Cover versions of songs

[hangrylady]

Just a lighthearted musing! I was listening to the radio earlier and they played Baby Can I Hold You by Boyzone. An absolute abomination when compared to the original by Tracy Chapman. The only example of a cover that I think is better than the original is Only You by Yazoo, which is far superior to the weird Flying Pickets version. Can anyone think of any more songs where the cover is better than the original?

Dare I say it? Sod it, I will. Feeling Good by Muse.

The Yazoo version was actually the original version back in 1982, but you're right OP, the Flying Pickets version is awful.
I must admit I really like Pet Shop Boys version of Always on my Mind, though whether it's better than Elvis's is debatable.

You know the Yazoo version of "Only You" was first, right?

I actually love the Scissor Sisters version of Comfortably Numb. So completely different to the original.

I prefer how Ewan Mcgregor sang Your Song over Eltons version.

Isn’t Yazoo the original version of that song?

Cover versions I think are better than the originals:

Hallelujah- I prefer both Jeff Buckley’s and k.d. lang’s versions to the original
Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O’Connor
Forever Young - The Pretenders

I really like the version of Seven Nation Army they're using on the Samsung(?) advert at the moment. Artists name is Zella Day and I'm slowly working my way through her other stuff now, I often seem to find new artists/music this way

Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Saint Etienne. I prefer it to Neil Young's original.

I think Too close by Blue is better than the version by Next.

I prefer white stripes' version of Jolene to Dolly's

Heartbeats by Jose Gonzalez
Hand on your heart by Jose Gonzalez
Hallelujah by Jeff Buckley
Dancing on my own by Callum Scott

@myBumJuiceSmellsLikeRoses

You know the Yazoo version of "Only You" was first, right?

I did not know that!

I love The Beats version of Tears of a Clown, love the Smokey Robinson version also...But The Beat version is just ace.

I was going to say Hallelujah as well, but my preffered choice is Bon Jovi also Disturbia sound of silence

I'll have to have a listen to some of these

Young by James Arthur
Don't dream it's over by Miley Cyrus and Ariana Grande
The man who sold the world by Nirvana

Dancing on my own by Callum Scott

I like his version but I love the Kings of Leon one more.

Hurt by Johnny Cash.

I love the original by NIN but the Cash version is such a great take on it, almost like a new song.

For me, Whitney’s version of I Will Always Love You is better than the original.

Sia's version of the Kinks I go to sleep (although I love the Kinks original too)

Definitely Sinead O'Connor's version of Nothing Compares

Soft Cell's version of Tainted Love

Nouvelle Vague's version of XTC's Making plans for Nigel - fabulous song in both cases but NV wins for me. I also really like their version of Guns of Brixton.

Oh thought of another one Lilac Wine far prefer the Miley one (backyard sessions)

Not exactly high calibre, but I never knew that "Reach For the Stars" by s Club 7 was a cover of a Carpenters song! Having heard the original in more recent years I have to say I prefer the much more upbeat cover version!

@sweeneytoddsrazor

I was going to say Hallelujah as well, but my preffered choice is Bon Jovi also Disturbia sound of silence

Ooh yes the Disturbia version is amazing even though I'm a big fan of Simon and Garfunkel.

I’ve always preferred The Stereophonic’s version of Handbags and Gladrags compared to Rod Stewart’s (I think there may have been an earlier version too).

Eva Cassidy's 'Fields of Gold' is better than Sting's original