TEN Best COVER Songs – Ever! Better Than the Original
In this video I wish to peruse the murky depths of the cover version, and bludgeon you with my personal top ten
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#coversongs #ranking #classicalbum
@travishiltz4750
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
Take me to the river: Talking Heads
Dear Prudence: Souixie and the Banshees
Hello, I love you: Adam Ant
Twist and Shout: Beatles
Honorable mentions: Pretty much everything by the Blues Brothers.
I was tempted to include some covers the Muppets did, but didn't know how much trouble that would get me in.
@whistlingfish
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
I agree with 9 out of 10, but Jeff Buckley's "Hallelujah" is a little too saccharine for my tastes. I much prefer John Cale, especially the live version, just him and the piano, where contempt drips from his voice as he snarls through the most bitter passages of Leonard Cohen's most cynical song. Also, CCR's cover of "Grapevine", while not as great as Marvin Gaye's, is well worth hearing and better than the original.
@mjhbuckeye
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
For a recording that exceeded the original by a considerable margin I would suggest the Pretenders' first single, "Stop Your Sobbing", a Kinks cover with production by Nick Lowe.
@MauriceTituer
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
I would add This Flight Tonight, covered by Nazareth, but my absolute favorite is Working Class Hero covered by Marianne Faithfull.
@kevstacey8639
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
I have a bone to pick about "Hallelujah" – Leonard Cohen included a verse that Jeff Buckley didn't:
"I did my best, it wasn't much,
I couldn't feel so I tried/learned to touch. [depending on which version]
I told the truth, I didn't come here to fool ya.
And even though it all went wrong
I'lll stand before the Lord of Song
With nothing on my tongue but "Hallelujah!""
Willie Nelson also included that verse. My point is Jeff Buckley's version doesn't have that verse, therefore it doesn't have the catharsis that verse delivers so it's just pure sadness.
@darrylmars
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
Great list. Who do You Love, Bo Diddley & Quicksilver Messenger Service; Other Side of this Life, Fred Neal, Jefferson Airplane. Surprised A Little Help from my Friends was not number 1. Cream covers were pretty good too.
@bennyscomin
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
There's a positively ornate version of "Without You" on the Al Kooper led debut of Blood, Sweat, and Tears "Child is Father to the "Man" from 1968
@PUNKinDRUBLIC72
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
Kasey Chambers,Lose Yourself!
@alexlifeson6917
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
Santana Black Magic Woman
Anything covered by the Beatles
@thecobster.007
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
Jealous Guy – Bryan Ferry
@stephanegosselin2861
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
Ne me quittes pas by Nina Simone is on the top of my list, Jacques Brel never sounded so good
@gediminasmurauskas7817
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
Pet Shop Boys do best cover of 'You Were Always on My Mind', better than Elvis original, better than classic Willie Nelson cover.
@dercoss
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
Them – It's all over now, baby blue. I think it's better than the Dylan original. Not sure about Sinead O'Connor or Tori Amos but each to their own….
@rickpaul4216
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
I'm a huge fan of Gram Parsons and Emmy Lou Harris' version of "Love Hurts" and Mott the Hoople's version of "Sweet Jane."
@ianp9086
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
Just wanted to mention Sinead O’Connor’s cover of Bobby Gentry’s Ode to Billie Joe that was on the Help album – haunting
@johnmoesche4759
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
1) Ben E King’ “Stand by Me” covered by John Lennon.
2) “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” beaten by Elton John
3) “Heroes” better by King Crimson
4) Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon” bettered by Waylon Jennings
Just to name a few.
@dont_follow5777
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
Tori Amos!!! Great choice.
She's got tons of covers. She took Slayer's Raining Blood and made it scarier. I also love Fiona Apple's cover of Across the Universe.
@brettrobson5739
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
Nirvana Bowie – say no more
@BeatlesEddieV
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
John Lennons version of Stand By Me is great
@mysteriousoul
November 26, 2025 at 7:10 am
Ha! First thought when reading the title of this video is you might choose Tori Amos’ version of Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit! Close.
Absolutely agree on Jimi Hendrix’s version of All Along the Watchtower as the greatest cover version superseding the original, along with Buckley’s take on Cohen’s Hallelujah, and Johnny Cash’s Hurt.
Honourable mentions:
Metallica’s thrash punk cut of The Misfits’ Last Caress/Green Hell; Sonic Youth’s post punk almost music concrete version of The Carpenter’s Superstar; and John Lennon’s northern soul salute of Ben E. King’s timeless Stand By Me.
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