Covers have been a major part of music for a very long time, and they were very prominent in the early days of rock and pop because of non-existent copyright laws. But covers have become a rarity since the Copyright Act of 1976 and then the legal mumbo-jumbo that followed. Some of these songs are on the nose, some are SUPER different then the original! But enough talk! Here are 15 great rock cover songs! Starting off we have….
15. I Love Rock N Roll by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts in 1982 (Originally released by The Arrows in 1975)
Starting with a surprise because, yes, I Love Rock N Roll is a cover. And it’s the most basic of covers too. The structure, the lyrics, the breakdown, the guitar solo are nearly all the same with a few flourishes added to it. The lesser-known Arrows couldn’t get anywhere with this song back in ’75, but when Joan Jett took the song and gave the guitar more power, it shot her and her solo career into rock history!
14. Whiskey in the Jar by Metallica in 1998 (Originally released by Thin Lizzy in 1972)
Originally an Irish folk song from the 17th century, Whiskey in the Jar has evolved into a rock staple since the recording of various versions by groups like The Pogues, The Grateful Dead, and Thin Lizzy. But our focus is going to be Metallica’s version that took inspiration from Thin Lizzy’s take on the song. Metallica expanded Thin Lizzy’s already slow rock sound by infusing their heavy metal sound with heavy drums and James Hetfield’s rough vocal style creating a classic for the ages!
13. Faith by Limp Bizkit in 1997 (Originally released by George Michael in 1987)
Bizkit’s cover of George Michael’s Faith shows that no matter the genre, you can make someone else’s song sound like your own. Yes, Bizkit change things up (I’m looking at you DJ Lethal), but the core style of Michael’s pop track is still there through the anger of Fred Durst’s screaming vocals and Wes Borland’s heavy guitar. It’s a very divisive cover for those that don’t listen to nu-metal but for those that do, it’s a rager that’ll get you jumping and moshing in no time.
12. Renegades of Funk by Rage Against the Machine in 2000 (Originally released by Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force in 1983)
What a tone shift this cover is! Rage wears their hip hop influence on their sleeves with this cover of an Afrika Bambaataa song, replacing 80’s drum machines and synths for nu metal guitars and angry vocals! The cover is shorter than the original as RATM cut out multiple Afro-beat drum breaks (still has 2 though) and breakdowns. Much like the original track, it still contains the politically charged vocals that Rage is known for. The song also adds a bit of an edge when Zach de la Rocha hits the title, making it sound like Renegades of F**k. Or maybe that’s just what our ears hear.
11. Black Magic Woman by Santana in 1970 (Originally released by Fleetwood Mac in 1968)
From the Peter Green era of the Mac, Black Magic Woman is a mixed paced, groovy, acid trip of a tune that was amplified when Carlos Santana took the reins just a few years after the original’s release. Compared to the original, Santana adds the Mexican sound he is known for while slowing the song down just enough to keep the original groove alive. Plus, the longer intro helps set the mood for the rest of the song, and with the addition of the Gypsy Queen solo at the end helps differentiate itself from the original just enough to become the definitive version.
10. I Fought the Law by The Clash in 1979 (Originally released by The Crickets in 1960)
Recorded by the Crickets just a few months after leader Buddy Holly died in a plane crash, I Fought the Law is possibly the most covered song on this list with various recordings by The Bobby Fuller Four in 1966, Green Day in 2004, The Dead Kennedys in 1978, and of course, probably the most well-known version of the song was by The Clash in 1979. The song works well with The Clash as its simple chord progression and punk-esque lyrics came about before punk even existed and that’s why the punk movement has clasped onto this song and hasn’t let go since.
9. Live and Let Die by Guns N Roses in 1991 (Originally released by Paul McCartney in 1973)
A song that has had a bit of a renaissance with the TikTok generation with the “Paul McCartney Explodes” meme, the GNR version recreates the song in its entirety but gives it that hard rock sound, replacing much of the big band elements with guitars while also picking up the tempo just a little bit. It’s a near faithful rendition of the James Bond theme but it still differentiates itself from its predecessor just enough to become a classic in the GNR library.
