Whenever a cover outshines the original, you just feel it right away (if you’re as into music as most of us are). Maybe it’s the way an artist adds their own style, strips it down, or pours in emotion that wasn’t there before. Some covers feel so natural that the original starts to fade from memory.
Here are 10 cover versions that became the ones we remember (and in some cases, the only ones we remember)—sometimes even more than the originals.
Image Credit: TarasMalyarevich /Depositphotos.com.
“Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinéad O’Connor (Original by Prince)
Prince wrote it, but Sinéad O’Connor made it unforgettable. Her voice is raw and full of pain — it hits you right in the gut. The simple music behind her makes it feel like it’s coming straight from her soul. Prince’s original is emotional, but Sinéad’s version takes it to a whole other level.
“I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston (Original by Dolly Parton)
Dolly Parton’s version is sweet and soft — a gentle goodbye, but Whitney Houston turned it into something massive. Her voice—full of power & emotion—took the song to a place no one else could.
“All Along the Watchtower” – Jimi Hendrix (Original by Bob Dylan)
In “All Along the Watchtower” Hendrix’s guitar playing is wild and full of energy — it feels like something big is about to go down. For a lot of people, Hendrix’s version isn’t just better; it’s the only one that really fits.
Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” (Original by Nine Inch Nails)
Johnny Cash’s weathered voice—heavy with regret & time—strips the song down to something hauntingly real. The quiet, almost fragile instrumentation puts every word under a spotlight, like he’s carving them straight from his soul. Then there’s the video. Watching an aging Cash alongside flashes of his younger self—it’s impossible not to feel the weight of it all.
“Tainted Love” – Soft Cell (Original by Gloria Jones)
Soft Cell gave Tainted Love a whole new vibe, even though Gloria Jones’ version had plenty of energy and soul. Marc Almond’s voice, mixed with that ‘80s style, made the sadness feel far away but still hard to forget.
“The Man Who Sold the World” – Nirvana (Original by David Bowie)
Nirvana’s acoustic version feels like a whole new song. Kurt Cobain sounds worn out and broken — like he’s not just singing, but living the words. Bowie’s version is more theatrical and reflective, but Nirvana strips it down to something raw and haunting.
“Mad World” – Gary Jules (Original by Tears for Fears)
Tears for Fears’ original is kind of upbeat, even with its dark words. Gary Jules slowed it way down, with just piano & her soft singing. It feels more like a quiet, heavy reflection on the world’s madness — more real, more raw, and somehow easier to relate to.
“Hallelujah” – Jeff Buckley (Original by Leonard Cohen)
Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” is powerful on its own, but Jeff Buckley took it somewhere new. Just him and his guitar, with that haunting voice — it feels almost spiritual. Although Cohen’s version had depth, Buckley’s stripped it bare and made it hit even harder.
“Valerie” – Amy Winehouse (Original by The Zutons)
The Zutons did Valerie first, and it was a solid track—catchy, upbeat and fun. But Amy’s voice, full of attitude and ache, made it feel like something more—like she wasn’t just singing about someone, but really missing them.
“Respect” – Aretha Franklin (Original by Otis Redding)
Don’t you think Otis Redding’s Respect was good, but Aretha Franklin made it unforgettable? Her voice—so strong—and the funky rhythm turned it into more than just a song about love. It’s no longer just a plea for respect in a relationship, but a bold anthem for independence.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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