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Cover songs that are better than the original

220 replies

chomalungma · 21/02/2021 11:43

Inspired by The Man who sold the world

I'll go with Somewhere over the Rainbow.
There are 2 versions that I like
Eva Cassidy and also Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

Someone's going to say an original singer who isn't...but no doubt someone will tell them Grin

OP posts:
Taikoo · 21/02/2021 11:51

Jealous Guy by Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music is better than John Lennon's earlier version.

chomalungma · 21/02/2021 11:57

@Taikoo

Jealous Guy by Bryan Ferry/Roxy Music is better than John Lennon's earlier version.
It's a great version.
OP posts:
FourEyesGood · 21/02/2021 11:58

All Along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix. Better than Dylan’s original.

magicstar1 · 21/02/2021 12:00

Disturbed - The Sound of Silence. It’s absolutely amazing...gives me goosebumps.

SingToTheSky · 21/02/2021 12:01

The drugs don’t work by Ben Harper. I don’t like the original anyway so I’m biased!

SingToTheSky · 21/02/2021 12:08

Also re the somewhere over the rainbow - I do love Israel’s version, but I once accidentally bought a version that was a cover of his cover, which I preferred slightly! No idea who it was, very similar voice just slightly preferred the tone I suppose.

Also, most covers of Hallelujah - unpopular opinion but I really don’t like the original. Pentatonix is my favourite by far but I like Rufus Wainwright, and there was a version of it at the end of some channel four show about teens in a music college?! I quite liked that version.

BeyondMyWits · 21/02/2021 12:10

Fields of Gold by Eva Cassidy - prefer it to Sting's own.

LadyCounterblast · 21/02/2021 12:12

Bryan Ferry covered Song to the Siren (originally by Tim Buckley) for his album Olympia.

It's very Ferry; lush production, several guitar solos. But it's oddly brilliant.

I also like Maxwell's version of This Woman's Work (Kate Bush).

MintyCedric · 21/02/2021 12:13

Pentatonix are great. I like most of their covers better than the originals tbh.

Also this version of Stacey's Mom:

And I know it's from 50 Shades of crap but I love the Sofia Karlberg version of Crazy in Love

Username7521 · 21/02/2021 12:14

Umbrella by manic street preachers is way better than the Orignal

HaHaVeryBunny · 21/02/2021 12:15

Kirsty Macoll's Days, the cover of the old kinks song.

Firefliess · 21/02/2021 12:15

Just about anything by Bob Dylan.

Loopyloututu · 21/02/2021 12:16

The most obvious one is Valerie - Amy winehouse IMO.
That drumbeat/upbeat tempo mark ronson added plus Amy’s gutsy vocals just transformed what was a totally forgettable song into a classic.

Jenasaurus · 21/02/2021 12:17

I used to love Boyce Avenue and their covers, so good.

Clawdy · 21/02/2021 12:17

Janis Joplin's version of Me And Bobby McGee. Best ever.

Artus · 21/02/2021 12:18

Joe Cocker I get by with a little help from friends

MaidofKent78 · 21/02/2021 12:18

Muse's Feeling Good:

DavidsSchitt · 21/02/2021 12:26

"The most obvious one is Valerie - Amy winehouse IMO.
That drumbeat/upbeat tempo mark ronson added plus Amy’s gutsy vocals just transformed what was a totally forgettable song into a classic."

Forgettable? It wasn't at all and I much prefer the original. I saw Amy Winehouse sing this at a concert before we knew she was due to release it. She'd sung a couple of her own songs already but it wasn't great, she was pretty crap that day. The crowd went wild singing along to Valerie though.

She had a tantrum and shouted "oh you liked that cause it wasn't miiiiinnnne" and stormed off the stage! Confused

ChrissyPlummer · 21/02/2021 12:30

Always On My Mind - the Pet Shop Boys version far surpasses any others IMO.

Marmalade’s cover of ‘Oh-bla-Di’ is the best.

FossilisedFanny · 21/02/2021 12:30

She , originally by Charles Aznavour much better by Elvis Costello

Roominmyhouse · 21/02/2021 12:31

Jeff Buckley’s version of hallelujah.

MrsArchchancellorRidcully · 21/02/2021 12:32

Far Corporation's Stairway to Heaven

Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman singing Your song on Moulin Rouge. Far better than Elton John.

PillyTea · 21/02/2021 12:33

Lily Allen's version of Somewhere only we know.

thesnailandthewhale · 21/02/2021 12:35

Run - Prefer Leona Lewis version to Snow Patrols
Ella Henderson's version of Believe is so much better than Cher's original

hellswelshy · 21/02/2021 12:38

I'm not sure it's better as such, but I love Soft Cell's 'Tainted Love'. And also 'Tears of a Clown' by The Beat. The original versions are great too, but I happen to prefer both of these. I will think on some more..