Generally speaking I dislike cover songs. Folks rarely bring a new perspective to the music, and I'm more interested in hearing original tunes anyway. Having said that, I'm curious as to what the org thinks. I would nominate a scant five tunes as being effective covers, if not better versions, of the original material.

Jimi Hendrix - 'All Along The Watchtower'
Devo - 'Satisfaction'
Luther Vandross - 'Superstar'
The Isley Brothers - 'Hello It's Me'
The Rolling Stones - 'Route 66'

What says you?

I don't think the Devo cover is that great. The Otis Redding Cover, while good, isn't as good as the original.

I don't have a definition of a clasic cover, most, if not all of the covers I like are not well known or considered great.
[Edited 8/19/06 19:30pm]

violator said:

"Respect" immediately comes to mind. Even Otis preferred Aretha's version. The other one that pops up is Marvin Gaye's "I Heard It Through the Grapevine," but its status as a cover is a little complicated.

Stevie Wonder - For Once in My Life
Marvin Gaye - Yesterday [Not necessarily better, but it's a unique, excellent take.]
Aretha Franklin - Bridge Over Troubled Water [ditto]
The Jackson 5 - Who's Lovin' You
Aretha Franklin - I Say a Little Prayer
The Isley Brothers - Love the One You're With
The Isley Brothers - Summer Breeze
The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man
The Jackson 5 - Stand! (yes, I think it's better)
Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye - You Are Everything
Diana Ross & Marvin Gaye - Stop, Look, Listen (To Your Heart) [excellent covers]
Cyndi Lauper - All Through the Night [no contest]
Whitney Houston - Greatest Love of All
Robert Palmer - I Didn't Mean to Turn You On
Quincy Jones & Tevin Campbell - Tomorrow
Luther Vandross - A House Is Not a Home
Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
Aaliyah - At Your Best (You Are Love)
Troop - Sweet November
Naked Eyes - Always Something There to Remind Me

Just about everything Ella ever covered

These are nowhere near better (because that would be ridiculous), but three excellent Stevie covers from the '90s:

Intro - Ribbon in the Sky
Blackstreet - Love's in Need of Love Today
Jodeci - Lately
[Edited 8/19/06 19:55pm]

Off tha top ...

I loves me some Troop with "All I Do is Think of You"

...I Can't Wait - King Brit w/ Twyla.

...Inner City Blues - Nona Gaye

...Mister Magic - Eddie M

...Little Wing - Sting

The thing about Luther is he could take a cover and make it his own.
[Edited 8/19/06 20:06pm]

bobsteezy said:

Yeah, I can't believe I forgot that one. Others:

Aretha Franklin - Don't Play That Song
Al Green - How Can You Mend a Broken Heart
Isaac Hayes - Walk On By

makings of you-gladys knight

lilgish said:

Shh...tell the truth up in here.

brownsugar said:

and "The way we were"