These cover songs changed everything! Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most notable song covers with a fresh, innovative twist, that managed to retain the spirit of the original while creating something entirely unique.
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00:00But I remember everything.
00:03Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most notable song covers
00:08with a fresh, innovative twist that managed to retain the spirit of the original while
00:12creating something entirely unique.
00:14Some silicone sister with a manager mister told me you got what it takes.
00:22Number 20. Everybody Wants to Rule the World.
00:25Lorde. Originally by Tears for Fears.
00:27The original version of this song tackles themes of corruption
00:31and humanity's relentless thirst for power.
00:37It's a message that stood the test of time, resonating as much in the Cold War era when
00:42the tune was released as it did in 2013 when Lorde reimagined it for the soundtrack of
00:46The Hunger Games' Catching Fire.
00:52While Tears for Fears masked their grim commentary with upbeat instrumentals,
00:56Lorde fully leaned into the dark atmosphere of the song,
00:59delivering each line with a haunting cadence.
01:06In her version, the groovy, infectious beats were swapped for ominous percussion
01:11that perfectly captured the twisted, dystopian world of The Hunger Games.
01:19Number 19. Heartless. The Fray.
01:22Originally by Kanye West.
01:23It's hard to imagine what Kanye West's Heartless would sound like without the autotune,
01:27heavy percussion, and synthesizers.
01:34But if you're struggling to picture it, rock band The Fray offers a clear view with their cover.
01:44Like the original, their version is still a ballad,
01:47although it strips the production down to its core,
01:49emphasizing lead singer Isaac Slade's raw, breathy vocals.
01:53It's a vastly different atmosphere, yet it remains just as emotionally charged.
02:04While West's use of autotune and synths brought an innovative perspective,
02:08The Fray's more traditional arrangement let the emotions shine through,
02:11creating a powerful interpretation that stands on its own.
02:17Number 18. Get Lucky. Daughter.
02:20Originally by Daft Punk, featuring Pharrell Williams and Nile Rodgers.
02:24By now, just about everyone has grooved to Daft Punk's 2013 hit Get Lucky,
02:29a song that dominated dance floors around the world and became an instant classic.
02:40While countless covers have surfaced over the years,
02:43none stands out quite like that of indie folk band Daughter.
02:51It's a haunting rendition that flips the original's carefree ode to casual fun into
02:58a more dramatic tale, perhaps one of heartbreak, and trying to get lucky to numb the pain.
03:10It's fascinating how the song's meaning drastically changes,
03:13even though the lyrics stay the same. And that's all thanks to the moody,
03:16restrained vocals, layered over sparse bass thumps that leave you wishing the song would just never end.
03:29Number 17. You Keep Me Hangin' On. Kim Wilde. Originally by The Supremes. Throughout history,
03:35only a few songs have managed to top the Billboard Hot 100 twice, each time by a
03:40different musical act. You Keep Me Hangin' On is one of those rare few.
03:47Originally recorded by The Supremes, this Motown track already had a unique psychedelic rock vibe.
03:55But 20 years later, English pop singer Kim Wilde gave it a total makeover, turning it into an
04:01up-tempo disco anthem that perfectly encapsulated the dance-crazed spirit of the 80s.
04:11The production here is intentionally heavy,
04:14drowning The Supremes' lament about a lingering lover in a sea of percussive guitars and explosive synths.
04:26It may sound radically different, but it rode the same wave as its predecessor,
04:30right to the top of the charts.
04:32Because you don't really love me, you just keep me hangin' on.
04:38Number 16. Smooth Criminal. Alien Ant Farm. Originally by Michael Jackson. What started
04:44as a playful warm-up jam before gigs morphed into an iconic punk rock twist on a timeless classic.
04:53Michael Jackson's 1988 hit, Smooth Criminal, was a sleek pop track driven by the king of
04:58pop's signature groove. But in the early 2000s, a little-known act called Alien Ant Farm took the
05:03song and cranked the energy up to 11. The band's version replaced the smooth pop sheen with heavy
05:12guitar riffs, punchy drums, and a faster tempo, giving the song a rebellious edge. The criminal
05:18was no longer smooth, he had gone full-on angsty. Alien Ant Farm's cover not only became a massive
05:27hit, it also secured its place in pop culture with its tongue-in-cheek Michael Jackson-inspired
05:33music video. Number 15. Mad World. Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules. Originally by Tears For
05:43Fears. The 80s were populated by songs that paired dark lyrics with upbeat, dance-floor-ready
05:48production, and Mad World was no exception.
05:58Nearly two decades after its release, director Richard Kelly enlisted Michael Andrews and Gary Jules to re-imagine the Tears For Fears classic for his film Donnie Darko.
06:18What emerged was a haunting rendition that pieced the song apart and brought it together with just a
06:23piano and Jules' somber vocals. The minimalist approach transformed Mad World from a danceable
06:29track into a melancholy ballad, bringing those dark themes into sharp focus.
06:39After appearing on the Donnie Darko soundtrack, the cover was released as a single in 2003
06:45and snagged the Christmas number one spot in the UK.
