"But the original is always the best!" "How dare they ruin a perfectly good song!" "This song is sacred to me!" Listen here, I've heard it all before but sometimes someone else just does it better. You should know that this a work of opinion and healthy discussion is encouraged. Just because I like Nirvana's "The Man Who Sold the World" over David Bowie's doesn't mean you have to. I would love to hear why too! Anyway, without further ado, here are 11 cover songs that do it better than the original.

1. "Take On Me" by Reel Big Fish

I absolutely love "Take On Me" as it was originally recorded by the band A-ha in 1985. But take one listen to California's own Reel Big Fish and from the first Ska-Punk filled chorus, to the end you'll be bopping your head to your new favorite song for a long time.

2. "Escape" by Manchester Orchestra

Traditionally known as "The Pina Colada Song," this song was first recorded by Rupert Holmes in 1979. It's a groovy little diddy about a man looking for love in the personal ads of the newspaper (though he's already in a relationship). Manchester Orchestra takes the uptempo jam and slows it down to fit the tone of the lyrics. What it becomes is a moody ballad that sounds much more appropriate to what the lyrics are about.

3. "Common People" by William Shatner

"Common People" as it was recorded by the band Pulp in 1995 was the song for BritPop fans in the mid to late 90s. "Common People" as it was recorded by William Shatner for his 2004 album "Has Been" is an amazing spoken word/alternative rock rendition that changes the originals disco inspired groove into a drum and guitar driven romp that demolishes all the class tourists along the way.

4. "Baby Got Back" by Jonathan Coulton

Yes, Sir Mix A Lot's, famous "I like big butts and I cannot lie" song got an acoustic lounge version by none other than Jonathan Coulton. Coulton may be known best for writing the ending credits to the "Portal" games. But he is also a master at taking the 1998 hip-hop hit and turning into a song you could dance to at your wedding (though, it may not be a great idea to).

5. "Imagine" by A Perfect Circle

The original "Imagine," as penned by music legend John Lennon is a light piano (yes, with drums and strings) ballad about peace all over the world. It's treatment by A Perfect Circle on the other hand, is a desperate cry for peace in a world of violence and hate. Maynard James Keenan's vocals cry out for dreamers to join him. Slight dissonances really drive home the desolate feel. The end result is something truly chilling.

6. "Mad World" by Gary Jules

Many people already know this version of Mad World. It was covered by Gary Jules for the movie "Donnie Darko" in 2001 but was originally written by the British band Tears for Fears. The original is faster and filled with synthesized sounds and percussion that make the overall tone of the song much more upbeat despite the somber tone of the lyrics. In Jules' version, the instruments are stripped down to a piano, a cello, and slight vocoder on some vocals. The overall tone of the song is much more depressing and makes for a much better song.

7. "Superstar" by Sonic Youth

Though not originally written by The Carpenters, I'm taking this version of "Superstar" to be written by The Carpenters because Sonic Youth covered The Carpenters recording of this song. It was originally written by Delaney and Bonnie.

"Superstar" was recorded by Sonic Youth to be on a tribute album to The Carpenters titled, "If I Were A Carpenter." Despite Sonic Youth's noise rock style and shoegazer live performances, they took some inspiration from The Carpenters. Sonic Youth transformed The Carpenters version from subtly lonely and pleasantly scored to obviously lonely and infused with the noise rock that Sonic Youth is known for.

8. "Mahna Mahna" by Cake

You may know this song from the skit premiere skit of "The Muppet Show" (though it had been performed earlier). No matter who sings the song the premise is the same. The "lead singer" sings the words "mahna mahna" and eventually degrades into improvisation while the backup singers desperately try to bring the singer back on track. What Cake does with this format turns a funny skit into a cool jam with all the members getting their time in the spotlight and the audience having loads of fun just by listening.

9. "I'm Shakin'" by Jack White

A cover many people may not have realized was a cover, this song was originally written by Little Willie John, a Rock and Roll singer from the 1950s. Then, the song was much slower and calmer. Now, thanks to Jack White, of White Stripes fame, we have an amazing modernization of the original tune. White picked up the tempo, added more solid instrumentation and a slew of backup singers to the point where the song is brand new.

10. "Goofy Goober Rock" from "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie"

While technically a parody of Twisted Sisters 1984 rock hit "I Wanna Rock," I'm including it on this list because:

1. I really believe it improves on the original and is a more fun song.

2. This is my list and I can break my rules if I want.

When I first heard this song at the end of "The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie" I thought they wrote it for the movie. I was blown away. Later, I found out they just rewrote some lyrics from a Twisted Sister song but I was always a Goofy Goober at heart. Admittedly, the songs aren't very different (except for a sick scat singing solo from SpongeBob in the middle of the song). But I still enjoy watching SpongeBob crash through the wall with his toys to this day.