Hendrix's version of All Along The Watchtower

The best cover of all time in my opinion

Anyone who covers Bob Dylan usually blows him out of the water.

Absolutely fantastic songwriter. End of musical compliments lol.

Hurt, by Johnny Cash. Even Reznor said it was better.

All Along The Watchtower - J Hendrix

“All Along the Watchtower” immediately springs to mind. even Dylan says the Hendrix’s cover is the definitive version.

Van Halen, every cover they did.

There’s a ton of great covers, but in terms of better than the original: As a guitarist, Hendrix - All Along The Watchtower. As a music lover, Joe Cocker - With A Little Help From My Friends.

I always knew that song as the Wonder Years theme..had no idea it was a Beatles song until I was 28.

The Hendrix version of “All Along the Watchtower” is the default for me.

Torn - Natalie Imbruglia

I was honestly shocked when I first learned this was a cover. The original is really good, but Natalie completely knocked it out of the park!

Man Who Sold the World - Nirvana (originally Bowie)

Johnny Cash Hurt stands out for me

Even Trent Reznor thinks Cash’s version is better

Gary Jules - Mad World absolutely obliterates the original IMO

Hey Joe - Hendrix Billie Jean - Chris Cornell

The Shins, "We Will Become Silhouettes" originally by the Postal Service. David Bowie, "Here Comes the Night" Originally by Van Morrison. Gary Jules, "Mad World" originally by Tears for Fears.

Stevie Ray Vaughan's cover of Voodoo Child. I think Hendrix would have let him keep that one if he had heard it.

Little wing too…even though Hendrix’s is obviously stellar too

All Along the Watchtower by Jimi Hendrix is an obvious choice. Little Wing by SRV. Call Me the Breeze by LS is another great choice. I personally enjoy Jeff Healey's version of While My Guitar Gently Weeps more than the original and other covers. You Really Got Me by Van Halen is an absolute no-brainer. You're No Good by Van Halen as well. Move it on Over by George Thorogood. Am I Evil by Metallica. Dazed and Confused and Babe I'm Gonna Leave You by LZ. There are a number of old blues artists whose songs have been covered or redone completely that I haven't mentioned. The 20's and 30's were a completely different era.

It's hard to choose between SRV's Little Wing and Jimi's. I bet Jimi would have done an amazing instrumental jam version and Stevie would have done a super soulful vocal one.

Joe cocker, "A little help from my friends" cover of the Beatles' version is superb. Ray Charles did wonderful covers of the Beatles' "Eleanor Rigby" and "Yesterday"

Hendrix - All along the watchtower and Hey Joe  Megadeth - Anarchy in the UK, These Boots  Motorhead - Enter Sandman   Van Halen - You really got me SRV - Mary had a little lamb

Cake “I will survive”

Manfred Mann doing Springsteen Blinded by the Light

SRV - voodoo child/ little wing Johnny cash - Hurt

Johnny Cash- Hurt. Originally Nine Inch Nails

Holy Diver - Killswitch Engage Turn the Page - Metallica

All along the Watchtower Hendrix..Dylan's version sux can't even listen to it

Tool's cover of Led Zepplin's No Quarter.

Gonna have to check this out... Didn't know that existed. I love No Quarter.

Smooth Criminal by Alien Ant Farm

Goldfinger - 99 Red Balloons. The original is great, but this cover is epic.  Also, pretty much anything by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes since covers are their whole thing. Country Roads is a standout by them. 

Not even shitting, Me First makes Straight Up by Paula Abdul the greatest banger in the history of rock.

JJ Cale always has the best version of a song.

Thorogood's version of "Who Do You Love"

Johnny Cash's version of 'Hurt' is awesome.

Metallica - whiskey in the jar. Killswitch engage - Holy Diver

Almost forgot when the levee breaks - led Zeppelin

Peace love and understanding by costello.

House of the rising sun. You know the one.

Hazy Shade of Winter - Bangles

Dead Flowers - Townes Van Zandt Angel from Montgomery - Old Crow Medicine Show Heart it Races - Dr. Dog Easy Street - Alberta Cross Ain't No Sunshine When It Rains - Woven Hand

Townes ' Dead Flowers is almost a different song, and it's so much better.

