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Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version poster
IMDbPGFirst Aired: 20151 Season

Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version

Series Overview

The cover version has always been a staple of the pop charts. Yet it's often been viewed as the poor relation of writing your own songs. This film challenges and overturns that misconception by celebrating an exciting, underrated musical form that has the power to make or break an artist's career. Whether as tribute, reinterpretation or as an act of subversion, the extraordinary alchemy involved in covering a record can create a new, defining version - in some cases, even more original than the original.

Broadcast Schedule & Network Information

Airing status, episode counts, upcoming schedule, and network syndication.

EndedDocumentary
Original Network
BBC Four
Episodes & Seasons

1 Season • 1 Episodes

Air Date Window

2015 – 2015

Premiered: Fri, Nov 6, 2015

Created By

Creative Production Team

Latest Aired Episode

Aired: Fri, Nov 6, 2015

Season 1, Episode 1: “Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version”

Narrated by Meera Syal, it explores the stories behind such iconic hits as House of the Rising Sun, Respect, Tainted Love, I'll Be Missing You and Hallelujah, with contributors including John Cale, Gloria Jones, Marc Almond, Rick Rubin, Faith Evans and British singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot.

Seasons & Episodes Breakdown

Age Classification & Content Advisories

Official viewer rating standards and content warnings across international classification boards.

Primary: PG

PG: Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.

International Certification Matrix

United Kingdom (BBFC)PG

Parental Guidance — Unlikely to upset children 8 and older.

Official cinematic photography and background stills for Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version

Key facts, seasons breakdown, and credits for search engines and AI assistants.

What is Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version about?

The cover version has always been a staple of the pop charts. Yet it's often been viewed as the poor relation of writing your own songs. This film challenges and overturns that misconception by celebrating an exciting, underrated musical form that has the power to make or break an artist's career. Whether as tribute, reinterpretation or as an act of subversion, the extraordinary alchemy involved in covering a record can create a new, defining version - in some cases, even more original than the original.

How many seasons does Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version have?

Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version comprises 1 season available to explore.

Who stars in Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version?

Key cast members in Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version include Meera Syal.

Who created or directed Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version?

Better Than the Original: The Joy of the Cover Version was developed and directed by Not specified.