8. Cum on Feel the Noize by Quiet Riot in 1983 (Originally released by Slade in 1973)
Yet another surprise on our list, Cum on Feel the Noize originated with the Glam Rock group Slade. The song experienced success in the UK but it exploded in popularity when Metal band Quiet Riot made the song their own in the 80’s. Riot’s Kevin Dubrow and Slade’s Noddy Holder’s vocals have a VERY similar sound, which is probably why Riot covered it. But there is a reason why when you ask people whose song it is, they are more than likely to say Quiet Riot. It just sounds better than the original!
7. Black Betty by Ram Jam in 1977 and Spiderbait in 2004 (Originally released by Lead Belly in 1939)
Let’s break the rules a bit with our one and only Double Entry! Originally a 20th century African American work song, this Black Betty was brought to American pop culture forefront with the help of Huddie “Lead Belly” Ledbetter in 1939. The songs meaning has changed throughout its lifespan with it eventually referring to a fast car or motorcycle when Ram Jam’s version released in 1977 and the theme continued when the Australian group Spiderbait released their version in 2004. Both covers bring a lot more power to the song that would’ve been seen as impossible back in the 30’s
6. The Man Who Sold the World by Nirvana in 1993 (Originally released by David Bowie in 1971)
Performed live for their MTV Unplugged session in 1993, Nirvana’s cover of David Bowie’s song The Man Who Sold the World shows that even in a live setting, you can make a great cover even better. Yes, the song is missing elements from the original, but they were able to replicate them in different ways (chant section replaced by guitar). Bowie and fans were blown away by the cover even though some didn’t know it was a David Bowie song. I mean come on, Kurt even says “That was a David Bowie song” on the track!
5. You Really Got Me by Van Halen in 1978 (Originally released by The Kinks in 1964)
Van Halen treats this classic Kinks track like one of their own, featuring a volumed guitar attack, a kickass guitar solo, sex appeal and screaming vocals from David Lee Roth! Although it did lose the piano from the original track (it’s faint but it’s there). You Really Got Me is simple but it’s still a fantastic track that helped jumpstart both band’s careers!
4. All Along the Watchtower by The Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1968 (Originally released by Bob Dylan in 1967)
The closest cover to date in terms of release from the original work on our list, Hendrix’s version of All Along the Watchtower became the Experience’s best-selling single. Featuring strong melodies and shredding guitars mixed with the poetic lyrics of Bob Dylan, the song became an instant classic. When Dylan heard Hendrix’s version, he was so impressed that he would always perform the song “Hendrix-ified” ever since Jimi’s death in 1970.
3. Stairway to Heaven by Heart in 2012 (Originally released by Led Zeppelin in 1971)
Originally recorded live back in 1976 but didn’t see the light of day until 2004 with the reissue of their Little Queen album, Heart’s version of Stairway didn’t get much traction until the 2012 Kennedy Center Honors event when Zeppelin received their honors. The Wilson sisters alongside Jason Bonham paid the utmost respect to Zep in their live performance of Stairway. It even helped Robert Plant fall back in love with the song after years of complicated feelings towards the track.
2. The Sound of Silence by Disturbed in 2015 (Originally released by Simon & Garfunkel in 1965)
A version that always sends chills down our spines. David Draiman’s vocals alongside the lyrics expertly crafted by Paul Simon helped create a Symphonic Rock masterpiece that still blows people away to this day and has become a live favorite for Disturbed ever since. What else can I really say, really? What Disturbed did with Sound of Silence is just impressive, but one more cover beats it for the top spot.
1. Hurt by Johnny Cash in 2003 (Originally released by Nine Inch Nails in 1994)
Was this really a surprise to anyone? Writer and Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor said it was “weird” at first to hear Cash sing the song, but the video truly made him appreciate the take and show “how powerful music is as a medium and art form.” Cash’s cover as since become viewed as a self-eulogy for the Man in Black as he would pass away just a few months later. Beautiful, sad, heartbreaking and one of the greatest cover songs of all time.
And that’s our list! What do you think is the greatest cover song ever? Or are there any that we missed? Cause there’s a LOT of them! Let us know in the comments below!