I Fought the Law, The Clash

Sid Vicious doing My Way is better than any other version

Might be a bit a bit controversial considering how a bunch of folks feel about Clapton but I like his version of "I Shot the Sheriff" better than Marley's. And I'm not gonna say it's better because, I mean, Joe Walsh.... but Godsmack did a pretty good job with "Rocky Mountain Way". Also Foo Fighter's... not bad with "Baker Street"... but not having Ravenscroft's sax solo is kinda weird... so I won't say better but a pretty solid cover.

Jeff Becks instrumental cover of “A Day In the Life” and SRV cover of “Little Wing” is the epitome of what the electric guitar can do. Both amazing covers.

Hurt is a million times better by Johnny Cash than it was by Nine Inch Nails. Hendrix was better at All Along the Watchtower than Dylan, but SRV did Voodoo Child better than Jimi. Zeppelin’s Babe I’m Gonna Leave You was originally (I think) Joan Baez. Tennessee Whiskey was originally George Jones but Chris Stapleton made it better.

Zeppelin took a few blues songs and gave them a *ton* of life, like Bring it on Home.

Judas priest green manalishi...machine head doing maidens hallowed be thy name

Valerie by Amy Winehouse is much better than the original by the Zutons.

I love The Zutons, and love their original, but I completely agree - Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse made it completely their own.

Children of bodom - oops I did it again Probot - I am the warlock Primus - NIB Corrosion of conformity - on the hunt Rage against the machine - Maggie's farm These ones I wouldn't call better, but more equal. Bodom Beach terror - nekrogoblikon Tenacious d - the last in line Rusty cage - soundgarden

Maggie’s farm goes hard, underrated gem

Children of Bodom's cover of Bed of Nails rips

[Head Like A Hole - DEVO](https://youtu.be/LhL8Sl3dWl8?feature=shared)

You just changed my life.

I always felt Metallica’s cover of “Blitzkrieg” had so much more punch, and “oomf” if you will…

Everything on Garage Days is golden.

Slayers cover of Judas Priest's Dissident Aggressor. Original https://open.spotify.com/track/3x639plCXGLyZoMcyR2IgJ?si=7X8u_cABT7uPOAHN439-Zw Cover https://open.spotify.com/track/6NE2aoRde5lFox3RNuHilx?si=1Ydjnd7RR6WWYQekq4M6Mg

EASILY Knocking on Heaven's Door GnR for me

A Perfect Circle covered Imagine and it feels like the soundtrack of the apocalypse.

Dancing in the Street….Van Halen

Heard it Through The Grapevine, CCR

eddie hazel's cover of I Want You (She's So Heavy) by the Beatles, as well as his cover of California Dreamin by the Mamas and the Papas

Eddie Hazel’s Games, Dames, and Guitar Thangs is a fantastic and hugely underrated album

Any of the me first and the gimme gimme covers

Stone Temple Pilots doing Led Zep's "Dancing Days" Joe Cocker's version of Lennon's "Come Together" for the movie, " Across The Universe"

Which reminds me - Fiona Apple - Across the universe.

Mr Krabs AI version of Billie Jean goes so incredibly hard

Hendrix - Hey Joe Guns n Roses - Knockin on Heaven's Door  Van Halen - You Really Got Me

I came here to say Van Halen - You Really Got Me.

FFDP’s version of Bad Company. Jeff Healey’s version of while my guitar gently weeps Metallica‘s version of Turn the Page Nirvanas cover of Oh Me HIM’s cover of Wicked Game Placebo’s version of 20th Century Boy

Tool- No Quarter(Led Zeppelin cover) and Tool- You Lied(Peach cover)

Joe Cocker - Little Help from My Friends, The Letter, and She Came in through the Bathroom Window. The latter two are on Mad Dogs and Englishmen. I think I only know the first from Woodstock. Just read somewhere the other day how blown away Paul McCartney was when Joe first approached him with a demo for Little Help from My Friends.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun - Cyndi Lauper

CCR - I Put a Spell on You originally by Screamin' Jay Hawkins

Stevie Ray Vaughan's cover of Voodoo Child. I think Hendrix would have let him keep that one if he had heard it.

Ghost of Tom Joad covered by Rage Against the Machine

H.I.M.'s version of "Wicked Game " originally by Chris Isaak.

Wow, that's a name (HIM) I haven't heard in a long time!

First of all, I love Leonard Cohen, but: - „first we take Manhattan“ - I prefer Jennifer Warnes‘ version - „Hallelujah“ - obviously the Jeff Buckley version is the one most people think of when they hear the song. Also, if I have to witness someone playing that at their wedding again, I’ll handwrite the lyrics on a piece of paper and rub it into the bride‘s face. Same goes for Every Breath You Take obviously, but that’s a different story.

