Reimagined by new voices, these cover songs take on a life of their own. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the best and most culturally significant covers of popular songs.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the best and most culturally
00:11significant covers of popular songs.
00:21Number 30.
00:22Somebody That I Used To Know Original, Godier featuring Kimbra, cover,
00:29Considering how beloved the original was, it seemed impossible to elevate it even further.
00:36Somebody That I Used To Know was unlike anything else at the time,
00:40and what better for an unconventional pop song than a non-traditional cover?
00:49In 2012, Walk Off The Earth took the internet by storm with their rendition of Godier's hit.
00:56The members sat around one guitar, all strumming different notes or drumming on the body.
01:08It was made even better once the vocals came in,
01:11showcasing their unique voices and flawless harmonies.
01:15It encapsulated the energy of the track flawlessly, creating the perfect companion
01:27piece. The band's unique performance style has yet to be truly replicated,
01:31making their take one of the most distinctive in recent music history.
01:42Number 29. Lady Marmalade
01:45Original, LaBelle, cover, Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Maya, and Pink.
01:51It isn't often that a single song is performed by multiple generations of superstars.
02:04While you may think Lady Marmalade was created for Moulin Rouge,
02:09it had its debut back in 1974 with the group LaBelle.
02:13With Patti LaBelle taking the lead, it quickly became their signature tune.
02:18Decades later, it was adapted to the big screen, this time with a new era of divas taking it on.
02:32The newer version kept the original's flair while adding in modern elements,
02:36such as Lil' Kim's iconic verse.
02:43Each singer added something different, with their distinctive vocal techniques
02:47complementing one another perfectly. It paid respect to the original while
02:52introducing a new generation of talent, and set chart records that still have yet to be broken.
03:05Number 28. I Fought The Law
03:08Original, The Crickets, cover, The Clash. Some songs are the embodiment of cool,
03:15no matter how it's performed. The Crickets' I Fought The Law is a perfect case of musical
03:21juxtaposition, with bitter lyrics sung over a deceptively cheerful instrumental.
03:26It's a seminal piece that became influential to bands that came after them, including The Clash.
03:44Their iteration had slightly grittier vocals and instrumentation,
03:49infusing new life and energy into the track while highlighting its overall message.
03:54It was the band's first official release in the United States and kickstarted their popularity
03:59there. Since then, it's been featured in everything from blockbuster movies to official
04:11military operations, all while still sounding as fresh as it did the day it was released.
04:24Number 27. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun
04:28Original, Robert Hazard, cover, Cyndi Lauper. Sometimes, all a single needs is a fresh
04:35perspective. Although it may be hard to believe now, Girls Just Wanna Have Fun was originally
04:41from the perspective of a man, and recorded as such. However, the trajectory of the piece
04:52changed entirely once Cyndi Lauper got her hands on it. By changing a few of the lyrics and
05:04revitalizing the production, she was able to transform it from a typical rock song
05:09to a unique synthesizer-based pop masterpiece. It served as her breakout hit, creating a
05:22feminist anthem that anyone of any gender could bop along to. Had she not made the changes she
05:29did, the track probably wouldn't have the same cultural impact it still has today.
05:40Number 26. Whatta Man
05:43Original, Linda Lindell, cover, Salt-N-Pepa. Featuring En Vogue, a good cover can help
05:50elevate a current artist's career, all while reintroducing older artists to a new generation.
06:02Linda Lindell's Whatta Man didn't make too much of a splash when it was first released in 1968.
06:09Decades later, it was revamped by Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue,
06:13fusing soul and hip-hop together in the best way possible. It captured the romantic lyricism of
06:25the original, all while incorporating a slightly sensual edge to help modernize the piece. Whatta
06:32Man was a critical and commercial hit, easily eclipsing the popularity of the original and
06:37bringing both entertainers' careers to new heights. It still remains a hallmark of the
06:481990s sound, with several publications rightfully considering it as one of the best of the entire
06:55decade. Number 25. Me & Bobby McGee
07:05Original, Roger Miller, cover, Janis Joplin. Some covers serve as a painful reminder of
07:12what could have been. Originally written by Chris Christofferson and performed by Roger Miller,
07:22Me & Bobby McGee started out as a classic rock jam telling the story of lost love.
07:28While it was relatively popular in country circles, it was given new recognition when
07:38beloved rock star Janis Joplin recorded it just days before her untimely death. Her career had
07:45been on an upward trajectory, with her final release becoming her most popular, and for good
07:51reason. It highlighted her powerful voice and artistry, and helped breathe new life into the
08:00number. It served as a bittersweet reminder of the talent the world had just lost, while
08:06giving her a legacy that still lives on today. Number 24. I Love Rock and Roll
08:17Original, Arrows, cover, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. Some artists embody a cover so
08:24well that it's hard to believe they didn't come up with the original themselves.
