Cover songs that are better than the originals.


There is an active thread about terrible cover songs so I thought I'd start one about cover songs that are better than or have completely eclipsed the originals. I'll start:

Randy Newman wrote Momma Told Me Not to Come for Eric Burdon who recored it with the Animals and Newman recorded it too. I have the Newman version and like it but Three Dog Night really seem to capture the mood of the song best in my opinion.
n80
Little Wing - Stevie Ray Vaughn
Live and let die - Guns N' Roses
+1 on Hurt by Jonny Cash
Dave Matthews (Live in Central Park)--All along the Watch Tower

Ricki Lee Jones-- Rebel Rebel (although my wife disagrees with me)

Voodoo Chile (Slight Return)-- Stevie Ray Vaughan.  Jimi was on the right track, but SRV made it what it is.

+1 on Johnny Cash/Hurt

Frank Zappa / Whippin’ Post
Eva Cassidy / Fields of Gold
SRV / Voodoo Chile
Earth Wind & Fire / Gotta get you into my Life
and my favorite...
Roberta Flack / Bridge Over Troubled Water

Do find the last one and check it out. Perfection (at least to me).