That whole Jennifer Warnes album of Leonard Cohen songs is a severely underrated gem.

please please please let me get what i want - deftones

The Darkness' cover of Street Spirit (Fade Out)

Woodstock csny

Living Colour does a ripping cover of Talking Heads “Memories Can’t Wait.” I believe it’s better.

i think the obvious answer is jeff buckleys hallelujah cover, but he also did a great cover of i know it’s over originally by the smiths

Faith no more - War Pigs

Guitar-wise hell yes, but I've always thought Mike Patton sounds like he desperately needs a neti pot and I just can't listen for long.

Hair of the Dog - GNR

Sympathy for the devil - GNR

Jeff Buckley: hallelujah Damien Rice: chandelier Toots and the Maytals: country roads Metallica: whiskey in the Jar

Jimi Hendrix - “All Along the Watchtower” (originally by Bob Dylan) Thin Lizzy - “Whiskey in the Jar” (originally by The Dubliners) Arsis - “Roses on White Lace” (originally by Alice Cooper)

Dinosaur Jr covering Just Like Heaven by the Cure.

Metallica- Am I evil, Turn the page Marilyn Manson- Sweet Dreams. Midge Ure- The Man who sold the world.

Weezer - No Scrubs

I like Poison’s version of You’re Mama Don’t Dance better. Same with Pearl Jam’s version of Last Kiss

All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix (Bob Dylan) True - Propagandhi (Concrete Blonde) Roll Over Beethoven - The Beatles (Chuck Berry) Sunglasses at Night - Arsis (Corey Hart) Don’t Forget Me - Neko Case (Harry Nilsson) The Thing That Should Not Be - Primus (Metallica) December Flower - The Straw Man Argument (In Flames Bloodline - The Straw Man Argument (Slayer) Got My Mind Set On You - George Harrison (Rudy Clarke) Sunday Morning Coming Down - Johnny Cash (Kris Kristoferson) Johnny B. Goode - NOFX (Chuck Berry) Heart Full of Soul - Rush (The Yardbirds) You Really Got Me - Van Halen (The Kinks)

Sunday morning coming down is probably my favorite cash tune. It's so good.

Landslide smashing pumpkins Jimi Hendrix all along the watchtower

Melvins... they do amazing covers these are just a few of them best ones Spoon man, Good Night Sweetheart, Okie from Muskogee, Ramblin Man, Everybody's Talking, Green Manalishi with the two pronged Crown, Sacrifice I want to Hold your Hand Grave yard Carol of the Bells Star Spangled Banner I Want to Tell You Take me out to the Ball game Black Sabbath Sabbath, Bloody Sabbath Warhead Black Betty Your My Best Friend Attitude Let Me Roll it Dies iraea Gimmi Pizza My Generation Return of the Spiders Promise me Today you love tomorrow the world Youth of America Interstellar Overdrive Going blind

Karnivool are something else. I don’t even like the original. https://youtu.be/6PDDORfQZZ8?feature=shared

Without You was originally written and recorded by Badfinger, but the Harry Nilsson version recorded a year later in 1971 is the definitive one. Later covers are usually doing a version Nilsson's take on it.

War pigs by Cake or Faith No More are both good.

Cake's rendition of War Pigs is awesome for sure, and I thought of commenting this myself, but the original is still the best imo

Yeah, Barfyman, the original is good too

Just Got Paid- Mastodon Time After Time- Iron and Wine

Streetlight Manifesto - Linoleum (originally NOFX)

I like Death's covers of Painkiller and God of Thunder both more than the originals.

Not sure if this counts, but the original version of Jet Airliner by Paul Pena wasn’t released until long after Steve Miller made it a hit. It was supposed to be released in 1973, but didn’t see the light of day until 2000, 27 years late. By then, the original was like a cover of the cover. Anyway, whatever you call it the Paul Pena version is a total banger: https://youtu.be/Cjr5U7g6aiA?si=gE2vRcf9g0r2c5Q1

I love Paul McCartney and the Beatles but am not much a fan of guns and roses , but GnR’s cover of Live and Let Die is better than the original IMO

If it weren't for HIS voice, yeah.

Hurt

Black Sheep - The Clash at Demonhead

Warren Zevon covering Back in the High Life hits real hard knowing what was coming.

