# Cover songs that are better than the original **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [April 9, 2010, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505 "2010-04-09T08:50:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/brown_eyed_girl/32/3574_2.png) [@Brown\_Eyed\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Brown_Eyed_Girl)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/21 "2010-04-09T12:58:01Z")
Manfred Mann’s Blinded By the Light. Springsteen’s original was alright, but MM’s was better. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 1:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/22 "2010-04-09T13:09:08Z")
Wilson Pickett owns “Hey Jude.” ---
**Author:** ![Ichbin\_Dubist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/51bf81/32.png) [@Ichbin\_Dubist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ichbin_Dubist)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 1:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/23 "2010-04-09T13:16:15Z")
> [@Musky\_Moon](#): > > Also, while not better, Marah’s cover of Springsteen’s “Streets of Philadelphia” is spectacular…imagine a bluegrass version of what is a pretty haunting song. And Philly soul singer Bettye Lavette does an amazing version that goes in the opposite direction, even deeper and sadder. It’s [here](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dfx2f9db-BE) live. Santana’s “Black Magic Woman” is another tune that most people would think is the definitive version rather than the original (which is Fleetwood Mac). And any number of songs on Ray Charles’ _Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music_ kick the original’s butts. And while we’re picking on Dylan, try Sean Costello’s version of “Simple Twist of Fate.” None of the various live versions on You Tube do it for me, but if you put the name and title into Google, you can listen to the studio version on [La.com](http://La.com). ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 1:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/24 "2010-04-09T13:27:24Z")
> [@Caprese](#): > > (Often people don’t even know a song is a cover, such as Alien Ant Farm’s version of Michael Jackson’s Smooth Criminal.) What!? Although many people may not know that songs are a cover, I’m pretty sure almost everyone knew this one was! I love this thread, I actually collect cover versions, originals, etc. I’ll submit: Joan Jett - I Love Rock and Roll - originally by The Arrows Quiet Riot - Cum on Feel the Noize only slightly better than the original Slade version. James Taylor - You’ve got a Friend - I prefer JT to Carole King Great White - Once Bitten, Twice Shy - more rockin’ than Ian Hunter’s version. Rick Springfield - I’ve Done Everything for You - Sammy Hagar gave him this hit song. Goldfinger - 99 Luftballons - originally by Nena Technically not covers, but with his 1987 incarnation of Whitesnake David Coverdale re-recorded 2 of their own songs from their earlier 1982 album Saints & Sinners; “Cryin in the Rain” and the mega-hit “Here I Go Again”. Punk covers were all the rage about 10 years ago, and I am a huge fan of “supergroup” [Me First and the Gimme Gimmes](http://www.gimmegimmes.com/) who only write and perform covers from all eras. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/25 "2010-04-09T13:33:48Z")
> [@Sparky812](#): > > Punk covers were all the rage about 10 years ago, and I am a huge fan of “supergroup” [Me First and the Gimme Gimmes](http://www.gimmegimmes.com/) who only write and perform covers from all eras. _Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In_ - covered by dozens of punk bands, was originally written and performed by **Fleetwood Mac**.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 2:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/26 "2010-04-09T14:00:25Z")
Inez and Charlie Foxx wrote and recorded “Mockingbird.” James Taylor And Carly Simon did it the best. ---
**Author:** ![Snake\_Plissken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@Snake\_Plissken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snake_Plissken)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/27 "2010-04-09T15:46:12Z")
> [@moldmonkey](#): > > Cowboy Junkies version of Sweet Jane. I’ve heard that Lou Reed agrees. I could see how you would feel this way. I assume you are not talking about the version on Rock n Roll Animal. That one smokes. One of my favorite song intro’s ever. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/28 "2010-04-09T15:47:10Z")
Janis Joplin’s cover of _Me and Bobby McGee_ beats Kristoferson’s original. Joan Jett’s cover of _Crimson and Clover_ is good, but I dunno who did the original. ---
**Author:** ![Snake\_Plissken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@Snake\_Plissken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snake_Plissken)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 3:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/29 "2010-04-09T15:50:38Z")
> [@Seamack](#): > > Sonic Youth covered The Carpenters \*‘Superstar’ \*in an incredibly beautiful fashion. > The Clash’s version of Junior Murvin’s _Police and Thieves_ was an update that bettered the original. The Carpenters version is a cover. It was done first by Delany and Bonnie. I think Leon Russel wrote it. ---
