Artists frequently cover each other’s songs but very rarely do these updated versions become classics in their own right. However, as you will see in today’s Way Back Wednesday, there occasions were cover songs match or even outshine the original compositions.

Naturally, Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey are both ranked among the artists with classic cover songs. Yet, there might be a very surprise hits on this list that will take you on a trip down memory lane and even surprise you that they are covers. Watch some of those memorable tunes being performed below:

Badfinger – ‘Without You’

Mariah Carey – ‘Without You’

Creedence Clearwater Revival – ‘Proud Mary’

Ike & Tina Turner – ‘Proud Mary’

Dolly Parton – ‘I Will Always Love You’

Whitney Houston – ‘I Will Always Love You’

Jennifer Holliday – ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not
Going’ (Original)

Jennifer Hudson – ‘And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going’ (Cover)

Kate Bush – ‘This Woman’s Work’

Maxwell – ‘This Woman’s Work’

Marvin Gaye & Tami Terrell – ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’

Diana Ross – ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’

They key to crafting a solid cover is to bring something fresh to the arrangement and make it your own. Many artists simply perform basic karaoke and fall flat when compared to their predecessors. That’s why so many of the popular television talent show contestants fail to have successful careers after their series’ have ended – they are just good singers and not true artists.

Which of these artists performed their covers better than the originals? Is there anybody missing from this list? Share your views in the comment section below!

Thoughts?