Top 20 Greatest Cover Songs Of All Time

[@WatchMojo]

Did we forget one of your favorite covers? Let us know in the comments below. Check out our featured song: "Overdue" by The Quadroholics! kzbin.info/www/bejne/hIPRg2xvj5mDaZY

[@Jeremiah_Rivers76]

“I Love Rock & Roll.” Original by the Arrows, made recognizable by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts.

[@kenterminateddq5311]

Where's Thin Lizzy's "Whiskey In The Jar" or Bob Seger's "Turn The Page" covered by Metallica? Where's Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" covered by Red Hot Chilli Peppers?

[@KingLeonLionheart]

"You Keep Me Hangin' On" (Original: The Supremes; Cover: Kim Wilde) "I Found Someone" (Original: Laura Branigan; Cover: Cher) "The Loco-Motion" (Original: Little Eva; Covers: Grand Funk Railroad and Kylie Minogue)

[@thedoctorrises4310]

Sitting on the dock of the Bay by Otis Redding covered by Smith & Myers

[@Javier-xz5mu]

Feeling Good by Muse

[@OkieAllDay]

Fun Fact: Only two people are in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, and the Gospel Music Hall of Fame - Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash

[@pirkkaruuska5766]

Also fun fact. Eric Clapton is only one person in the world who has been inducted three times to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame.

[@brianpeppers8236]

@@pirkkaruuska5766 but why?

[@Explicitaz83]

@@brianpeppers8236 cocain...

[@RejectKing]

Isn't that only because Dolly turned one down?

[@OkieAllDay]

@@RejectKing I would be SHOCKED if Dolly was in the Rock n Roll HoF

[@jasonmistretta4295]

Johnny Cash's version of "Hurt" wrecks me every time I hear it or see the music video. It is the epitome of a swan song.

[@cosmo_nyc]

💯💯💯

[@jlyvren89]

Trent once said Johnny made that song his own with his rendition...🤔

[@shottyunstable6129]

Fun fact, if you play Hurt acoustically live and use the original NIN lyrics. People will yell at you for ruining the song. (And it wasn't because we sucked)

[@charlesfarmer5250]

Plus give the fact that the band of Nine Inch Nails even admit that the song itself was meant to Made for Johnny Cash hell they heard it and it blows them away. I think you can find a KZbin video of them talking about Johnny Cash’s cover for hurt

[@blamwoozled]

@@shottyunstable6129 lmao

[@crossiscool]

I love Otis but the original Stand By Me is superior.

[@chambeet]

This is correct.

[@jesmud08]

I agree

[@Andrew_trollino344]

Don't mind me dropping into this conversation, but let me give you my 2 cents on the matter. The Ben E. King version of Stand By Me is good and all, but I much prefer the 4 The Cause version. That, for me, is the superior version.

[@crossiscool]

@@Andrew_trollino344 I had never heard that version. Just listened to it. It's great! Thank you for your comment! I just love this song in general. Love the Stephen King movie as well.

[@Andrew_trollino344]

@@crossiscool You are very welcome. Glad you enjoyed it!! Also, I have never heard of the namesake Stephen King movie until now, but I will have to give it a try. Thank you for the suggestion!

[@ansiedade678]

Fun Fact: Trent Reznor, lead singer of NIN (nine inch nails) loved Johnny's cover so much, Reznor said "that song isn't mine anymore"

[@simontoogood4986]

The Zutons said that about the Amy Winehouse cover too

[@kennethturner8290]

I loved the song when Reznor made it, but Cash covering it gave the song a whole new dimension.

[@bryang4856]

Leonard Cohen said the same about Jeff Buckley's version of Hallelujah. Both of the covers are incredible.

[@corabernal6432]

That's also what Dolly Parton said about "I Will Always Love You"❤ Coincidence. I think not 😮

[@corabernal6432]

​@@bryang4856I loved both, but my favorite is one I heard at a drag show that my daughter was also performing in. It made me cry 😢😮❤

[@mafia8500]

Johnny Cash's cover of HURT is not just a cover of a song, it's literally a symphony, a statement and a masterpiece that will keep on living for eternity.

[@Thatdudeian]

I was surprised at the amount of people who thought NIN was the ones who covered rather than cash.

[@andrewpersac897]

THE COVER OF ALL TIME, & THE BEST MUSIC VIDEO OF ALL TIME AS WELL!!!

[@dumpsterdog1219]

Great cover... Watching the video is tear worthy. Absolutely amazing.

[@retrozetti]

I just swallowed my own vomit. Ugh, there’s nothing I like about Johnny Cash’s version.

[@thatsmeinthepic]

@@retrozettireally?? That’s the first time I’ve heard someone say that. Even NIN say it’s his song now. Interesting. Each to own of course, I respect your opinion.

[@williamsummerson1204]

Hurt is without a doubt the greatest cover of all time. Johnny cash made it his own. Absolutely beautiful, heartbreaking and iconic. RIP to the man in black. Gone but never forgotten. 🙏😪

[@macethorns1168]

Just...wow...can't believe how many people don't have ears.

[@williamsummerson1204]

@@macethorns1168 what are you talking about?

