Main content

Smash hits from 60 years of great cover versions in performance from the 大象传媒 TV archive, featuring Alexandra Burke, The Moody Blues, Soft Cell, Mariah Carey, UB40 and many more.

Smash hits from 60 years of great cover versions in performance from the 大象传媒 TV archive. Reinterpretations, tributes and acts of subversion from the British invasion to noughties X Factor finalist Alexandra Burke. Artists as varied as The Moody Blues, Soft Cell, Mariah Carey and UB40 with their 'retake' on someone else's song - ultimate chart hits that are, in some cases, perhaps even better than the original.

Arguably The Beatles, alongside Bob Dylan and The Beach Boys, introduced the notion of 'originality' and self-generating artists writing their songs into the pop lexicon in the 60s. One of the most fascinating consequences of this has been the 'original' cover version, a reinterpretation of someone else's song that has transformed it into pop gold with a shift of rhythm, intent and context. The pop cover has proved a remarkably imaginative and durable form and this compilation tracks this pop alchemy at its finest and most intriguing.

17 days left to watch

58 minutes

Music Played

  • The Moody Blues

    Go Now

  • Manfred Mann

    Mighty Quinn

  • Ken Boothe

    Everything I Own

  • Don McLean

    Crying

  • Soft Cell

    Tainted Love

  • Dave Stewart & Barbara Gaskin

    It's My Party

  • UB40

    Red Red Wine

  • Doctor and the Medics

    Spirit In The Sky

  • The Housemartins

    Caravan Of Love

  • Pet Shop Boys

    Always On My Mind

  • Kylie Minogue

    The Loco-Motion

  • Sin茅ad O鈥機onnor

    Nothing Compares 2 U

  • Beats International

    Dub Be Good To Me

  • Chaka Demus & Pliers, Jack Radics & Sly & Robbie

    Twist and Shout

  • Mariah Carey

    Without You

  • Fugees

    Killing Me Softly

  • All Saints

    Lady Marmalade

  • Shaggy & Rayvon

    Angel

  • Michael Andrews

    Mad World (feat. Gary Jules)

  • Alexandra Burke

    Hallelujah

  • Doctor and the Medics

    Spirit In The Sky

  • Soft Cell

    Tainted Love

  • UB40

    Red Red Wine

  • The Housemartins

    Caravan Of Love

  • Pet Shop Boys

    Always On My Mind

  • Kylie Minogue

    The Loco-Motion

  • Sin茅ad O鈥機onnor

    Nothing Compares 2 U (2009 Digital Remaster)

  • Beats International

    Dub Be Good To Me

  • Mariah Carey

    Without You

  • Alexandra Burke

    Hallelujah

Credit

Role Contributor
Producer Andy King-Dabbs

Broadcasts

Featured in...