Link to a song where you think the cover version surpassed the original.

Here’s mine to start:

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-eZ6zBKL2Y[/video]

Original was by ZZ Top.

At work *ahem* so can’t post link, but I’ll vote for Guns n’ Roses Live and Die.

All along the watchtower

[video]http://youtu.be/ogjYa_iHyE0[/video]

Valerie, Amy W / Mark Ronson.
It is a pity that she was so drunk/drugged that she didnt turn up for the video.

Jeff Buckley’s cover of Halleluja.

Tainted Love by Soft Cell

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HxJhYpTIrl8[/video]
(it is a cover….)

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aF9AJm0RFc[/video]

Johnny Cash – Hurt
Probably the best cover ever.

Colossal improvement on the turgid Cameo original

[video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lYzijRRRYxU[/video]

Oooh, controversial Notmyrealname, I preferred Reznors original. I’ll add to it however with

[video]http://youtu.be/Wa1CdcMx_G4[/video]

Sisters of Mercy’s version of Gimme Shelter

Johnny Cash – Hurt
Probably the best cover ever.

+1, even Trent Reznor prefers it, so Phil’s wrong 😉

I’ll stay away from the Hurt discussion, I love them both for being different, (Romaneks video made the cash cover especially poignant of course, without that I don’t think it would have taken off like it did. Cash’s other covers on the same album, eg. ‘one’ and ‘personal jesus’ are also genius!)

but, the fathers of industrial brought us this 😯

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYgnYDMDD2o[/video]

<insert Wiliam Shatner link here>

I think good shout there by notmyrealname.

almost anything Johnny Cash covered

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6ZFZ-shKJg[/video]

and I don’t think this is better just so different they are both great.

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwCijARRSE8[/video]

Without a doubt this.
Imagine Duffy was putting up a fence and really struggling. Then these guys pop by in their van and do a professional job for her.
[video]http://youtu.be/YU12FrWWVqA[/video]

Happy Mondays – Step On

Nothing compares to you. Sinead O’Conner.

I’m not kidding either!

Dont think twice by Rambling Jack Elliot

[video]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lweeKqbxOIU[/video]

Can’t do linky from phone but Futureheads, Hounds of Love

Walking in the air (aka the snowman song) the night wish version leaves the original in pieces [video]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=-OVl-0m5ssA[/video]

[video]http://youtu.be/8ueDqIadTys[/video]

This: [video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdiWpWxCTko[/video]

Great cover of the original; Rollin’ (air raid vehicle)

Sunday Bloody Sunday covered by Richard Cheese.

Can’t find a proper video, but shows that t*** Bono up.

Seriously though, Cash and Hurt

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fregObNcHC8[/video]

Sisters of Mercy’s version of Gimme Shelter

Blasphemy!

You want controversial?

[video]http://youtu.be/9ZJTM03UByU[/video]

Would say – possibly – Song to the Siren / Cocteau Twins but that’s debatable / arguable.

Walk on By – The Stranglers though original is pretty good too.

Richard Thomson’s “Keep you distance” by Buddy and Julie Miller
Kate Bush’s “Hounds of love” by The Futurehounds
Allman Brother’s “Whipping Post” by Frank Zappa.

Jimmy Cliff covering Ruby Soho and World upside down. The whole of Little Roy’s Battle for Seattle album. Also Renegades of Funk and Maggie’s Farm by RATM. Can’t post proper links from the phone though.:(

Heard it through the grapevine by Marvin Gaye.

As much as I love the Kennedy’s original, I think I prefer this one by Les Thugs.

[video]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=cGQyhBKd1So[/video]

Walk on By by the Stranglers.

TAFKASTR – What about Lulu? 😛

Personal Jesus is a good shout. I’ll say:

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y21VecIIdBI[/video]

Apollo 440 Don’t Fear the Reaper.

Van Halen’s Jump by this guy:

[video]http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=m2nuMszm1Jo[/video]

Check out his album ‘Rock Swings’ for a number of other covers that are either demented genius or criminal offences, depending on your pov.

Pure genius:
[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NG2EGOB9-lc[/video]

In a similar vein…

Ben Fold – Bitches Ain’t Shit:

[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gjFRy8jQ_0U[/video]

Can’t help thinking of this one..(?)
[video]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iR6MNc2yCjs[/video]