Cover to Cover is a weekly ufonyx exclusive feature, where we take a look at two versions of the same song.

This week we’re taking a look at two different covers of “White Riot”, originally by The Clash: The first by Dropkick Murphys, and the second by Audioslave. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the song, take note: After first listen, many people have thought the song advocates a race war. In fact, it is about class economics and race – lyricist Joe Strummer was trying to appeal to white youths to find a worthy cause to riot, as he felt blacks in the UK already had. Its message is exemplified in the lines “Are you taking over / Or are you taking orders? / Are you going backwards / Or are you going forwards?”

First, let’s look at Dropkick Murphys

Now, Audioslave

The Audioslave rendering is, in my opinion, actually better from a purely musical standpoint, even though I don’t like Chris Cornell’s vocals here. I like the Dropkick Murphys version a lot, and I think it’s much closer to the original – but in the end, what’s the point of doing a cover if you’re just going to do it the same? I’m giving this one to Audioslave – what do you think?

Although this probably goes without saying, I do just want to say I’d rather hear Joe Strummer on this any day.