08:36No song exemplifies this more than I Love Rock and Roll. Penned by the Arrows in 1975,
08:43and brought to stratospheric heights by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts less than a decade later,
08:53they intensified the guitars and drums used in the piece, creating an anthem that also acted
08:59as a true love letter to the genre. Jett's raspy voice and effortlessly cool aesthetic
09:05helped sell the image, resulting in it topping the charts several weeks in a row.
09:15While other singers have taken a stab at reimagining the track,
09:19this still remains the most well-known, and it's clear to see why.
09:23I Love Rock and Roll
09:28Number 23. All By Myself
09:31Original, Eric Carman, cover, Celine Dion. Some covers can be considered the natural
09:38progression of an already fantastic song. Eric Carman's power ballad, All By Myself,
09:44was a smash hit, drawing comparisons to music legends and hitting number two on the Billboard
09:50Hot 100. Just over 20 years later, Celine Dion further redefined it when she released her
10:02passionate rendition of the tune. Allowing her vocal range to do all the heavy lifting,
10:15she infused a new sense of vitality and emotion that made it all the more powerful.
10:25To this day, she is one of the only artists that could live up to Carman's original.
10:31It's still an absolute masterclass in pure musicality and talent,
10:36and is undeniable proof that she's one of the greatest divas alive today.
10:48Number 22. With A Little Help From My Friends
10:52Original, The Beatles, cover, Joe Cocker. How many musicians can say they've successfully
10:59outdone a Beatles tune? The band is influential for countless reasons, with many of their songs
11:11becoming instant classics. It's hard to imagine anyone matching them on a technical level,
11:16but Joe Cocker managed to do exactly that with his interpretation of With A Little Help From My
11:22Friends. Influenced by iconic soul artists, Cocker revamped the piece into a rousing gospel anthem,
11:34complete with a drawn-out introduction that immediately set it apart from the original.
11:39It was also made even more powerful by a lively performance at Woodstock. It ended up becoming
11:53the jumping-off point for his decades-long career and earned him well-deserved recognition
11:58from Sir Paul McCartney himself, the highest honor he could have possibly received.
12:04Number 21. Fast Car
12:11Original, Tracy Chapman, cover, Luke Combs. The best remakes often remind you of what made the
12:18original song so special. Tracy Chapman captured lightning in a bottle with Fast Car. With the
12:30bleak yet relatable lyrics striking a chord in the hearts of people across the nation. When Luke
12:36Combs announced he'd be covering the number in 2023, many were worried that the original meaning
12:42would be lost. He ended up proving everybody wrong when he released a lyrically faithful
12:54version of the 1988 classic with a slight country tinge. It brought him new levels of respect and
13:07put a well-deserved spotlight on Chapman's work. It was a perfect example of two different musician
13:13styles fusing together beautifully, which was further proven by their jaw-dropping
13:18Grammys duet the following year. Number 20. Stand By Me
13:30Original, Benny King, cover, Otis Redding. It takes a special artist to re-record a classic
13:36like Stand By Me. Despite the perfection of Benny King's original, Otis Redding is more
13:42than capable of delivering his own fantastic rendition. Off the singer's debut album,
13:52Pain In My Heart, the song was among several that proved the performer was the next best thing in
13:58music. Among the voices of his generation, Redding made the track all his own with his incredible
14:04tone and resonance. For Stand By Me, he's at the top of his game. As a cover and as a standalone
14:19track, the tribute to legendary Benny King is both a valuable and authentic tribute to early R&B.
14:27Number 19. The Sound Of Silence Original, Simon & Garfunkel, cover,
14:33Disturbed. In 2015, Disturbed shocked the music world with a surprisingly powerful take
14:40on The Sound Of Silence. The metal act traded in their shredding guitars and screams for a slower,
14:46melodic tribute to the 60s folk song. Somehow, it ends up being a match made in metal music heaven.
14:58Singer David Draymond belts his heart out in a performance that even drew praise from original
15:03songwriter Paul Simon himself. In an arrangement that harkens back to folk music and salutes metal
15:09ballads, the track lends itself well to the updated reimagining. After a performance on Conan,
15:22this version got another huge push as a viral hit on YouTube. Despite the unlikely pairing,
15:28Disturbed proved themselves as more than just your typical metal act.
