Cover songs that are better than the original

[chomalungma]

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

Ooh I was trying to think of other Trent covers, when this popped into my head, I love this version.

Miley Cyrus Head Like A Hole

Sorry if it's been mentioned too (going to read the thread properly now).

Came here ti also say disturbed- sound of silence

kd lang’s Hallelujah
The Lemonheads’ Mrs Robinson
Johnny Cash’s Hurt
Fiona Apple’s Across The Universe (as used in the film Pleasantville)

30 seconds to Mars cover of Rihanna's Stay is excellent

I also like the evanescence version of thoughtless. I wouldn't necessarily say it's better than the Korn version but I just love the lead singer

Amy Lee did a good cover of Michael Jacksons Dirty Diana, too.

Slight side step to the original question....

I didn’t know the 1980s classic “The Only Way Is Up” by Yazz was a cover version until about 6 months ago...

I also prefer Disturbed Sound of Silence to the original.
Killswitch Engage Holy Diver as well.

@FourEyesGood

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

Essentially any cover of a Dylan song is better than the original. I love Runrig's version of The Times They Are A' changing.

I think I must be the only person in the world who can't stand that Disturbed version of The Sound of Silence.

Can't stand his shouting.

Halestorms cover of poker face by lady gaga, foo fighters doing band on the run. Amy whitehouse Valerie and Cupid, fall out boys cover of beat it, disturbed sound of silence, alien ant farm Annie are you ok? Don't get me wrong by Lily Allen, your song by the streets, ghostbusters covered by penny wise and come on Eileen by No doubt, the trooper by steve'n' seagulls.

Love a good cover!

I love The Pet Shop Boys version of Where the Streets Have No Name (I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You). An amalgamation of two songs which are both better than the originals.

I prefer Golden slumbers by Elbow to the Beatles version.

You cant hurry love.phil Collins version is better than the supremes

I preferred Dead or Alive's version of 'That's the way' to KC & The Sunshine Band's.

Also, has anyone said Whitney I will always love you? That was a Dolly Parton cover.
No because Dolly’s version was much better.

Sound of Silence isn’t even Disturbed’s best cover.

Zutons is also better than Wineo

Man Who Sold The World Nirvana > Bowie

Landslide Smashing Pumpkins > Fleetwood Mac

I Love Rock 'n' Roll" Joan Jett and the Blackhearts > The Arrows

Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin will always be the best cover though.

@zukiecat

I think I must be the only person in the world who can't stand that Disturbed version of The Sound of Silence.

Can't stand his shouting.

Shouting? Are you listening to the right song? There’s no shouting on the song live or recorded.

Harry Styles singing girl crush. Far better than the original

Not keen on Joan Baez' cover of House of the Rising Sun - but her cover of Brothers in Arms is really good IMO

There’s another Sound of silence cover that people often say is better in these threads, and it is a shouted version. Can’t remember who it is. That Disturbed version is very like the original to me, not bad but certainly not better.

As someone mentioned, Lemonheads Mrs Robinson is great.

Live and Let Die - Guns N'Roses

Metallica's whiskey in the jar is 100 times better than the original.

DavidsSchitt
"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.

That’s your opinion - I actually had the Zuton’s album and liked it (preferred “why won’t you give me your love?to their version of Valerie) but most people would struggle to know who did the original. It was forgettable.
Amy winehouses version was number 1 for 4 weeks and in the charts for 39 weeks and people still rush to the dance floor when it comes on a at a party! So I guess most people agree with me! 🤷‍♀️

I must say I find it amusing all the people who rush on to say “no, you’re wrong - the original was much better” like it’s a fact. It’s a matter of opinion surely? Like asking what is best - apples or oranges??
Luckily we all have different tastes - personally I can’t stand “hallelujah” no matter who sings it - such a depressing song!

We like Placebo, Running up that hill - also love the Kate Bush version.
Mad World was covered - it's in Donnie Darko. Great cover! Think it's the Gary Jules version.
Valerie! Amy Winehouse!