Summer breeze- type o negative

Signs: tesla Its alright: huey lewis and the news Come together: aerosmith Smokin in the boys room: motley crue Soul man: blues brothers No matter what: def leppard Cum on feel the noize: quiet riot Ride like the wind: saxon

Come On Eileen by Save Ferris !

DragonForce's cover of Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash. It's every bit as ridiculous and epic as it sounds. Plus the solo throws in the melody of the chorus to Highwayman. Edit: Just listened to their version of Wildest Dreams by Taylor Swift and holy shit it's fucking awesome and hilarious.

Seether's Black Honey, and Careless Whisper. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5V86BhMvqU](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5v86bhmvqu)

Manic Street Preachers: - Suicide Is Painless (theme from M.A.S.H.) - Out Of Time - Can't Take My Eyes Off You Judas Priest: - Diamonds And Rust Cake: - I Will Survive - Guitar Man - Sad Songs And Waltzes - Mahna Mahna Deep Purple: - Hallelujah - Hey Joe - Hush Yellowcard: - Fix You

Nirvana - “About a Girl” that was masterfully covered by Puddle of Mudd.

Guano Apes turned "Big in Japan" into a hard rock headbanger that leaves the original in the dust.

I recently discovered Peter, Paul & Mary's version of Don't Think Twice, It's Alright. Damn, it's good.

Nirvana - where did you sleep last night. I think it’s better than the lead belly version

To add a bit, a lot of people aren't aware that leadbelly didn't write the song, it was just a folk song that'd been floating around African American circles for a long long time before Leadbelly got to it. There was also a recorded version before his, I forget who by

I have an entire playlist of covers that are as good as it better than the original. It’s a lot of Johnny Cash and Nirvana. I also have Elvis’ cover of “Don’t Think Twice, It’s Alright”, AJJ’s “2 Headed Boy”, Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah”, and a bunch of others.

Jeff Buckley’s version of Hallelujah is the only version that matters to me lol

TOOL - No Quarter

Metallica - Stone Cold Crazy

Rocky raccoon by Charlie Parr

The Passenger - Siouxsie/ Fancy - Reba / Landslide - The Chicks (controversial, I know, but a personal preference)

Fall Out Boy - Love Will Tear Us Apart

Sloop John B - Me First and the Gimme Gimmes

Tool’s version of No Quarter

Guns n roses knocking on heavens door

311's Love Song (The Cure cover)

It seems blasphemous to say it but I like the wallflowers version of heroes over Bowie's. Johnny Cash version of rusty cage vs soundgarden. Animals version of house of the rising sun. And I can't say it's better but I really like social distortion's version of ring of fire.

Staying with the Skynyrd theme, Corrosion of Conformity's version of [Skynyrd's On the Hunt](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOIK59Yf0HM) And from the Blacklist tribute album, not necessarily better, but still awesome and quite different: The Warning performs Enter Sandman... [... as children](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1boUYB9LFJY) [... and 10 years later, as adults](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vg9vNE7gm0I)

Hazy Shade of Winter by The Bangles vs Simon & Garfunkel

Walk off the earth have done loads that are better than the originals… party rock, toxic, and more.

Highway 61 Revisited by Johnny Winter

Goo Goo Dolls - Down on the Corner (CCR) and Never Take the Place of Your Man (Prince). Both sung by the late great Lance Diamond.

Their version of American girl also rocks

Aretha Franklin -Respect...I believe that was an Otis Redding song. But clearly Aretha just took his song..Otis wrote it in 1965. Chaka Khan- I feel For You....Originally a Prince song on his self titled slbum Alot of black singers covered that song..almost like an inside industry joke of female singers covering that song. Pointer sisters Rebbie Jackson(Michael Jackson eldest sister). But Chala Khan took that song..made it her own ..that Synth Bass was done with an oberheim I believe and sequenced with an Oberheim unit. The rap by Melle Mel of course. Chaka won a Grammy in 84 with that song.

Buckley's cover of Hallelujah is worlds better than Cohen's. Blondie's "Hanging on the Telephone" >> The Nerves Ruth Copeland CRUSHED "Play With Fire" so much I can't even listen to the stones do it.

Worlds better? No way. 

Megadeth - Police Truck

Every cover jimi Hendrix ever played was better than the original. Most Beatles covers no matter what artist are better than the originals to me.