06:48Number 14. The Sound Of Silence. Disturbed. Originally by Simon & Garfunkel. Inspired by
06:56childhood memories of The Sound Of Silence echoing through his home,
07:03Mike Wengren, drummer of the heavy metal band Disturbed, suggested they cover it.
07:12The band was determined to put their own spin on it, but decided to trade their signature sound
07:17for something more subdued. The gamble paid off. Disturbed's cover takes the iconic folk
07:22tune and revamps it into a powerful, brooding anthem. Unlike the original's gentle, acoustic
07:31sound, this version is dark and intense, with lead singer David Draymond's deep vocals soaring over
07:36a heavy orchestral backdrop. It became a huge success for the band, earning not only a Grammy
07:41nomination and millions of streams, but a seal of approval from Paul Simon himself.
07:54Number 13. I Will Always Love You. Whitney Houston. Originally by Dolly Parton. When a
07:59cover of a song becomes so famous that most people don't even know it's a cover,
08:03you know something special has happened.
08:05If I should stay
08:11That's exactly the case with Whitney Houston's rendition of I Will Always Love You.
08:15So I'll go, but I know
08:21But that's not to take anything away from Dolly Parton's original recording.
08:25Her tender, solemn voice was perfect for the country ballad. However, Houston's powerhouse
08:30vocals and the sweeping orchestration completely transformed the track,
08:34adding an emotional punch that gave it a whole new meaning.
08:42It's almost like a different song altogether. This cover, featured on the soundtrack of Houston's
08:47film debut The Bodyguard, became a global sensation and remains one of the best-selling
08:52singles of all time.
09:01Number 12. Nothing Compares to You. Sinead O'Connor. Originally by The Family. In 1985,
09:08music icon Prince recorded a song titled Nothing Compares to You for his side project The Family,
09:13which was featured on their sole self-titled album.
09:22The song was never released as a single and would probably have remained forgotten as a deep cut if
09:27not for Sinead O'Connor. The Irish singer-songwriter reworked the track for her sophomore album,
09:35stripping it down from its funky, understated vibe to emphasize the emotion at its center.
09:47O'Connor's evocative voice, paired with a minimalistic arrangement of strings and percussion,
09:52brought the heartbreak in the lyrics to life. This approach gave the tune an entirely new
09:56identity and catapulted it from its little-known status into a worldwide hit.
10:09Number 11. With a Little Help From My Friends. Joe Cocker. Originally by The Beatles.
10:15Over his 43-year career, Joe Cocker was beloved for his cover songs, most of which elevated their
10:21source material into something extraordinary. The first cover that shot him to fame was The
10:25Beatles' 1967 tune, With a Little Help From My Friends. For his version, Cocker slowed down
10:37the tempo, infused it with gritty vocals, and added a gospel-inspired backing choir,
10:42all of which transformed the upbeat pop tune into a soulful anthem drenched in blues.
10:51As if that wasn't enough, he threw in some electrifying guitar work from Led Zeppelin's
10:55Jimmy Page. This bold reinterpretation earned high praise from Paul McCartney and became
11:06Cocker's signature performance, especially after his legendary Woodstock appearance in 1969.
11:14Number 10. Boys In The Hood. Dynamite Hack. Originally by Eazy-E. Dynamite
11:19Hack's cover is a mellow and acoustic arrangement of Eazy-E's gangster rap classic,
11:23Boys In The Hood. Here reimagined with more than a little bit of post-grunge irony.
11:38In place of Eazy-E's gritty delivery and hard-hitting beats,
11:42Dynamite Hack turned the track into a laid-back acoustic soft rock version.
11:49But the real key to the band's success is the monotone delivery of the lead vocals,
11:56matched with all the original's gruff and boisterous bravado, which provides the comedic
12:01punch and timing needed to make this genre-bending cover a hit. Number 9. Smells Like Teen Spirit.
12:13Tori Amos. Originally by Nirvana. Singer-songwriter Tori Amos is no
12:17stranger to releasing inventive, unique cover versions of artists as diverse as Eminem,
12:23R.E.M., and Slayer. Yet it's this 1992 version of Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit
12:32that really strips down the original's arrangement and essence to its basic,
12:36memorable vocal melody. Amos' passionate, sensual vocals are set on full display here,
12:47as is her evocative and haunting piano playing, which punches each chord with a charged,
12:52palpable energy. If intense headbanging and rough vocals are not your scene,
13:02you might just enjoy this powerful rendition instead.
13:12Number 8. Gin & Juice. The Gourds. Originally by Snoop Dogg.
13:16Ever wonder what it would sound like if a bluegrass band decided to cover Snoop Dogg's
13:19classic Gin & Juice? Well, look no further than The Gourds, complete with violin scratches,
13:32mandolins, and accented southern twang instead of beats and bass. The Gourds don't stray far
13:37at all from their musical roots, instead adopting the original's lyrics into their own upbeat
13:41musical arrangements, which fit in just fine with their swinging country roots rock.
