Song covers that are better than the original

[KManX89]

What are some song covers that you actually like better than the original? This might be a tough pill to swallow for some, but there's quite a few of us out there, so list away.

Some song covers I prefer off the top of my head:

• Orgy-Blue Monday (New Order cover)
• Limp Bizkit-Behind Blue Eyes (The Who cover)
• Goldfinger-99 Red Balloons (Nena cover)
• Ataris-Boys of Summer (Don Henley cover)
• Marilyn Manson-Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (Eurythmics cover)
• Tool-No Quarter (Led Zeppelin cover)

I might catch some flack for that first one, but yes, I actually prefer Orgy's version of Blue Monday. *puts shield up*

[JamesOttoSweetHeart]

I love to hear my late beautiful precious Steve Sanders of the Oak Ridge Boys cover "I'll Put Angels Around You" from the Dr. Hook act here.

God bless you and those who have loved him longer than me always!!!

Holly

[Hitman Horton]

The first one that comes to my mind is:

Smokin' In The Boys Room by Motley Crue.

There's a lot of people out there that didn't even know it was a cover.

I Love Rock & Roll by Joan Jett is another one that a lot of people don't know is a cover. An awesome one at that.

[Ray Jackson]

Hendrix’s version of All Along the Watchtower is the gold standard of cover songs that are better than the original.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by KManX89

What are some song covers that you actually like better than the original? This might be a tough pill to swallow for some, but there's quite a few of us out there, so list away.

Some song covers I prefer off the top of my head:

• Orgy-Blue Monday (New Order cover)
• Limp Bizkit-Behind Blue Eyes (The Who cover)
• Goldfinger-99 Red Balloons (Nena cover)
• Ataris-Boys of Summer (Don Henley cover)
• Marilyn Manson-Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (Eurythmics cover)
• Tool-No Quarter (Led Zeppelin cover)

I might catch some flack for that first one, but yes, I actually prefer Orgy's version of Blue Monday. *puts shield up*

Did you really just say that?

[Eschenpod]

Some may disagree but Jose Feliciano's version of Light My Fire.

[Scarriere]

SRV's cover of Hendrix' Voodoo Chile.

[Al_The_Strange]

Yeah, this thread will totally be controversy free.

I could probably list shedloads of covers I love, but there aren't many I'd rank over their respective originals. The ones where I like the cover more would be:

• Apocalyptica - Helden (cover of David Bowie's "Heroes" auf Deutch--Till Lindeman does the vocals and it's powerful stuff)
• Disturbed - The Sound of Silence
• How to Destroy Angels - Is Your Love Strong Enough?
• Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower
• Nine Inch Nails - Dead Souls
• Scandroid - Shout

EDIT: Videos

[Show spoiler]

Till Lindemann ft' Apocalyptica - Helden - YouTube

Disturbed - The Sound Of Silence [Official Music Video] - YouTube

How To Destroy Angels - Is Your Love Strong Enough - YouTube

The Jimi Hendrix Experience - All Along The Watchtower (Audio) - YouTube

Nine Inch Nails - Dead Souls (Joy Division cover) - YouTube

Scandroid - Shout (Tears for Fears cover) - YouTube

[Max Solo]

The Dickies - The sound of silence

[BucketheadPikes]

Any of Bob Dylan's songs that have been covered by others.

[HotRats]

Johnny Cash's cover of Nine Inch Nails' Hurt

[jl1rp]

Sara Bareilles - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

[Max Solo]

Cum on feel the noise - Quiet Riot

[THE_FORCE]

Only Love Can Break Your Heart ~ Saint Etienne
Mr. Tambourine Man ~ Con-Funk-Shun
Hey Jude ~ Wilson Pickett
Fall Again ~Glenn Lewis
The Shadow Of Your Smile ~ D Train

[traths]

The Tide is High-Blondie
I Think We're Alone Now-Tiffany

[Alister_M]

Diamonds & Rust and The Green Manalishi - Judas Priest

Mexican Radio - Celtic Frost

Marcus Garvey - 1814

Cocaine - Eric Clapton

Easy - Faith No More

[bunkaroo]

Any cover Type O Negative did:

Cinnamon Girl
Summer Breeze
Beatles Medley

[VictoryAtNight]

I Will Always Love You originally performed by Dolly Parton in 1974.

Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You - YouTube

Cover song by Whitney Houston in 1992.

[AnamorphicWidescreen]

First of all, I completely disagree that The Ataris' version of Boys of Summer is superior to Don Henley's original '80's version. As someone who grew up with Henley's version, I find that poignant & relatable - especially as I've gotten older; your mileage may vary, of course. However, this cover takes a slow/contemplative pseudo-ballad, & transforms it to an intentionally fast & hard rock-ish tune. This is fine, but the Ataris version completely changes the vibe/tone of the song.

That being said, I completely agree that some covers are better, notably:

Johnny Cash's cover of Hurt (Nine Inch Nails) - wow, what an incredible song. The original - while great - isn't as effective as conveying a sense of loss/regret nearly as much as Cash's version. Well-done!

Bobby Womack's 1968 cover of California Dreaming. I had previously been a fan of the Mamas and the Papas version, prior to hearing Womack's version in the film Fish Tank. Though I still like both versions - Womack's slower-paced version is much more poignant than the previous one:

Bobby Womack - California Dreaming - YouTube

For what it's worth, TM&TP' version of this son is not the original:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/California_Dreamin%27

Jimi Hendrix's cover of All along the Watchtower. I find this more memorable & superior to Dylan's original version.

[HotRats]

Donna Summer's cover of MacArthur Park
A dead heat between John Cale and KD Lang for the much covered Hallelujah
Mike Harding's cover of Dave Goulder's The January Man