I still want to know why because it'll probably motivate me to buy the ones I don't have, but here are my top three:

Flash Gordon soundtrack - Queen
Vegas Box Set, disc 2: Live at the Sands, 1966 - Frank Sinatra
American Beauty - Grateful Dead

Well, thank you at least for mentioning my faves Lucinda and Gillian. I regret my omission of the Ramones. After the election, I'll need to be sedated.

(rated)

You inspired me! I've spent the whole day (when I'm not working--which, sadly, was a lot) looking up old bands I love and reacquainting myself with great music.

Oh, and I realized I couldn't pick three and be done with it either. I'm sure my feelings will be different tomorrow. Thanks for the posts.

Yay! Another chance!

Jazz, or else Hot Space--Queen
Sublime--Sublime (but I would have to add "Date Rape" from 40 oz To Freedom)*
Bauhaus Singles--Bauhaus

*Trivia: I worked with Brad's wife for a while until she quit to go touring with her boyfriend (Brad) and his band. We were quite surprised when they actually got successful. How often does that happen, really? :)

THE RONETTES!

Baby I Love You

Be My Baby

Walking in the Rain

Ahh, thanks for mentioning Bauhaus Merwoman - I used to like them (Ziggy, Telegram Sam). They were one of the good things about 80's music.
The Flash Gordon soundtrack - who'd a thunk?

Oh no, you took off Skylarking? I almost put that one on my list. But then I found that I had to limit my list of three to just the past few years, couldn't bring myself to think of all the hundreds of favorites that had to be left off. One could drive themselves crazy trying to pick, but it is kind of like a quickie Rorschah test.
I asked my teenager what cd's he would pick and he snarked that he'd want a book on cd that explained how to build a boat so he could get off of the island, hah!

Given that this is an impossible task, I put my own limitations on myself to try to narrow it down.
So, here's TODAY's list of favourite COVERS of other folks' material:

"Billie Jean" originally done by Michael Jackson, covered by CHRIS CORNELL. In Cornell's hands, this dance song becomes a moody bluesy reflection on the cost of lies, "Coz we danced, on the floor, and around"

"Teardrop" originally done by Massive Attack, covered by JOSE GONZALEZ. Yes. Some of you know this as the theme song to "House," but for me, Teardrop has emotional significance. To hear it sung so that each of lyrics is clear moves me to tears.

Sheesh. I'm struggling with a third. I love Alison Moorer's cover of Gillian Welch's cover of "Revelator."

Okay. Deep breath. How about "Such Great Heights" originally performed by The Postal Service, but covered by IRON & WINE? Sam Beam is a genius--his entire EP, WOMAN KING, is a knockout, and "Lilith's Song" knocks me out every time.

Thanks for the brain exercise for today.

Sandman, I was all set to post a response to your call for a new "top three," but (no offense), I liked FingerLakesWanderer's idea better, so, here goes: Top Three Covers:

Devo's cover of Rolling Stones' "Can't Get No Satisfaction"
Sisters of Mercy's cover of R.E.M.'s "The One I Love"
Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon (the dude from Phish)'s cover of Aerosmith's "Sweet Emotion"

on the cover bent, from my days in paradise: Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's (aka "Bruddah Iz") wonderful renditions of "Take me Home Country Roads" and "Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World" are both timeless classics.

And there's this reggae cover version of the Clearance Carter song "Patches" that morphs the tune into a tribute to mothers. I heard it on the radio once, loved it and can't find it anywhere. Any leads on that one?

And the Massive Attack cover of William DeVaugn's classic "Be Thankful for What You Got" is great. I actually prefer the original, but it would have likely been lost to history had MA not come along.