Here is an evolving list of songs where the cover is, in my opinion, vastly superior to the original.

• Gloria, originally by Van Morrison & Them and done better by John Lee Hooker & Van Morrison.
• Blinded by the Light, originally by Bruce Springsteen and done better by Manfred Mann.
• All Along the Watchtower, originally by Bo Dylan and done better by Jimi Hendrix

Cover Axioms

• Songs almost always better covered, originally by:
  • Bob Dylan (not Tangled Up In Blue)
  • Bruce Springsteen (not I’m On Fire)
  • Lou Reed
• Songs almost never better covered, originally by:
  • Kate Bush
  • R.E.M.
  • Pink Floyd