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

also, beatles anna,you really got a hold on me

bumble bee -searchers

sha la la Manfred mann

tobacco road-Nashville teens

Manfred Mann were a great group, rarely mentioned anymore. Paul Jones was one of the very best singers of the British Invasion (on a par with Van Morrison and Steve Winwood), and the musicians had Jazz influences in their playing styles, unusual at that time.
Martin Carthy (one of Steeleye Span original members) did a acoustic cover of The BeeGees "New York Minining Disaster".  He makes it sound like an old English folk song. Brilliant.