I'll kick off with three suggestions

Sorry Bob but Jimi did it better

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14qTXRkAKr8

Can't remember who did the original but this is now the definitive version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cCI_XDQWb0

Finally an Iggy Pop tune covered by the scariest lady in music

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QzAVE1aQUGM

Cats in the cradle by ugly kid joe springs to mind.

Under the bridge by all saints 😉

Valerie- so much better by Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse IMHO

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mh_3EzyrSb0 this is awsome

"Chelsea Hotel" by Rufus Wainwright

Lenny Cohen's original is brilliant, but RW gets the best out of it.

The classic quoted one is Hallelujah, where Jeff Buckley's version is lauded as the definitive version. But before Buckley did it, John Cale of the Velvet Underground dd a version for a LC tribute album, which I think is better than the Buckley one.

Actually, LC was / is a great songwriter but his style is quite an acquired taste, and several covers of his stuff are -> IMHO <- better than the original.

The Stranglers – Walk On By.

Easy by Faith No More

Bit annoying to just post a YouTube link. Why not tell me what I'm clicking through to?

Natalie Merchant – Crazy Man Michael

under the bridge by all saints wtf!!!!!!!!!

try this version of Valerie http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHKIuUHIdNM&feature=related

Me like

Over The Hills And Far Away. Nightwish's version just blows the Led Zep and Gary Moore versions away.

I knew you'd like it gazman!

Can't remember who did the cover, but it was an amazing cover of Wonderwall..

Kinda dark, and melencholy, but far better than Noel could ever do it.

IIRC oasis then did a cover of the cover..

that was Ryan Adams, Noel was quoted as saying it was his song now ^^^

Ryan Adams covered wonderwall, was pretty good.

Some people think Johnny Cash's version of Hurt is better than the original. I'm undecided.

Still gets people saying they didn't know it was an Elvis song when they hear it.
The King-Come as you are.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BoYc91Uohuk

the 1st one that springs to mind is Easy, Clubber already mentioned it! thumbs up.

Also Jose Gonzallez, his version of heartbeats is the best in my books.

Also oddly – the Ting Tings doing Snaps 'The Power' is great! 😛

I saw FNM play Easy live for what I think was the first time at Brixton Academy in 92. From a concert that was rapidly becoming wilder and wilder in the pit, it was a bizarre but amazing change of pace which totally chilled the beserkers out.

Hounds of love

Futuremen

I've just thought you could include anyone that does a cold play or U2 cover too, as you've removed the self righteous tosspot element from the performance thus rendering it a better version if for no other reason than the absence of jizz monkies.

jizz monkies I lol'd

lets not forget Bauhaus' ripper version of Ziggy Stardust.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6a_YQXFs7Ts

Camera obscura's version of Abba's Super Trooper is lovely.

>goes off to find it on YouTube<

Here it is Clicky

I just love her voice, their own "French Navy" is worth a look if you like that…

slimtubing – that Elvis is f***ing brilliant! thank you so much

Judas Priests version of the Joan Baez tune Diamonds and Rust is very good.
The same song is also covered very well by Blackmore's Night

Hurt – Johnny Cash.
Calvary Cross – Tortoise & Bonny Prince Billy
(I cant get no) Satisfaction – Cat Power
And as it happens I've just listened to Sweet Child O Mine by Luna….

john_drummer did you ever see NMA do a cover of "I'm a believer?" by Neil Diamond? They did it during a sound check on the '90 swedish tour and it was so good we talked them into playing it on the last gig of the tour. Justin obviously a bit of a fan deep down!!

The Pixies version of 'Winterlong' by Neil Young is amazing… Though I still like the original too, just in a different way!

Anarchy in the UK by The Frazier Chorus
Jump by Aztec Camera
Don't call me baby by Frankenbok
Sweet Jane by Cowboy Junkies.

Whisky in the Jar – by Metallica

Nice one Metalheart had forgotten about Hurt. Brings to mind Cash's version of Your Own Personal Jesus

+1 Hurt by the man in black. Clenches at the heartstrings

The King is awesome. Apparently picked up doing Karaoke in an Elvis style at a Post Office social in Belfast or something. I've seen him live twice and it's a great night out.

Another good reason for using Spotify. Just type in a song name and listen to all the different versions.

It must be love by Labi Siffre and Madness is a dead heat for me.

I've never seen NMA do any covers.

oh, except "You'll Never Walk Alone" at St George's Hall at the Bradford City fire benefit gig. Moose's first gig, aged 17, 6 weeks into his career.
At the end of that song there were possible more people on stage than in the stalls

galveston by straw
ghost in my house by the fall
lost in music by the fall
hurt by jonny cash
the way i walk by the cramps
i could go on ….
ziggy stardust by bauhaus is 'kin fantastic

"Stairway to Heaven" by Rolf Harris.

'Nuff said!

Sisters Of Mercy – Knocking on Heaven's Door, or maybe Gimme Shelter, or even Emma.

No.

Knocking on Heaven's door: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dQV_8hhKZg