Question - Instances when the cover song was better than the original?

[El Presidente]

This was a highly contested deck discussion. 

I couldn't think of one....and I certainly didn't agree with the others that were put up!

If you can think of one.....list them here...post up the you tube clips of both the original and the cover if you can. 

[dicko]

johnny cash "hurt" cover Nine inch nails comes to mind

[Buck14]

 

VERSUS

 

 

[JohnS]

If you would ask professional musicians, the overwhelming consensus would be that the greatest Cover Version of all time is Jimi Hendrix's version of Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower" from his Electric Ladyland Album in 1968. Hendrix's version is so synonymous with the popular acceptance of the song, that Dylan changed the original arrangement of his version when he performs it live years ago. (Edit: removed the videos because @Buck14 beat me to it! hehe)

Other notable examples of famous cover versions, that is, one's that usurp the popularity of the original include:

• Nirvana's Acoustic Cover of David Bowie's "The Man Who Sold The World"

• Sinead O'Connor's Cover of Prince's "Nothing Compares 2 U"

• Jeff Buckley's Cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah"

• Manfred Mann's Cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light"

• Gary Jules' Cover of Tears for Fears' "Mad World"

 

[Bartolomeo]

Signs by Tesla vs original band....

Somewhere Over The Rainbow by Iz Kamakawiwo'ole vs. original version

 

[Jeremy Festa]

 

 

[scap99]

Personally, I like the Faith No More version of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" better.

Also, I like the Wallflowers cover of Bowie's "Heroes."

@JohnS that Gary Jules cover of Mad World is amazing.

 

[MrGlass]

12 minutes ago, JohnS said:

Manfred Mann's Cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light"

This was the first thought that came to my mind.  The original is terrible.

 

[40 Palms]

Disturbed - "The Sound Of Silence"  Makes the original seem a bit dated.  And one would never know the range of David Draiman's voice on their other stuff.

Simon and Garfunkel

 

[hoyopr]

I've always felt these were pretty amazing performances and recordings that rivaled the original recordings.

 

[lostsoulcamero]

Smashing pumpkins landslide not better but just as good

[Joshtupps]

Not really a cover per say, but the way Bowie evolved "life on Mars?" over the span of his career.  It ended up a completely different work.  A sign of his true artistry and innovation.  Almost two years since he passed and I'm still trying to come to terms with it.

 

 

 

 

Although Patrick Stump's Live lounge cover was pretty impressive:

" I don't know where I'm going from here, but I promise it won't be boring."

 

[MIKA27]

31 minutes ago, 40 Palms said:

Disturbed - "The Sound Of Silence"  Makes the original seem a bit dated.  And one would never know the range of David Draiman's voice on their other stuff.

Simon and Garfunkel

 

You beat me to it, I was going to suggest the same!!!  +1

[KnightsAnole]

Perfect example is cocaine. Originally done by one of my all time favorite singer songwriters, JJ Cale and covered by Eric Clapton, who did it better, just a little...

You know the EC version, here is the original

 

[cigcars]

       * Well this - from a thousand moons ago - a flip side of one of Booker T and The MG's 45rpm vinyl - "Over Easy". That is one COOOOOOL  song! Y'all get on YouTube (because copying/downloading/bringing it, etc. is as beyond my scope and ability as constructing a mutual fund portfolio is for an ocean amoeba), and play that song by Mr. Booker T and his MG's - "Over Easy." I'll be you will find it a near Heavenly accompaniment for your cigar smoking enjoyment! 

[JC67]

New York groove Ace Frehley

someone please ad the vid, I'm in transit

[JC67]

6 minutes ago, JC67 said:

New York groove Ace Frehley

someone please ad the vid, I'm in transit

Stand by me. John Lennon 

throw your arms around me. Crowded house...(debatable)

[KnightsAnole]

And for a more current pick, Meghan Trainors’ diddy, ‘All about that bass’ is done with so much more style and pizzazz by Post Modern Jukebox

 

[mkz]

3 hours ago, scap99 said:

Personally, I like the Faith No More version of Black Sabbath's "War Pigs" better.

 

 

A more "beautiful" version is performed by Hellsongs:

 

 

[marty922]

 

** WARNING ** Metal covers inbound...  

Leo Moracchioli's version of Sia's "Elastic Heart"

or his version of Adele's "Hello".  I might be biased though  (39 million views on Youtube ) 

 

[99call]

This is a great thread, but the first thing that sprung to mind was the exact opposite. Someone who sprung to fame on the back of a song, when the original is hardly ever heard, and a millions times superior.

Harry Nilssons version is a lilting candy coated piece of commercial fluff.

Fred Neils version (who wrote it) is magical, and you can actually tell the authenticity of it.   Such a bloody shame not more people know his music

 

[luckme10]

 

 

[Fuzz]

The Drifters "On Brodway"

George Benson's version of "On Broadway"

 

[Fuzz]

Gloria Jones "Tainted Love"

 

Soft Cell's version of "Tainted Love"

 

[Fuzz]

Isley Brothers "Twist and Shout"

 

I'm sure that @JohnS agrees with me on this... The Beatles version of "Twist and Shout"