covers that are better than the originals

OOOO! I forgot about that one! Nice!

I like both Aretha’s and Otis’ versions equally!

Granted, I’ve never heard Voivod’s version, but PF’s is one of my favorite songs of all time! :dubious:

I prefer Reel Big Fish’s cover of “Take on Me,” primarily for the single major change they make to the song: reversing the position of the half time drumming during the chorus. Whereas Aha’s original version had the drums slow to half time during the latter half of the chorus, RBF has the drums shift to half time during the first half, and switches back to normal time during the latter half. This gives more emphasis to the entrance of the chorus, and gives a feeling of built-up energy that the original version lacks.

Of course, I also have a general predilection for recorded instruments over synthesizers, which adds points to RBF’s version (gotta love that horn rendition of the song’s signature riff, and the metal-guitar Bumblebee Song during the bridge!).

Rage Against the Machine performing “Renegades of Funk” by Afrika Bambaataa.

-Apoptosis

CCR’s cover of “I Heard it on the Grapevine” is superb, way better than the anaemic original.

And of course Jimi’s “All Along the Watchtower” …

Oh man, Radioheads, Kid A was fucking great.
It was even better when John Mayer Covered it. Holy crap thats a cool version!

Somehow, I haven’t heard that one, but Soundgarden’s version of it also kicks copious ass.

Frank Zappa’s cover of Stairway to Heaven is much better than the original.

Jimi Hendrix’s cover of All Alonng the Watchtower is better than Bob Dylan’s.

Jefferson Airplane’s cover of High Flyin’ Bird.

Cake’s cover of Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps.

They Might Be Giants cover of the Fout Lads Istanbul, Not Constantinople.

Manfred Manns Earth Bands cover of Springsteens Blinded by the light.

Tori Amos’ cover of Tom Waits’ Time.

Anne-Sofie von Otter and Elvis Costello delicate blend of Tom Waits’ Broken bicycles ad McCartney’s Junk.

The Carpenters’ cover of Russells This masquerade.

And I forgot:

Peter Gabriels haunting version of Cohens Suzanne.

I don’t know the original, but this version is gorgeous.

You know, last time one of these threads came around, SmackFu said “it’s a new month, so we can have a new best cover songs thread.”

I’m starting to realize how true that is.

I have nothing useful to post here. But I had to take exception to this:

I love the Pixies, but them’s fightin’ words!

Apocalyptica’s instrumental covers of pretty much all of Metallica’s stuff deserves a mention or eight.

The original is great, but Tori’s version has that little bit extra.

I’ve always liked Ugly Kid Joe’s version of Cat’s In The Cradle better than Harry Chapin’s.

Naked Eyes’s “Always something there to remind me”
Sting’s “Little Wing” (I so dislike Hendrix, sorry)

Joe Cocker’s version of “The Letter” is just slightly better than the Box Tops’ version (though both are great). Cocker also did terrific covers of “Cry Me A River,” “Feelin’ Alright?”, “With a Little Help From My Friends,” “She Came in Through the Bathroom Window,” and “Delta Lady.”

The Bonzo Dog Band’s version of “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” and “The Sound of Music.” Even if you hate the songs (especially if you hate the songs), you’ll like these versions.

Lyle Lovett does an amazing version of “Stand by Your Man.”

Death Cab For Cutie’s Ben Gibbard does a great live version of Cyndi Lauper’s Girls Just Want To Have Fun. He slows it right down and it gives a completely new perspective to the song.

Wrong, wrong, wrong . . . are you people sick?

Nobody heard of “I will always love you” by Dolly Parton until The Bodyguard “covered” it and then that was all they played on the radio for a long time.