Almost everything on Beat the Retreat, covers of Richard Thompson songs.
I’ll add some of my favorites when I get home tonight but let me say Joey Ramone’s What a Wonderful World.
Also, we’ll skip Me First and the Gimmie Gimmies because that’s just too easy.
Not a problem.
A couple more…
Alice Cooper and the Stray Cats both do good versions of Ubangi Stomp (Warren Smith original).
William Shatner’s Rocketman (Elton John original) will never be beaten.
“Sweet Dreams (are made of this)” by Marilyn Manson
“These Boots are Made for Walkin’” and “I Wanna Dance w/Somebody” by David Byrne.
“Blue Monday” by Orgy
“Word Up” by Korn
Faith No More’s cover of “War Pigs” blows away the original; sorry Sabbath fans.
Saul Williams did the impossible by making me enjoy U2 through his “Sunday, Bloody Sunday” cover.(amazing live btw)
Dynamite Hack does a great soft rock cover of NWA’s “Boyz in the Hood”
Nirvana did a wonderful cover of Bowie’s “Man Who Sold the World” on their Unplugged set.
Ben Folds Five covered Built to Spill’s “Twin Falls”. I only have a faint memory of the cover, which by all accounts seems to be well done; the original is a nice song.
Pearl Jam was one of seemingly a number of covers of “Last Kiss”, but it’s a cover none the less.
The utterly bizarre guitarist Buckethead ‘sung’(ala Frampton) on his guitar “Pure Imagination” from Charlie and the Chocolate factory. Quite pretty actually.
If you can find a bootleg copy(or my email 
) of The Nightwatchman (Tom Morello’s solo act) from Bonnaroo, he did an inspiring cover of Gauthrie’s “This Land is Your Land” with crowd participation.
The Foo Fighters have a kick ass cover of “Little Nikki”, despite Prince’s objections.
Finally, anything from Richard Cheese’s lounge or Weird Al’s accordion is always good for at least a smile.
Oh and let’s not forget Paul Anka’s “Rock Swings” album. The ENTIRE thing is brilliant, but I especially like “Eye of the Tiger” and “Wonderwall”.
I’m a big fan of covers that make the original sound dumb by comparison - probably as a direct result of my huge pet peeve against covers that sound exactly like the original. Seriously, if I wanted to hear a song that sounded exactly like another song… I’d just listen to the other song.
Anyway.
Here’s three of my favorite “My cover makes your original sound lame” songs
Stone Cold Crazy by Metallica (YouTube video)
How about Train Kept A-rollin written in 1951 by Tiny Bradshaw and covered by The Yardbirds, Led Zeppelin and Aerosmith?
Probably the only tribute album ever worth owning.
My personal favorite, which I always bring up in these threads, is Husker Du’s cover of “Eight Miles High”.
Save Ferris: “Come on Eileen” (orig by Dexys Midnight Runners)
One of the best covers ever!