Brando's Badfinger Cover Versions Page

This page last updated on July 5, 2000
In an effort to supply something to the web world regarding Badfinger information that is not mentioned on any of the fine Badfinger pages currently in existence (I encourage everyone to make their own Badfinger page), I offer this page dedicated to artists who have covered Badfinger material for better or for worse.
BABY BLUE

CD Single of Jellyfish containing live version of No Matter What
  • Aimee Mann - 1994 released on the CD single to "I Should Have Known". Also appears on the Badfinger tribute album. I thought her version was the best cover of this song until I heard........
  • Phil Keaggy - 1994 excellent version, right up there with Jellyfish for the best Badfinger cover. Appears on the album "Blue".
  • Allan Clarke - from the 1980 album Legendary Heroes in between stints with the Hollies on a solo album. It is also on a 1981 single release "Walls b/w Baby Blue".
  • San Francisco Seals - 1995. A straight and sparse version of this song.
    CARRY ON TIL TOMORROW

  • We All Together - On the CD "We All Together", apparently a reissue of an LP released in 1972 by a Peruvian band who tried to blend Badfinger's sound with Wings. The recording is poor, their accent is incredible but it incredibility funny to listen to!
    COME AND GET IT

  • The Magic Christians - 1970, this band tried to beat Badfinger to the charts by using the name of the Ringo / Zellers film as their moniker and releasing the song just 1 week after Apple released Badfinger's version. One can only wonder what would have happened to Badfinger if this version would have been a hit. (I have never heard this, It is mentioned in the book: The Beatles - A Day in the Life.)
  • Paul McCartney - (circa 1969) this version appeared on Beatles bootlegs, but has officially been released on the Beatles Anthology volume 3.
  • Adrian Belew - 1996, from the Badfinger tribute album.
  • Elton John - On a album called Legendary Covers 69 / 70
  • Duncan Faure - Put the classic track on his 1993 classicly titled CD of the same name. It appears on the AVC Records label and was produced Shel Talmy. ( for more info: Duncan Faure )
  • Badfinger - Huh?, Yes Badfinger covered their own hit in 1979, slightly faster tempo on this version than the original.
    CRIMSOM SHIP

  • Sherbet - An Austrialan band released this as their debut single in 1970.
    DAY AFTER DAY

  • Dreams So Real - from the 1990 album "Gloryline" on Arista records., a decent version.
  • Savatage - from the 1986 Atlantic album "Fight For the Rock", a straight ahead "metal" version. Is currently available on CD at CDNow.
  • Exotic Birds - from their 1990 CD single on the Alpha International label, If Badfinger ever turned disco, this may have been the outcome. This CD single has 7 different dance mixes, including the Philly Edit, Houston Crossover, and Vogue After Vogue versions.
  • 20/20 - Seventies pop band performing on the Badfinger tribute album
  • Engelbert Humperdinck covered this song on his 1972 album "In Time" on Parrott records. What makes this album so special (besides that it is Engelbert) is that is has two Badfinger covers...read on...
  • Brady Bunch - Yes it's true, from their 1971 album "Crapestry". Unfortunately this song did not make it on the Brady's greatest hits disc released several years ago, but believe or not, all the Brady albums have been rereleased and it is available for purchase. (I believe the actual album it is on is called "Meet the Brady Bunch" - MCA 11457)
    I'D DIE BABE

  • Malconsejo - A band from the east coast of Spain released this song on a CD single in the winter of 1997 - 1998. We believe it may the first Spainish band to cover Badfinger. The label is called Rock Indiana. The labels phone number is 91-561-5371 located in Madrid, Spain.
    MIDNIGHT CALLER

  • Tim Hardin - On a 1972 release titled "Painted Heads", which also includes a cover of "Perfection". This track has been included on a 1996 Hardin CD collection CD titled "Simple Songs of Freedom - The Tim Hardin Collection" on Columbia / Legacy #485108-02.
    NO MATTER WHAT

