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Comment by slowhand09 | Hacker News Reader

I agree, but it happens all the time. What was famous in one generation or time may be unknown by another. Janis Joplin singing "Me and Bobby McGee" for example. Huge number of people thought it was her song. Kris Kristofferson wrote it and performed it. Several artists performed it, charting it even. Joplin made it a #1 hit, recording it right before she died.

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I also think Janis Joplin can rightly take credit for recording the definitive version of "To Love Somebody". I mean, the BeeGees version is good, but hers is otherworldly.

Similarly, Jimi Hendrix can surely claim to have recorded the definitive version of "All Along the Watchtower".

Actually, there's got to be a pretty long list of songs written and recorded by Dylan that somebody else recorded the definitive version of. PP&M covering "Blowing in the Wind" comes to mind.

Mr Tambourine man is another great example.

You probably don't have the 13th Floor Elevators version in mind, but that's my favorite! I'll concede that nobody's likely to call it definitive though.

I would submit that Dave Matthews Band may have given Mr. Hendrix (hallowed be his name) some competition for All Along the Watchtower, but you make excellent points here!

My favorite example of this is "China Girl" by David Bowie, written by Iggy Pop.

Bowie and Iggy were friends, and for many years (maybe still to this day!), the songwriter's royalties for China Girl were Iggy's primary source of income. Which I think is great. Like a form of patronage. Bowie was a great guy.

Though I prefer Iggy's version of the song.

Siouxsie & the Banshees cover Iggy's "The Passenger", and Ms Sioux wins this time.

Now if only Bowie had covered a Banshees song, the circle would be complete.

I'll be honest, I read this comment last night and wanted to revisit it as I haven't heard Siouxsie's version.

What makes you enjoy it more?

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