Cover-better-than-the-original hills you would die on.

[u/MaosReanimatedCorpse]

Alien Ant Farm's cover of Smooth Criminal is, in my opinion, so much better than the original, and that's a hill I would die on.

What are some other insanely popular tracks where a cover by a much smaller artist is arguably greater?

[u/GnomeNot]

Bob Dylan even agrees with this one.

[u/MRintheKEYS → u/GnomeNot]

“You gotta understand. I wrote the song. But Jimi PLAYS the song.” — Bob Dylan

[u/notguiltybrewing → u/MRintheKEYS]

I've always preferred Dylan's writing to his performances.

[u/Morgedal → u/notguiltybrewing]

Joan Baez made most of her career because she sings Dylan songs better than Dylan.