Cover versions that are better than the originals....

JezWynd

Sophie Zelmani's version of Dylan's Most Of The Time.

Flink_Poyd

Grangousier

EricTheWeary said:

I'd nominate Robert Wyatt's version of Shipbuilding ( my memory of this prompted by his OGWT performance which someone posted on here the other day). But, yes, tends to be familiarity really and that's hard for your head to get past. 

Replying a bit late, but... Wyatt's version is the original - the song was written for him to sing. Costello's version is the cover, if anything. 

EricTheWeary

Grangousier said:

EricTheWeary said:

I'd nominate Robert Wyatt's version of Shipbuilding ( my memory of this prompted by his OGWT performance which someone posted on here the other day). But, yes, tends to be familiarity really and that's hard for your head to get past. 

Replying a bit late, but... Wyatt's version is the original - the song was written for him to sing. Costello's version is the cover, if anything. 

Ahh, okay, I never knew that. 

gilby

Always liked this although probably more so for the idea of it

slacker

Both the Beatles and flying lizards versions of money that's what I want are subjectively better than the Motown original.as are fatboys and Hannah Grace,s versions of praise you.

Also my preferred versions are the damned eloise and blondies Denise Denise.

Also because I really don't like sir Paul much, the vastly better live and let die by guns and roses.

proggy

I know it has already been mentioned, but Sinead O'Connor's version of Nothing Compares To You.

The Prince version is really unbelievably bad.

ICBM

slacker said:

Also because I really don't like sir Paul much, the vastly better live and let die by guns and roses.

Now you really have gone too far .

robinbowes

KKJale said:

Tough to cover the Stones, but always adored this...

You know she co-sang on the original, right?

DarnWeight

Husker Du's version of Eight Miles High

Whitecat

olafgarten

To be honest most Dylan covers are better than the original.

Especially when they are taken in a new direction like The White Stripes version of One More Cup Of Coffee.

Rocker

Smokie covered a lot of other artists songs, most of their cover versions are better and more interesting to listen to than the originals.

Blueingreen

JezWynd said:

Sophie Zelmani's version of Dylan's Most Of The Time.

  It's all subjective but I disagree with this.  There are loads of Dylan covers that are better than the original (All Along the Watchtower and Mr Tambourine Man for starters) but his version of Most of the Time is  pretty much unimprovable.  I wish he'd done more of this kind of thing where proper attention was paid to the sound of the record instead of just the quality of the song.  Wonderful job by Daniel Lanois.

The Zelmani version is very tastefully sung, lovely voice and all that but it's in thrall to the original in terms of the arrangement and sound.  Which makes me think "so it should be", but it doesn't really make for an interestingly different version.  Besides, Dylan's interpretation of the lyric is much better - crushed beneath the surface defiance, whereas she's just crushed.

thomasw88

99 red balloons by goldfinger. 

Teetonetal

I watched Joan as Policewoman do a wonderful version of Prince's kiss last night.

hywelg

Stevie Ray's version of Little Wing knocks Jimi's into a cocked hat. Brings a tear to my eye whenever I listen to it.

telecasterking

Nights in White Satin by The Dickies

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aLpwtaLDw8

ICBM

telecasterking said:

Nights in White Satin by The Dickies

That's really good - shows how much the arrangement matters almost as much as the song.

It also slightly reminds me of this for some reason...

thecolourbox

I'm surprised nobody has gone for this but I find Led Zeppelin's songs are generally better then the originals

But on a more specific level I'll go for:
The Doors - Alabama Song 
The Streets - Your Song

Edit, forgot Nancy Sinatra - Bang Bang!