Originally Posted By: PgFantastic
Elvis was the king of cover songs ...

I agree about Elvis being an outstanding cover artist!

Here are four that I think are amazing; each is so different from the original that the contrast is startling. The first was mentioned by Notes Norton.

"Reconsider Baby" Elvis Presley 1960

This was a jam session for fun after the session was over, at 5:00 or 6:00 AM. Note that there's no reverb on Elvis (not intended to be a record, but thankfully Bill Porter rolled the tape) and that Elvis is calling the shots.
(One of my all-time favorite recordings.)
Cover

"Reconsider Baby" Lowell Fulsom 1954
Original

"One Night Of Sin" was co-written by Dave Bartholomew, Fats Domino's band leader. I have Smiley Lewis' original, Fats' cover, and Elvis' cover. Love the song.

"One Night With You" Elvis Presley 1958
Paradoxically, the Elvis record has cleaned-up lyrics, but compared to the other two, is filthy!
(One of my all-time favorite recordings.)
Cover

"One Night Of Sin" Smiley Lewis 1956
Original

Many songs are performed today (roughly) using Elvis' arrangement. It's unusual to hear "Blue Christmas" done today like Earnest Tubb did it.

"Blue Christmas" Elvis Presley 1957
I love Millie Kirkham's etherial vocal! Interesting info on the Jordanaires arrangement on wikipedia.
Cover

"Blue Christmas" Ernest Tubb 1949
This version popularized the song, but strictly speaking was not the original.
Original

Scads of Chuck Berry covers, deservedly so. Some are excellent. IMO, this one is the best, and the only one that crushes Chuck's original. An absolutely incendiary recording. This record should be played LOUD!

"Promised Land" Elvis Presley 1974
James Burton ("Suzie Q" lick at age 16, Ricky Nelson's guitarist) on guitar.
(One of my all-time favorite recordings.)
Cover

"Promised Land" Chuck Berry 1964
Original