I know a lot of people have the mentality that "nothing beats the original" but I respectfuly disagree.

If you do too, post a cover you think beats the original recording.

I'll start:

Run - Leona Lewis (Originally by Snow Patrol)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqpAgMxhx30

Do remixes count?

I fought the Law- The Clash, its better than the original

I also prefer some songs from "punk goes pop", like "Everything" played by Yellowcard

Dang, this is the sort of thing where I know I have lots of answers but I can't remember any of them at the moment. I like Tally Hall's version of "Smile Like You Mean It" more than the original, though they're my favorite band, so I might be biased.

Smashmouth's "I'm a Believer" might be better than the original. Lots of energy.

Hurt by Johnny Cash immediately comes to mind.

I probably don't belong in this thread, but I think Ravel's orchestration of "Pictures at an Exhibition" is far more interesting than Mussorgsky's original version.

99 Red Balloons by Goldfinger:

Originally by Nena:

this thread is going to piss a lot of people

TEARS FOR FEARS IS BETTER DAMNIT! 

ITS CALLED MAD WORLD NOT SAD WORLD IT SHOULD BE THE WAY THE ORIGINAL IS.