What songs have had covers that were better than the original?

[BoredDragon]

I was recently going through the songs I listen on youtube (because I'm a cheap SOB who doesn't pay for much) and I was recently listening to "Black Betty" by Spiderbait. It is an awesome song since it starts out with a banjo

Spoiler: Spiderbait's version

Anyway, I noticed it had originally been made by a band named Ram Jam. I listened to the original and found I didn't like it as much, which is weird because I usually don't like covers. Don't get me wrong, the original is good too. However, I think I like the intensity of Spiederbait's version more.

Spoiler: Ram Jam's version

So escapists, do you have a song in which you prefer a cover more than the original?

 

[ThePerfectionist]

I'm far too lazy to actually look up the videos to these, but I've got a couple, yeah.

Jennifer Warnes' cover of Famous Blue Raincoat is about a million times better than Leonard Cohen's.

While I'm dissing Cohen, Rufus Wainwright STILL has the best cover of Hallelujah.

And Sam Tsui of YouTube managed to turn a truly awful Britney Spears song into something I would legitimately try to learn if I ever got the piano sheet music for it with Hold It Against Me.

 

[Doive]

"Running up that hill" by Placebo.

 

[SonofaJohannes]

Anything covered by Richard Cheese becomes awesome.

Spoiler: Last Resort

The original The cover

Spoiler: Chop Suey

The original The cover

Spoiler: People=Shit

The original The cover

 

[coldfrog]

The most obvious one, in my opinion, will always be Jonathon Coulton's version of Baby Got Back. He actually makes the song musical, it's shocking!

 

[HHammond]

Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah was far superior to the original. Unfortunately there were loads of other crappy covers like Alexandra Burke's that tarnished it.

 

[technoted]

Jimi Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower, it's always the first one to come into my mind alongside Johnny Cash - Hurt.

 

[electric_warrior]

All Along the Watchtower- covered by Jimi Hendrix
Mr Tambourine Man- Covered by the Byrds
Hallelujah- covered by Jeff Buckley
Hounds of Love- covered by Futureheads

 

[Chamale]

Pretty much every song by Bob Dylan.

I disagree. I like Bob Dylan's interpretation of his music better than any cover that's been done, but you're free to your opinion.

In fact, I have trouble thinking of songs I really love that are covers of songs by other artists. Rammstein, my favourite band, has done some covers that I don't really like, and they've made some songs I love that incorporate some lyrics from older songs that I also like.

It's not a cover by a band, but there's a video on Youtube of a homeless man singing an amazing version of Radiohead's Creep:

Spoiler

<youtube=hXlzci1rKNM>

EDIT: Just saw that someone posted Hurt, and I agree that I love the Johnny Cash version.

 

[NinjaDeathSlap]

Muse's cover of 'Feeling Good' was great.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CmwRQqJsegw&feature=player_detailpage

 

[LuckyClover95]

There is a song, a classic, Mr Sandman by the Chordettes. A 50's track. And while I wouldn't say the cover is better, it's excellent - but it's such a different genre thats why it can't be better because its so different. Its from the Stubbs The Zombie soundtrack. I cant be bothered to link you as I doubt anyone will look anyway, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you do.

 

[NinjaDuckie]

I'm really not sure whether I prefer the original or the Marilyn Manson version of Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)". And that's saying something for me, because I don't like Manson at all. Both versions are excellent, though - one in an 80s electropop kinda way and the other in a hard rock kinda way.

Spoiler: Eurythmics - Sweet Dreams

Spoiler: Marilyn Manson - Sweet Dreams

Edit:

There is a song, a classic, Mr Sandman by the Chordettes. A 50's track. And while I wouldn't say the cover is better, it's excellent - but it's such a different genre thats why it can't be better because its so different. Its from the Stubbs The Zombie soundtrack. I cant be bothered to link you as I doubt anyone will look anyway, but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you do.

HOLY SHIT YES. HERE IT IS:

Spoiler: Oranger - Mr Sandman

One of the best uses of the theremin EVER.

 

[AssassinBry87]

Nirvana's cover of the man who sold the world

 

[DannibalG36]

Some of you have probably heard the song "It's the End of the World as We Know It" by REM.

<iframe width="425" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Z0GFRcFm-aY" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen>

I much prefer the cover done by the Canadian rock band Great Big Sea:

 

[Kenbo Slice]

We Came As Roman's version of My Love:

Also Miss May I's version of Run This Town:

 

[OutcastBOS]

Love the original, but...this is better in my opinion.

 

[Lynx]

"Running up that hill" by Placebo.

YES!

Also; Soft Cell's "Tainted Love", and Pet Shop Boys' "Always On My Mind" as well as "Go West".
(Personally I get a sensation similar to falling in love everytime I dance to Always On My Mind, especially at night clubs.)

 

[Akytalusia]

i'm not sure if this counts but, everything done by ZUN's been redone by tons of other people to great effect.