Which cover songs do you like better than the original?

Question

KostasKouvalis · Accepted Answer

I wrote like three MyTakes about this on my old account. I have since learned of new songs that I didn't know were cover songs. There are a lot actually that are better than their originals, but I think I can only post up to five on here, so here we go...

Apparently this was a Gary Glitter song, but there's no contest and this is the version everyone knows

https://www.youtube.com/embed/QkkoqvLZOfQ

Something a little bit more obscure. This song was originally recorded by an obscure American Blues Rock band called Crow

https://www.youtube.com/embed/IE8lXuSDVNU

Now this next one, I've always loved the Stones version, but after I found the Spanish version I just haven't been able to like the original as much

https://www.youtube.com/embed/xmh9CODFci4

Now for something a little more modern. There are probably many young people who still have no clue that this is a cover song. I only found out because I was watching VH1 and the original Genesis music video for this song came on and I was like, "What the fuck?" The versions aren't that much different, but Disturbed's is much heaver and has the extra "Ah ah ah" and I honestly think it sounds better as metal song

https://www.youtube.com/embed/YV4oYkIeGJc

And lastly, probably the only time I liked a "Country" version of a song better than a rock version. I don't know, the Johnny Cash version just sounds like what I think it's SUPPOSED to sound, and knowing that he recorded this not long before his death makes it even more powerful. I only listened to the original once, and it simply did not live up.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/8AHCfZTRGiI

If you have time, you should listen to the originals for comparisson

WindAtMyBack · Accepted Answer

This is a mix from chill to rockin'.

Sea of Love
Originally by Phil Phillips
Covered by many people. This one is Iggy Pop.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/8VOi2GYtw1Y

Darkness Darkness
Originally by Jessie Colin Young
This one by Robert Plant
This is a close call which is better.

https://www.youtube.com/embed/3qd_rEYSyWY

Magnolia Wind
Originally by Guy Clark
This one by John Prine and Emmylou Harris

https://www.youtube.com/embed/euyljLHyOlw

All Shook Up
First recorded by Elvis
This by Billy Joel

https://www.youtube.com/embed/IsktHpH5QGk

Red Red Wine
Originally by Neil Diamond
This by UB-40

https://www.youtube.com/embed/zXt56MB-3vc

Time Has Come Today
Originally by The Chamber Brothers
This by the Ramones

https://www.youtube.com/embed/C2WYLSXJVpI

The Pusher
Originally by Hoyt Axton
This by Steppenwolf

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Zv6PY1BQLBE

Maggot Brain
Originally by Funkadelic
This by Praxis (Bucket Head)

https://www.youtube.com/embed/OinI2w3Wg3o

Cortez the Killer
Orignally by Neil Yong
This by Dave Matthews with Warren Haynes

https://www.youtube.com/embed/lYrD2SthaMU

Stand By Me
Originally by Ben E King
This by John Lennon

https://www.youtube.com/embed/4RdATJ_6870

Daniela1982 · Accepted Answer

I like Wham's "Last Christmas" way better than Taylor Swift's. She even copied their style.

RageBabe · Accepted Answer

Nouvelle Vague has covered a lot of songs, and I always end up liking their renditions more; here is one of my favourites.

Cinematic Lily · Accepted Answer

There are a few cover songs that I actually prefer over the originals! One example is "Hurt" performed by Johnny Cash, which has such a raw and emotional depth compared to Nine Inch Nails' version. Another one is Jeff Buckley's cover of Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah," with its hauntingly beautiful rendition. Also, I love Whitney Houston's cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," which remains iconic in its own right. 🎶✨

CrimsonAngel09 · Answer

311 Love Song. Not a fan of the original version by The Cure.

NathanDavis · Answer

there's a whole ton... but I will only post a few that I remember right off the bat... Nine Inch Nails Foo Fighters Alanis... The Smiths Metallica Bowie...

Kaneki05 · Answer

Typically I have no clue the song is a cover. So there would be a lot songs I couldn't mention without looking into it all.
I listen to those I like and if they do cover it's not likely I even know the original.
Like I never knew Disturbed - Land of confusion was or In This Moment - In The Air Tonight and many others songs I have yet to realize as such.

The only time I know it's a cover is when it's from someone who primarily makes covers in the first place like Halocene and Ai Mori. And they are always better.
And that would create a long list. Also again they do songs that are covers to songs I've never heard of the original nor care.

