I got into a discussion recently about versions of Free Fallin' and which was better, Tom Petty or John Mayer (and don't even mention the Jonas Brothers). To me, it's not even a discussion. I grew up listening to Tom Petty! I can remember my mom swaying back and forth in the car (whichever car and whichever year up to the present) singing the lyrics to the song at the top of her lungs. To me you can't touch an original. You may be able to give a new spin or add a little variety but to say a cover has topped an original is making a very BOLD statement. A cover, after all, is a variation of an original. The original hold some presedence regardless of who is doing the cover. The same has happened in the past with Ryan Adams and Oasis and the song Wonderwall. Oasis liked Ryan Adam's cover enough to do it live a couple of times. Seeing as Tom Petty is still doing live shows, we may find Tom busting out a little John Mayer to spice the show up a bit. The old one has still got some legs though. See for yourself.

ORIGINAL


JOHN MAYER COVER