, also the lead singer Mark Hollis does not sing, instead he keeps his mouth shut with early CGI hiding his mouth due to against the commonplace on lipsynching in music videos.
No Doubt: No Doubt recorded a cover of this as a farewell single before their indefinite hiatus. This song was different to the original version as it had more dance-rock feel than the synthpop feel.
Verdict: Talk Talk's version may have been recognisable in the Eighties, but it's No Doubt's version that wins this round as it was a better hit than Talk Talk.
Verdict: Talk Talk's version may have been recognisable in the Eighties, but it's No Doubt's version that wins this round as it was a better hit than Talk Talk.
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