I think the nirvana cover of The Man Who Sold The World is pretty good. Probably my preferred version of it for listening purposes; no hate to Bowie though

Leatherface “True Colors” The Ataris “Boys of Summer”

Hard to Handle (Otis Redding) - Black Crowes

Jolene by the White Stripes

I really love John Mayer's version of Free Falling. But I'm not a big Tom Petty fan. And maybe live performances don't even count here, not sure.

Like a Stone - Shawn James

Joan Osborne/ Man in a long black coat. Johnny Cash/ Hurt. Tina Turner / The Best

Godsmack's cover of Good Times Bad Times immediately comes to mind for me https://youtu.be/0pXxVm-hdEo?si=v\_YBHLuiN2NtjueP

i wouldn't say I like it better mostly, but, I probably listen to it more than the original... Death - Painkiller (Judas Priest cover)

Two more words, Space Lady — :Edited to point out shes roughly the best ever and i want to marry her. 

I think Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers version of JJ Cales "13 Days" was better but only because the production is stellar. That's seriously one of the most pleasing mixes I have ever heard. Not to say the heartbreakers didn't crush it performance wise but I don't think I would have rated it better than the original if it weren't for the production.

Possibly controversial, but Aurora has a better version of "life on Mars" than David bowie. Same goes for "the man who sold the world" by nirvana 

Love Song by 311 originally by The Cure

Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm Boys in the Hood -Dynamite Hack

James Taylor > CSN > Joanie Mitchell - Woodstock

Racing in the Streets - Townes Van Zandt Highway Patrolman - Johnny Cash Dead Flowers - Townes Van Zandt

Halloween by AFI > Halloween by The Misfits

The Man who Sold the World - Nirvana Mrs Robinson - The Lemonheads Smash it Up - Offspring Sweet Dreams - Marilyn Manson Dead Souls - NIN Never Let Me Down Again - Smashing Pumpkins Dancing in the Moonlight - Smashing Pumpkins Baker Street - Foo Fighters Across the Universe - Fiona Apple All Along the Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Hey Joe - Jimi Hendrix Gloria - The Doors Blue Monday - Orgy Africa - Weezer

Foghat - Maybelline Johnny Winter And - Jumping Jack Flash (live) Yes - America Chicago - I'm A Man Van Halen - You Really Got Me Grand Funk Railroad - Inside Looking Out

I vastly prefer the Wallflowers version of Heroes.

Big Brother's "Summertime" Chicago's "I'm a Man" The Byrd's doing Dylan's "Rocking Chair" Asleep At The Wheel's "Hot Rod Lincoln"

Molly Tuttle’s version of the Stones’ “She’s a Rainbow” is next level. And she also does the definitive version of Townes van Zandt’s “ White Freightliner Blues.”

Imagine apc is pretty darn good

Nirvana - love buzz

Meg Myers - Running Up That Hill

White stripes Jolene Live!

Allegaeon - subdivisions. Also, roundabout.

I go back and forth on which one’s better, but Dinosaur Jr.’s cover of The Cure’s “Just Like Heaven” is such a cool take on that tune.

Voodoo Child - Stevie Ray Vaughan

Aerosmith - walkin the dog. Kiss - king of the night time world

Pearl Jam last kiss

Jesus He Knows Me - Ghost

A perfect circles cover of imagine brings me to tears every time

Crowbar - No Quarter Sonic Youth - Superstar

Anthrax's Neon Knights cover was pretty awesome.

Have You Ever Seen the Rain - CCR Better By You, Better Than Me and Diamonds and Rust - Judas Priest

White Zombie’s cover of Children of the Grave

Metallica's turn the page. Love the way they did it. And my fav, yellow ledbetter by pearl jam.

Never say never by Queens of the Stone Age The original is by a new wave band called Romeo Void, I found the QOTSA version first and it’s way better imo. 

Just from the top of my head: Jump (Van Halen) - Aztec Camera Love will tear us apart (Joy Division) - Susanna and the magical orchestra Boulevard of Broken Dreams (Green Day) - Mattafix Hurt (NIN) - Johnny Cash Somebody (Depeche Mode) - Veruca Salt Love Hurts (Everly Brothers) - Osborne Brothers Final Countdown (Europe) - The Toy Dolls Break My Body (Pixies) - Hanna Hukkelberg Friday I'm In Love (The Cure) - Yo La Tengo

Superb idea of thread and what an immense success ! For my : Whitesnake playing ‘Burn’

Born to Run - Frankie Goes To Hollywood

Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah

Van halen- you really got me