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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
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,821 posts
 
limomangus, Laura was such a great writer. I actually prefer her original performances of her songs to those of others.
oblgny's avatar
oblgny
848 posts
 
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...
mcintoshfan17
2 posts
 
Anyone recall the great cover letter of the live version of the 59th Street Bridge Song ( Feelin Groovy) by Mike Bloomfield and Al Kooper?
the_treble_with_tribbles
43 posts
 
Ike and Tina Turner : Proud Mary

Has to be one of the best.

midwestjerry
4 posts
 
I wholeheartedly second OBLGNY's nomination of Joe Cocker's cover of "A Little Help From My Friends".  And, I'll bet, so does Ringo Starr.
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