13:52Shortly after its release, their cover eventually reached the ears of Snoop D-O-double-G himself,
13:58who gave the alternative country group his seal of approval.
14:01Number 7. I Can't Get No Satisfaction. Devo. Originally by The Rolling Stones.
14:14The idea of Devo covering The Rolling Stones is a bizarre one in and of itself,
14:25but it isn't until ears are properly tuned to the band's cover of Satisfaction that the true
14:30size of the situation can be assessed. Can you say total musical deconstruction? Well,
14:38Devo certainly can with this unique and avant-garde retooling of the Stones' classic,
14:42stripping virtually all of the rock bombast from the original and replacing it with the futuristic
14:47and cold machinations. The results are a weird yet no less driving take on the song. Although,
14:59dyed-in-the-wool Stones fans are advised to stay as far away from this one as possible.
15:06Number 6. Billie Jean. Chris Cornell. Originally by Michael Jackson. Stripping down a song to its
15:12most basic form is a popular method of covering a song, and this was exactly the method Chris
15:17Cornell followed for his take on this MJ classic. Whereas Jackson's original was a cautionary tale
15:26against the dangers of groupies with super sweet bass line, Cornell drops the tone down
15:31significantly with his version. The same approach was taken by Americana duo The Civil Wars in 2011,
15:42who, just like Cornell, traded in the bass and drums for a man and his guitar style.
15:47This gave Cornell's version a darker and starker vibe, while his powerful vocals carried Billie
15:57Jean into a much harder rock arena. We still miss that bass line though.
16:07Number 5. Style. Ryan Adams. Originally by Taylor Swift. When news hit that Ryan Adams
16:13was going to be releasing a cover album of Taylor Swift's entire 1989 album,
16:17expectations were fairly high as to what he would do with the material.
16:27Predictably, Adams' 1989 is very much in the singer's established approach of emotional pop
16:33and indie rock, with his take on Swift's Shake It Off and Style serving as early standouts of
16:37his own from the record. Adams replaces the 80s electro vibe of Style with a jangling rock
16:50arrangement not that dissimilar from classic Bruce Springsteen, while at the same time keeping the
17:00big melodic chorus that made the Swift original such a hit.
17:08Number 4. All Along the Watchtower. The Jimi Hendrix Experience. Originally by Bob Dylan.
17:14It takes a certain special sort of cover to become better known than its original.
17:24And that power can definitely be heard here with the Jimi Hendrix Experience,
17:27as they run through an iconic take on Bob Dylan's All Along the Watchtower.
17:39The song is very cinematic in scope, having made appearances in numerous films and soundtracks
17:43over the years and with good reason. The deep production, soulful vocals, and powerful guitar
17:55work of the track send this electrified Bob Dylan original into the upper echelon of stone-cold
18:00cover version classics. Number 3. Woodstock. Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young. Originally by
18:14Joni Mitchell. Joni Mitchell was dating Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young member Graham Nash when she
18:19wrote Woodstock in 1969, but didn't actually attend the event thanks to bad advice from her
18:24then-manager. Nash and his CSNY bandmates David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Neil Young
18:33would include an upbeat, harder-rocking version of the track on their Deja Vu album,
18:44updating Mitchell's soft and emotional folk style into the burgeoning rootsy rock movement.
18:48CSNY's Woodstock is an aggressive, to-the-point road trip track, with hard drums and some slick
18:57guitar licks, making a musical snapshot for this legendary festival of peace, love, and music.
19:08Number 2. Hurt. Johnny Cash. Originally by Nine Inch Nails.
19:13This cover song may have some of the most emotional impact of any on our list.
19:18As evidenced almost immediately from Johnny Cash's raw and ravaged vocals, brimming with
19:28passion and determination as he rips out a heart-wrenchingly brilliant cover of Nine Inch
19:32Nails' Hurt. This cover was one of the final releases of Cash's career, appearing on his
19:41The Man Comes Around release. The accompanying video also serves as a moving tribute to The
19:50Man in Black. While both versions are intensely personal, Cash's death shortly after the track's
19:55release adds an extra layer to the already emotional song. Before we continue, be sure
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20:10option to be notified for occasional videos or all of them. If you're on your phone, make sure
20:14you go into your settings and switch on notifications. Number 1. Blinded by the Light.
20:21Manfred Mann's Earthband. Originally by Bruce Springsteen. Manfred Mann's Earthband took a
20:26slinky disco-meets-Prague approach to this Bruce Springsteen jam in 1976. They took The Boss'
20:38working-man rock aesthetic and shined it real nice with plenty of smooth hi-hat action, bright
20:42lights, and sequins, turning Blinded by the Light into a major, if not quirky, hit.
20:53The band even decides to throw in a little bit of Euphemia Allen's Chopsticks melody for good
20:57measure, because why not? Of course, there's also that little bit of business about this song's
21:05chorus being one of the most commonly misheard lyrics in the world. For the record, it's revved
21:10up like a deuce. Deuce! Is there a cover song that you prefer to its original version? Tell
21:21us about it in the comments below. Did you enjoy this video? Check out these other clips from WatchMojo
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