    CD single sleeve of No Matter What by Melissa Anne Taimuty - 1989 on Phunn Records
  • Jellyfish - from a 1991 CD single titled "Jellyfish Comes Alive". This CD single is a promotional CD on the Charisma label. The best cover of this song in my opinion. This version is also on a limited edition of Jellyfish's first CD, "Bellybutton" catalog # 262 706 on Charisma. "Bellybutton" is a great CD to begin with, you won't be disappointed.
  • Lillian Axe - Metal version from 1992 IRS album "Poetic Justice". A video of this was in rotation on MTV in the summer of 1992. Another odd thing about this release, is the writing credits go to Ham/ Evans/Molland/Gibbins & Bill Collins.
  • Melissa Anne - 1989. Debbie Gibson wanna bee turns in an okay teeny bob performance of this tune, changes some of the lyrics as well "Ooh boy, you boy, I want you". I have a CD single of this on the Phunn! Records label, though the CD says it is from the full length CD "Bridging the Generations".
  • The Knack - from the Badfinger tribute album.
  • Indiana - A female duo covered this song in 1995 on AMC records - 19.089 CD single released in Belgium. Lyrics also changed to "Ooh boy, you boy..." The B-side is an instrumental
  • Black Label - A French released 45 rpm from 1971, on Tuba Records (#RU8000). Backed with the track, "So Heavy it Hurts". We are not sure if it was released anywhere else.
  • Swingshift - Austrialian cover band, backed with "Valentine Girl". On the label Top Shelf, TS 2 (circa 1990).
  • Wildhearts - U.K. rock'n'roll outfit performed this on tour, and it is available on bootleg.
    PERFECTION

  • Tim Hardin - Also on the 1972 album "Painted Heads" along with a cover of "Midnight Caller". It is not on the recent collection of Hardin's music.
    WALK OUT IN THE RAIN

  • We All Together - Also on the "We All Together" CD which is a rerelease of the 1972 album from the Peruvian band with the accents.
    Cassette Single of Lillian Axe's cover of No Matter What WITHOUT YOU

  • Air Supply - 1991 on their "Earth Is..." disc. Song hit #48 on the adult contemporary chart
  • Bill and Boyd - 1999, A New Zealand duo with a country-sounding version on their "Bill and Boyds 18 All Time Greats" CD. The label is J&B Budget (#JB101).
  • Mariah Carey - 1993 on her "Music Box" CD on Columbia Records. Reached #3 on charts.
  • Richard Clayderman - On his 1988 CD titled "A Little Night Music". The label is WEA (256-397-2)
  • Heart - 1978 on their Magazine album for Mushroom Records.
  • Engelbert Humperdinck from the 1972 album "In Time" on Parrott that also features a cover of "Day After Day".
  • Melissa Manchester - on her 1980 album "For the Working Girl" on Arista. Almost a note for note duplication of the Harry Nilsson's version.
  • Jean Martyn - on the 1998 CD titled "Straight From the Heart" If you click on the link you learn a little more about this recording. She also gives credit Pete and Tom.
  • Peter Nero - on the 1972 Columbia LP "The First Time Ever (I Saw Your Face)" .
  • Wayne Newton - On his lp "Daddy Don't You Walk So Fast" from 1972.
  • Harry Nilsson - 1972. #1 for 4 weeks, John Lennon and Harry were drunk listening to albums one night when Harry recalled hearing what he thought was a Beatles song. Eventually he realized it was Badfinger and the rest is history.
  • Obsession - A semi-techno band. On the label Almighty (D11740) from 1994
  • T.G. Sheppard - 1982 country version (hit #12 on country chart I believe)
  • Andy Williams - on his 1972 album, "Love Theme from the Godfather" on Columbia. The album features many covers of other artists as well.
    With regard to the Badfinger tribute album, my other favorites include the performances by P. Hux, Loud Family, Cotton Mather, Brad Jones, Dwight Twilley, Plimsouls, Erik Voeks, Chris Von Sneidern and Al Kooper.
    I want to thank Dave Amara, Philippe Colinge, Wayne Coy, Darren English, Terry Gainey, Greybeard, Rick Kellogg, Toni Marti & Darren Stockford for their efforts in contributing to the cover page!!
    If you know of a Badfinger cover not listed, and I'm sure there are many, send me the name of the artist, year, label and your description of it and I'll include it in the page. If you have more information on an item already on the list please let me know as well (for example: I know the San Francisco Seals recorded "Baby Blue", but I do not know the name of the album or label.) Email me at brando@csrlink.net. Thanks!

    Back to Brando's Badfinger Page