I know this has bounced about over the years on TSE.  But I remember a topic, that has now been archived, about cover versions that possibly improved the original.

 

I have, over the past few years, got more and more into Isaac Hayes, and my lord if he isn't the king of covering and improving songs.

 

Going in Circles, originaly done by the Friends of Distinction.

 

 

And then, quite possibly straight into my top 10 songs of all time, is his version of Walk on By

 

The above version is way too cool for me.

 

 

 

 

As for a couple of others

 

 

 

 

 

I am such a great Leonard Cohen fan that I didn't think it was possible to improve his songs.

 

Until I heard this

 

 

 

and this

 

Edited December 22, 201510 yr by moi

A few more great Leonard Cohen covers for you:

 

 

The above version is way too cool for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Love the Stranglers  

 

Thanks

Don't necessarily think that this is an improvement on the original but still a very good cover.

 

Ok, so Leonard Cohen. I'm in :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Otis may have written it, but Aretha owns it:

 

Edited December 22, 201510 yr by Maksimov

I like the original as well, but this the definite version for me:

 

And yet another good version of Hallelujah:

 

First Aid Kit do some wonderful live cover versions:

 

 

 

And in both cases the writer of the original is in the audience. Fearless!

A cover version by Dick Gaughan of a Leon Rosselson song - Stand Up For Judas

 

Partially as a tribute to a genius but predominantly because this is one of the finest ever cover versions

I love his cover of Cactus by the Pixies

 

http://youtu.be/UTQP6tE9tYA

 

and I also like his take on this classic :)

 

Nouvelle Vague are very much hit and miss with their covers and I must say the original Dead Kennedys version was a big hit amongst my mates during our teen years, but this cover just makes it sound so much more dirty and raunchy...

 

Nouvelle Vague are very much hit and miss with their covers and I must say the original Dead Kennedys version was a big hit amongst my mates during our teen years, but this cover just makes it sound so much more dirty and raunchy...

 

 

That's a pretty rad version.  I have a feeling Jello either loves or hates this

https://soundcloud.com/the-vegetable-orchestra/10-radioaktivita-t

 

genius

This will blow you away....one of the best female rock / blues singers Beth Hart with the great JB....I'd Rather Go Blind...

 

 

https://youtu.be/6vCOIRmDi4w

 

 

damn, still can't get the video to come up

Edited January 22, 201610 yr by CFCCAN

Almost posted this to the main music thread but stopped myself in time. Love this cover.

 

http://youtu.be/Z6zqYSezqwo

Got this link from a friend today. One of the most surprising covers I ever heard.