I love Mariah but her version is basically just a simple cover which she did for the movie Glitter since it was set in the 1980's, so I have to go with the original by Cherelle. Plus Cherelle had a longer dance track that was slammin' in the clubs.

BTW, as for cover songs in general, unless the artist covering a tune sings much better than the original singer or does something really different with the track (like change the arrangement to make it harder edged or funky), I usually tend to prefer the original. Like nearly all of the songs Mariah has covered, the original song was much better (though she did a great job with "I'll Be There"). But I preferred Paul Young's version of "Everytime You Go Away" over Hall and Oates' original, I liked UB40's version of "Red Red Wine" much better than Neil Diamond's original, and Adam Lambert's version of "Mad World" was light years better than the original by Tears For Fears (though it actually was similar to the version released on the Donnie Darko soundtrack and a subsequent cover by some unknown female artist). The one song I am torn on is "Hurt", because Trent Reznor/NIN made the song really creepy and haunting, yet Johnny Cash's version was equally as haunting but for an entirely different reason - he was facing his own death.

The reason why I prefer the Hall & Oats version of "Everytime you go away", is similar to why u like Johnny Cash's version of "Hurt". Darryl Hall wrote that song as a message to his then girlfriend. So, there is meaning behind it.

Cherelle first, then Robert Palmer. As for Mariah Scarey, she needs to sit her ass down because she ain't even worthy.

Cherrelle.That version might also top my list for favorite Jam/Lewis production of all time.