Top 10 Cover Songs That Are Better Than the Originals

Original: The Family (1985), Cover: Sinéad O’Connor (1990)
It's hard to believe Prince wrote this song, releasing the version with his band The Family in 1985, because by far the most successful version of this song was by Sinéad O’Connor. Her version became a hit in 1990 and nowadays is better known than Prince’s version. It’s easy to see why. Prince expresses the lyrics with vulnerable hurt, which is suitable for a torch song. But it’s hard to beat O’Connor’s more polished vocals, which deliver the longing better. O’Connor’s music video is even more impactful, winning Video of the Year at the 1990 MTV Video Music Awards.

Original: Gloria Jones (1965), Cover: Soft Cell (1981)
“Four Preps” band member Ed Cobb’s song about a toxic relationship received two captivating versions. The first one was in 1965 by Gloria Jones, a Motown cover that has its own briskly upbeat appeal. But the song was given new life with synth-pop group Soft Cell’s cover in 1981. This version reached number one on the UK Singles Chart and the top 10 in the US, with more than a million copies of the single sold in the UK alone. While the arrangement in Jones’ version is more attractive, Soft Cell’s slower tempo allows the lyrics to come across better. The addition of backing vocals was also a very nice touch.

Original: Bob Dylan (1967), Cover: The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1968)
It’s not unusual for Bob Dylan’s songs to be interpreted in more popular versions by other artists. This song, first recorded in 1967, is no exception. The storytelling of Dylan’s version, a conversation between a thief and a joker, is still good. But it was Jimi Hendrix’s version months later that catapulted the song onto the charts, hitting number 20 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and even going platinum in the U.K. Hendrix’s more rock-heavy version even impacted Dylan, who expressed admiration for the cover. In fact, he even performed the song closer to Hendrix’s arrangement live. Talk about an endorsement.

Original: Roger Miller (1969), Cover: Janis Joplin (1971)
This seemingly typical Miller song was actually written by Kris Kristofferson, sharing writing credit with Fred Foster. Miller’s vocals keep this quirky country song about two drifters in love grounded and evocative. It was the most popular version of the song until Janis Joplin came along. Joplin’s version gives a more lighthearted expression of the lyric, capturing its breeziness with her own folkish flair. Released posthumously in 1971, Joplin’s version topped the charts and became an instant classic. It was so successful, in fact, that the single was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Original: The Bee Gees (1971), Cover: Al Green (1972)
This 1971 song written by Barry and Robin Gibb has an unforgettable melody and touching lyrics about heartbreak. It’s been interpreted by numerous artists throughout the years. The Gibb brothers even originally offered it to Andy Williams, who eventually recorded it after turning it down. By far the most successful cover, however, is by Al Green. This arrangement slows down the song, with Green opting for a more conversational phrasing of the lyrics. This soft-spoken delivery expresses its own fragile heartbreak, ultimately putting it at more of an advantage over the Bee Gees. It’s a lovely song either way.

Original: David Bowie (1970), Cover: Nirvana (1995)
It’s hard to beat Ziggy on his own composition, but somehow Nirvana managed it. Bowie’s version is undoubtedly iconic, but the song itself was little known until it was covered in 1974 by Lulu. Nirvana’s acoustic arrangement paired with Kurt Cobain’s vocals, however, changed the game even further. Cobain’s haunting delivery expressed the darkness of Bowie’s cryptic lyrics. This version proved so popular that Bowie had to contend with younger audiences believing he was covering a Nirvana song. You know you’ve done something right musically if people believe your cover is the original.

Original: Otis Redding (1965), Cover: Aretha Franklin (1967)
Sometimes even the most famous and iconic songs turn out to be covers. This song was originally written by Otis Redding in 1965. Two years later, Franklin covered the song with her signature soul flair, and the rest was history. To this day, her version of the song is by far the most recognizable. Why is it? Redding’s vocals are much weaker than Franklin’s powerful voice and assertive delivery, to be sure. But it’s Franklin’s slight change in emphasis from human dignity to feminist commentary on gender roles that proved the winner. In any case, Franklin’s version was so iconic it was included in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. Franklin did indeed get the respect she deserved.

Original: The Isley Brothers (1962), Cover: The Beatles (1963)
Of course, just about any performance by the Beatles is bound to get more attention than the original. The group, in fact, began performing covers. But perhaps the most famous and successful of their interpretations is this 1961 song, written by Phil Medley and Bert Berns. Originally performed by the Top Notes with Latin-flavored wholesomeness, the Isley Brothers’ more fiery gospel cover gained more popularity. But nothing beats the infectious rock energy of the Beatles, with John Lennon almost tearing his throat with his lead vocals. It’s no surprise this version became the one we know and love.

Original: Nine Inch Nails (1995), Cover: Johnny Cash (2003)
Nine Inch Nails delivered a hauntingly dark performance of their song that definitely struck a chord. Even its music video is filled with dark imagery depicting war atrocities and disasters. So it’s amazing that Johnny Cash delivered a country version even more devastating. Cash’s vocal clarity and acoustic arrangement re-imagine a song about youthful self-destruction as the depression of an old man at the end of his life, looking back. Cash’s 2003 cover was instantly successful, and its music video was deemed the best video of the year by the Grammy Awards. Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails even admitted Cash even owned their song with his powerful version. What great praise.

Original: Leonard Cohen (1984), Cover: Jeff Buckley (2007)
This is arguably the most famous instance of a cover becoming more well-known than the original. Written and first performed by Leonard Cohen, his version features a talk-singing delivery and a sprightly chorus. Many covers followed, with the first successful one being John Cale’s elegant piano interpretation in 1991. Cale’s version was even featured in “Shrek.” But by far the most acclaimed version of the song is Jeff Buckley’s version, released posthumously in 2007. Inspired by Cale’s version, Buckley’s minimalist version leans into the somber desolation of the song. It was undoubtedly the most successful interpretation, landing on Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.”

Which other covers do you feel deserve to be better known than the original? Let us know in the comments down below!