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).

Florence and the machine - you got the love. Much prefer it to Candi Staton's.

And like a PP I prefer the PSB's version of always on my mind

Killing me Softly -- The Fugees version is rather lovely and I believe has the edge on the original by Roberta Flack.

I adore Heart’s version of Stairway to Heaven, it seems to take on a different meaning with a female vocalist.

'Don't leave me this way' covered by The Communards is far, far better than the original IMO

totally agree with @PerkingFaintly re Eva Cassidy Over the Rainbow

What a voice

Absolutely this ⬆️⬆️⬆️

I love you. You'll never be unpopular with me.

Not that I'm very popular but I know my PetHead limits 🤣

Totally agree on both!
Can I also add Weezer’s cover of Africa by Toto. In fact most of their covers album.
Nirvana doing David Bowie’s Man Who Sold the World
Cher’s Fernando in Mamma Mia.

I Will Always Love You - the Dolly Parton version.

Absolutely not!

Soft Cell - Tainted Love, first record I ever bought. WH Smith aged 5. It's a classic for a reason.

that’s not a cover!

“the Dolly Parton version” is the original.

I love Gene Pitney's Somethings gotten hold of my heart but the version with Marc Almond singing a duet with him is even better.

%3D

Patti Smith’s ‘Because the Night’ covered by Bruce Springsteen

That's the original version, Dolly wrote it. It is far better though.

Oops 😬

Lay Lady Lay by Magnet and Gemma Hayes is far better than the Bob Dylan original.

Yes that's an odd one as the time line doesn't add up at all.

Stop me or Ask Me by The Smiths?

Katie Melua’s Just Like Heaven was better than the original by The Cure

Florence Welch's cover of Elton John's Tiny Dancer.

Amy Winehouse's cover of Valerie!

I will survive. By Cake. Epic cover

I prefer Westlife's version of Uptown Girl.

Olly Murs' version of Come Together from X factor. Wafts self

Dizzy The wonder stuff and Vic reeves absolute belter

I had this at my mums funeral, it's beautiful but it gets me every time