Off Topic Cover tracks that were better than the originals

Obviously it's a matter of opinion but these are some that I think knock spots off of the originals.

Original release by Bert Weedon.

Original release by Carl Perkins.

Original release by Bessie Banks.

Original release by The Rolling Stones.

 

Excellent cover but I still think the original is better.

This is the version everyone knows and imo better than the original.

There are also songs that people think are originals by a specific artist but are actually covers....for example, did anyone know that this is a cover?

Or this one?

 

I didn't know sailing wasn't original until i read about it last year.

Amy Winehouse version better imo

 

IMHO Bob Dylan was probably one of the best song writers ever, but he could not sing. I heard him live several times...dreadful, the engineers in the sound studios where he had his records produced were geniuses.
For example the Byrds Mr Tambourine Man, Lay Lady Lay etc

 

Not to mention his quirky little song All Along the Watchtower which Jimmy Hendrix turned into an anthem.

 

Probably the best cover ever

 

Hound Dog by Presley, in fact most of his earlier Sun Recordings fit here too, but Hound Dog is a stand out imo. Dylans versions are usually the best for me, especially the ones mentioned, I prefer Dylan's versions of his songs far more than copies, House of the rising Sun was a copy of a copy as was Baby let me Follow you Down, if I remember correctly

 

Sailing was written and recorded, and played by The Sutherland brothers and Quiver, in Sunderland well before Rod made it famous, they were a very good live band.

 

This one was my first thought as well.
The one they done live on the Conan show was superb.

 

Almost any Bob Dylan song!

The Byrds - Mr Tambourine man
Any other version of Knockin' on heaven's door! (Clapton/Guns n Roses)
Hendrix - Watchtower

Live & let die (Guns N Roses)

 

Absolutely fantastic cover - possibly the best cover of a song ever!!

(And my duo do this too!!)

 

Oasis, who covered any and all Beatles songs and just used their own words.

 

Spoonfull (Gimme that Harp Boy) by D.V.V. ain't too bad either.

 

I'd argue that this version is even better:

 

I was kind of waiting for it to be mentioned to be honest. I preferred Dylans version but they're just very different songs an both pretty good.