Cover Songs that are better than the Original


Eva Cassidy - Fields of Gold
Eva Cassidy - Over the Rainbow
Eva Cassidy - True Colors
Eva Cassidy - Time after Time
Eva Cassidy - Autumn Leaves
Johnny Cash - Hurt
The Who- Rush cover - The Seeker
Rush cover -The Pass  Fleesh Version

klimt

"A Song For You" by The Continental Drifters imo bests the fine original recording by Gram Parsons. The Drifters was an L.A. Super Group consisting of Susan Cowsill, Vicki Peterson (The Bangles), Peter Holsapple (The dB’s), Mark Walton (The Dream Syndicate), Gary Eaton, and a fantastic drummer/singer named Carlo Nuccio (he’s on Tori Amos’ first album).

"Shakin’ All Over" in a killer/definitive version by The (pre-Burton Cummings) Guess Who (1960 original by UK band Johnny Kidd & The Pirates, which in comparison sounds quite tame). The tension & release and kinetic energy The Guess Who create in their recoding of this song is absolutely incredible! Vastly superior imo to the bombastic, hoary version by The Who on Live At Leeds. Their version is all release.

Bjork: The Boho Dance
Judy Collins: Chelsea Morning
Sinead O’Connor: The Foggy Dew (with The Chieftans)
I saw this before hearing the original, and maybe that’s why I can’t stand the original. But I do like this one! (Not a “serious” musical reference, but kind of fun.)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=P9mybTArlsk
Thanks Rockrider. totally cool cover. BTW, the original is one of the best recordings of a rock n roll song, full stop. Although I'm a vinyl guy, the digital recording by Gotye and most of that album has it all and is mesmerizing.