Movie and TV remakes are often garbage. But covers of songs? Sometimes the remake is a triumph. Some examples:
“My Body Is A Cage” by Arcade Fire, then covered by Peter Gabriel.
“Smooth Criminal” by Michael Jackson… then perfected by Alien Ant Farm.
“Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails. It was good… but what Johnny Cash did with it is astonishing.
“Tainted Love” by Gloria Jones from 1964 was utterly eclipsed by “Soft Cell’s” 1981 cover.
Cylon and Garfunkel’s “Sound of Silence” is peak 60’s pretentiousness. But Disturbed’s remake kicks substantial ass.
David Bowie’s “Heroes” is OK. Peter Gabriels’ cover gives it emotional depth wholly lacking in the original.
And… what the heck. “All Along The Watchtower” by Bob Dyna was meh, the Jimi Hendrix cover was pretty good, but Bear McCreary reworked it into the best season-ending cliffhanger music ever.