A bit off topic perhaps, but Cheap Trick's Live at Budokan "covers" of their own songs clobber the studio versions, which is unusual in that most live versions don't appeal to me as much as the studio.
what cover versions are better than the original
For example, Mott the Hoople's version of Sweet Jane is the equal if not better than the Velvets. Also, as long as I'm on the Velvets, a one album band called Detroit, fronted by Mitch Ryder, did a version of Rock and Roll that destroys the Velvets original.What are some other examples....this post is not for rock only....