Cover songs that are better than the original

Cafe Society
121

I much prefer The Sundays’ cover of Wild Horses over the Rolling Stones’ original.

-DF

122

I like a lot of covers, but this version of Outkast’s Hey Ya is a recent fave.

123

Much prefer Joan Baez version of “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” over The Band’s.

124

As a bluegrass fan, I prefer Jim and Jesse’s cover of “Paradise” to the John Prine original:

Paradise (Muhlenberg County) - Jim and Jesse (cover)Paradise (Muhlenberg County) - John Prine (original - song starts at 2:15)

125

Have y’all heard this version of I Will Survive by Cake?

126

The Carpenters’ Ticket To Ride

127

I like the 10,000 Maniacs version, but to me, no one sings this song like

Patti Smith

128

I totally agree with you about Wild Horses. First time I heard it was on an episode of “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”. The lead singer for The Sundays has such a sweet voice and really makes this song beautiful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9lEd5bIbbQ

129

Little Wing as well

130

I like them all but Rufus Wainwrights is my favorite.

Hallelujah

131

Greg Scott covering ‘Ashokan Farewell’ written by Jay Unger.

Ashokan Farewell

132

I haven’t heard that one, but I really like Charlotte Martin’s version.

133

IMHO, you can’t touch this: :wink:

Cool thread- lots of things I want to check out! :cool:

A couple people mentioned Little Wing; I really like Stevie Ray Vaughan’s version as well, but here’s another different version I like, by the Corrs:

I also like Peter Frampton’s instrumental version of Black Hole Sun:

Speaking of Springsteen, I really like Johnny Cash’s versions of his Highway Patrolman and especially Further On (Up the Road):

Also, I loved Eddie Vedder’s cover of My City of Ruins:

I gotta agree with those who say that Hendrix’s version of All Along the Watchtower is best, and I’d also add Like a Rolling Stone to the list.
As for Hallelujah, I think the version Justin Timberlake did for the Haiti telethon was lovely, and I’m not a fan of his in general.

134

Have to concur on

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

  2. Stevie Ray Vaughan’s cover of Hendrix’s Little Wing
    And on the topic of covers that people don’t know are covers, how about Soft Cell’s version of Tainted Love? It was originally written by Ed Cobb and recorded by Gloria Jones way back in 1964.

135

I’ll go with the soundtrack version.

136

Jimi Hendrix’ version of ‘Like a Rolling Stone’ beats Dylan’s original. No competition. :smiley:

137

I’ll nominate Vonda Shephard’s version of same.

Also her cover of Dusty Springfield’s “I Only Want to Be with You”

Also (mutters of sacrilege aside) her cover of Roy Orbison’s “Crying”.

138

Speaking of Springsteen, I really like Johnny Cash’s versions of his Highway Patrolman and especially Further On (Up the Road):
Bruce is smoking hot in this video singing Fire. Hose me down someone… :cool:

Fire

139

Townes Van Zandt was a great songwriter, but just like Bob Dylan, he couldn’t sing for shit. Compare his version of Pancho and Lefty with the cover version by Willie Nelson and Merle Haggard. Notice that they had Townes in the video; he shows up in several places, most notably as the guitar player at the end.

140

I also saw her do a version of “China Doll” that kicked ass over the late Jerry Garcia’s version (I’m not opposed to Jerry’s version; but it was great to hear it sung with a melody and notes and everything).

Though it was when she was performing with the remaining members of the Grateful Dead, so I’m not sure it completely qualifies as a ‘cover’.