Covers Better Than The Original

[JimK]

Since I have some time, Luther's "Superstar" deserves a link, too.


PS: not knocking Sonic Youth nor the Carpenters, I like all 3 versions.

The 4th version is the original...by Delaney and Bonnie (Song was called "Groupie". Title changed for obvious reasons).


Karen Carpenter's voice on their cover sez it all for me.
Props, too, to Joe Osborn.
The Vandross version is also great.

 

[JimK]

The Isley Brothers always did cool covers...pick one.
"Summer Breeze"
I love the original, too!

 

[JimK]

I will give the nod to Elvis Costello's cover of "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood".

Check out this one-

 

[DrummerwStrings]

^ Thx @JimK, I thought about the Robben Ford version, but I forgot to mention it once I started writing. This track made me want to find out more about him & his music.

 

[DrummerwStrings]

Uh oh. Now you gone and done it. Xmas opens a whole new world. OK, to get back on OP's intent, here is one cover that is better than the original. And it's a tall order since the original was performed by Julie Andrews, and is a classic. This dude is still performing.

+1. I keep this track on my phone year 'round

 

[Corbusier]

Love this version.

Best cover ever.

 

[James Collins]

Blue Monday covered by Orgy

Down with the Sickness covered by Richard Cheese

 

[DrummerwStrings]

Thought of another one - Art Tatum's Tiger Rag. When your peers call you "God", tho, it's not quite fair.

 

[DrummerwStrings]

This cover of "Stairway to Heaven" is far superior to the original.

Reminded me of Dread Zeppelin's version, here's a short clip:

 

[NMTB]

Country Roads - Toots & The Maytals

 

[DrummerwStrings]

Dare I say it? Listen to both before you look for some rotten fruit to throw:

Dread Zeppelin, When the Levee Breaks


Led Zeppelin's When the Levee Breaks

 

[bearhart74]

So what its a 4 year old thread...

 

[Lagado]

 

[Lagado]

 

[P_Robyn]

Covers better than the original? Anything by Eva Cassidy.

 

[Funky Ghost]

So what its a 4 year old thread...

Check this one out

I dig it too much.

 

[Lagado]

 

[Iridescentone]

Cool thread. I almost always like the original artist's versions much more than any covers. But, once in a while.....

The Beatles 1963 cover of The Miracles' "You've Really Got A Hold On Me".

The original was great, no doubt. Buy Lennon's voice and Beatles harmonies took the song to another level, so much emotion.

It could be argued (and has been) that Lennon's vocals were the biggest factor in Beatles phenom success, especially in the early days.

 

[Lagado]

 

[klaatu]

Not well known but they do interesting covers surf style.