Top 5 Cover Songs That Are Better Than The Original

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Like fashion that changes through the years, a great song can also go through a transformation. It doesn’t just get played on repeat but sometimes better versions are created. Some people are unaware that many great songs out there are surprisingly covers from songs that come from equally good singers. Many versions have surpassed the popularity of the original giving us an enhanced level of enjoyment. We’ve narrowed it down to top five cover songs (in no particular order) we believe sound better than the original and we think you’d agree with us too.

1. Killing Me Softly by The Fugees (1996)

Originally performed by Lori Lieberman in 1971, people are more familiar with Roberta Flack’s version (1973) who certainly made this evergreen song her own with her sweet and haunting version that is definitely unforgettable. But in 1996, the hip hop band The Fugees provided us with their own twist to the song and we owe it all to Lauryn Hill who took to the vocals and made this classic song into a hip and cool version - better than the original some might say.

2. Respect by Aretha Franklin (1967)

Every woman in this world should have this song in their playlist and be able to sing along to it. If the original singer Otis Redding (1965) sang from a male perspective, the late Aretha Franklin gave us an upbeat song that calls for women to be strong, confident beings who deserve respect. How can we not say that this is the best cover version of all time?

3. I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston (1992)

The lovely Dolly Parton was the original singer of this song that first featured in 1974. But Whitney’s version is by far the best cover and the one everyone remembers the most and still listens to till today. With her amazing vocals reaching those notes not many can, who can ever beat that?

4. I Can’t Make You Love Me by George Michael (1997)

One of the saddest songs ever written it was originally sung by Bonnie Raitt in 1991 but George Michael really made a hit with it through his heart breaking version that pulls at our heartstrings making it one of the best covers that we love.

5. Nothing Compares 2U  by Sinead O’Connor (1990)

Prince composed and sang this song in 1985 but it was the Irish singer Sinead O’Connor who brought it to stardom through her powerful vocals and outstanding performance. Her music video is testament to how something simple can turn into a solid gold song that is without a doubt better than the original version.

So kudos to all these amazing stars that have provided us with great music and helped give us a different version we all love. We’re sure there are plenty of other songs that could make the list and prove to be worthy of listening to. Do you know any? Feel free to share it with us down below.