what’s a song cover that you think is better than the original?

Okay, Manfred Mann’s version of Blinded by the Light is not on my top 10 (or, even top 1000) list of favorite songs, but consistant with the OPs intent, it is infinitely better than Bruce Springstien’s original.

The Chantel’s version of the Ventures Pipeline

Joan Jett’s version of I Love Rock and Roll. Joan took the Arrow’s version and created a rock and roll classic.

The Blue Man Group’s version of the Who’s Baba O’Riley is really kick ass. And, yes, it helps to have a visual. Their version of I Feel Love is time well spent as well.

If you haven’t experienced Quicksilver Messenger Service’s version of Roy Rogers and Dale Evan’s version of Happy Trails, consider yourself fortunate.

Does Tomita’s version of Pictures at an Exhibition count?

Listen to any Linda Ronstadt album and you'll hear several.

@inscrutable , I especially like Bonnie's cover of McCuller & Lasly"s I Can't Make You Love Me.

Gordon Lightfoot: Me and Bobby McGee. So much better than Janis Joplin

K.D. Lang’s cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is superior to Cohen’s original and to all the other covers I’ve heard (and there are a lot of them). Her cover is on “Hymns of the 49th Parallel,” a terrific disc of her covers of other songs written by Canadians.

@jimcrane since you mentioned it, if you’ve not heard, check out the Canadian Tenors version … very different treatment from most and probably my favorite.

And can’t wait for the new doc to be more widely available.