Having nominated Midge Ure's cover of Tom Rush's No Regrets as one of the worst covers ever, I'll nominate The Walker Brothers' version as one of the best.
Jeff Buckley's version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah must be right up there and, for sheer comedy value, The Gourds' hillbilly rendition of Snoop Dogg's Gin And Juice.
My earlier post seems to have disappeared so i am sending it again.
Equal first - Walker Bros 'No Regrets' and Richie Havens 'Fire and Rain' (the orignal by James Taylor gets a lot of plays on radio but Havens' version gives me a tingle the original does not). Try listening also to his version of 'Here Comes The Sun'.
I'm a big fan of Johnny Cash but didnt like his covers of 'One' or 'Hurt' His voice was shot to bits by then.
I do like Mary J Blige's rendition (well more of a duet) of U2's 'One' Also Skinny Puppy - Tainted Love adds a different twist and Revolting ***** cover of Rod Stewarts 'If you think I'm sexy' is worth a listen.
Smells Like Teen Spirit by Tori Amos
Can't Help Falling In Love - U2
There Is A Light That Never Goes Out - Neil Finn
Love Will Tear Us Apart - Honeyroot
IMO the Cash version was better than NIN. Alkaline Trio have done brilliant covers of Metro by Berlin, wait for the blackout by the damned and Rooftops by HWM.
I reckon marilyn manson did a top rendition of sweet dreams (eurythmics)...not everyones taste i'm sure, but he definitely put his individual mark on it!