Covers that are better than the original

POM, I didn't either though it was the Eagles that did me in.

I am a very hetero woman. I like men, particularly men with body hair but entertainers who make certain theirs show make me dismiss them.

The store where I work subscribes to Sirius radio which is awful. I never listened to Top 40 radio if I could avoid it. Thanks to Sirius, I now hear a lot of Top 40 . . . in retrospect! Falsetto singing drives me up the wall.

The cast of Glee recently did their own version of a Korean pop hit that somehow has become an international phenomenon.

Kendra Morris did a soulful version of a Pink Floyd song.

Ola Bieńkowska perfectly handles the difficult vocals of Great Gig in the Sky (originally performed and created by Clare Torry).

I like Ray Charles cover of Melanie's, "what have they done to my song Ma"
I don't know who originally wrote or sang, "I can't stand the rain " but Aretha Franklin, Tina Turner and a singer in the movie "The Commitments" all did versions I love.
Linda Ronstadt did a great job on "Bayou"

There is a group from Finland called "The Leningrad Cowboys" who covered "Sweet Home Alabama" that might not be better but it's very good. I haven't been able to buy their music in the States, but I see them on YouTube.

Now for something truly obscene, Pat Boone covers "Stairway to Heaven". He should be deported, unfortunately we can't deport him.

In the latter part of her career, Tina Turner has performed "addicted to love", "Honkey Tonk Women", as well as redone "Come Together" " River Deep, Mountain High" and a bunch of her earlier covers, but her voice and presentation actually improved so they practically sound new.

Good stuff gb.
Ann Peebles did the song originally

Do you know when she recorded it?

1974

Thanks, I must remember her, I checked out her recordings and I recognize a lot of tunes, and a lot covered by other singers. "Can't stand the Rain" was recorded by a ton of recording artists, but somehow that flew over my head. I remember it first by Aretha (I think) but maybe it was Peebles, it's one of my favorite songs.

Peebles was one of a stable of Memphis soul singers on HI records that included Al Green OV Wright Otis Clay and Willie Mitchell.
OV Wright was my favorite and I collected quite a few of his HI 45s

A photo of Royal Studios where they recorded

Nellys "just a dream" cover by Sam Tsui and christina Grimmie on youtube. Look it up. WAAAY better IMO.

The cover is nice; a little more fragile and gentle.
The guitar is replaced by a piano arpeggio.
Perhaps the two versions are aimed at different demographics.

For years, I've enjoyed the Annie Lenox CD, Medusa. I particularly love the opening cut, "No More I Love Yous," which she does in a lush, romantico-pop style in a tempo that demands an ice ballet with a male and female pair and finishes with the woman in a triumphant solo because it is a break up song.

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

It's one of those punk products which become so outstanding as a ballad. Written by Joseph Hughes and David Freeman, neither of whom were known to me until I decided to look up the song a week or two ago.

I won't say better, but very damn good...

I've heard a few pieces by Mike who performs under the name Passenger. He's good. He's got a charming stage presence and he's cute. What more can a member of his potential audience ask?

Mimi Page is a 26 year old alternative rock vocalist who does an interesting version of Chris Isaak's Wicked Game.

I like this cover of depeche mode very much

I think placebo's way of doing this song is much better.

Not a cover but all of you here will enjoy the movie, "20 feet from stardom," which is about backup singers.