15:33Number 18. Blinded By The Light Original, Bruce Springsteen, cover,
15:39Manfred Mann's Earthband. Like it or not, this rock number remains in an inescapable 70s time
15:45capsule. Leaving behind his 60s pop sound, Manfred Mann became Manfred Mann's Earthband
15:51and decided to cover Bruce Springsteen. After Springsteen's recording failed to
16:02make a dent in the industry, the band recorded the song and landed the top spot on the Billboard
16:07Top 100 charts. Indirectly giving the songwriter his highest charting single, the group gives this
16:13rendition a prog-rock feel that works especially well for a sing-along. Despite the sometimes
16:25indecipherable lyrics, the single features inviting grooves and fun melodies. Whatever
16:31you think of the track, Manfred Mann's Earthband and this hit will always provide a healthy dose of
16:37nostalgia to fans young and old. Number 17. Mad World
16:43Original, Tears For Fears, cover, Michael Andrews featuring Gary Jules.
16:49Among Tears For Fears' more sentimental songs, it took a cover by Michael Andrews and Gary Jules to
16:56revitalize it. First appearing in the 2001 film Donnie Darko, the somber piano and passionate
17:02vocals became the go-to way to explain the chaos of everyday life. While the Tears For Fears track
17:15carries plenty of emotional heft, the single needed an added element of drama like a slow tempo
17:21and piano. Sometimes a song just hits you right in the heart,
17:25with Jules' performance providing a perfect outlet for emotional words.
17:35In the case of Mad World, Michael Andrews and Gary Jules delivered an exceptional cover
17:41of this 80s hit. Number 16. Smooth Criminal
17:46Original, Michael Jackson, cover, Alien Ant Farm.
17:50California alt-metal band Alien Ant Farm took a genre-twisting take on this Michael Jackson
17:56classic. Call it metal, alternative or punk, this adaptation of Smooth Criminal features
18:02something for fans of hard rock. Percussive guitar riffs and attitude make this unlikely
18:12cover an unexpected classic in its own right. While a pop-punk cover of the King of Pop sounds
18:17doomed to fail, it actually wound up being one of the more entertaining and memorable covers
18:22of its kind. If that wasn't enough, the single reached number one on the Billboard Alternative
18:27Charts. Even if Alien Ant Farm's legacy might stop with this song, there's always a chance
18:37they'll strike again. Number 15. Valerie
18:41Original, The Zutons, cover, Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse.
18:47If you're like us, you probably forgot Valerie was a cover in the first place. It speaks to the
18:54power of Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson's talents that many people assume it was their original
18:59song. Despite The Zutons' great performance and charming indie rock sound, this recording remains
19:12the definitive version. Needless to say, when you're competing with the voice of Amy Winehouse,
19:17you'll probably lose. Among her many defining hits, this plays as one of her skillful throwbacks
19:23to Motown. Built by a layered and dense production courtesy of master producer Ronson,
19:33the track's catchy hook gets an excellent treatment from the singer.
19:37Number 14. Killing Me Softly With His Song
19:40Original, Lori Lieberman, cover, Fugees
19:45While the original recording was by co-writer Lori Lieberman,
19:49most people remember Killing Me Softly With His Song as Roberta Flack's masterpiece. From a
19:55folk single to a soul magnum opus, the song's rich history created the template for this inventive
20:01cover. Given the weight of Flack's version, it's hard to think that anyone could have delivered
20:11another era-defining version of this track. Leave it to the Fugees to ace the assignment,
20:17giving it a hip-hop and soul flavor. Built around the unprecedented talents of singer
20:22Lauryn Hill, this cover captures the essence of the original with a renewed and experimental spirit.
20:34Updating a vintage 70s song for a new generation,
20:38the hip-hop trio put together a worthy remix for the 90s.
20:42Number 13. Nothing Compares To You
20:46Original, The Family, cover, Sinead O'Connor
20:50Originally recorded by The Family, Sinead O'Connor's version of Nothing Compares To You
20:56is a rare example of someone one-upping Prince. While she'd already recorded a debut record,
21:09the Irish singer became an international sensation after the release of this pop ballad.
21:14The second single off her second album, Nothing Compares To You,
21:18serves as an exemplary showcase of the performer's incredible artistry. In a sparse arrangement,
21:24the track gave her plenty of room to belt out the performance of a lifetime.
