Are there any live versions of songs that you think...

...are better than the original studio version? I started thinking about this when I listened to the video below. Just curious to see if you guys can find a live version of a song that is better than the studio one (in your opinion).

Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers It the one that's live at Slane Castle.
Would post a link but i'm not sure how and my computer is being buggy.

Almost anything by AC/DC. They are always better live.

Especially their new stuff, they don't seem like such sell-outs on a stage, vs Wal-Mart shelves...

It really depends on the band.  Some musicians are absolute crap live but they sound great in the studio, some vice-versa.  Tool comes to mind as one of the latter, after seeing them so many times I have decided they are definitely better live because of all the improv and B-versions of songs they play that are usually never heard on their albums.

I could probably find some random Youtube video of a Tool song being performed live that I thought was better than the studio version, but it would sort of defeat the purpose because part of what makes those songs great is the experience of actually being there live as it's played.  There is just something about a live performance that is special, the feeling of how that moment will never be repeated and everyone there with you is sharing the experience. 

"It really depends on the band.  Some musicians are absolute crap live but they sound great in the studio, some vice-versa

"It really depends on the band.  Some musicians are absolute crap live but they sound great in the studio, some vice-versa.  Tool comes to mind as one of the latter, after seeing them so many times I have decided they are definitely better live because of all the improv and B-versions of songs they play that are usually never heard on their albums.I could probably find some random Youtube video of a Tool song being performed live that I thought was better than the studio version, but it would sort of defeat the purpose because part of what makes those songs great is the experience of actually being there live as it's played.  There is just something about a live performance that is special, the feeling of how that moment will never be repeated and everyone there with you is sharing the experience.  "

Enslaved is one of the best live bands I know of. It's actually pretty amazing to compare the master and the live version of their song Return to Yggdrasil. I've never seen them live, mind you, but I really hope to someday.

17 Hippies are better live. I think it is the whole atmosphere that I love.

Out Loud by Dispatch is way better than the studio version. Also Neon by John Mayer isn't close to as good as the live version.

• Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band - Rosalita from the studio album "The Wild, the Innocent & the E Street Shuffle" - LIVE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=glcPJHm0yN0

• Eric Clapton - Badge from the studio album "Cream: Goodbye" - LIVE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeNTZzf_BKI
• The Allman Brothers - Whipping Post from the studio album "The Allman Brothers Band" - LIVE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KHhKnc0XZrs & http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K8SYmWjV6w

• The Band - The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down from the studio album "The Band" - LIVE: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMHyovwX7JM

• And my favorite...Neil Young - Rocking in the Free World from the studio album "Freedom" - LIVE (with guest Pearl Jam):
    

Portishead's one-off show with the New York Philharmonic orchestra produced many live versions better than their studio counterparts.

Studio:

Muse: Knights Of Cydonia (aka That One On Guitar Hero 3)

Studio Version:

The Pixies' legendary performance of Debaser at the Reading Festival in '91. It's on both compilation albums because it's so awesome.

I'm going to have to go with the Talking Heads, my parents used to play their music all of the time. And this is from their concert movie Stop Making Sense, which I would argue is the best concert movie ever made. And yes that is dancing... man I'd pay some serious dinero to be that crazy.

Basically all of the Iron Maiden songs.

"Californication by Red Hot Chili Peppers It the one that's live at Slane Castle.Would post a link but i'm not sure how and my computer is being buggy."

Hocus Pocus was quite excellent live. There's only one live version I can think of that counts though.

I don't know if I like it better, but Bruce Springsteen's live version of "Thunder Road" on the Live: 1975-1985 disc always gives me chills, as well as the live version of "Crazy on You" on Heart's Playlist: The Best of Heart disc. She has an amazing voice.

A lot of instrumental/virtuoso musicians are much better live. There's a whole vibe they give off, since they don't need to be flashy, they just play their shit really, really well.

The live version of Creeping Death by Metallica is just plain awesome. Not really because it sounds better, but because they get the crowd so into it that it just gets you pumped. Fast forward to 4:10 and on to see what I mean.

Pretty much every Justice track is better live.

Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd, the Pulse version, amazing solo.

Slipknot are fucking A live if you're there, but I think the live version of Spit It Out from 9.0 actually beats the studio version off of their Roadrunner debut

Metalica S&M

My Generation is better live.

Fear Of The Dark by Iron Maiden

"Almost anything by AC/DC. They are always better live. Especially their new stuff, they don't seem like such sell-outs on a stage, vs Wal-Mart shelves..."

Descendents are best live, Milo turns into a rock star once he gets on stage.