Songs you can never hear anyone else sing.. except the original performer!

I am listening to KINKY BOOTS (Hold Me In Your Heart) and I can't understand who would ever sing that song better than Billy Porter! I can't imagine anyone else singing that song with such energy, soul and care like he does.

What other songs/performer come to mind that you can only listen to the original performer singing it?

Updated On: 7/23/13 at 03:18 PM

I too was going to say "People". And not in a good way...

I am repeating myself as I just mentioned this in another thread but William Daniels singing all the John Adams songs in 1776. No one else has come close.

(though I have to agree about Billy Porter..I was just listening to that song in the car.)

If you honestly feel that way, I feel sorry for those people. Even if I don't like a newer interpretation, I am glad the song is still being re-imagined.

There is nothing worse than the "old show queens" (thanks Jeffery and Cole) who lament how no one can touch Gwen's version in the 1910 version of Legs Ahoy! Give it a rest.

Let's keep it moving people. Let's keep dusting off the scores and keep singing.

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Patti can.

Well, Judy can top anything.

Sorry, but no. Georgia has that whisky voice mixed with pathos and bravado. She owns the song.
Link

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"Don't you tell people how to feel."

Coming from one of Broadwayworld's nastiest, crankiest posters, that's pretty F'in rich.

^I agree about Bernadette's version of that song.

^Billy Joel sings Your Song as a duet with Elton John that I love.

There is nothing worse than the "old show queens" (thanks Jeffery and Cole) who lament how no one can touch Gwen's version in the 1910 version of Legs Ahoy! Give it a rest.

THANK YOU. I have to hold my tongue every time I see those posts in revival threads.

"Why should we revive these shows?! I saw the original and it was perfect and no one should ever do it again! I would rather the show fade into obscurity than let future generations enjoy a new version!"

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Updated On: 7/23/13 at 09:07 PM

I second the sentiments about William Daniels in 1776. I've seen other performances of the show (including the Broadway revival with Brent Spiner) and have never seen anyone come close to Daniels's performance. I'm so glad he was in the film so future generations will be able to see his remarkable portrayal. I would love to see someone equal it one day, though. I'm just doubtful that will happen.

I'm all for revivals, and I think some of them have even been better than the original productions. Even when I don't think a performance is as good as the original, though, I don't think there is any role that really "belongs" to one performaer in the sense that nobody else should ever try to play it. Someone may be the best, but that doesn't mean they are the only one who can give a worthwhile performance.

Tommy Korberg's Anthem
I really like Alfie Boe's voice as Valjean. Both of these guys give me chills.

I too agree about Bernadette singing Not A Day Goes By, it's absolute perfection. I also don't think anyone comes close to her version of Being Alive.
Furthermore I agree at Judy's version of Rainbow; untouchable.
Ellen Greene's Somewhere That's Green.
Stephanie Mills' Home from The Wiz.