Cover vs. Original

Give a Little Bit


The Goo Goo Dolls haven't really managed to convince me with their cover version of "Give a Little Bit". First this song was only published on their live album "Live in Buffalo", but now they also released a single version. The song remains a nice and easy song - but nothing more. The Goo Goo Dolls should better keep on writing their own songs. With their former album "Dizzy up the Girl" they prooved that they can create really good music.
For Supertramp "Give a Little Bit" was in 1977 the first Top 20 - Hit in the US. However Supertramp bass player Roger Hodgson wrote this song much earlier as a teenager "when writing simple songs was very easy because I didn't over-think them", he once said. And that's true: "Give a Little Bit" is a simple and easy song - a perfect combination to have success in pop business.
My vote goes to Supertramp for this timeless original.

- Michael Müller, Hamburg, Deutschland, 02.11.2005


Goo Goo Dolls
2004

vs.

Supertramp
1977

CD-Cover: Goo Goo Dolls - Give a Little Bit 32.8 % 67.2 % CD-Cover: Supertramp - Even in the Quietest Moments
Results of the voting: Cover versus Original
Click on the cover for listening Click on the cover for listening
Goo Goo Dolls 1070 Votes Supertramp

Comments about Give a Little Bit:

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I'm sorry Goo Goo Dolls, but the limited instrumental talent in comparison to Supertramp kind of doomed the cover. Supertramp had a harmonic, woodwinds, a keyboard, percussions, guitars, etc. Goo Goo Dolls just can't compare to that level of talent.
- Nich V., Springfield, VA, United States, 02.10.2010
I can't stand how Goo Goo Dolls simplified the chords. Part of the appeal of the original is in the chord voicings, which sound particularly good on a 12-string. Goo Goo Dolls over-"hookified" it.
- Skater, boston, United States, 29.09.2010
I like the Supertramp version a lot but the Goo Goo Dolls just do it better by far.
- Daytona, Spokane, United States, 06.12.2009
Wie kann man einen so wunderschönen Song von Supertramp nur dermaßen grauenhaft und lieblos verhunzen??? Auf meiner Rankingliste der schlechtesten Coverversionen aller Zeiten bekommen Goo Goo Dolls unangefochten den allerersten Platz.
- Jens, Bremen, Germany, 23.03.2009
I like the Goo Goo Dolls, and they did a good job, but it is a pale shadow of the original. Roger Hodgson was absolutely brilliant here.
- Todd, Portland, United States, 14.01.2009
You just can't beat the original, that's all I have to say.
- K-chan, Atlanta, United States, 19.06.2007
GOO GOO DOLLS ARE COOL. THE SUPERTRAMP MAY HAVE MADE THE SONG FIRST BUT I LIKE THE LEAD VOICE OF GOO GOO DOLLS BETTER.

- WONDERFUL, SuKuKaKa, Iceland, 26.02.2007
The Supertramp original is one of the best songs of the 1970s. The Goo Goo Dolls can't even get the lyrics right. Their version sucks!
- Name, City, United States, 23.02.2007
Hey !!!
==> Pourquoi reprendre les succées d'autrefois dans le seul but de gagner de l'argent ?...Maintenant les artistes se contentent, pour la plupart, de simplement re-copier et non de créer eux-même leurs musiques........c'est extêment dommage !!

Voilà c'est tout ce que j'avais à dire.......peut-être que quelqu'un comprend le français !!!!!!!!
- Marie, Lyon, France, 13.02.2007
I,m a Buffalo guy so I have to go with the hometown boys. I was at the show that was recorded for Live in Buffalo. Not the same as the Continental or Nietche's shows, but a great show in spite of the torential downpour of Biblical proportions -- "Hey, was that Noah's arc I just saw floating up Delaware?" The Goos have done covers on many of their previous albums and they are usually pretty cool -- mainly for kicks. Check out "Never Take the Place of Your Man" (Hold Me Up), "Down on the Corner" (Jed), or Bitch (No Alternative - AIDS compilation). These were recorded with "The Incredible" (You have to be from Buffalo to understand)Lance Diamond on vocals. I feel bad for many of the new fans because they have never experienced a "true" Goos show when the band had a harder edge.
- Todd B., Buffalo, NY, United States, 12.12.2006
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