Covers that are better than the original

[melchy]

Live version

 

[Janesy B]

 

[a1ex2001]

Minor Thread revival, but I think this is a classic example of a cover of a very popular original that is not only a reinvention but also an improvement. I know die hard Smiths fans will disagree, but your wrong

Origional

David Ford Cover

 

[manic111]

Just found a winner:

 

[BigDannyO]

I know WOTE have already been mentioned a couple of times, but for the purposes of this thread I nominate the following.

I am kind of obsessed with this woman, it's embarassing!

 

[Kreeeee]

I glad I stumbled across this thread. That dude's awesome!

 

[krooton]

Such a wicked voice!

 

[Sonea Fifer]

I know WOTE have already been mentioned a couple of times, but for the purposes of this thread I nominate the following.


Also - and I know it's the same tune but my question is in line with the thread title and this is another awesome cover that I feel is better than the original.

Is the lady in the following video Sasha Grey?

 

[JBod]

I wouldn't say this is "better" but I am loving the re-imagining / modernisation of such a classic track:

 

[Skunkworks]

Straight into the gym playlist

 

[robfosters]

I love this version of Like a Rolling Stone by Green Day

 

[Nitefly]

Stumbled across this recently. It's not better, but it totally changes the feel of the song. Brilliant.

 

[lee32uk]

Two of my Favourite cover versions

 

[hawkhench]

Another vote for NiN/Johnny Cash Hurt.

 

[Skunkworks]

The original is awful.

 

[jas72]

Wow great thread loads to listen to.

Rednecks - Cotton eye Joe. (original was Nina Simone)


And Bryan Ferry - Imagine (sorry John )

[will add tube vids later]

 

[Tibbz2]

Five Finger Death Punch - Bad Company

 

[TheSkateyBird]

Controversial shout, but any cover of a Depeche Mode song because no matter how good the song is, the Depeche Mode version bores me to tears.

Love Northern Kings, done some amazing covers:

 

[HangTime]

We've had this thread at least once before, but I'll make the same prediction that I made last time, in the form of a question:

How many people like a cover more than an original, where they heard the cover after being well familiar with the original? I ask, because the theory says that you always like the first version that you hear - or at least take any notice of.

In general you have a point but then to be fair in order to get 'well familiar' with an original, the chances are you must like it quite a bit to have listened to it enough times.

To tackle your theory about always liking the first version you hear, I think you could flip your question on it's head - how many people like an original more than a cover, where they heard the original after being well familiar with the cover? I prefer Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" to that by The Corrs, despite hearing it considerably later. I also prefer MJ's Smooth Criminal to Alien Ant Farm, even though I wasn't really familiar with it until later.

 

[potatolord]

Gin and Juice, originally by Snoop Dogg, but MUCH better like this: