Today in History: Elton John's cover of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" hit #1 in the US on this day in 1975. The Beatles' original, released in 1967 on the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band album, was never actually released as a single. John Lennon played guitar and backing vocals on this cover, he was credited as Dr. Winston. Lennon even admitted that this version was superior to the Beatles original. Elton's cover of "Pinball Wizard" was better than the Who's original as well.
There are a number of cover songs that are infinitely better than the original. For instance, Whitney Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You” was better than Dolly Parton's. Johnny Cash's “Hurt” was better than the Nine Inch Nails original. Janis Joplin did a better job on “Me and Bobby McGee” than Roger Miller. The Byrds did a better version of “Mr. Tambourine Man” than Bob Dylan. Rod Stewart did better versions of two Tom Waits songs (Downtown Train and Waltzing Matilda). Elvis did a better Hound Dog than Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton. Manfred Mann’s Earth Band made a better version of Springsteen's “Blinded by the Light”. Sinead O’Connor improved on Prince's “Nothing Compares 2 U”. Then there's UB40's "Red, Red Wine" which is better than Neil Diamond's version, just as Quiet Riot's version of “Cum On Feel the Noize” was better than Slade's.
See also LSD on This Day in History
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