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

Like a hurricane...i got to know it sung by The Mission. I found out years later it was originally by Neil Young. I live Neil Young but prefer The Mission cover.

They're both great but I prefer The Killers cover of Romeo and Juliet by Dire Straits.

@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.

I’m with you!

I’m a bit of a metal head actually but I think this version sounds a bit overblown. Too earnest or something.
The quietness of two odd blokes on stage singing perfectly together is pretty amazing.
I like Judas Priest’s Jonny be Good though.

These threads are very popular you might enjoy looking at the others op.

I’m a huge George Michael fan and I do like his versions of “as” and “first time ever I saw your face” and yes “I can’t make you love me” too

Not everyone will agree I know. But admit I hate covers of his music.

Other than that mine are:

Running up that hill - placebo version (“bones” fans will I think find it quite poignant too)

Hurt - Johnny cash - so so poignant, between the background for Johnny recording it and it’s use in person of interest I can barely hear it without crying these days

“Something” - Shirley bassey, FAR superlative to the mediocre recording by the Beatles but credit to the writer George Harrison who I think was sadly overshadowed by Lennon/McCartney and I think was the stronger writer, I also love her versions of “what kind of fool am I” and I defy anyone to say “hey big spender” belongs to anyone but bassey!

Guns and roses version of “live and let die” better than the original by far!

Not a fan of Eva Cassidy I’m afraid op and others I think her tragedy made her music be considered better than it is, unpopular maybe but that’s my opinion

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

Totally agree

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 agree with this too

Totally agree on “golden slumbers” elbow version being better than the Beatles. My parents are HUGE Beatles fans, if I stated my opinions I’m voicing here it’d start a war! They’re bad enough about me preferring George Harrison as a song writer!

Rag and Bone man sang Your Still the one on Radio 2 on Friday was amazing now that I would like to hear will have a hunt later!

Killing Me Softly by The Fugees originally by Roberta Flack

Disagree I think the Roberta flack version is far superior

Speaking of stereophonics - their version of “handbags and gladrags” and I like rod stewart (which many don’t) but this was definitely better

A “golden oldie” entry - “unchained melody” - the righteous brothers version is the best I’ve heard, earlier versions are mediocre don’t even get me started on “modern” versions inc elvis!

A little known one - “softly whispering I love you” Paul young does a lovely version of this but I don’t think ever released as a single

You don’t own me. The Blow Monkeys yes!

Chris Cornell (Soundgarden) also did a great cover of Nothing Compares 2 U.

Oh, and the Blanks cover of Hey Ya, might be my favourite.

Great thread. I started reading it last night, when they were showing two old episodes of TOTP from 1990 and, both weeks, Timmy Mallett's version of Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini was number one!

A “golden oldie” entry - “unchained melody” - the righteous brothers version is the best I’ve heard, earlier versions are mediocre don’t even get me started on “modern” versions inc elvis!

I agree - but when it comes to You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling, nobody can hold a candle to Paul Shane's version

My humble contributions of better cover versions:
Martha - Meat Loaf
Burning Down The House - Tom Jones & The Cardigans
We'll Meet Again - Johnny Cash
In My Life - Johnny Cash
Village Green Preservation Society - Kate Rusby

I'm not a particular fan of Hallelujah, but the best version by far is the one by John Cale. Ditto Life On Mars, but the best one I've ever heard was a radio session by Neil Hannon.

Also, two I think are great alternative interpretations without necessarily being better or worse:
That's Not My Name - Dizzee Rascal (done for a Radio session, but slightly ruined by some other bloke yowlering in the background)
The Carpenters - Solitaire

This is a surprisingly decent cover of White Lines.

This Mortal Coil -Song for the Siren
Adele's version of 'Make you feel my love'- Bob Dylan.
Respect by Aritha Franklin original hit Otis Reading

Echo and the Bunnymen's People are Strange (on the Lost Boys soundtrack) is better than the Doors'.

Cathy Dennis' Waterloo Sunset isn't necessarily better than the original, but is as good.

The Pet Shop Boys improve anything.

Agree with so many above!

I love lots of the covers performed by Walk Off the Earth - I've linked an example here

I think Alison Krauss does a beautiful version of "Baby now that I've found you" and Angus and Julia Stone did a gorgeous "You're the one that I want"

And I remember listening to a Live Lounge once of Florence + The Machine covering Whams Last Christmas and realising that I've never listened to the words until I heard Florence sing it. I cried so much I had to pull over,

I love Rammstein's versión of Depeche Mode's 'Stripped'. But then I love the DM version too!

Oh Dylanesque by Bryan Ferry & I agree with @JimmyJabs Dear Prudence

Bring me to Life by Katherine Jenkins, instead of Evanescence (although both are good!)

Aretha Franklin’s version of Let it Be.

Sinead O’Connor, Sacrifice (Elton John). Can’t believe it is 30 years old this year - I loved it at university!
m.youtube.com/watch?v=N5DLKkBouOU

Johnny Cash's cover of Nine Inch Nails Hurt.
Bauhaus cover of Telegram Sam

Together We Are Beautiful by Fern Kinney. The two earlier versions barely bothered the UK charts in the 1970s (one by its writer, Ken Leray) but the grooved-up version given to FK was a world away. Great song.

Also, Working My Way Back To You by The Detroit Spinners. Producer Michael Zager really gave some energy to the Four Seasons number, and coupled it with an original song, Forgive Me Girl. Great falsetto lead vocal too.

Both Together We Are Beautiful and Working My Way Back To You were UK number ones in the first half of 1980. I don't know how they fared in the USA.

Prefer UB40's version of I can't help falling in love with you to Elvis's

I think I prefer everyone’s covers of Elvis songs to Elvis. I hated his voice.

The Jeff Healey Band's version is by far the best version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps and knocks the original Beatles track into a cocked hat.
I prefer Guns n' Roses version of Knockin' on Heaven's Door to Bob Dylan's (or anyone else's)
Janis Joplin sang the definitive version of Piece of My Heart (though slightly bizarrely I also love Bryan Ferry's recording).
Everything But the Girl's recording of I Don't Want to Talk About It is sublime - way better than Rod Stewart's, though I believe that was a cover too. I've never heard the original.
And this last one is verging on sacrilege I know.....but the Bauhaus version of Ziggy Stardust is better than Bowie's....

Maxwell's This Woman's Work
Walking Thru the Sleepy City by Luna

It seems like sacrilege as Blondie are icons, but...
Heart of Glass sung by Miley Cyrus takes it to another level.

I've recently found out, Miley has become a bit of a rock covers expert, and has a big repertoire, with Arctic Monkeys, The Cure, Led Zeppelin, Fleetwood Mac, Metallica, Velvet Underground, Doors, Billy Idol amongst many covers she's done.

Lovestations version of the Womack and Womack song footsteps.