Song covers that are better than the originals

I thought it would be fun if we all shared our thoughts about which famous song covers that you think are better than the song's original rendition/ performance. I'll start off:

"Girls Just Want To Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper

Not many people realize this, but Cyndi Lauper didn't write this song. The song was originally written and performed by Robert Hazard in 1979. It has a punkish vibe. The song is written from the male perspective about a teenage boy whose parents are bothering him about why he isn't dating.



In 1983 Cyndi Lauper released her version of it, made it more poppy, and turned it into a feminist anthem of independence and rejecting parental expectations. The accompanying music video won a Grammy for sass I believe. I like this version so much better. It has a much more richer texture, a more appealing beat, and it's not rushed like Robert Hazard's version.

 

Oh wow I didn't know that about Van Halen. Been a fan of them since I was kid. Van Halen can make anything sound better I think with their distinctive style haha.

Wow did not know that about both songs. Never liked "Stacy's Mom" in any performance, didn't know Bowling for Soup covered it. Who originally performed 1985?

Oh boy this is tough one for me. I love both versions. I absolutely adore Simon and Garfunkel and there is a feeling of loyalty there to say their version is the best... but I have to agree the Disturbed version has better atmosphere.

I personally prefer David Bowie's version . I like the different effects he uses on his voices it adds a layer of richness that I enjoy. But Nirvana's cover is definitely good, like everything they sung haha. I think it's just that while I do like some Nirvana songs, I've always been a bigger fan of Bowie and I prefer his style.

Oh I love Cash's cover of Hurt!

This is a good song. I like it. Never heard it before. Who sung the original?

And yeah I understand that. Sometimes it's hard to chose when you love both versions dearly. I love NENA's 99 Luftballons but I think I like Goldfinger's cover slightly better.

 

Here's another one of mine:

"Somewhere Over The Rainbow"- by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole



I love Big IZ! His songs make me so happy! And his version of "Somewhere Over The Rainbow" is one of my favorites. And all he needed was a catchy chord progression on his uke and his rich, sweet voice. I like the story behind this recording too: this song was recording in one take at 3 am at a recording studio after a tough day of working with a bunch of teenage girls who couldn't sing and trying to make them sound good. After that the person who recorded the song was exhausted and just wanted to go home but agreed to record Iz sing this before leaving. Iz sat down, sung this and it was all done in one take. After he was done the recording artist said something along the lines of "Now that's real music."

The original, of course, was sung by Judy Garland in the Wizard of Oz. Her version has a longing to it which is absent in Iz's version. I don't really like it but it fits the story in the movie of course. I feel that Judy Garlands's "somewhere" is distant, far away, while Iz's "somewhere" is right here and now, if you just stop to see it. That's why I like Iz's version more, it's more happy and optimistic.

 

Oh that's a classic. I like John Mayer's voice better than Tom Petty's. He makes it sound somehow more Americana.

Ah, should of known that! Guess I don't know Bruce Springsteen's library as well as I thought.

Yeah I prefer the Nirvana version too. But then again while I like the blues I need my blues songs to have a fast beat, I don't care for slow blues songs much.

Wow didn't know that. Thought this song was always popular. I like the Pentatonix cover of this song.

Yes the Pentatonix version is solid. I love most of their covers. They do a good Bohemian Rhapsody as well. But my favorite I think is their cover of Radioactive by Imagine Dragons they did with Lindsey Stirling.

Franklin did a lot of covers. I like Respect. Also her cover of Eleanor Rigby.

Oh wow. Checked it out. Love it! Reminds me of my weepy drunk moments.

Wow hadn't heard this before! It's like a barbershop quartet version of the song but with a ukulele! Interesting they followed Iz for most of the song but ended it like Judy Garland did.

Wow didn't know that! And yeah have no idea who Calvin Klein is. Tried to look it up to check it out but couldn't even find a recording.

I think my favorite version of this song is Marty McFly's cover.

Hadn't heard this song before. I like it! A nice catchy love song.

 

So it appears.

My actual favorite cover of Johnny B Good is Peter Tosh's cover.



Any song's better with a reggae beat.