10 Nirvana Covers Better Than The Original

Nirvana recorded a few novelty or leftfield covers as we’ve seen, but more often than not they were tackling songs that Cobain or the other members had a particular fondness for. One such track, captured on their legendary 19992 Reading Festival set, was “The Money Will Roll Right In” by California hardcore band Fang.

They don’t feel the need to tweak this one altogether too much; the blueprint is there for a song that would suit the playing style of Nirvana. It’s a stomping, cynical punk track about the lure of fame with a cutting, simple riff, which Nirvana essentially play note for note.

The reason their version trumps the original is that the Fang track’s recording is a little lifeless. The song is great, but the actual production is a little lacking. When compared with Nirvana’s booming rendition in front of a rabid crowd in the south of England, it can’t help falling a bit short.

The track has been covered by plenty of bands and artists, but none have bettered Nirvana’s version here. For curios like this and more, it’s a blessing that so much of their brief time as a touring band was captured.