Hits Revisited: 20 Artists Who Remade Their Own Songs
If at first you don't succeed ... well, you know the rest. But if one of your songs works the first time, sometimes it's best to leave well enough alone. Here are 20 acts who remade their own songs, often (but not always) at great risk of redundancy.
'Candle in the Wind,' Elton John
Original: 1972; remake: 1997
Sir Elton's ode to Marilyn Monroe, originally on the 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' album, hit the US Top 10 in 1988 in a live version. That was eclipsed in 1997 when John rerecorded the song as his worldwide blockbuster tribute to Princess Di.
Which Is Better: The remake -- 10 tons of teddy bears and roses laid at Buckingham Palace makes this an easy call.
'Tom's Diner,' Suzanne Vega
Original: 1987; remake: 1990 (with DNA)
For her second album, 'Solitude Standing,' the latter-day folkie recorded the insidiously catchy 'Tom's Diner.' Three years later, the song was reborn as a dance track featuring Vega's vocals, courtesy of the British act DNA. It became a Top 5 hit.
Which Is Better: The original -- folk guitar, unlike dance production, never falls out of fashion.
'Walk This Way,' Aerosmith
Original: 1975; remake: 1986 (with Run-D.M.C.)
Not only was this remake historic for its pioneering blend of rock and rap, it set the stage for Aerosmith's comeback. Make of that what you will.
Which Is Better: The remake -- it was the second-best Boston/New York match-up of '86, after baseball's World Series (which New York won).
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