Covers that are better than the originals

Lots of Dylan covers are better than the originals IMHO.  Same goes for some older Americana standards (Hank Williams, Robert Johnson) and even some Stones and Kinks remakes.

Here's a few favorites (you might need some Visine for Spirit's Dylan redeux): 

The original is legendary but Randy California recorded the best cover I've ever heard.

Manfed Mann's Earth Band doing Mike Heron's 'Don't Kill it Carol':

The Greek band WIll-o-the Wisp doing Eden Ahbez's often-covered "Nature Boy" (they covered this twice, once with male vocals and once with female):

David Eugene Edwards of Wovenhand doing Bill Withers' "Ain't no Sunshine":

And my favorite cover ever - Jason & the Scorchers doing Hank Williams' "Lost Highway" (yee haw!):

don't know about better, but there have been some very cool covers; the Pretenders did a sweet version of Hendrix's 'Room Full of Mirrors' in the 80s, and I always liked what Eddie did with 'You Really Got Me', and of course Yes' Every Little Thing--  there've also been some cringers like Sting's 'Little Wing' or Sinatra's 'Something'

I find way better Lazuli's version of Capitaine Coeur de Miel  than the original... and on the metal side of the force, Therion is a band that really stands out for the quality of their covers

daslaf wrote: I find way better Lazuli's version of Capitaine Coeur de Miel  than the original... and on the metal side of the force, Therion is a band that really stands out for the quality of their covers

Hell yeah...

My favorite country song:







I like Glass Hammer's version of "South Side of the Sky" better than the original.

Atavachron wrote: don't know about better, but there have been some very cool covers; the Pretenders did a sweet version of Hendrix's 'Room Full of Mirrors' in the 80s, and I always liked what Eddie did with 'You Really Got Me', and of course Yes' Every Little Thing--  there've also been some cringers like Sting's 'Little Wing' or Sinatra's 'Something'

I always like Chrissie Hynde's cover of "I Got You Babe" with UB40.  Way better than the original - Cher couldn't lick Chrissie Hynde's boots (although she'd probably like to):

Speaking of UB40, they did a lot of great covers too.  "Red Red Wine" (Neil Diamond), "Many Rivers to Cross" (Jimmy Cliff), "Breakfast in Bed" (Dusty Springfield), "(I Can't Help) Falling in Love With You" (Elvis)...