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).

[FictionalCharacter]

Dear Prudence cover by Siouxsie and the Banshees. Wonderful.

[LutonBeds]

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.

[fluffycloudalert]

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

[RJnomore1]

Jealous guy by Roxy music

[Branleuse]

Joe Cocker , a little help from my friends

Roxy music , hard rains gonna fall

[blackcherryconserve]

Sound of Silence by Disturbed. I ❤️ David Draiman!

[MrsDoylesLastTeabag]

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.

[Mrsjayy]

@FictionalCharacter

Dear Prudence cover by Siouxsie and the Banshees. Wonderful.

Yes this,

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

[MrsDoylesLastTeabag]

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

[Mrsjayy]

@fluffycloudalert

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

Oh yes this too.

[TheIcecreamManCometh]

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

[Loubelle70]

@FictionalCharacter

Dear Prudence cover by Siouxsie and the Banshees. Wonderful.

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

[EG94]

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

[K0OLA1D]

Marilyn Manson, Tainted Love

[Instinct1]

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

[CMOTDibbler]

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

[gemsgv]

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

[ElleDeeCB]

Soft Cell, Tainted Love

[DialSquare]

Only Love Can Break Your Heart - Saint Etienne

[SameSameButDeliverance]

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.

[ElleDeeCB]

@DialSquare

Only Love Can Break Your Heart - Saint Etienne

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

[SameSameButDeliverance]

Madness’ version of It Must Be Love.

[Mrsjayy]

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

[SlowlyLurking]

Aerosmith's cover of Come Together.

[Soonenough]

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