21:29Number 12. I Shot The Sheriff
21:53Original, Bob Marley And The Wailers, cover, Eric Clapton
21:58Considering Bob Marley's enduring influence on music, it was only a matter of time that
22:03a contemporary tried to cover him. Known primarily for his forays into blues rock,
22:08Eric Clapton took a successful stab at I Shot The Sheriff. It's almost impossible
22:17to not sing and shimmy along with the fun chorus and infectious harmonies.
22:22Rising to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, the hit put an additional spotlight on Marley's
22:27songwriting prowess. Not only did it give deserved attention to the reggae artist,
22:31the song was also Clapton's highest charting single ever. As a fun, easygoing take on an
22:44already awesome track, this cover of I Shot The Sheriff delivers for rock and reggae fans alike.
22:51Number 11. The Man Who Sold The World Original, David Bowie, cover, Nirvana
22:58For their 1993 unplugged performance, Nirvana busted out an array of surprisingly effective
23:04covers. Among lead singer Kurt Cobain's favorites, The Man Who Sold The World was
23:08the high point of a stellar set list. Considering the difference in sound between
23:20the two artists, this performance represented the band stretching their abilities in the best way.
23:25With Cobain's death months before the album's release, this particular version holds an even
23:30greater significance in the group's brief but storied career. With a cello accompaniment,
23:36the subdued sound captures Nirvana at their most daring.
23:39As a chilling and musically adventurous cover, the song remains a testament to the legacy of
23:45the grunge trio's legend. Number 10. Knockin' On Heaven's Door
23:50Original, Bob Dylan, cover, Guns N' Roses Axl Rose and Bob Dylan might not seem like a match
23:58made in heaven, but somehow the bad boys of rock made this song a hit.
24:03At the peak of their popularity, the rockers released this cover on the soundtrack for the
24:08movie Days of Thunder, and later on their Use Your Illusion 2 album to continued success.
24:15Adding in Slash's signature rock beat, the song became a hit,
24:19making it one of the most popular covers of the year.
24:21Number 9. The Rockers, Use Your Illusion 2
24:23The Rockers released this cover on the soundtrack for the movie Days of Thunder,
24:26and later on their Use Your Illusion 2 album to continued success.
24:31Adding in Slash's signature guitar parts, this version builds out the sound of the original with
24:36massive arena rock production values. Sending the likes of Dylan into the hard rock world,
24:48Guns N' Roses paid tribute to the folk legend by adding a few bombastic tricks of their own.
24:53Number 9. Georgia On My Mind
24:57Original, Hoagy Carmichael Cover, Ray Charles
25:01Among the great American standards, Ray Charles' version of Georgia On My Mind
25:06stands alone as an all-time music classic. Composed and recorded by Hoagy Carmichael in
25:19the 30s, it took decades until the song landed into popular consciousness.
25:24One of Charles' signature tracks, the song captures one of his best vocal performances
25:29in a beautiful rendition. Not only does it stand as a legendary and critically acclaimed recording,
25:35the song made it to number one on the Billboard 100 charts.
25:38Song with nothing but pure heart and soul, the artist gives his all in a performance for the
25:48ages. With Carmichael's strong foundation, the singer delivered a song that arguably enshrined
25:54him as one of the most impactful musicians of his day.
25:58Number 8. Proud Mary Original, Credence Clearwater Revival
26:04Cover, Ike and Tina Turner Swamp rock band, Credence Clearwater Revival
26:09released the massive hit, Proud Mary. Years later, Ike and Tina Turner spun the roots rock sound into
26:15a funky soul masterpiece. In what would become her magnum opus, the cover represented Tina
26:29Turner's boisterous and unmistakable voice at its finest. From the dramatic opening to the
26:34electric finish, Ike and Tina's version takes us through the full gamut of musical excellence.
26:45Winning a Grammy, the song is now as famous and revered as the original.
26:50Passing from John Fogerty to Tina Turner,
26:52Proud Mary remains an outstanding example of making a cover your own.
26:57Number 7. All Along The Watchtower Original, Bob Dylan
27:02Cover, The Jimi Hendrix Experience In another case of a cover usurping the
27:08original, Jimi Hendrix's interpretation of All Along The Watchtower opens like a cannon shot.
27:18Not even a year after Dylan released his original, Hendrix gave the song an electric
27:23supercharge with his amazing guitar mastery. Juxtaposed with the track's poetic lyrics,
27:29the guitar god lays down one of the heaviest tracks of the 60s psychedelic scene.
27:41After hearing Hendrix's explosive cover, the songwriter adapted his version and made
27:46it a mainstay in his live performances. Along with Dylan's approval of the remix,
27:51the track also gave the guitarist his highest charting single in the US.
