DEMO versions that are better than the final version of a song

[El Presidente]

I'll kick off with Burning Sky by The Jam

 

[SteveTheSeagull]

This was the demo to Smooth Criminal. I much prefer this version

 

[Surf's Up]

B-sides, Seasides and Freerides - by Ocean Colour Scene ....... there's a whole album of them here

 

[GT49er]

Not better than the final versions maybe, but the double album of Pete Townshend's demos for The Who is pretty good listening.

 

[Mr Banana]

The entire first Arctic Monkeys album. Bigger Boys springs to mind. Weirdly, around the same time I remember The Pigeon Detectives sounding mega on demo, which is pretty embarrassing in hindsight.