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Cover songs that are better than the originals.

There is an active thread about terrible cover songs so I thought I'd start one about cover songs that are better than or have completely eclipsed the originals. I'll start:

Randy Newman wrote Momma Told Me Not to Come for Eric Burdon who recored it with the Animals and Newman recorded it too. I have the Newman version and like it but Three Dog Night really seem to capture the mood of the song best in my opinion.
n80
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slaw
5,785 posts
 
"Dancing in the Streets" Grateful Dead "Cornell ’77" ………………….Wow!...…..
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slaw
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There have been several versions of "Sweet Jane" mentioned.

I like Mott The Hoople's version.
hk_fan
314 posts
 
Sympathy for the Devil - Motorhead

robto
1 posts
 
1. “I got a woman” Elvis compared to that of Ray Charles 

2. “That’s all right, momma,” Elvis compared to  “Big Boy” Crudup; plus, “My baby left me” and “So glad you’re mine,” Crudup originals, were also covered and performed by Elvis in a manner that I thought was better than the originals.

Elvis’ versions above (1 + 2) had an integrated spirit, drive, and sensuality that produced a unique sound and generated an exciting, even thrilling listening experience. The only cover he did that was a disappointment to my listening expectations was “Such a night,” which was essentially a note-for-note copy of the arrangement and delivery by Johnny Ray.


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slaw
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"I Put a Spell on You"  Gov't Mule
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