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

@Firefliess

Just about anything by Bob Dylan.

Nooo! Not Bob

I Drove All Night by Cyndi Lauper is better than the original by Roy Orbison.

That's an interesting one because the Roy Orbison recording wasn't released until several years after Cindy had a hit with it.

@IstandwithJackieWeaver

That's an interesting one because the Roy Orbison recording wasn't released until several years after Cindy had a hit with it.

Lol, correct. And I prefer the RO version.

Paul Shane?! Err ok then 

I prefer Tom Jones and art of noise version of prince's "kiss" - sacrilege to many Prince fans I know!

Love the carpenters - solitaire, carpenters much underrated and unfairly disparaged I think

Nah, don't like that version of "white lines" not a patch on the original

@pigletpie2177 err no! George and wham! Always better 

@Honeyroar the only song of elvis's I've ever liked was the 2002 remix of "a little less conversation" don't rate him at all, one trick pony who milked it for ages not even a great showman in my opinion just lucky timing

"I don't wanna talk about it" was originally by a band called crazy horse (an uncle is a fan of theirs), it's ok but I agree the "everything but the girl"s version is the best one.

Not sure of its been mentioned but I prefer Paloma Faith's version of "Never Tear Us Apart" (original was INXS)

In My Life by Diana Krall. I love The Beatles version but hers is gorgeous.

I quite like Kim Dracula's version of Lady Ga Ga's Paparazzi

I just remembered another one. Bad Wolves cover of "Zombie" is a nice roaring rumbling version.

Lennon and Maisy's Call Your Girlfriend

@Crunchymum

Not sure of its been mentioned but I prefer Paloma Faith's version of "Never Tear Us Apart" (original was INXS)

I came on to say this too. Palomas version is amazing.

Twist and Shout - The Beatles. Their cover is so fun and Lennon’s shredded vocals are 👌🏻

Disturbed - Sound of Silence. I don’t think it’s better than the original however it brings a certain depth

Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman singing Your song on Moulin Rouge. Far better than Elton John. I love this film and this version of the song

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah. It’s so touching

Placebo - Running Up That Hill. Again, I don’t think it’s better as such, but it’s as good if very different (my emo heart just loves it )

Oooh and Lorde’s version of Everybody Wants to Rule the World. Gives me goosebumps

You don’t own me. The Blow Monkeys

Ooof! Yes!

Love the Damned’s version of Eloise

Am listening to the John Cale version of Hallelujah at the moment - lovely.

Forgot the Bangles version of Hazy Shade of Winter.

Apologies if this has been said but ‘nothing compares to I’ by sinéado’connor is IMO better than the Prince original

@MrsAvocet everything but the girl are such a favourite of mine and that cover is sublime.

Nancy griffith did a mean version of 'from Clare to here' by Ralph me tell that makes me cry every time I hear it. Her 'other voices other rooms' album has some wonderful covers including 'from a distance' and 'boots of Spanish leather' (Dylan)

Ah just looked up and in fact Bette milder was the cover version and Nancy did the original

Nazareth - This flight tonight. I knew a J. Mitchell wrote it but did not realise that it was Joni Mitchell!! Her with the awful reedy voice! I love Nazareth's version with Manny's guitar! I heard Joni Mitchell's version at a friend's and thought WTF?????!!!! Horrible.

@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

I had both of them played at mums funeral

Prefer smash mouth ima believer to the monkees

@Sooverthemill

Apologies if this has been said but ‘nothing compares to I’ by sinéado’connor is IMO better than the Prince original

Classic I get chills on that

@NeedWineNow

Forgot the Bangles version of Hazy Shade of Winter.

Oh god, forgot about that, it is indeed still a banging tune, the Beastie Boys producer had something to do with it AFAIK.

Fife Dangerfield - She's Always a Woman to Me
The Sweeping - Cotton-Eye Joe