Cover versions that are better than the originals

Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley

The simplicity of his treatment of this one puts Leonard Cohen's synthesizer laden version to shame, and really brings Cohen's brilliant song writing to the fore. Buckley keeps his warbling to a minimum (which usually pretty much shits me) and just lets the song and his guitar do the talking without any need for histrionics

Bizarre Love Triangle - Frente

I read an article in the Age listing this as one of the worst five cover versions ever, which I thought was an extremely harsh call. I heard New Order themselves name this as their favourite cover version ever in a radio interview once and I'd say they're pretty much spot on. As a much younger man I pretty much fell in love with Angie Hart every time I heard this one.

Hurt - Johnny Cash

I have to admit that I've never heard the original of this, but it's pretty hard to imagine that Trent Reznor could ever deliver the power and gravity that Johnny brings to this. There's also a brilliant film clip to this that contrasts pictures and clips of the younger Cash with his dying older self (and I believe that he died just months after this was recorded). I first watched it on YouTube at work and had tears in my eyes at the end, which was more than a little embarrassing.

Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor

All these are following a similar theme with the stripped back versions, but she really makes this largely a capella version of the Prince song fuckin' hurt. Again, a great film clip consisting solely of a single shot of her shaven headed face with tears running slowly from her eyes says pretty much all that needs to be said.

Anything by the Detroit Cobras

OK, it might be going a bit far to say that everyone of their versions is better than the original, particularly when I don't think I've even heard any of them, but geez I love this band.

Best.Cover.Band.Ever.