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?

See, I vastly prefer the NIN original of ‘Hurt’. I appreciate I’m in a minority there You are not alone.
I don't like Whitney's version of I will always love you. I'm not keen on Dolly's either but I prefer the original if I had to choose.
I am so glad I am not alone on not liking Disturbed doing 'Sound of Silence'. I don't like their version of 'land of confusion' or 'If I ever lose my faith in you'. I say this as a Disturbed fan who has seen them about 5 times over the years!

I love Bowie but the Nirvana’s version of Man who sold the world is better than the original

I fought the law by the clash

@User7493268965 No (I just went and listed it it on Apple Music to be sure)

From what I remember it was semi-acoustic, slow, and in particular when she sings “I gave you all a boy could give you” it has a nuance to how she stresses “boy” which gave it a definite lesbian/bi vibe.

I can't believe after dipping in to this thread loads of times that I have missed my favourite one ever ( well when I'm feeling a bit melancholy)
I love Ugly Kid Joe's version of Cats in the cradle way better than the original. Maybe it was because I really listened to the lyrics or because I prefer that style of music but the original doesn't do anything for me at all. However UKJ's can make me feel quite emotional. Even the video can get me upset!!

Certainly on par with the original- Hounds of Love, Futureheads

Somewhere over the rainbow by Eva Cassidy

First to Eleven’s version of Cooler than Me is way better than the original by Mike Posner.

Feeling Good by Muse is the best version.

Mad World by Gary Jules.

Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwo’ole

My Favourite Things by Foxtails Brigade
Africa by Weezer

The Fray's cover of Kanye West's 'Heartless' is fab

@Mochudubh

Practically any cover of Bob Dylan is better than the original in my opinion.

Especially when it’s Joan Baez.

"Dusty Springfield Anyone Who Had a Heart better than Cilla". Yes to this. Mind you, Dusty Springfield was absolutely amazing. I admired Cilla Black but she was an average singer.

Pet shop boys' version of Always On My Mind
Chaka Demus and Pliers' version of Twist And Shout

I am the same age as Fred Savage and grew up with The Wonder Years.

I was absolutely distraught when I found out that Joe Cocker's With a Little Help From My Friends was a cover - of a Beatles song no less. It's in a different league.

I'd also like to add Take That's version of Could it be Magic, although my 14 year old obsession with Robbie Williams may have influenced me!
I also prefer Leona Lewis' version of Snow Patrol's Run

Prefer Paul Young’s Wherever I lay my hat to Marvin Gaye’s.

Although Neil Diamond wrote and first recorded Red Red Wine in 1967, he liked the UB40 cover so much he often performed it live with the UB40 reggae arrangement rather than his own.

The original's still better though.

No love for Robin Adele Anderson ?

(also great versions of Hurt, Smoke on the Water, and Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap ...)

Isn't "Whiskey in the Jar" an old folk song anyway ? So any version is a "cover".

Of late I've been getting into Playing for Change. Here's their take on a stone cold classic: The Weight (feat. Ringo Starr)

Feeling Good by Muse is the best version
The best version for me is by Joe Bonamasa.

2 cellos doing Thunderstruck!

Much prefer the version of ‘baby I love your way’ by big mountain over Peter frampton

Also the recent cover of ‘material girl’ featuring Taylor Hanson !

Cyndi's version of I drove all night

@Muzzyarker

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

This is a good cover - totally agree 👍🏼

Not suggesting that they're 'better' than any of the originals, but a shout out to the cast of Glee! here. While filming they were recording three or four different songs every week, and filming music videos for at least one and often two of them - for months at a time. And producing a one hour TV show alongside it.

The quality is consistently good or at least good enough, and we find many of the covers are much easier to sing along to in the car etc.

Mads Langer You're not alone

not better but as good
Will Young Daniel