Silver Train by Johnny Winter and Star Star by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts are, to me, two rare instances of covers outshining the Stones' originals.

if i truly love a band it's almost impossible to think a cover version is better. they can be entertaining and breathe new life into the song but they tend to make me go back to the original with refreshed ears.

I don't think it has happened...yet, the closest I've come across is Larry McCray's version of Ventilator Blues and that has still a way to go to beat the original.

No - They are hard to cover. Otis does a good version of Satisfaction - but not better than the Stones! Not even close. Easily one of the most impirtant songs ever put out in rock music.

Two I can think of that are at least as good as the Stones' (incredible) originals:

Alvin "Youngblood" Hart: "Moonlight Mile"

Townes Van Zandt: "Dead Flowers"

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Koen
Otis Redding's version of Satisfaction comes to mind.

I agree, I liked his version the best, I think even Keith has said he prefers it as well.

JJF by Johnny Winter is a killer version.

Jan Richards

[www.stonesondecca.com]

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Jan Richards
JJF by Johnny Winter is a killer version.

Yes, that´s a good one. I also like Grand Funk Railroad´s live version of Gimme Shelter.

Terence Trent d'Arby's (live) versions of "Under My Thumb" & "Jumpin' Jack Flash" deserve an honourable mention... Very good!!

["I can hear the Bullfrog calling me..."]

2000 Man by KISS.

Marianne Faithful's sister morphine................Jhony Winter's Stray cat blues..........................

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KeithNacho
Marianne Faithful's sister morphine

If you can call that a cover...

Slow Death by The Flamin' Groovies. Aha - not a Stones song I hear you say. Which is quite correct but legend has it that when when NME journalist Nick Kent played it to Keith, Mr Richards replied, 'I don't recall writing that one'. Yes, it's that good.

Better? Doesn't exist. Unless Sister Morphine counts, in which case Marianne's version is musically (but not vocally) slightly better.
However, Guns N' Roses did a pretty good version of Sympathy for the Devil, and I also like Aretha Franklin's cover of Jumpin' Jack Flash. Oh, and Soundgarden's Stray Cat Blues that someone posted is also pretty okay.

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread.

It's really great that people you've never met go to the trouble of replying and even including videos.

Cheers, m'dears!

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xke38
I've always liked Johnny Winter's version of "Let it Bleed" (almost sounds more Stones-like than the original).

His version of "Silver Train" is pretty good also.

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Silver Dagger
Slow Death by The Flamin' Groovies. Aha - not a Stones song I hear you say. Which is quite correct but legend has it that when when NME journalist Nick Kent played it to Keith, Mr Richards replied, 'I don't recall writing that one'. Yes, it's that good.

The Groovies do a great version of "Blue Turns to Grey" (which is a real Stones song).

Anybody ever heard Steve Forbert's version of "Child of the Moon"? He had a hit in the US with "Romeo's Tune" back in the early 80's, he sounded a little like Dylan. I have seen it listed as a Stones cover, but I have never heard it. One of my favorite Stones songs.

Recommended:





Quite a few more good covers where that one came from, BTW.

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Koen
Otis Redding's version of Satisfaction comes to mind.

You must be kidding ?

[ I want to shout, but I can hardly speak ]

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DaveG
"Out of Time" by Chris Farlowe was, in my opinion, a killer version and was far superior to the Stones' version.

Agree, killer version

[ I want to shout, but I can hardly speak ]

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NICOS
Ruby Tuesday by Melanie isn't bad either

Yep, always loved that. Jeez, now I think about, probably haven't listened to it in (gulp) 30 years !!

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagh HELP ... what a DRAG it is gettin' old !!

[ I want to shout, but I can hardly speak ]

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NICOS
And this one...................................(I think I have a DejaVue)






And this one......................

Hadn't heard either of these before. at first listen, Joan Baez's version is very good I think, and er ..... I'm of the opinion that Mr Cash should've stuck to what he was good at. Bloody awful version of a great song, Mick n' Keef must've squirmed when or if they ever heard that.

[ I want to shout, but I can hardly speak ]

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NICOS
By the way ...why speaking of better, I don't hope artist have the intention to make it better, but to give their own swing to it.

Absolute BLISS ................. luuuuuuuuuuuuuuurv it !!

[ I want to shout, but I can hardly speak ]

I would never say that I like it more, but Melani's "Ruby Tuesday" makes me feel really good.

Dedicated to Mick Jagger ...that I dig in the Soul field..............................He is in the house

Otis Redding I Cant Get No Satisfaction





__________________________

I wouldn't say it's better but I do really like this...in fact it was the very first version of Honky tonk women I ever heard...(On Humble pie's album...Eat it)..

This is not bad either......

J.J.Flash><Young Blood><J.J.Flash medley.Leon Russell...







Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-01-31 00:27 by EddieByword.

Connection - Montrose

Personally not my cup of tea, but...





And then there's this version...





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Rip this joint, gonna save your soul, round and round and round we go......



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2011-01-31 00:34 by Hairball.