I've heard some awful versions at times, that I think are no way paying a tribute to the original and are in my opinion, just a pip off of the original.
It's a shame, I think that the cover often replaces the original when played on the radio and sometimes even some of the lyrics have been changed. Are they allowed to do that to someone else's song ?
Do the originators receive two lots of royalties ? and do they have to approve of the cover, assuming they are still living, or maybe the record company that own the rights ?
I'll give you the answer be cause it's a terrific song,If I could find the Dylan version on you tube I'd post it but for some reason all I can find are covers.Mr Tambourine Man
Andy Hughes, the Verve song sampled The Last Time not You Can't Always Get what You Want. There was a MUCH bigger rip-off of a Rolling Stones song that went under the radar which was by Shed Seven. I can't remember which track it was, but it was note for note the Stones' Back Street Girl from the album Between the Buttons.
In my opinion. A good cover version has to stand out in its own right from the original and not be just a blatant copy. The 2 best ones i can think of are Saint Etienne's version of Only love can break your heart and Michael Andrews/Gary Jules version of Mad world. Both very different from the originals.