What song covers have you heard that sounded better than the original?

Hallelujah by Jeff Beck is much better than the Leonard Cohen version. (Actually, almost anybody’s is—I like kd Lang’s version too.).

Not too many.This one is my all time favorite cover of Howlin’ Wolf’s Shake For Me
It is equal to the original IMO.

there are a bunch but heres what comes to the top of my head.

nirvana: where did you sleep last night, jesus dont want me for a sunbeam
the doors: backdoor man

Blind Guardian-Barbara Ann
This cover is superior than the cover in many ways such as the vocal range, riffs, and badassery.

I adore Kenny Rankin’s version of George Harrison’s “While My Guitar Gently Weeps.” It’s one of Rankin’s best. Sadly, he passed away last year.

C’mon…c’mon…c’mon…c’mon baby now! :¬)
Oh & this hits the spot too….

EDIT: I meant the original

Hotel California – Gipsy Kings

Twist and Shout by The Beatles (originally done by the Isly Brothers
Heard it Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye (originally done by Gladys Knight and the Pips)
I Will Survive by Cake
A Little Help from my Friends by Joe Cocker

I wouldn’t say it was better but Rod Stwarts version of Windy Town is as good as Chris Rea’s in my opinion.

I dont know that I’d call either of these better than the original, but they’re damn close in my opinion which means a lot considering what theyre covering.

Easy Star All Stars – money and when im sixy four

My 11 yr old threw out this version of Hey Joe by the Offspring. When I told him about Hendrix and let him listen he still prefers this version! XD

Hallelujah. I love Leonard Cohen. But not for his singing. Jeff Buckley knocked this one out of the park.

Oh, and I like Earth, Wind and Fire‘s version of The Beatles (really Paul’s though) Got To Get You Into My Life. They funked it up to my liking.

James Taylor’s version of Up on the Roof in 1979 is much better than the original version by The Drifters in 1962.

bad romance by smiles from the trenches

Oops. I meant Jeff Buckley.

revco’s do you think im sexy
nouvelle vague’s too drunk to fuck
sonic youth’s get into the groove

Johnny Cash (Originally Nine Inch Nails)
oops, here he is again
I think the second one is debatable though.

Oogie Boogie Song – Tiger Army
Town Meeting Song – Polyphonic Spree

I have to say:
Nine inch Nails’ cover of ‘Dead Souls’ by Joy Division
Bullet for my Valentine’s cover of ‘No Easy Way Out’ by Robert Tepper? (from rocky iv)
Class of ‘99 (Layne Staley) cover of “We don’t need no education’ by Pink Floyd
The Cure – purple haze – jimi hendrix
Disturbed – shout – tears for fears?
Disturbed – Land of Confusion – Genesis
Drowning Pool – Rebel Yell – Billy Idol
Fall Out Boy – Beat it – Michael Jackson
Fear Factory – School – Nirvana AND Cars – Gary Numan
Godsmack – Sweet Leaf – Black Sabbath
Josh Groban – My December (though very close) – Linkin Park
Lost Prophets – Cry me a River – Justin Timberlake
Metallica – Turn the page – Bob Seger
Obadiah Parker – heyya – OutKast
Rage Against the machine – How I could just kill a man – Cypress Hill

I could go on and on but I’m getting tired…..

Roy Orbison’s Crying as performed by kd Lang.

Money as performed by The Beatles.

You Raise me Up as performed by Celtic Woman.

The Indigo Girl’s cover of Romeo and Juliet

Jimi Hendrix’s cover of Bob Dylan’s, All Along the Watchtower.

The Corrs’ and Bono’s cover of When the Stars Go Blue.

Johnny Cash’s Personal Jesus (originally Depeche Mode)

Guns ‘n’ Roses’ Hair of the Dog (originally Nazareth – I don’t know if I’d say it’s better, but GNR did an awesome cover)

Social Distortion’s Under My Thumb – sorry, I could only find a live version, but it’s not bad – there’s also an F word in there if anyone cares. (originally The Rolling Stones)

Gary Jules did a better version of Mad World than Tears For Fears
Nancy Sinatra had the better version of Cher’s Bang Bang

There are a ba-jillion of them, seriously, but the first that came to my head was a cover of Linkin Park’s “What I’ve Done” that I heard on my Pandora station. I honestly don’t remember the name of the singer, but it’s softer, female vocals over piano music. Come to think of it, I think it’s her playing the piano, but I didn’t pay attention to her name. I don’t like Linkin Park’s sound whatsoever. I’m sure they’re very talented and I mean no disrespect, but I’ll stick my fingers in my ears and pull a Tommy Boy In Front of the Fan before I’ll sit through 10 seconds of one of their songs. Since I love love love the cover though, it’s not their music I don’t like as much as their sound.

OMG AND HOW COULD I FORGET!!!!! 311’s cover of The Cure’s “Lovesong.” Not to say The Cure didn’t do it phenomenally. But there’s just something about 311’s version, o god it’s so beautiful I could just cry and vomit and die all in one blissful second…know what I mean? When a song hits you so hard it damn near knocks the wind out of you, like, makes you nauseous and weak, but in the best way? Anybody?

@jetblondie

GA’s for your well-articulated enthusiasm and welcome to Fluther!

@jetblondie That was one of the most awesome descriptions of how something affected someone that I’ve ever heard. Now I absolutely have to go and listen to the song. Thanks : )

All Along The Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix
Starman by Culture Club
Across The Universe by Laibach
Song To The Siren by This Mortal Coil
The Final Countdown by Furillo

And an honourable mention goes to Pretty Vacant by The Deltones – not better than the original, but brilliant nonetheless

“Paint It Black” by Vanessa Carlton
“Teenage Dream” by the Glee Cast

@jetblondie I agree with you about the 311 cover. That one made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up!