**Author:** ![Snake\_Plissken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/41988e/32.png) [@Snake\_Plissken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snake_Plissken)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/30 "2010-04-09T15:53:39Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Wilson Pickett owns “Hey Jude.” I agree, thanks to Duane Allman. ---
**Author:** ![Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e47c2d/32.png) [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biffy_the_Elephant_Shrew)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 4:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/31 "2010-04-09T16:06:38Z")
> [@LiveOnAPlane](#): > > I loved Glenn Campbell’s version of “Gentle on My Mind” and still do, but when I heard Lucinda William’s version at the end of Talladega Nights, it just blew me away. These are both covers. The original is by John Hartford. Both Hartford’s and Campbells’ recordings of the song won Grammys in 1968. Ironically, Hartford also won a Grammy for for being the songwriter of the Glenn Gampbell record! ---
**Author:** ![ColonelDax](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/71e660/32.png) [@ColonelDax](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ColonelDax)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 4:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/32 "2010-04-09T16:14:39Z")
I like the Byrds just fine, but I have to say that Husker Du’s “Eight Miles High” is absolutely smoking. ---
**Author:** ![Rattlehead02](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rattlehead02/32/3944_2.png) [@Rattlehead02](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rattlehead02)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/33 "2010-04-09T16:29:42Z")
Megadeth’s version of Anarchy in the U.K., though that may not be fair as they made it a tight metal song instead of the “sloppy” song the Pistols likely intended. Conversely, Motley Crue’s cover of Anarchy may be the most embarrassing cover ever. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/34 "2010-04-09T16:32:01Z")
I came into the thread to mention the k.d. lang “Hallelujah” and there it was in the OP! Stole my thunder! Ok, how about David Cook’s version of “Billy Jean”? I like it way, way, way better than the original. ---
**Author:** ![NineToTheSky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5a626/32.png) [@NineToTheSky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NineToTheSky)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 4:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/35 "2010-04-09T16:34:18Z")
> [@Oakminster](#): > > Joan Jett’s cover of _Crimson and Clover_ is good, but I dunno who did the original. Tommy James and the Shondells. ---
**Author:** ![davey77](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/90ced4/32.png) [@davey77](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/davey77)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/36 "2010-04-09T16:46:36Z")
The New Morty Show is an awesome band from San Fransisco. Their covers of “Enter Sandman” and “Rebel Yell/White Wedding” are wonderful. ---
**Author:** ![MikeF](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@MikeF](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MikeF)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/37 "2010-04-09T18:12:11Z")
House of the Rising Sun - the true original artist is uncertain but the Animals made it famous. I think the Frijid Pink version is much better. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/38 "2010-04-09T18:17:17Z")
> [@MikeF](#): > > House of the Rising Sun - the true original artist is uncertain but the Animals made it famous. I think the Frijid Pink version is much better. Love that song, prefer the Animals version. Oddest semi-cover-but-not really version I’ve ever heard was The Five Blind Boys of Alabama (gospel group) singing the words of \*Amazing Grace \*to the tune of _House of the Rising Sun._ I like both songs…but not together like that. ---
**Author:** ![Sparky812](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/eb9ed0/32.png) [@Sparky812](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sparky812)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/39 "2010-04-09T18:19:10Z")
> [@GildedLily](#): > > Conversely, Motley Crue’s cover of Anarchy may be the most embarrassing cover ever. Ditto! ..but I love their cover of Helter Skelter! The Ramones cover of the Spiderman theme is another classic! ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2010, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505/40 "2010-04-09T18:27:36Z")
The original version of _Louie, Louie_ (by Richard Berry) is pretty lame. The one everyone knows is the cover by the Kingsmen. (And of course it’s been covered like 500 times since then, in every imaginable style). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cover-songs-that-are-better-than-the-original/535505.md?page=3)