Best cover in history?

[The Red Baron]

This has to be a contender. Not only a cover of Dionne Warwick's classic, but also of "Light My Fire."

This came free with that wonderful album "Black and White, " which I purchased from a record shop in Worksop in 1978. (Lunch interval of a county match between Notts and Yorkshire- happy days!)

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqfqVDHNW6c" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqfqVDHNW6c</a>

[MachoMadness]

Nirvana's acoustic cover of Bowie's 'The Man Who Sold The World' for me. Amazing cover, actually better than the original by far. It's kind of a cliche choice as its so famous but there's a reason it's so popular.

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fregObNcHC8" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fregObNcHC8</a>

[idler]

Can't do links but what about the Jimmi Hendrix version of Dylan's All along the watchtowwer?   

[RobTheRover]

Carter USMs' version of PSB's "Rent"

[BillyStubbsTears]

The Associates: Love Hangover.

Billy MacKenzie at his 5 octave best.

[MrFrost]

I'm not usually one for covers but..............being still in my 20's (just) i'd say.........
Arctic Monkeys covering Nick Cave's Red Right Hand
or
Ash covering Weezer's Only in Dreams

[The Red Baron]

The Associates: Love Hangover.

Billy MacKenzie at his 5 octave best.

Excellent shout, BST.

I can also offer The Slits' "I heard it through the grapevine." Not musically brilliant, but so different as to be amazing.

XTC also did a good reading of Dylan's "All along the Watchtower" on White Music.

[DRFC-PERKINS]

I Couldn't say my number 1, but I can say a few that blow my mind.

- Jolene (Dolly Parton) - White Stripes.
- Sunday bloody Sunday (John Lennon) - U2. although more of a revamp than a cover.
- Whisky in the Jar (The Dubliners) - Thin Lizzy's version & Metallica's
- It's a long way to the top (AD/DC) - Motorhead
- Hurt (Nine Inch Nails ) - Johnny Cash

The top 3 on this post are fantastic cover's, as well as Muse's version of 'Feeling good', 'Twist and shout' was a good cover by the Beatles as well.

[Barmby Rover]

Helter Skelter - Siouxsie and the Banshees
Eloise - The Damned
World Without Love - Those Helicopters
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Paul Anka (has to be heard to be believed!)

[Donnywolf]

.... SAILING by Rod  Stewart originally written by Gavin Sutherland and recorded by The Sutherland Brothers

[jonnydog]

There's that many to think about, though I agree and have always said Jimi's cover of All Along The Watchtower was fantastic.

Although pretty much anything recorded by Me First & The Gimme Gimme's is amazing and quite a few are just as good as the originals

[ditch_drfc]

Yeah Hurt by Johnny Cash is an incredible song!

[mjdgreg]

No question that this is the winner by a mile.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9NF2edxy-M

[River Don]

I always thought there was something strangely compelling about Mike Flowers Pops easy listening version of Wonderwall.

[Glyn_Wigley]

Helter Skelter - Siouxsie and the Banshees

The only time someone's covered The Beatles and made it better than the original.

[The Mighty Brian Rowe]

What about this beauty...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iT9yf-Qa_1M

[MrFrost]

Helter Skelter - Siouxsie and the Banshees

The only time someone's covered The Beatles and made it better than the original.

Not so sure. Oasis took I Am The Walrus and made it their own, and to say the version that appears as a B Side they were all apparently smashed on a cocktail of drugs and drink, i'd stick a out my neck and say it was better than the original.

[Glyn_Wigley]

I've never heard the Oasis version, but IATW is one of my favourite Beatles tracks so I'd be very surprised if I thought anyone could improve on it...

[MachoMadness]

The Muse version of House of the Rising Sun is excellent. Musically it's not their best, but vocally Matt Bellamy's voice is a phenomenal fit for that song. I probably prefer it to the original, actually.

I also have a soft spot for White Zombie's cover of I'm Your Boogieman, takes me back to my greasy long-haired youth.

A few more to look for, Reel Big Fish's version of Take On Me, Arcade Fire's version of This Must Be The Place, White Stripes' cover of I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself, Black Keys' cover of Have Love Will Travel and, if you like your heavy metal, Killswitch Engage do a phenomenal cover of Dio's classic Holy Diver.

I also find that list to be pretty effective in determining how old some people are.   

[inSODwetrust]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKnYQvoNm9w

Introducing, The Blanks!

[The Red Baron]

This is pretty smoky as well. Original by Hot Chocolate. Haven't heard this for years but recall getting very excited when I heard it on John Peel many moons ago:

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RJ09LcEBWc" target="_blank">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_RJ09LcEBWc</a>

[DC-]

Smells Like Teen Spirit - Paul Anka (has to be heard to be believed!)

That it ridiculously good. Reminds me of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN75im_us4k

[MachoMadness]

Smells Like Teen Spirit - Paul Anka (has to be heard to be believed!)

That it ridiculously good. Reminds me of this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN75im_us4k

That is absolutely amazing! I never would've thought of putting those songs together. Reminds me of that Justin Bieber/Slipknot mashup that just fits surprisingly well.

[DC-]

Link!

[wilts rover]

Helter Skelter - Siouxsie and the Banshees

The only time someone's covered The Beatles and made it better than the original.

Surely the Sheffield plumber's version of With a Little Help From My Friends is barkingly mad enough to be on that (short) list? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xJWxPE8G2c

[Glyn_Wigley]

Surely the Sheffield plumber's version of With a Little Help From My Friends is barkingly mad enough to be on that (short) list? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xJWxPE8G2c

Too overwrought to be pleasant listening for me. Never liked it.

[GM-MarkB]

I'm quite partial to this....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbcTSTmqG9Y

Nicko is, well, just Nicko