25 Cover Songs That Are Better Than the Originals
Letās face it, sometimes the cover versions of songs are just way better than the original. In this article Iām going to share 25 songs that were better when they were done by other artists than they were originally by their creator.
Also, regardless of who I believe did it better, ultimate credit for the songs on this list goes to the creators who made the lyrics and melodies. I have nothing but love for them as artists but some of their greatest favors to the world of music was by alley-ooping future artists into great covers.
Trigger Warning: Bob Dylan and Beatleās super-fans, you might not like thisā¦
#1 Nothing Compares to You by Sinead OāConnor (originally by Prince)
Prince is a musical GOAT but itās going to be Sinead OāConnor who gets credit for making this song a timeless hit it is.
#2 Running up that Hill by placebo (originally by Kate Bush)
For me, Kate Bush is basically the female version of Bob Dylan. An amazing songwriter who always seemed to write songs that would have been better off if she had just given them away to someone else who sang differently.
The Kate Bush version of the song is far more upbeat than the darker cover version by Placebo. Her upbeat tone really didnāt match the nature of the songās lyrics. Perhaps this contrast is what she was going for, but the more direct, ominous vocals from Placebo took this song to a new level.
#3 Hallelujah by Rufus Wainwright (originally by Leonard Cohen)
This might be the most controversial addition here and not because itās not better than the original, but because itās not actually the most popular cover of the song.
Leonard Cohen is a legend and may he rest in peace, but this song needed someone to really give it justice. He wrote it during an extremely dark period of his life and that is pretty evident in the monotonous melody. The chorus singers redeemed the original song somewhat, but dear God... In the words of Randy Jackson, āitās a no for me dawg.ā
Then Jeff Buckley came along and made what many people seem to believe was the greatest cover of all time. Personally, the Jeff Buckley version bores me too and is only marginally more appealing to me than the dull original.
Then came Rufus Wainwright and his piano. Although itās going to be forever linked to the Shrek movie, itās an all time great cover that stands on its own merit.
#4 With a Little Help from My Friends by Joe Cocker (originally by the Beatles)
I have a theory that the Beatles and Bob Dylan were actually time travelers who went into the future and stole the worlds most popular songs and took credit for them in the past.
This song is an example of a great structure with the wrong people around it.
Joe Cocker took the song and used his raspy vocals to make this a banger.
Also, does this make you think of the Wonder Years? Great showā¦
#5 Mad World by Gary Jules (originally by Tears for Fears)
Honestly, I havenāt intentionally listened to either version of this song since High School. Both are so wildly depressing to me. However, the original by Tears for Fears is depressing and goofy.
Gary Julesās version somehow made it sadder and better.
#6 Make You Feel My Love by Adele (originally by Bob Dylan)
Here comes Adele to save the world from the time traveler, Bob Dylan. Adele could sing the phonebook and make it sound great, but this song needed a talented singer to take it on in the worst possible way.
#7 I will always love you by Whitney Houston (originally by Dolly Parton)
Outside of Dolly Parton purists, few would argue that Whitney Houston didnāt absolutely take ownership of this song with her rendition of it. I wonder how many people know she didnāt actually write it?
Dolly Parton is a gift to the planet, donāt get me wrong please. But Iām glad Whitney found this song to take it to the next level we all deserved.
#8 How Will I Know by Sam Smith (originally by Whitney Houston)
I giveth and I taketh from the great Whitney Houston. Sam Smith took her song āHow Will I Knowā and made it better.
Her version was great and popular, but it was another example of a song that benefited from a vibe change.
#9 Respect by Aretha Franklin (originally by Otis Redding)
Absolutely love Otis Redding but this song needed to be sang by a diva like Aretha Franklin to truly give it the R-E-S-P-E-C-T that it deserved. Also, the latter version has a lot more funkiness in the guitar rift that just makes itā¦better.
#10 All Along the Watch Tower by Jimi Hendrix (originally by Bob Dylan)
Sorry Bobā¦but come on. This is one of the few covers that actually involves an overhaul to much more than just the vocals. Jimiās signature guitar riffs and solos in this make it nearly unrecognizable to Dylanās goofy original.
#11 Knockin on Heavenās Door by Guns and Roses (originally by Bob Dylan)
Iām going to be murdered by Bob Dylan Diehards but I canāt leave this one off the list. Guns and Roses made this a rock ballad many of us millennials were conceived to. Bobās version was quite the opposite.
#12 Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper (originally by Robert Hazard)
I didnāt even realize this song was originally written by a dude. If you didnāt either, donāt worry, you didnāt miss anything. It blew.
#13 Unchained Melody by the Righteous Brothers (originally by Alex North and Hy Zaret)
This song was originally created for a prison movie called āUnchainedā in 1955 and actor/singer Todd Duncan sang it in the movie.
Almost immediately following its release, it was covered by various groups and many of the versions actually moved up the billboards in the US and UK. However, it was the Righteous Brothers version that really landed and stood the test of time.
The Righteous Brothers changed the melody in the final verse and many future covers of the song used this new melody going forward, so kudos to them for adding their own flare.
#14 Who Let the Dogs Out by the Baha Men (originally by
Both songs are abominations donāt get me wrong but the āDoggieā version is somehow even worse than the version most of us know.
This song is basically the cat-callerās anthem and itās pretty upsetting several adult men were able to create careers around this dumpster fire of a song.
Iām not even going to link to the Baha Men versionā¦I canāt make you listen to both versions.
#16 Torn by Natalie Imbruglia (originally by Ednaswap)
The original sounds like a dive bar band covering a song they practiced for 1 day prior because they needed to fill their full set time.
The version by Natalie Imbruglia thoughā¦That bumps.
#17 Killing Me Softly by The Fugees (originally by Roberta Flack)
The original is literal elevator music but the Fugees cover made this song what it deserved to be.
#18 Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin (originally by Kris Kristofferson)
Not gonna lie, it hurt pretty bad when I realized this wasnāt a Janis Joplin original song. Kris Kistofferson also has to many āKrisās in his name.
#19 Over the Rainbow by Israel Kamakawiwoāole (originally by Judy Garland)
Donāt tell your grandma, but I donāt love the Judy Garland version. Iz might have been a bit of a one hit wonder and it was a cover, but it is a song that will last forever. Longer than the original.
#20 Red Red Wine UB40 (originally by Neil Diamond)
Gross is the only word to describe the Neil Diamond version. Not that this song is particular great at all, but the UB40 version is this songās Melania Trump ābe bestā moment.
#21 The Man Who Sold the World by Nirvana (originally by David Bowie)
Gonna get some flak for this but I never really get David Bowie music. I loved David Bowie the artist and the Ziggy Stardust persona and all that but his music doesnāt resonate with me for some reason. I knowā¦Iām weird.
#22 Coccaine by Eric Clapton (originally by JJ Cale)
Not gonna expand on this one because I really donāt love either version but Clapton did is bettter.
#23 Last Kiss by Pearl Jam (originally by J Frank Wilson And The Cavaliers)
Oh my God I love this song and I doubt I would have ever found it without Pearl Jamās cover.
The original is a much higher tempo, crooner vibe that doesnāt really fit the subject nature butā¦I think I also love it.
#24 Itās So Hard to Say Goodbye to Yesterday by Boys II Men (originally by G.C Cameron)
If this song doesnāt hit you right in the feelers and give you head to toe goosies, you might want to go check yourself checked out. The original was fine but noā¦not nearly as powerful.
#25 The Boys of Summer by the Ataris (original by Don Henley)
An absolute jam. The original is fine and was fitting for its time but the Ataris made it way more fun.
