There is no point in arguing whether a cover is good or not, because good music, like fun, is subjective.
That's not going to prevent me from posting my opinion however.
Cats in the Cradle
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Original by Harry Chapin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zH46SmVv8SU
Cover by Ugly Kid Joe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T3bht7S-3vI
I think the cover is slightly better, but they are both great.
Mad World
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Original by Tears for Fears
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZRib_aAQFQ
Cover by Gary Jules
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N3N1MlvVc4
The cover is almost universally recognized as the better version.
Enjoy the Silence
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Original by Depeche Mode
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQtzOOz6Y6c
Cover by Lacuna Coil
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lx58hXh4pVA
Cover by HIM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oExW8cgp3m8
Original is great, Lacuna Coil isn't horrible, HIM version is horrible.
Sweet Dreams
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Original by Eurythimics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQHrspjw4aA
Cover by Marilyn Manson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iuve2OjY_8
Prefer original.
Tainted Love
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Original by Gloria Jones
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSehtaY6k1U
Cover by Soft Cell
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oEh5pWjcWCg
Cover by Everyone and their mother
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_-0MXklxHlQ
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eo3TUtRnZi4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w37thYX6aYM
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8avMdrPQcqg
The covers should have stopped after Soft Cell. I'm sure there are more even more covers than what I listed.
Got Money
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Original by Lil Wayne
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hTdDahpe2Ag
Cover by Jonathan Davis of Korn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uW3sSWaoXTA
I hate the fact that I find both amusing. My taste in music might be changing for the worse.
Orestes
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Original by A Perfect Circle
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XtG5SGL0Xw
Cover by Amy Lee
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vV6fTjl5594&feature=related
Cover by Adam Monroe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d_EqpXC741A
Evey cover that Adam Monroe does is at least good, some are just as good as the original or better. Amy Lee's was bad, but the crowd being tards didn't help either.
Lateralus
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Original by Tool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EDlC7oG_2W4
Cover by Adam Monroe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zOGCDc34m-4
I really can't tell which is better. Lateralus is one of my favorite songs, but f*ck the cover is so good. I listened to it like 30 times in a row when I first found it. I almost wanna learn how to play piano, just so I can play it.
Vicarious
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Original by Tool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hii17sjSwfA
Cover by Adam Monroe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tg6vGpnRXcE
Original is better IMO, but the cover is still fantastic.
No Quarter
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Original by Led Zeppelin
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ae-LDQVrDUY
Cover by Tool
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzKWge4rLfI
Original is better.
3 Libras
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Original by APC
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tWFv5ZoVET8
Cover by Adam Monroe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EUfkp0h7XX0
Original is better. Cover is still great.
Nothing Compares To You
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Original by Prince
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-7932531265314135856
Cover by Sinead O'Connor
http://megavideo.com/?v=FK9A75SR
Cover is better. Hands Down.
Behind Blue Eyes
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Original by The Who
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJrR66_nOLo
Cover by Limp Bizkit
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Pp38SR1lMU
Sigh. Why does Limp Bizkit exist? And why did people like them?
Another Brick In The Wall
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Original by Pink Floyd
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IGvkebKlM_4
Cover by Korn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZ7j-SnZ55Y&feature=related
Some people HATE the Korn version. I'm not one of those people. I'd give it a B-
Word Up
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Original by Cameo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_7Kp_TapA4
Cover by Korn
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1q-k-uN73Gk&feature=related
I like the cover, but the original is so funny and weird. I love it.
You Spin Me Round
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Original by Dead or Alive
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMwdAc1Dzfg
Cover by Dope
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=thC7AlLItww
Cover by Danzel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzTBHbUCdec
Cover by Jessica Simpson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pe2aqYkIbXM&feature=related
Lol the original is so gay. And it's better than the other three. Jessica Simpson version is the only one I don't like.
American Woman
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Original by The Guess Who
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhR_GeJ_scs
Cover by Lenny Kravitz
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UzWHE32IxUc
This is the only Lenny Kravitz song I like, and consequently, I prefer his version better.