Friday Deck Discussion (FDD): Rock covers that are better than the original?

[KCCubano]

On 3/31/2026 at 7:00 AM, Lucas Buck said:

This is my all time favorite song. Imagine how good a cover would have to be to eclipse the original. I used to collect covers of White Rabbit on CD way back when. RIP the amazing frontman Warrel Dane. 

White Rabbit is a part my morning workout play list - A classic!

[Capn_Jackson]

@LizardGizmo and @joeypots took two of my top choices.

Hendrix’s version of Watchtower is so good, and was made so long ago, that people often forget it’s a Dylan song. I’ve had the fortune of hearing Dylan perform it live, but Jimi’s is still the better.

Then there’s “I’m Losing You”, one of my favorite tracks on my absolute favorite Rod Stewart album, such a fantastic cover! It helps cement that album, Every Picture Tells a Story, as one of my top three of all time.

Since both of those were taken, I’ll go the emotional route, and bring up “Hurt.” Trent Reznor (NIN) created a truly haunting piece of art, but Johnny Cash brought it to goosebump level. Doesn’t “hurt” its impact that Johnny Cash died three days after my mother’s untimely passing, and so I will always associate it with that. Both, great tracks! 

 

[Capn_Jackson]

This might be controversial, but I think this is one that was perfectly made for Metallica to cover, and I think theirs is superior: