Cover me: tunes to leave you breathless

Everyone has their favourite cover versions. Here are 20 which Jim Carrollthinks are the bees' knees.

Bonnie "Prince" Billy & Tortoise Thunder Road(from The Brave and The Bold)

Bruce Springsteen's anthem is turned upside down and inside out by Will Oldham with help from Chicago's post-rock surrealists. The original will never sound the same way again.

Soft Cell Tainted Love(From Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret)

An example of how a sublime cover version can supplant the original. Tainted Love began life as a northern soul stomper for Gloria Jones in 1964 before Marc Almond and David Bell went to work.

Method Man/Mary J Blige I'll Be There For You/You're All I Need To Get By(1995 single)

The Wu-Tang Clan rapper and the queen of hip-hop soul take on Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's 1968 duet with fairly scintillating results. RZA's production, in particular, makes this one to note.

Aztec Camera Jump(From The Best of Aztec Camera)

Originally a B-side to All I Need Is Everything in 1984, Roddy Frame's treatment of the Van Halen rocker is a masterclass in how to turn an instantly recognisable tune into something else entirely. Doleful, wry and quite magnificent.

This Mortal Coil Song to the Siren (From It'll End In Tears)

4AD boss Ivo Watts-Russell's collective liked their cover versions and this version of Tim Buckley's voodoo ballad, with Cocteau Twin Liz Frazer on vocals, was their trump card.

My Bloody Valentine We Have All The Time In The World(From Peace Together)

Tucked away on a 1993 compilation "to benefit the youth of Northern Ireland" between Billy Bragg and the Young Disciples is this peerless reworking of a James Bond theme song.

Balanescu Quartet Autobahn(From Possessed)

Alexander Bãlãnescu's Romanian quartet plus Kraftwerk makes for some beautiful strung-out drama. For another take on Kraftwerk, check out Señor Coconut's cha-cha-cha.

Ryan Adams/Beth Orton Brown Sugar(From Gimme Shelter - Uncut Stones Tribute)

Both singers have considerable form when it comes to cover versions, but this take on the Rolling Stones is visceral, thrilling and quite special.

Robert Wyatt Shipbuilding(From His Greatest Misses)

While you could also plump for Wyatt's reading of I'm A Believer by The Monkees, his beautiful, haunting cover of Elvis Costello's anti-Falklands War tune will remain with you forever.

Joss Stone Fell In Love With A Boy(From The Soul Sessions)

It was the song which introduced the teen from Devon to the world and, to be honest, Joss Stone has never quite matched this funky, soulful version of a White Stripes tune.

Schneider TM The Light 3000(From Binokular EP)

German electronic producer Dirk Dresselhaus puts There Is A Light That Never Goes Out by The Smiths into the electronic blender, and the results are astounding.

The Clash Police & Thieves(From The Clash)

The Clash were cover version connoiseurs and made their mark on many reggae tunes, especially this one by Lee "Scratch" Perry and Junior Murvin.

Johnny Cash I See A Darkness(From American III: Solitary Man)

Thanks to Rick Rubin's astute guidance, the Man in Black became a leading exponent of spooky cover versions in his later years, making many songs (including this one from Will Oldham) his own.

Jeff Buckley Hallelujah(From Grace)

Leonard Cohen may have written and performed Hallelujah, but most people associate the song with Jeff Buckley. In fact, most subsequent attempts seem to be covering Buckley's version rather than the original.

The White Stripes I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself(From Elephant)

Written by Bacharach and David, a hit for both Dusty Springfield and Dionne Warwick and then revitalised by the White Stripes. Came with a video featuring a pole-dancing Kate Moss.

Scala & Kolacny Brothers Heartbeats(From It All Leads To This)

Jose Gonzalez may have made his name with his version of this tune by The Knife but wait till you hear it as sung by a Belgian girls' choir.

Nirvana The Man Who Sold The World(From MTV Unplugged In New York)

One of Nirvana's most memorable performances, this version of a David Bowie nugget was Kurt Cobain at his rawest.

Talking Heads Take Me To The River(From More Songs About Builings and Food)

When Talking Heads took on Al Green, it was a match made in heaven. Also check out the live version from Stop Making Sense.

Emmylou Harris Sweet Old World(From Wrecking Ball)

Produced by Daniel Lanois, Emmylou's Wrecking Ball album remains her finest hour, especially this wonderful version of a Lucinda Williams tune.

Mark Ronson Stop Me(From Version)

Proof that The Smiths would have sounded a whole lot better with soulful brass and funky horns. The pick of Ronson's 2007 album which put plenty of oomph into indie tunes.

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