Hendrix's 'Watchtower' best cover version

[Zooropa]

Jimi Hendrix's version of Bob Dylan's All Along The Watchtower has come at the top of a poll of the best cover versions of all time compiled by The Daily Telegraph.

Hendrix was moved to cover the song just weeks after hearing Dylan's original on his album John Wesley Harding.

As Allmusic.com remarks: "Raging and climactic where Dylan's had been soft-paced and relaxed, Hendrix's version became a rock standard."

"Perhaps the most glowing tribute to Hendrix came from Dylan himself, who began performing his own song in a version closer to Hendrix's than the original."

The top 20 best covers according to the poll:
1. All Along the Watchtower Jimi Hendrix Experience (Bob Dylan)
2. You Were Always on My Mind Pet Shop Boys (Elvis Presley)
3. My Way Sid Vicious (Frank Sinatra)
4. Hallelujah Jeff Buckley (Leonard Cohen)
5. Respect Aretha Franklin (Otis Redding)
6. Tainted Love Soft Cell (Gloria Jones)
7. Mr Tambourine Man The Byrds (Bob Dylan)
8. Twist and Shout The Beatles (The Isley Brothers)
9. Comfortably Numb Scissor Sisters (Pink Floyd)
10. Mr Bojangles Nina Simone (Jerry Jeff Walker)
11. Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow? Roberta Flack (The Shirelles)
12. One Johnny Cash (U2)
13. My Favourite Things John Coltrane (Rodgers and Hammerstein)
14. Rocket Man Kate Bush (Elton John)
15. Wild Horses The Flying Burrito Brothers (The Rolling Stones)
16. Billie Jean Shinehead (Michael Jackson)
17. Mad World Gary Jules (Tears For Fears)
18. Just Can't Get Enough Nouvelle Vague (Depeche Mode)
19. Sweet Jane Cowboy Junkies (Velvet Underground)
20. Police and Thieves The Clash (Junior Murvin)

 

[nara]

Wouldn't disagree with anything there.

Slightly off topic: I'd never actually heard Dylan's original version of "All Along The Watchtower" until quite recently. Completely blew me away!

:Cheers: :Cheers:

P.S. not sure that Elvis's version of "You were Always on My Mind" was the original. Willie Nelson did it first. http://www.ladynwavsone.com/alwaysonmymind.html

 

[Zooropa]

Always On My Mind

written by Wayne Thompson, Mark James, and Johnny Christopher
recorded by Elvis Presley
also recorded by Willie Nelson, the Pet Shop Boys, and others

 

[nara]

Lol. Well Willie did it better!

 

[ssilvo]

watchtower........ always in my cd rack in the car and when the solo opens up has almost cost me my license....got to agree with this poll

 

[Dieselbreath]

One that isn't mentioned in the poll and my own personal favourite cover is:
Born To Run- Frankie Goes To Hollywood (originally Bruce Springsteen)
Absolutely brilliant production, Trevor Horn I think ?

 

[ssilvo]

One that isn't mentioned in the poll and my own personal favourite cover is:
Born To Run- Frankie Goes To Hollywood (originally Bruce Springsteen)
Absolutely brilliant production, Trevor Horn I think ?

yep trevor horn it was m8 ,first all digital non linear album produced using a synclavier