Was the original better than the "hit" after?
This is one of those threads that is likely to never have an end, but it is a fun one! But at least one of the versions has to have been heard and known a bit.
The best one ever: Reynardine - Written by the Farinas, it had a massive blow out by Fairport Convention, with Sandy Denny's voice and an amazing guitar by Richard Thompson. By far, one of the prettiest things ever recorded in rock music. The original is interesting, but does not have the strength and the beauty of this one.
And some of the others, starting with the band that made validated at least 4 folks and their writing! Mike Heron.
Don't Kill It Carol - Mike Heron Redone by Manfred Mann's Earth Band who got a hit off it. Mike's version is more poetic and theatrical and less rock'y.
Blinded by the Light - Bruce His original version was not that great. Manfred Mann's version became a hit, and all of a sudden the song became a massive piece in Bruce's repertoire and he became more important in music.
All Along the Watchtower - Bob Dylan I doubt that most of you have ever heard the original. But no one has ever NOT heard Jimi's version which is vastly superior! But while the guitar sings, the words do not have the sarcastic tone that Bob had in the original! Check out Guitar Player and one of the reasons why people love the Jimi version so much.
Singing the Dolphin Through - Mike Heron Also redone and made into a hit by Manfred Mann's Earth Band. The original was all accoustic and very theatrical and strong by Mike. The hit version made the song more melodramatic and in some ways more visible and important than just one person's opinion.
Mighty Quinn - Bob Dylan Another massive hit for Manfred Mann in his early days!
Eleanor Rigby - The Beatles Several great versions of this. Ides of March had an awesome version of this on their first album ("Vehicle" was also their hit single on this album!). Esperanto also had a rave up version of this that was not as easy to take and enjoy, but it was naughty! It was in their last album called "The Last Tango"
Hold Me Tight - The Beatles Stackridge did an awesome reggae version of this song on the album "Mr. Mick"
Nektar and the Beatles In the album "Sounds Like This", which is a bunch of live studio sessions, they incorporate a few Beatles lines and bits and pieces that kinda shows where they came from. "New Day Dawning"
Northern Song - Monsoon/Steve Hillage With all the hoopla for doing this song, Steve Hillage did it, and it was alright, but the Hindu band "Monsoon" did a heck of a version of that sone that felt much more "hindu" than the "quasi" feeling in the Beatles song.
Jealous Guy - Bryan Ferry Bryan Ferry's Tribute to John Lennon after he passed away. Very nice.
She's Leaving Home - Bryan Ferry Bryan's goodbye to ...from the Beatles
Like a Hurricane - Bryan Ferry Bryan Ferry does this Neil Young piece, really nice and it sounds good, and even better.
Bryan Ferry did a whole bunch of Bob Dylan songs
Sandy Denny did a whole bunch of Bob Dylan Songs
Ces Gens La - Jacques Brel Jacques Brel's voice is not the easiest to handle and his style is even tougher. But Ange did one of his songs and never looked back, and it gave this VERY theatrical band, its personality that they never relinquished. Their first 7 albums are fabulous. The solo albums by the lead singer is like a musical on the stage. Very strong!
Stevie Ray Vaughn - Voodoo Chile (Slight Return) and Little Wing and Third Stone from the Sun. Stevie is the only person that EVER did Jimi Hendrix justice and sounded good on stage doing it.
I probably will get more but these are all I could find for now