I agree with most of the sentiments above, but also think sometimes artists and bands, usually pushed by their record companies, do well known covers just to have a hit, offering nothing new in most occasions, and in some cases making a travesty of the original song (Far Corporation's disco-funk Stairway to Heaven anyone???)/

When done as a proper tribute however, artists often find new dimensions to the original song. Doro's Egypt for example, with her strong but vulnerable voice (neat trick, don't know how she does it!) brings extra depth to the song by Dio; Dio's Welcome to my Nightmare brings the original Cooper song into rock stadium status; the astonishing Lucie Silvas piano and angelic voice version of Metallica's Nothing Else Matters is one of the most haunting songs I have ever heard.

Often of course bands do a cover of a song but make it their own so much people forget the original. With a Little Help From My Friends by Joe Cocker walks all over the Beatles' original, there is no comparison at all between the Jimi Hendrix cover of Dylan's All Along The Watchtower, whilst Judas Priest's assimilation of the Joan Baez song Diamonds and Rust is so complete many of us thought it was their own composition!

I think what I object to primarily is cover releases done to simply have a hit. Thankfully, this is mainly confined to the Radio 1 songs of the world, with most rock covers done from the right frame of mind. Except if you are Far Corporation of course.

Pass me the CFR Sick Bag will you?