Dave Edmund's cover of Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk"

Jimi Hendrix's cover of "All Along the Watchtower." Dylan may have written beautiful lyrics but, to me, it wasn't until other musicians put those words with enchanting instrumentals that that music comes alive. The greatest example of this is Watchtower.

As I recall, Dylan himself regards the Hendrix version of Watchtower as the definitive. That's a compliment, people.

Thank you for reminding me, McNutcase! Here's another cover that was ceded by the author. Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" originally by Nine Inch Nails/Trent Reznor. Trent was quoted in at least one interview saying, "[Hurt] is Johnny's song now." That's right, a septuagenarian known for a different genre of music did the definitive version. There's something hypnotic about Johnny's version... Slow, mournful, and contemplative but also relentless and hopeful.

I liked Gary Jules version of mad world better than the original.

A. Listen to Coverville if you don't already

B. It's hard to come up with a song to follow Hendrix's Watchtower, arguably the greatest cover of all time, AND Johnny Cash's Hurt. searching my library.....

EDIT:



Good Call!

Maybe going out on a limb but I'd take Nirvanna over David Bowie



Not Better than the Originals but these make me happy
Madeleine Peyroux covers Elliot Smith's Between the Bars
Shiny Toy Guns cover Peter Schilling'sMajor Tom
Emiliana Torrini covers Jefferson Airplane's White Rabbit
Kate Rusby covering the Kinks' Village Green Preservation Society

Diamond Dave makes everything better:

On my phone, so no links, but:

Aerosmith's version of Come Together trumps the Beatles'.

Almost ANYONE'S version of Hallelujah trumps Leonard Cohen's, but in particular, the version by Lind, Fuentes, Nilson, and Holm rules.

Alien Ant Farm's Smooth Criminal beats Michael Jackson's.

Manfred Mann's cover of Blinded By The Light beats Springsteen's like Ike beat Tina.

And Ace Frehley's KISS version of 2000 Man is actually listenable and catchy, while the Rolling Stones' original can barely be considered music.

It's a testament to Dylan's brilliance that so many of his songs were covered.

Totally agree on the Hendrix example.

And, while this might not be the same slam-dunk as Watchtower, the good Captain didn't hold back in this cover of Mr. Tambourine Man.