27:55In a song that perfectly captures the chaos of the decade,
27:58there's few covers as memorably raucous as this one.
28:03Number 6. Hound Dog Original, Big Mama Thornton
28:08Cover, Elvis Presley When people think of early rock and roll,
28:12they inevitably land on Elvis. Take this re-recording of a Big Mama Thornton song as a
28:18chief example of the king's capabilities. It's hard to imagine a song that was more
28:27influential for the burgeoning genre than Hound Dog. Alongside early rhythm and blues,
28:33the likes of Elvis and this cover sent shivers down the spines of parents everywhere. Outrage
28:39only grew when the performer's hip-shaking rendition of the song on TV led to calls that
28:44the artist had a bad influence on kids. Carrying a rebellious spirit to this day,
28:54there's still an energetic rhythm that's undisputable in Hound Dog.
28:59Number 5. I Will Always Love You Original, Dolly Parton
29:04Cover, Whitney Houston Recorded for the film The Bodyguard,
29:09the song I Will Always Love You was originally by Dolly Parton. It speaks to Houston's one-in-a-million
29:15voice that the song will forever be remembered as her masterstroke. Giving her finest vocal
29:26performance, the singer delivers impossibly high notes as no one could. Doing justice to
29:31Parton's version, producer David Foster ensured that the artist received the royal treatment.
29:36Even after its record-breaking streak atop the Billboard charts,
29:40the song remains one of the most famous and sought-after covers in popular music.
29:55One of the best-selling singles of all time, Houston's legendary cover of I Will Always
29:59Love You secures her place among the more prestigious and talented vocalists of all time.
30:05Number 4. Hallelujah Original, Leonard Cohen
30:10Cover, Jeff Buckley As skilled a guitar player as he was a vocalist,
30:16Jeff Buckley burned bright with only one official studio album to his name. Among the most famous
30:21songs off the album, Hallelujah brought renewed attention to the Leonard Cohen song.
30:26Angelic doesn't even begin to describe the singer's wide-ranging voice in this
30:38interpretation. Illuminating Cohen's beautiful composition, the artist's performance sends a
30:43chill down every listener's spine without fail. After the performer's untimely death,
30:48the song went on to further recognition and made several appearances in film
30:52and television, inspiring another wave of covers and reigniting the spark of the original.
31:04Jeff Buckley's amazing and indelible recording is a once-in-a-generation achievement.
31:11Number 3. Twist and Shout Original, The Top Notes
31:16Cover, The Beatles While The Beatles went on to be among the
31:20best songwriters ever, their early recording years included many skillfully executed covers.
31:26Per Twist and Shout, the quartet delivered a send-up of The Top Notes' track with a pop-rock
31:31flair. Led by John Lennon's perfectly raspy voice, this track is sure to put any listener
31:43in a happy mood. While each member performs at their peak, Lennon's unrestrained vocal
31:48captures the true heights of rock singing. When the song landed a memorable needle drop
31:53in Ferris Bueller's Day Off, it sparked renewed interest in the cover.
32:06Whether you're a devoted Beatles fan or a casual pop listener,
32:09this cover unites everyone in its joyful intensity.
32:14Number 2. Respect Original, Otis Redding
32:18Cover, Aretha Franklin When Aretha Franklin made her mark on a song,
32:23she took complete control of it. Taking the R&B foundation of Otis Redding,
32:28the singer's legend was solidified with this classic of all classics.
32:32In yet another case of a cover outperforming the original, Franklin's version practically rewrote
32:45the history of the song itself. Powered by one of the finest voices in American music,
32:51Respect became an anthem for women listeners. Spelling one of the most iconic titles in R&B
32:57history, the Queen of Soul made her mark with her unprecedented vocal abilities.
33:03When people first heard the song in 1967,
33:11the number one smash made it clear that Aretha Franklin would never be forgotten.
33:33Number 1. Hurt Original, Nine Inch Nails
33:38Cover, Johnny Cash Covering a haunting track by industrial
33:43rock band Nine Inch Nails, the country star imbued Hurt with a newfound mix of sadness,
33:49regret, and world-weariness. Living the life that he lived,
33:58the singer delivers the song as if it was his dying breath. Since the artist was in failing
34:04health, this song acted as the perfect swan song for someone of his immeasurable stature.
34:10Few people record such an important track at his age, while giving it as fresh and
34:15emotional a spin as if he had written it himself. Not only does Cash's version rank among the best
34:25recordings of its era, it's also one of the boldest covers of recent memory.
34:30What song cover do you think elevated the original the most? Let us know in the comments below.
34:55Here's what's next!