Live versions that own the studio version

[NT!]

There are a few songs out there where the live version is just super different, or way better, than the studio one.

I think the gold standard here is 'No Woman No Cry.' The impassioned performance and slightly slower, freer tempo - and the great audience involvement - make it a whole different song.

Others:

Straight to Hell - The Clash (From Here to Eternity)
I Shall Be Released - The Band (The Last Waltz)
Dublin Blues - Guy Clark (Live at the Bluebird)

NT

[CallMeIshmael]

Shelter from the Storm

[NT!]

Oh yeah, another good one from The Last Waltz is the version of Caravan.

And really, The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down is probably better on that record with the horn section, too.

That was such a sick concert.

[Snafu'd]

The entire Grateful Dead playlist.

[Willeh]

Roger Waters' version of "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" is miles better than the original from way back.

[Copernicus]

[ QUOTE ]
Roger Waters' version of "Set the Controls for the Heart of the Sun" is miles better than the original from way back.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow..thats one of the few Pink Floyd songs that I think was better as an original than RWs take.

Technically they are both live versions, btw, not really in the spirit of the thread maybe?

[JuntMonkey]

The acoustic Everlong.

[nath]

Didn't this appear somewhere else?
Once again, I'm telling you, the Faces' live version of "Maybe I'm Amazed" kicks the crap out of Paul McCartney's. Look for it.

[BradleyT]

Every song on How the West Was One.

*How The West Was Won. My stupid real player playlist actually says One lol.

[miajag]

"Thank You" (and really every song, but especially that one) on Led Zep BBC Sessions.