What covers of music do you prefer to the original, and which original do you prefer over the cover?

[Soubriquet]

I’m a gleek. I enjoy watching glee a lot and I do like a lot of their covers.

I can’t remember all of them but start with

Last Friday Night by Katy Perry. Covered by Darren Kriss aka Blaine Anderson. I much prefer the cover to this. The original seems to lack depth.

On the other hand Here’s to us by Halestorm covered by Lea Michele aka Rachel Berry is no where near as good. Lzzy Hale just rules every song of hers and no one can compare to that.

I prefer DJ Sammy's version of 'Heaven' than Bryan Adam's.

Don't leave me this way, as done by Communards as a cover. Love it.

Worst is that awful version of Fast Car someone did last year. Or that God awful version of Stay Another Day someone tried to in a folk style.

George Harrison- Got My Mind Set on You

UB40 - I Got You, Babe
Red, Red Wine

Much prefer Credence Clearwater Revival's version of Proud Mary

Yeah, yeah, I know for a lady in my early 40s I mostly listen to oldies music, but 😜

Yes, to this. Not sure if a better version but an equally great one.

Yes!

I think Too Close by Blue is much better than the original by Next.

Love everything The Kinks ever did but I do think The Kingsmen did a better job of Louie, Louie.

The Byrds Mr Tambourine Man is way better than Dylan's.

Agree

The original version of Anyone Who Had a Heart, sung by Dionne Warwick is far superior to anybody else's!

Dolly Parton's I will always love you over Whitney's. Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah over anyone else's.

original: You got the love by Candi Staton. Love Florence + the Machine but original far better

cover: hounds of love by the futureheads

Hazy Shade of Winter by the Bangles. So much better than the S&G original.

I don't know if anyone yet has mentioned about versions of songs written by the same person, but I do think The original version of Elton John's Candle in the Wind (Goodbye, Norma Jeane) far superior better to the version written for Princess Di.

Both women were legendary both deaths were tragic both women were ill used and lived lives where they were idolized and then chewed up and spat out, but somehow the original (written for Marilyn Monroe) so not only poignant but rips the heart right out with its helpfulness and pathos. Of course Elton John was at the top of his game when it was written.

Bloody hate that Disturbed version of Sound of Silence. It’s so over rated and tries too hard.

Prefer Nazareth’s version of This Flight Tonight over Joni Mitchell’s
Prefer Jeff Buckley’s version over Leonard Cohen’s.
Prefer Patty Smith’s ‘Because the Night’

Another one I like is not actually a cover version but sounds like one - Google 'Jolene 33rpm', Dolly Parton's original version sounds completely different!

I prefer Kim Wilde's version of 'If I Can't Have You' to Yvonne Elliman or the Bee Gees.

Prefer Phil Collins 'True Colours' to Cyndi Lauper

But I prefer Billy Joel to Westlife 'Uptown Girl' and the Bee Gees to Steps 'Tragedy' !

Machineheads version of message in a bottle, way better than sting. And skindreds Mr bombastic. Love a metal cover😊

Yes to quite a few covers already mentioned especially Pet shop boys, Eva Cassidy versions.

I love the version of “ to where you are” sung in 4 part harmony by G4 much more than sung by Josh Groban - even though I am a huge fan of Josh

I prefer the Prince version of Nothing compares to you with Rosie Gaines.

I prefer Chaka Khan's I feel for you

100% agree. Marianne Faithfull's version of It's all over now baby blue and Joan Baez's version of Love is just a four letter word make me weep.

Much prefer This Mortal Coil’s version of Song to the Siren over the Jeff Buckley original.

Can’t decide if I prefer Robert Wyatt over Elvis Costello for Shipbuilding - Elvis is more plaintive but the Wyatt version has that amazing bass.

Aztec Camera doing Jump was very Roddy Frame.

Talking Heads’ Take Me to the River over Al Green.

Our lips are sealed: the Go-Go’s version is probably better known but I much prefer the Fun Boy Three version, which has a completely different tone somehow. (But written by members of both bands, so not sure which is the original and which is the cover).

I love the Travis cover of (Hit Me) Baby One More Time