Best rock cover songs, list your favorites

The Hendrix "All along the Watchtower" is probably the most prominent example of a cover being more recognized than the original. To me, Odetta's cover of Dylan's "Times they are a Changin" belongs in that category.

I like a lot of other covers more than the originals, such as Marianne Faithfull's version of "Ballad of Lucy Jordan" (Dr. Hook), and both Roy Orbison's and Nazareth's cover of "Love Hurts" (Everly Brothers).

For sort of novelty covers, I like Shonen Knife's cover of "Top of the World" (Carpenters) and Nouvelle Vague's cover of "Guns of Brixton" (Clash).

Yup, the Everly's did not write "Love Hurts," but I think they were the first to release a recording of it. Likewise, Shel Silversteen wrote "The Ballad of Lucy Jordan," but again, I think it was for Dr. Hook.

Ozzy,
I will have to look for that obscure cover.

Marty,
I did not know that "Battleship Chains" by Georgia Satellites was a cover. Is the original worth looking for?

There are so many good covers of certain artists who are great song writers, with limitations as performers. I can think of a number of Leonard Cohen songs that I much prefer covers, e.g., "First we Take Manhattan" (R.E.M.), "Hallelujah" (Jeff Buckley), and "Everybody Knows" (Concrete Blonde).

One more where the cover is probably more recognized than the original:

Peter Green/Fleetwood Mac's "Black Magic Woman" being covered by Santana.

Marty,

Thanks. I agree that the Zevon version is quite good. I am a big fan of his records, particularly the first album. I once considered making a compilation album of all the songs that Linda Rondstadt butchered as covers; Zevon songs would figure prominently.

For novelty covers, I like Bob Dylan and Tiny Tim doing "I got you Babe" (recorded in Tiny Tim's basement--they were friends).

Yes, another thread on treacle would be fun. Speaking of which, I heard the full version of "Seasons in the Sun" (Jacque Brel/Rod McKuen) that had verses that Terry Jacks left out in his cover. It is a MUCH more interesting song. The dead narrator says goodbye to his wife, tells her that he knows she had been screwing around, including his best friend, and threatens to haunt her.

I personally like a lot of covers and think there is nothing inauthentic about cover versions. For those who think otherwise, I would add: "Girl You Know its True" by Milli Vanilli (inauthentic in so many ways).

What about the Beatles' cover of "La Bamba" (renamed "Twist and Shout")?

Aretha Franklin practicallhy owns Otis Redding's "Respect."