Just my reactions, YMMV!

I normally prefer originals.

Each of these 4 originals was the biggest hit of the original artist, and each of the original artists was a major artist with many hits.

Yet in each case, I greatly prefer the cover.

I like the Doors, have all their stuff, but have never liked "Light My Fire", except for Ray Manzarek's fantastic organ play. I love Jose Feliciano's very different cover.

"Light My Fire" Jose Feliciano 1968

"Light My Fire" Doors 1967 Ray Manzarek


Gladys Knight is still bothered by the fact that her own record company, Motown, allowed this cover of Gladys Knight and the Pips' biggest hit. The cover was initially an album cut. Though I'm tired of Marvin Gaye's version, I think it's way better.

"I Heard It through the Grapevine" Marvin Gaye 1968

"I Heard It Through The Grapevine" Gladys Knight and the Pips 1967


Gene Vincent was Capital Records answer to RCA's Elvis Presley. He wrote "Be-Bop-A-Lula" his signature song and biggest hit. The Everly Brothers' version is much faster and better, IMO. Years later, Vincent performed a faster version live.

Be-Bop-A-Lula Everly Brothers 1958 album cut, 1960 "B" side to "When Will I Be Loved"

Cover

"Be-bop-A-Lula" Gene Vincent 1956

Original


Though I am somewhat tired of Doris Day's original "Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)", I think it is one of the most brilliant one take recordings I have ever heard (the vocal, arrangement), and it was, by far, her biggest hit.

Mary Hopkin was a Welch singer who became the second biggest selling recording act for the Beatles' Apple Records.

Paul McCartney produced this record and played guitar and bass.

I love Paul McCartney's counter-melody and the entire record!


"Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" Mary Hopkin 1970

Cover

"Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)" Doris Day 1956

Original