This morning on HOT 1027 Breakfast, Ian F and Sasha Martinengo asked a simple question:

What cover version is actually better than the original song?

The response was instant — and overwhelming.  Listeners flooded the show with messages, suggestions and passionate debates about those rare moments when an artist takes someone else’s song and somehow makes it their own… maybe even improves on the original.

With so many great submissions, we decided to compile the results into a single, easy-to-enjoy list.

Below is a curated Top 20, as suggested by HOT 1027 listeners, featuring the original song followed by the cover version that many believe does it better.

We’ve included links for both versions, so you can listen, compare, and decide for yourself.

Is the cover really better — or does the original still win your heart? Have a listen and join the debate.

The HOT 1027 Breakfast top 20 covers better than the original

 1.⁠ ⁠As I Went Out One Morning

Original by Bob Dylan

Cover by Tribe After Tribe

 2.⁠ ⁠Red Red Wine

Original by Neil Diamond

Cover by UB40

 3.⁠ ⁠I Will Always Love You

Original by Dolly Parton

Cover by Whitney Houston

 4.⁠ ⁠Cant Help Falling In Love

Original by Elvis Presley

Cover by UB40

 5.⁠ ⁠Heroes

Original by David Bowie

Cover by Motorhead

 6.⁠ ⁠The Man Who Sold The World

Original by David Bowie

Cover by Nirvana

 7.⁠ ⁠Sweet Dreams

Original by Eurythmics

Cover by Marilyn Manson

 8.⁠ ⁠Mad World

Original by Tears For Fears

Cover by Gary Jules

 9.⁠ ⁠Cant Get Enough Of Your Love

Original by Barry White

Cover by Taylor Dayne

10.⁠ ⁠Sacrifice

Original by Elton John

Cover by Sinead O’Connor

11.⁠ ⁠Fields Of Gold

Original by Sting

Cover by Eva Cassidy

12.⁠ ⁠The Sound Of Silence

Original by Simon and Garfunkel

Cover by Disturbed

13.⁠ ⁠Could You Be Loved

Original by Bob Marley

Cover by Shakespears Sister

14.⁠ ⁠Knockin On Heavens Door

Original by Bob Dylan

Cover by Guns N Roses

15.⁠ ⁠I Can See Clearly Now

Original by Johnny Nash

Cover by Hothouse Flowers

16.⁠ ⁠I Drove All Night

Original by Cyndi Lauper

Cover by Celine Dion

17.⁠ ⁠I Can See Clearly Now

Original by Johnny Nash

Cover by Grace VanderWaal

18.⁠ ⁠I Wanna Know What Love Is

Original by Foreigner

Cover by Lucky Dube

19.⁠ ⁠American Woman

Original by The Guess Who

Cover by Lenny Kravitz

20.⁠ ⁠Stairway To Heaven

Original by Led Zeppelin

Cover by Heart