Sympathy For The Devil - Stones Vs GN'R

[RussTCB]

Many of you know I host a weekly music podcast, Infectious Groove Podcast. We started a new series of Cover Battles with today's new episode, which is out now. 

For the first Cover Battle, I figured we'd pick two huge bands: The Rolling Stones and Guns N' Roses. The 3 of us talk a bit about both versions, then decide which one we think is best. 

For anyone interested in listening, you can subscribe on whatever podcast player you use with this link:

https://linktr.ee/Infectiousgroovepodcast

 

I know a lot of people on the forum listen to the podcast (thank you!) but if you're not a regular and you just want to hear the Stones / GN'R talk, it starts at about the 23:30 mark

 

Edited May 24, 2022 by RussTCB

[Stay.Of.Execution]

The most overrated stones song by far. The GNR version is more enjoyable, although it's tough to listen to it, knowing the band was dead by then.

[RussTCB]

4 minutes ago, Stay.Of.Execution said:

The most overrated stones song by far. The GNR version is more enjoyable, although it's tough to listen to it, knowing the band was dead by then.

We had a fun debate on it, but we were definitely split on our preferred version between the 3 of us. 

[El Guapo]

Stones version sounds more sinister. 

Edited May 23, 2022 by El Guapo

[Draguns]

I enjoy the GNR version. It's just that it's too bad that it was the sound of the band breaking up. 

[RussTCB]

19 minutes ago, El Guapo said:

Stones version sounds more sinister. 

That's a great point. I don't think we mentioned that. 

15 minutes ago, draguns88 said:

I enjoy the GNR version. It's just that it's too bad that it was the sound of the band breaking up. 

I did make sure to mention Slash's quote about that. 

[BangoSkank]

I've never been a huge Stones fan (blasphemy, I know), but I think the Guns version is just objectively better. While the Stones one does sound more sinister, the Guns version has everyone sounding in top form - the build on Axl's voice to where he's unleashing at the end, Slash's ripping it at the same time - just awesome. I think the song works really well for Axl's baritone too.

As an aside, it's always had a tinge of sad irony to it because they were initially heralded as "The next Rolling Stones" and for this to be one of the last things they did as a band just has a sting to it.

[RussTCB]

32 minutes ago, BangoSkank said:

I've never been a huge Stones fan (blasphemy, I know), but I think the Guns version is just objectively better. While the Stones one does sound more sinister, the Guns version has everyone sounding in top form - the build on Axl's voice to where he's unleashing at the end, Slash's ripping it at the same time - just awesome. I think the song works really well for Axl's baritone too.

As an aside, it's always had a tinge of sad irony to it because they were initially heralded as "The next Rolling Stones" and for this to be one of the last things they did as a band just has a sting to it.

I talked about that with Axl during the second half of the song. The dude just unleashes on that. 

[Rovim]

imho the cover didn't add anything particularly good, the original has such a strong vibe and it didn't translate well to my ears. Sounded very heavy handed and devoid of nuance in a way if I try to compare it to other covers Gn'R released, even Rolling Stones ones. Technically the vocals are impressive but The Stones is not about that I think and it just comes off as a misinterpretation of a classic. 

[Free Bird]

Great tune. Can't decide which one I prefer. My younger me would say GNR but the Stones' version is amazing too. One of Keith's best work. Love his solo as simple as it is...

[Dean]

I’ve always preferred GNR’s version as I don’t think it’d make my top 10 Stones songs - not that I don’t enjoy the original. Axl sounds amazing and dare I say Paul Tobias does too!! 🤣

[RussTCB]

1 hour ago, Rovim said:

imho the cover didn't add anything particularly good, the original has such a strong vibe and it didn't translate well to my ears. Sounded very heavy handed and devoid of nuance in a way if I try to compare it to other covers Gn'R released, even Rolling Stones ones. Technically the vocals are impressive but The Stones is not about that I think and it just comes off as a misinterpretation of a classic. 

