There are songs that are truly great (sellers) and remain favourites because of sheer presence, lyricism, presentation and, to be honest, being released in a time conducive to being a hit in the first place.
To be a "hit", as opposed to being an also-ran, cover versions need at least 3 of the above criteria to be successful again, sometimes more than the original, but often not.
I will keep adding to this list as covers come to mind, suggesting why they succeeded (sometimes better than the original).
STEP ON YOU AGAIN by John Kongos
Covered, transformed and bettered by The Happy Mondays
I'M FREE by The Rolling Stones
Covered, transformed and bettered by The Soup Dragons
HOLE IN MY SHOE by Traffic
Covered humorously by Neil (real name Nigel Planer)
LIVING DOLL by Cliff Richard
Covered and ruined humorously by Cliff Richard and The Young Ones
HURT by Nine Inch Nails
Covered, transformed and bettered by Johnny Cash
This next song has been copied by many artists, most better than the original.
EVERYBODY'S TALKIN' (AT ME) by Fred Neil (is a poor rendition)
Best covered, transformed and bettered by Harry Nilsson
Covered with country pickin' by Glen Campbell
Covered with respect by Rick Watson
I LOVE ROCK 'N' ROLL by The Arrows
Covered in attitude by Joan Jett and The Black Hearts
IT'S MY LIFE by Talk Talk,
Covered in Gwen Stefani by No Doubt (feat Gwen Stefani)
FIRST TIME EVER I SAW YOUR FACE by Peggy Seeger
Covered, transformed and bettered by Roberta Flack
(who sang it just as well live)
DEDICATED TO THE ONE I LOVE by the Shirelles
Covered and bettered by The Mamas And The Papas
THE IN CROWD by Dobie Gray
Covered, transformed and bettered by Bryan Ferry
JEALOUS GUY by John Lennon
Covered successfully by Bryan Ferry at the right time (Lennon's death)
WITHOUT YOU by Badfinger
Covered and bettered by Harry Nilsson
NOTHING COMPARES TO YOU by Prince
Covered and bettered by Sinead O'Connor
Covered and transformed by Puddles Pity Party
Puddles Pity Party site here
DIAMONDS AND RUST by Joan Baez (Song history here)
Covered and transformed from folk to heavy metal by Judas Priest
GOD GAVE ROCK AND ROLL TO YOU by Argent
Covered respectfully but presented with more bombast by Kiss
WAR PIGS by Black Sabbath (great video!)
Covered with twist by CAKE
Covered and transformed from rock to solo by Puddles Pity Party
Covered and transformed from rock to choral by Rondellus
TAINTED LOVE by Gloria Jones
Covered, transformed and bettered by Soft Cell
SATISFACTION by The Rolling Stones
Covered and transformed from rock to soul by Otis Redding
Covered and transformed from rock to indie by DEVO
Covered and transformed from rock to very indie by the Venturer
ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER by Bob Dylan (Song history here)
Covered, transformed from folk to rock and bettered by Jimi Hendrix
Covered and presented in a unique way by Bastion Rose
OH YOU PRETTY THINGS by David Bowie
Covered (let's leave it at that) by Peter Noone (Ex Herman's Hermits)
This is a rare example of a record company having faith in the early part of an artists career.
SPACE ODDITY Original acoustic version by David Bowie (1st release)
Covered, transformed and bettered (just) by David Bowie (2nd release)
Covered and bettered by David Bowie (3rd release - the hit)
Covered and transformed by Bowie's former bassist Gail Ann Dorsey
This has been copied by many artists (including Bowie), all better than the original.
THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD by David Bowie
Covered and bettered by Lulu
Covered respectfully by Nirvana
Covered (remixed) many time by Bowie (to better covers?) - one here
WITH A LITTLE HELP FROM FRIENDS by The Beatles (history here)
Covered, bettered? and transformed from pop to rock by Joe Cocker
N.B. Joe did loads of covers
AMERICAN WOMAN by The Guess Who
Covered, transformed and bettered? by Lenny Kravitz
This next song has been copied by many artists, none better than the original.
Covered and only made more popular by Metallica
Covered with original's passion by "unknowns" Galactic Lemonz
Covered badly (weird syncopation) by Alunah
Covered well, with respect for the killer riff by Florence Black
LIGHT MY FIRE by The Doors
Covered and transformed by solo guitar by Jose Feliciano
Covered and transformed by Will Young (1st version)
Covered and transformed by Will Young (2nd version - the hit)
THE ONLY WAY IS UP by Otis Clay (original soul hit)
Covered, bettered and transformed to pop by Yazz
Covered (let's leave it that) by Stornoway
ANYONE WHO HAD A HEART by Dionne Warwick (US hit)
Covered identically but at the right time in the UK by Cilla Black
Covered and bettered by lush orchestration by Rebecca Ferguson
Covered poorly by actress Sheridan Smith for TV homage
Want some more varied music?
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