Godsmack

I love the Eagles but I've never been a fan of Joe Walsh, I like the original done by him, but he isn't my choice.

I like Ozzy too, but not his newer stuff, Ozzy has gotten extremely over-rated, and his singing has become so hard to understand.

I've never heard of Triumph.

And I love Godsmack, they're a lighter metal for me but they're metal all the same. So I vote for Godsmack.

@Fallen950 agreed , Ozzy was a symbol but has now just become a withered old man and his talent went downwards as well.
My vote goes for godsmack on this one, the original wasn't bad but i like the feel that Godsmack added to the song.

[Bold]Vote goes to Godsmack[/Bold]

Compared to the original, Triumph didn't bring anything new. Their version is very nice too, but the original just has more charme.

Ozzy Osbourne? Meh. He distorted the melody and still tries to keep the light feeling of the song, in which he fails. And his voice just doesn't sound good to that song.

In this aspect Godsmack did it much better, they tried to adapt the song to their way of playing music. It sounds good, not distorted as in Ozzys version, but almost too smooth, and so unlike what I know of them.

I think I'll stick with the original, by Joe Walsh. The way he played and sang it just matches the tune the best.
Godsmack would come second, Triumph third and Ozzy last.

This one was Joe Walsh from the get-go for me.  But to be fair and opinion-filled I listened to the other 3 as well.

#1) Joe Walsh - Original's always get that extra bias just for being the original, but I love his voice on this song, and I've always liked his guitar.

#2) Godsmack - I surprised myself with this ranking, as I'm not a Godsmack fan by any stretch, but I think they changed it enough and kept the integrity of it at the same time.  So while Walsh is far ahead of them on this song, Godsmack is far ahead of the next competitor, which is..

#3) Triumph - The music just doesn't sound different enough from Walsh's.  I like the guy's voice, but I don't like the way he sings this song.  Under certain circumstances, I might guess that this was Walsh doing the song live or a different version of his own song.  Bottom line is nothing grabs me about this version..

#4) Ozzy - I like Ozzy's voice.  I like Ozzy's music.  This song SUCKS.  I know at this point Ozzy is understandable only on his best day of any given year, but this version is just atrocious.  I mean, he has to be mind-blown when he did this, it just stinks so bad.

So count my vote for Joe Walsh.

1) Joe walsh- really is tied with Triumph but is the original so ya
2) Triumph- sounded the same as Joe Walsh's version which was my favorite
3)Godsmack- did not really like the spin they put on it.
4) ozzy- I did not like it at all. It was horrible to me.

There are a lot of great covers. The

Punk Goes

Pop albums are covers and quite a few of them are great. There about 4 albums now

Bravo, MrDayC! Nice job with this contest thread. You deserve a standing "O".

My vote goes to Joe Walsh. I closed my eyes and simply listened to each and every other version. Everyone else was simply paying homage to Mr Walsh. No one even altered the intro all that much or stylized the rhythm, tempo or vocals. As far as the competitors second place should go to Godsmack. I had to stand up and boogy to their version.

I reserve the right not to comment on Mr Ozzy Osbourne's version.

Oooooo, am I the first to vote?

Oh, thank you MrDayC this was a very special treat for me to listen to all of these versions, most for the second (cough) time.

I'm afraid I'm at an empasse as I find it very difficult to decide so I'll look at it this way:

on a scale of 1-10, 10 being the best

Original, Bob Dylan
one of the greatest "folk" writers/musicians of my generation and perhaps of all time. He does deserve recognition but the harshness of the harmonica is hard for me to suffer through. I also find it difficult to appreciate his singing voice.
I give the original an 8.

Cover #1 Jimi Hendrix
His version defines the "psychodelic" rock music that emerged from the first "Wood Stock" and is the most influential version defining the "Viet Nam" era. I don't think his improvisation is the best though when compared to the next 4 versions. He gets a minus on vocals and guitar.
I give improv #1 an 8

Cover #2 XtC
This version defines the emergence of "break-out" or "alternative" rock. The vocals are a little harsh but the guitars and drum balance it and I really like this improvisation so,
I give improv #2 a 9

Cover #3 Grateful Dead
This version defines the mello end of the alternative scale of rock hence the "dead-head" reference to describe the fans. The vocals are weak but the guitar is strong and I like this version so,
I give improv #3 a 8 1/2

The real contest for me and what's giving me such a tough time deciding who's best are:

Cover #4 Dave Matthews
I find absolutely nothing wrong with this improv. The vocal is strong and the guitar is superior so,
I give improv #4 a 9 1/2

Cover #5 Michael Hedges
I was knocked out with his intro and I find myself wanting to actually buy his music, today! So I give improv #5 a solid 10. Truly outstanding improv and far surpasses the original.