It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally a cover will actually turn out better than the original version. Below are a couple that definitely fall into this category for me (though I do like the originals as well).
BALL OF CONFUSION
Anthrax (cover)
The Temptations (original version)
STARBREAKER
Arch Enemy (cover)
Judas Priest (original version)
WHERE DID YOU SLEEP LAST NIGHT
Nirvana (cover)
Leadbelly (original version)
Any covers that you feel are better than the original?
Baker Street - Foo Fighters
It's definitely better than the original. However, I'm not a huge fan of the song to begin with.
Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley
Radar Love - White Lion :-)
Planet Caravan - Pantera
Baba O'reily - Wasp
Mama said knock you out - Scatterbrain
I Can't Explain - Scorpions
Megadeth: Anarchy in the UK, No More Mr Nice Guy, These Boots
War Pigs - Faith No More
Some great nu-metal covers:
Land of Confusion - Disturbed
Careless Whisper - Seether
Rusty Cage - Johnny Cash
Personal Jesus - Johnny Cash
Hurt - Johnny Cash
Ring of Fire -Social Distortion
Cocaine Blues - Hank III
Jackson - Duet by Florence Welch(florence and the machine) and Josh Homme( Queens of the Stone-age)
Garland, I think I like the original on about 90% of those you picked. Ha.
Mostly good choices, Keith. ;)
Nirvana - Man Who Sold the World and Lake of Fire (Sadly, I didn't realize either of these were covers until a fairly recent time ago *hangs head in shame*)
Pearl Jam - Last Kiss
Israel Kamakawiwo'ole -Somewhere over the Rainbow(had to look up the last name on that one)
I can't put Cash's version of Hurt before NIN (it's one of my favorite songs) or Social Distortion's Ring of Fire before Cash's although I do like the covers of each.