Covers that were better than the original song

[Floogal]

The other day, I got a Prince compilation CD. I always liked 'I feel for you' (Chaka Khan), 'Kiss' (Tom Jones), Nothing compares 2 u' (Sinead O'Connor) and 'Why don't you call me?' (Alicia Keys). Never knew they were originally by Prince. Quite Frankly the covers were better

Here are some others:
Step on by Happy Mondays
Wild World by Maxi Priest
Many rivers to cross by UB40 (only better by a margin though).

Dear Prudence cover by Siouxsie and the Banshees. Wonderful.

This will be very unpopular but the Pet Shop Boys version of ‘Always On My Mind’. Just sounds fresh and still get the sense of a lover begging for another chance. I much prefer it to the Elvis version.

Walking in Memphis by Cher. I like that a lot better than the Marc Cohn original.

Jealous guy by Roxy music

Joe Cocker , a little help from my friends

Roxy music , hard rains gonna fall

Sound of Silence by Disturbed. I ❤️ David Draiman!

Jeff Buckley's cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah".

Michael Andrews and Gary Jules's cover of Tears for Fears' "Mad World".

Those are my immediate go-tos. Sure I'll think of more in due course.

Yes this,

I also love Leona Lewis's Run its much better than snow patrols.

Also: I have a soft spot for Ellie Goulding's cover of Elton John's "Your Song." Not sure it is techinally "better" though...

Oh yes this too.

I will add Cyndi Lauper's When you were mine to your list of Prince covers done better than the original. She smashes it.
She also smashes I drove all night which sounds less creepy than a man creeping into your room

Love siouxsie!! And agree .. and as much as i love Iggy pop... siouxsies the passenger is better (imho)

not sure it’s better but an alternative and I love it. Adele’s cover of George Michael’s fast love ❤️

Marilyn Manson, Tainted Love

Marilyn Manson - Tainted Love
Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah
Guns and Roses - Live and Let Die
Michael Andrews - Mad World

Johnny Cash's cover of Hurt. I love the original, but he fills it with a life of regret and pain that is just incredible.
Aerosmith cover of Cry me a River

I think generally speaking, and with a few exceptions, you will prefer whichever version you know first.

If you remember a song coming out and then 20 years later, someone covers it. You will probably won't like it as much.

If you hear a new song a few times and then someone points out that it's a cover from 20 years ago and then you listen to the original, you are more likely to prefer the newer version

Soft Cell, Tainted Love

Only Love Can Break Your Heart - Saint Etienne

Amy’s cover of Valerie is better than the original.

You all should check out the ‘Cover to Cover’ item on Robert Elms BBC Radio London show - he does this every week.

Yes definitely, I was just about to say this too!!

Madness’ version of It Must Be Love.

Oh @Instinct1 I thought live and let die was G&R song until very recently.

Aerosmith's cover of Come Together.

Our Lips Are Sealed by Fun Boy Three originally by The Bangles.
Stop Me by Mark Ronson originally The Smiths