Covers of popular songs that you have liked more than the original version.

**seatrain** · 02-23-2022

This thread may be controversial, but here goes.
Some songs that come to my mind when i think of covers that i have enjoyed more than the original version include, Spooky Tooths 1970 version of I Am The Walrus, Another cover is Tempests 1974 version of Paper back Writer, Another cover is Geordies 1974 version of House of The Rising Sun, and last but not least is Slades 1972 version of Move Over. On a separate note John Lees of Barclay James Harvest did a tribute song for John Lennon in 1990 Called John Lennons Guitar, which has always knocked me out.

**JKL2000** · 02-23-2022

Several songs Marillion has covered, where I had never heard or I disliked the original:

Didn’t Know:
Radiohead - Fake Plastic Trees
Keane - Bedshaped

Didn’t like:
A couple of Abba songs
Brittney Spears - Toxic (don’t care for Marillion’s version much either)
A song or two by The Move

**everyday** · 02-23-2022

The Stranglers version of Walk On By is a classic.

**Rajaz** · 02-23-2022

Blinded by the Light by Manfred Mann's Earthband is IMHO far better that Springsteen's original, not to say Yes' America also exceeds Paul Simon's original hands down.

**Derk** · 02-23-2022

Manfred Mann’s Earthband cover of Springsteens For you is also better than the original.

Steve Howe’s version of Dylan’s Sad eyed lady of the lowlands, with Jon Anderson doing the vocals is sublime and much better than the original.

**Fracktured** · 02-23-2022

Cactus - Long Tall Sally
Nazareth - This Flight Tonight

There was a long going thread about this awhile ago.

**Bytor** · 02-23-2022

All the Bob Dylan covers done by The Nice

**clivey** · 02-23-2022

Walk on by.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walk_On_By_(song)

I genuinely think "The Stranglers" took this number way further along the road. It's a fantastic song as most of his were.

**dlm** · 02-23-2022

Most covers of Bob Dylan songs.

**thedunno** · 02-23-2022

Kate Bush - Rocket man

**gpeccary** · 02-23-2022

ANY song covered by Richie Havens!

**moecurlythanu** · 02-23-2022

Originally Posted by Derk

Manfred Mann’s Earthband cover of Springsteens For you is also better than the original.

And Greg Kihn's version is better than both of them.

**Zeuhlmate** · 02-23-2022

At last I am free (Chic) with Wyatt and with Elisabeth Fraser.

**SunRunner2** · 02-23-2022

Anything covered by anyone relative to Springsteens songs is better than his original, in my opinion. This includes:

Manfred Manns covers of "Blinded By The Light", "Spirits In The Night" and "For You" (two of these were already mentioned, above)

Patti Smith Group & 10,000 Maniacs covers of "Because The Night"

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band cover of "Cadillac Ranch"

The Pointer Sisters and Robert Gordon covers of "Fire"

The Greg Kiln Band cover of "Rendezvous"

And so on and so forth. When he stop's writing songs and performing them first, it will end.

**Dave (in MA)** · 02-23-2022

Nobody knows who wrote House of the Rising Sun, so they're all covers.

**adap2it** · 02-23-2022

I love Yes's version of AMERICA.

**Dave (in MA)** · 02-23-2022

Not sure I necessarily like it better, but it takes it to another level.

**Progatron** · 02-23-2022

I don't know if China Girl counts since Bowie co-wrote it, but I much prefer his later version to Iggy Pop's original.

**Progatron** · 02-23-2022

**Bake 2** · 02-23-2022

Some that jump out w/ out digging around
All Along The Watchtower-Hendrix
Detroit Rock City-Alex Skolnick Trio
Melvins-Goin' Blind
Ram Jam-Black Betty

**docjim** · 02-23-2022

Just about every hit Joe Cocker ever had...

**flowerking** · 02-23-2022

Originally Posted by Rajaz

Blinded by the Light by Manfred Mann's Earthband is IMHO far better that Springsteen's original, not to say Yes' America also exceeds Paul Simon's original hands down.

Good picks. I'd add Manfred Mann's live version of Quinn the Eskimo over Bob Dylan's (although I think you could pick just about any remake of a Dylan song). I'll throw in the Carpenters remake of the Beatles Ticket to Ride, Deep Purple's version of Kentucky Woman over Neil Diamond's, Grand Funk Railroad's version of Gimme Shelter over the Stones and Stewart Gaskin's version of Eight Miles High over the Byrds.