That's a great point. 

51 minutes ago, Dean said:

I’ve always preferred GNR’s version as I don’t think it’d make my top 10 Stones songs - not that I don’t enjoy the original. Axl sounds amazing and dare I say Paul Tobias does too!! 🤣

I mentioned Axl's amazing vocals, especially in the second half of the song.. As a regular listener of the show, I'm sure you know how this went for Michelle 😂 

[Gordon Comstock]

It's not one of GNR's best covers, but Axl sounds incredible. Overall I'd say the Stones version is better.

[IrishgunnerII]

I’ve always really liked the GNR version. While the stones version is more sinister, Axl’s voice does suit the lyrics and tone of the song. I have to say I really like Matt Sorum’s drums in the GNR version and especially towards the end.

[GNROSAS]

This topic needs a poll.

I prefer GNR version due to axl vocals and slashs guitar tone. Also i loved the movie 'interview with a vampire' back in the day.

[RussTCB]

2 minutes ago, GNROSAS said:

This topic needs a poll.

I prefer GNR version due to axl vocals and slashs guitar tone. Also i loved the movie 'interview with a vampire' back in the day.

The 3 of us made our picks on the episode, so I just made the thread for whomever might want to listen to the episode. My bad for not adding a poll. 

[Ratam]

 Guess that many people is an sacrilege, but i love the GNR version. With the bonus of the wicked Axl laugh 

[jamillos]

Great lyrics and one the best GNR's covers. The 'sound of a band breaking up' perhaps shouldn't be taken that seriously. I think we know why Slash said that, but when you think about it, if they weren't breaking up, continued normally and there wasn't any beef over the song (and we didn't know someone else's guitar was added), I'm positive we'd have quite a different approach to this song. It's not really a sound of a band breaking up, that's just the reality surrounding it that makes us see it with those eyes. It's awesome.

[RussTCB]

43 minutes ago, jamillos said:

Great lyrics and one the best GNR's covers. The 'sound of a band breaking up' perhaps shouldn't be taken that seriously. I think we know why Slash said that, but when you think about it, if they weren't breaking up, continued normally and there wasn't any beef over the song (and we didn't know someone else's guitar was added), I'm positive we'd have quite a different approach to this song. It's not really a sound of a band breaking up, that's just the reality surrounding it that makes us see it with those eyes. It's awesome.

For the record, the only reason I mentioned the "sound of the band breaking up" in the episode was because of Slash saying that. 

[El Guapo]

Slash also said he wasn't into doing that cover in the first place since the Stones version is perfect so what's the point.

He still went with it hoping it would get Guns going again.

Then Paul Huge played over his solo.

And he didn't like the movie.

Edited May 23, 2022 by El Guapo

[Nintari]

6 hours ago, El Guapo said:

Stones version sounds more sinister. 

Yes (aside from Axl's vocals sounding more demonic than Jagger's), but the GNR version is far more powerful, so that's a wash.

Personally, I like the GNR version more, just as I like their versions of Live and Let Die and Hair of the Dog more (as well as most of their covers off TSI). The only covers I think they didn't manage to at least match were KOHD and Since I Don't Have You.

But I'm biased lol

Edited May 23, 2022 by Nintari

[El Guapo]

7 minutes ago, Nintari said:

Yes (aside from Axl's vocals sounding more demonic than Jagger's)

Have to disagree, Jagger sounds like the devil, Axl sounds like playing the devil.

[Sweersa]

6 hours ago, El Guapo said:

Stones version sounds more sinister. 

I actually felt the GN'R version was less playful.

[alfierose]

2 hours ago, RussTCB said:

The 3 of us made our picks on the episode, so I just made the thread for whomever might want to listen to the episode. My bad for not adding a poll. 

Added one. 

[RussTCB]

16 minutes ago, alfierose said:

Added one. 

Thanks!