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
The one the only late great Ms.Laura Nryo .Was a great song writer and performer.Wedding Bell Blues-5th.Dimenson ,Stoney End -Barbara Streisand,And When I Die-Blood,Sweat and Tears ,Eli Coming-Three Dog Night ,Stoned Soul Picnic -5th Dimension ,its Gonna take a Miracle -Royalettes -Dennis Williams ,Save the Country-5th Dimension .All I can say is Wow.She recorded released all the songs on her own.
limomangus, Laura was such a great writer. I actually prefer her original performances of her songs to those of others.
Really?  No mention of Joe Cocker turning “A Little Help From My Friends” over under sideways down and then inside out at Woodstock?  Sheesh!  Hard to believe it’s the same song and it continues to give me goosebumps every time I listen to it. Absolutely OWNED it. 

So far as “Respect” by Otis Redding goes I’ll give the nod to Aretha but both versions are damn fine in every...respect.  Aretha pretty much OWNED it as well but when ya listen to Otis - anything by him - you can’t help but...well, same goes for Aretha.  Truly incredible artists.  

Fun thread...
Anyone recall the great cover letter of the live version of the 59th Street Bridge Song ( Feelin Groovy) by Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper?