What's your favorite COVER BATTLE?

[blackbowl68]

Let me clarify what I mean by this. First, this is a difference between a remake and a cover.
A remake - a song designed to update an earlier version of the same song.
A cover - a song designed to compete in the marketplace with another version of the same song at the same time.
This thread is about the latter. Since this is about battles, say which version should have been "the champion" and why.

Example: There were three versions of the Theme From Love Story in the Top 40 simultaneously in March 1971. Which do you think sounded best?

I'm putting it out there for the board to voice your choice.

[dukelightning]

This is a rather obscure one because one of the versions totally bombed but had it not been released, there would been no 'cover battle' as you have coined it. But it is the battle between the Fifth Dimension and Diana Ross over "Love Hangover". Diana's version blows their version away IMO and it was the FD's version which inspired Motown to rush release Diana's version. Of course her version went to #1.

[numberone]

I like "Our Lips Are Sealed" by the Go Go's better than Fun Boy Three.

[at40petebattistini]

1970 -- Rare Earth's "Get Ready" was a tad better than the original by the Temptations.

1971 -- "Never Can Say Goodbye" by Isaac Hayes was much better, carrying a bluesy feel, than the Jackson 5's performance.

1972 -- I still prefer the version of "Sealed With A Kiss" by Gary Lewis & The Playboys over Bobby Vinton's summer release.

1973 -- Neil Diamond's live version of "Cherry Cherry" was miles better than his studio version.

1974 -- Byron McGregor's "Americans" was better than Gordon Sinclair's (the actual writer) rendition.

1975 -- Linda Ronstadt's "When Will I Be Loved" is better compared to the Everly Brothers. But this is about as far as I go with her remakes. And this thread!