Still-alive · Answer

not sure i like it 'better' but its about on par with the original but 311's cover of Love Song by the Cure was a favorite of mine

LiamJHayden · Answer

Jimi Hendrix: "Hey Joe" (original by The Leaves) and "All Along the Watchtower" (Dylan)

Phil Keaggy: "When Will I Ever Learn to Live in God" (Van Morrison)

Santana: "Winning" (Russ Ballard)

Rainbow: "Since You Been Gone" (Russ Ballard)

Fanny: "Ain't That Peculiar" (Marvin Gaye)

Runaways: "Rock and Roll" (Velvet Underground)

That's it for now. I could probably write a book on this.

FoxnEagle · Answer

Halestorm - Bad Romance
Wind Rose - Diggy Diggy Hole
Nancy Sinatra - Baby Shot Me Down

The three I thought of the fastest

Bonus song:
Phil Ochs - The Bells
A poem by Edgar Allen Poe turned into a song; cover-ish, right?

Abbycado · Answer

That one. My dad actually showed me the two or I wouldn’t have known it existed.

DryGermanGuy · Answer

Joan Jett - I love Rock 'n Roll

slatyb · Answer

Some Dylan covers: Diana Krall, "Simple Twist of Fate" Ziggy Marley, "Blowin' in the Wind" Ximena Surinana, "I Want You" Miley Cyrus, "You're Gonna Make Me Lonesome When You Go"

DJB72 · Answer

Hard to know whose version of some of the classics was the original.

Unchained Melody has been recorded by dozens of artists

I did enjoy Geoff Castellucci's version of "Country Roads" more than John Denver's

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Nik1hil · Answer

I cannot explain, it's the intro, the way she braids or the way she puts in her sweater..  The way she speaks before singing starts is Legendary and then she sang very well

exitseven · Answer

There was a group called the Crystal Mansion that did a cover of James Taylor's Carolina in My Mind/ , It was sort of one of my go to songs back in the day. I liked the way the instrumentals sort of mix with the lyrics.

Intheclouds00 · Answer

Blinded By the Ligh by Bruce Springsteen covered by Manfred Mann's Rare Earth Band

bowenw · Answer

Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You

Nikki1989 · Answer

All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix.

CupcakeTheDestroyer · Answer

Lorde’s cover of “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” was such a great version

Babygirl_S · Answer

Since I’m attracted to guys, I like this one more

mrkdvsn · Answer

So far, the best sounding cover band I've EVER heard is "Leonid & Friends". They cover slews of songs by Chicago, and EW&F, and they LITERALLY sound better than these original bands

PeterLegg91 · Answer

I like Elvis presleys version of yesterday more than the beatles re-state//background_color_rgba (0, 0, 0, 0), font_color_rgb (77, 77, 77), justifyLeft

Sonorous · Answer

this

msc545 · Answer

There is a cover of "Meet Me in the Woods" that I almost like better than the original by Lord Huron.

Ironic_Method · Answer

Pearl Jam's Last Kiss, MM's Coma White, anything that Disturbed has done.

jjj101010 · Answer

Greatest love of all & I will always love you - Whitney Houston  can’t hurry love - Phil colins Valerie - Amy winehouse

goaded · Answer

Pretty much any that I heard first! For example "I think we're alone now" is Tiffany's! The original was just as good.

Unit1 · Answer

This one

ihateTaylorSwift · Answer

wicked game stone sour man who sold the world Nirvana  white Christmas  beach boys

Jay-_- · Answer

As the world caves in by Sarah Cothran she claimed that song. re-state//background_color_rgba (0, 0, 0, 0), font_color_rgb (77, 77, 77), justifyLeft

Noodle_fan · Answer

Steven thoen - bohemian rhapsody

polodude2013 · Answer

Sound of silence by disturbed. Originally by Simon and garfunklere-state//background_color_rgba (0, 0, 0, 0), font_color_rgb (77, 77, 77), justifyLeft

Slim57 · Answer

Hurt- Johnny Cash, I think we're alone now - Tiffany, The sound of silence - disturbed re-state//background_color_rgba (0, 0, 0, 0), font_color_rgb (77, 77, 77), justifyLeft

Anonymous · Answer

Baby Shark, as performed by ME! I done did it sooooo much better than the original, but only a select few will ever have the pleasure of hearing me perform it. :D

alicedunrst · Answer

no what do you mean what what the fuck do you mean

SweetDripp · Answer

Sound of Silence covered by Disturbed

ClassicDropout · Answer

Fame on Fire's cover if God's Plan

TheStaleMarshmellow · Answer

Radioactive- Bullet For My Valentine

Darkest-Knight · Answer

Stevie Ray Vaughn - The Sky Is Crying

luka20 · Answer

Disturb- Sound of silence

eagle1951 · Answer

hmmm Dolly

Which cover songs do you like better than the original?

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