Song covers that are better than the originals

There are several outstanding covered songs on santana's new disc Guitar Classics: Can't You Hear Me Knocking, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Bang a Gong are a couple...

Also, Annie Lennox has a disc of covers, Medusa, with some good ones: Take Me To The River, Whiter Shade of Pale

And, I stumbled upon a disc of dance club remixes, What Is Hip, The Remix Project that, if ya like techno treatments of old classics is awesome: Dream Weaver, Ventura Hiway, Summer Breeze

I would not say all the above are bettr than the original, but they are well recorded, and listenable...

Great thread, even if a repeat.

Two criteria for an inspired cover:

1. Inspired choice: Something not obvious, either regards the cut or the match of band and music. Makes you say -- "wow, I hadn't thought of that cut in a while," or "crazy, *they're* doing *that*?"

2. Proximity of performance: neither too close nor too far. Should invoke the spirit of the original, but not parrot it.

Crooked Still, doing the Stone's "You Got the Silver"

Cowboy Junkies doing R. Johnson's "Driving Wheel"

John

Adding one more:

Medeski, Martin and Wood, doing Hendrix's "Hey Joe"

John

"You Keep Me Hanging On"- Vanilla Fudge

"A Hillbilly Tribute to Mountain Love" by Hayseed Dixie.
Ever think that what was missing from "Walk This Way" was a little jews harp and fiddle? "Fat Bottom Girls" really needed a some hot mandolin licks? Do you like to drink?
If you answered yes to any of these questions you might like this cd. Or love their live show.