Song Covers That Are as Good as (If Not Better Than) the Original [with links]

Song Covers That Are as Good as (If Not Better Than) the Original - December, 2011-Ongoing

"Boys of Summer" by The Ataris (originally by Don Henley)

"All By Myself" by Babes in Toyland (originally by Eric Carmen)

"I'm So Excited" by Le Tigre (originally by The Pointer Sisters)

"The Man Who Sold the World" by Nirvana (originally by David Bowie)

"Gold Dust Woman" by Hole (originally by Fleetwood Mac)

"Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)" by Marilyn Manson (originally by Eurythmics)

"Summertime" by both Sublime (as "Doin' Time") and Big Brother & the Holding Company (originally composed by George Gershwin and lyrics written by DuBose Heyward and Ira Gershwin for the opera, Porgy and Bess)

"Sweet Jane" by Cowboy Junkies (originally by The Velvet Underground)

"All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix (originally by Bob Dylan)

"Hurt" by Johnny Cash (originally by Nine Inch Nails) 

"Can't Take My Eyes Off of You" by Muse (originally by Frankie Valli)

"With a Little Help From My Friends" by Joe Cocker (originally by The Beatles) 

"Clocks" by Buena Vista Social Club (originally by Coldplay)

"Killing Me Softly" by The Fugees (originally by Lori Lieberman as "Killing Me Softly with His Song")

"Cry Me a River" by The Cliks (originally by Justin Timberlake)

"White Rabbit" by The Murmurs (originally by Jefferson Airplane)

"Mad World" by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules (originally by Tears for Fears) 

"I Love Rock N' Roll" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (originally by Arrows)* 

"Crimson and Clover" by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (originally by Tommy James and the Shondells)

Pretty much all of Me First and the Gimme Gimmies' repertoire

*Joan Jett & The Blackhearts did a whole album of great covers (The Hit List), most notably "Love Hurts" by Nazareth and "Love Me Two Times" by The Doors.