Best cover to miss the point of the original but be perfect in its own way: Jeff Buckley’s “Hallelujah.” I prefer Leonard Cohen’s original for its barroom karaoke irony, but Buckley makes the song agonizingly earnest.

Only other worthwhile Dylan cover: Neko Case’s country version of “Buckets of Rain.” Email me if you want an mp3 of it. It’s just effing brilliant. Jon Rauhaus’s lap steel is to die for.

Other great country cover: Hem’s weeper version of REM’s “So. Central Rain.” I can also send you that if you want. Stunning.

Another random good one: Gary Jules’ cover of Tears for Fears’ “Mad World” in the Donnie Darko soundtrack. MUCH better than the original, IMHO.