Songs whose alternate versions are better than the original
 

What songs do you like an alternate version better than the original studio version? I'm not talking covers here, but acoustic, live, remixed, etc.

Here's my inspiration for this thread: Grey Street by Dave Matthews Band.

I never owned any DMB albums, but I bought his solo "Some Devil" when it came out. The bonus CD has 5 live acoustic cuts on it, the first of which is "Grey Street." I fell in love with the song and listened to it all the time.

I then bought the "Central Park Concert" CD from DMB (which is great), but i thought that "Grey Street" was pretty lame. I then came to realize that just about every "full band" version of the song that I came across sucked. None stood up to the power of just Dave and a guitar.

So what are your songs that you prefer an alternate version of?

Sarah McLachlan's acoustic (just piano) version of Possession is very good. Stripped down to just piano makes the lyrics that much more powerful.

i've always liked the radio edit of STP's Creep better than the album cut (difference is altered vocal line after second chorus, i believe)

"Leave My Little Girl Alone" by SRV is much better live than off In Step, but any good guitarist is more interesting live than in the studio

Jimmi Hendrix does a far better version of "Hey Joe" than the original, although most people mistakenly think he wrote it.

That would count as a cover, which is not the purpose of the thread. I want original artist, different version

Nirvana's Whole Unplugged set. Best thing MTV has ever shown, period.

Actaully there are tons of songs that have been recorded as different versions by the original artist. Just think of all the Unplugged CDs that were produced based on the MTv show. The only one I have is 10,000 Maniacs.

Also, on White Ladder by David Gray there is an acoustic (but not in the strictest sense) version of Babylon. It sounds just as good as the radio version.

I think Pearl Jam's live albums sound better than their studio albums.

I always was more of a fan of the alternate takes of Let It Be the Beatles recorded which have ended up on various bootlegs and rarities than the one that was actually released.

acoustic everlong by foo fighters

acoustic 'i miss you' by incubus

basically i prefer acoustic versions on most rock songs :D

Soundgarden's version of "Fell on Black Days" off of "Songs from the Superunknown"

Armand's Dark Garage Mix of the Sneaker Pimps' "Spin Spin Sugar" and the Reprazent Mix of "Post Modern Sleaze"

When I saw HUM live they were amazing, their version of "Little Dipper" sticks out in my mind as being amazing for its dark power. I think they used a large leslie cabinet and the low grinding sound swept through the venue in waves... that was a great night.

Tool's live performance of "Reflection" with Hawkman from Tricky...

I can think of a lot of examples with drum 'n bass... anything remixed by Total Science, Future Cut, Grooverider, Goldie, Roni Size, etc can be better than the original.

Tool - No Quarter > Led Zeppelin - No Quarter

Even though both songs kick ass, I just prefer Tool's version.

I swear that if anyone says that the new version of "Behind Blue Eyes" by Limp Bizkit is better than the original, I will proceed to hunt you down and beat you do death with a snow shovel...(not really, I just happen to think that trying to remake a song like that is no less than insane!)

Interpol's "Stella Was a Diver And She Was Always Down" on French radio is even better than the album version.

Glassjaw's accoustic "rehearsal" version of "Midwestern Stylings" blows the regular one away. Their second take of Convectuoso kicks the original's ass also.

I've always liked Blink-182's "Girl Next Door" better than Screeching Weasel's.

Deftones' live cover of Weezer's "Say It Ain't So" absolutely owns the original.

Oh, and Goldfinger's "Woodchuck" :)

Tru dat.

Fucking morons misspelled Pete's name in the linter notes too.

Radiohead's live version of Like Spinning Plates. Although i don't really mind the techno/remixed studio version either (as some others do) the piano in the live one is fantastic. Radiohead usually do a "different" version of everything they do live anyway?

yeah, i generally like the acoustic (and sometimes solo) versions of most songs better, as well.

one which is true to the question: Metallica S and M. THe orchestra gives me chills especially on the "newer material(LOAD RELOAD)" which i never thought i'd ever like.

the second is a live version of Queen's "the show must go on."
i don't know if this is considered a cover as it is on Queens greatest hits yet sung by Elton John...but it is truely one of the greatest songs ever (i think queen plays in the background)

Ok, so need I remind you that COVERS DON'T COUNT!!!!!

That said, I'll pipe in again with the super rough acoustic demo version of Velvet Underground's "All Tomorrow's Parties". The one where they keep restarting and swearing and talking to each other. So raw, so good

Cat Power - "In This Hole": the original is on her first album "What would the community think", while her remake is on her "Covers Album".

I like the, I guess you'd call it, demo version of Strawberry Fields Forever by the Beatles. "I canna do it."

Would the version of Daytripper with Hendrix on it count?

And I like most of The Strokes' earlier recordings, especially Trying Your Luck.

I like the live version of Springsteen's "4th of July (Sandy)" ... the lyrics are much improved and the sound as well, IMO...

I dont know if it's necessarily better, but would you believe that some jazz trio did a cover of Aphex Twin's "Flim" ? It's really good.

THAT'S AWESOME!!! I have to find that now.

It'd be even cooler if they somehow did Bucephalus Bouncing Ball though

Morphone - Live version of "All Wrong" better than the version on Cure for Pain.

Shit, I miss Mark Sandman.

Amen :(

There was a wicked good acoustic version of STP's "Pretty Penny" just incredible

Ohh... I really like the mellow, slow jazz version of "Sex Type Thing"... I think it has someone playing the vibes on it or something, if I remember correctly.

the spanish version of faith no more's "evidence".

and the mariachi version of beck's "jackass" which was then renamed "burro"

Red Hot Chili Peppers - Right On Time
When they play this live they play a bit of London Calling right before it as an intro to the song, makes the song a lot better in my opinion.

Foo Fighters - My Hero (Acoustic)
Foo Fighters - Disenchanted Lullaby (Acoustic)

And I know its a cover but Dave Grohl and Taylor Hawkin's version of Stairway to Heaven on Kilborn is great too

Killing me Softly - Lauren hill... better then the 70's version

Stan (with the "thank you" part) - Eminem & Dido... alot better then the original by dido