[@anturanggatantra2154]

@@macethorns1168 better than people who has ear yet not using it. To quote Sound of Silence, "People hearing but not listening"

[@darkstarmoonshadow]

Amen

[@williamsummerson1204]

@@darkstarmoonshadow 🙏

[@wesleysilver6984]

Joe Cocker "with a little help from my friends" not being on this list is one thing but it belongs on a top 5 list of cover songs..that is one of the best covers ever and is better than the original version of the song

[@LivelyStarKing]

Cocker CLEARLY redefined that Beatles track! Frankly, I am torn between the two versions!

[@jeffwarner9900]

I love Joe Cocker's version of this song better too and this is coming from a Beatles fan lol

[@steventhrasher3608]

I am a MASSIVE Beatles fan, and this song I will fully admit that the cover is better than the original. Joe nailed everything about this song

[@mattyost8237]

100%

[@MusicGeniusInternational]

Ottis redding is not better then Ben E King

[@jeremygilbert7989]

I think Trent Reznor said it best himself, “I wasn’t prepared for what I saw, and it really then, wasn’t my song anymore.”

[@susanrobinson910]

Trent is a musical genius and an incredible performer!

[@ethandegge3127]

Cash is one of the most important musicians in history, And his incredible life story of pain and regret is all summed up by that song, I can't help but cry every time I hear it

[@gr8old136]

Didn't he also say he was ment to write that song for Johnny Cash ??

[@welcometothemovies9157]

@Gr8 Old1 thought he said when asked if he was okay people loved Cash version more than his. He said yeah and he commented that he got to write a song for Johnny Cash without even trying lol

[@WookieeMonster1]

When someone covers a song and the original artist says "I was singing it wrong this whole time.". That's something you don't hear too often. It's amazing.

[@wesleyzimmerman3145]

Johnny's cover of Hurt wasn't just good, it was "So good that the original band gives him all credit for the song" good

[@atvena]

It was so good I thought it was his original

[@wesleyzimmerman3145]

@atvena That's fair. Many people knew his cover before learning it was a cover

[@Subangelis]

"Tears welling, silence, goose-bumps... Wow. I just lost my girlfriend, because that song isn't mine any more. Then it all made sense to me. It really made me think about how powerful music is as a medium and art form. I wrote some words and music in my bedroom as a way of staying sane, about a bleak and desperate place I was in, totally isolated and alone. Some-fucking-how that winds up reinterpreted by a music legend from a radically different era/genre and still retains sincerity and meaning - different, but every bit as pure. Things felt even stranger when he passed away. The song's purpose shifted again." - Trent Reznor, Nine Inch Nails

[@joefaber1381]

One song that you forgot was "I love Rock n' Roll", original by the Arrows, cover by Joan Jet and the Blackhearts.

[@craighenry2351]

Maybe because there is nothing exceptional about it. Joan is playing her usual 3 chords on a basic song. And people use this song to rate her above Lita Ford as a guitarist. There is a reason why Lita was the lead guitarist when they were in the same band. Joan knows three chords and Lita is a true metal guitarist.

[@matthewcox9993]

Ummm so The Ramones weren't a good band using your logic. A lot of punk bands only use three power cords. It's not the cords that makes the music important, it's the way they convey the attitude of the song

[@WrenFaithBridger]

There is also a really, really good cover of Joan Jett's "I Hate Myself For Loving You" by Halestorm.

[@brucemorris3830]

Joan Jett always kinda left me unimpressed. I get it, you’re a punk rock chick and you’re way too cool for it all, but her affect and production was just TOO detached for me. For me, when she sang I Love Rock n Roll, she had all the passion of somebody singing “I Love Balancing My Checkbook”. (Though I admit, those lyrics wouldn’t scan nearly as well)

[@kyleg1912]

@@WrenFaithBridger their version of ride the lightning is incredible

[@ayesnapsnots]

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's "Somewhere Over the Rainbow/ Wonderful World" should've been on here. With a similar story to Jeff Buckley's, it's beautiful and tragic.

[@RightHandofDoom586]

Yes!! His version is by far my favorite. I always tear up and still can't help smiling.

[@michaeldobson107]

@RightHandofDoom586 Try Eva Cassidy's version.

[@chiarac4967]

Yes, especially the fact that Isreal cut the song in one take. Impressive.

[@thomasgalloway6862]

No doubt about it!

[@Sweetyhide]

Heart's Stairway To Heaven Live At The Kennedy Center Honors makes me cry every time.

[@FearTheBoognish]

But their version of Battle of Evermore from the Singles soundtrack (then listed as The Lovemongers) tops this one even!

[@steellady1164]

Chris Cornell's "Nothing Compares to U" is amazing!

[@kyleg1912]

And his mix of both Metallica and U2’s versions of one

[@BigChuckMeister]

And Billie Jean

[@UltiMac223]

Absolutely agreed! I don't think he recorded that on an album though, i could be wrong. And to the person mentioning One. Ya that was super cool as well

[@steellady1164]

@@UltiMac223 It is. It's on "No One Sings Like You Anymore, Vol. 1" It's all cover songs. Don't know if you've ever heard his cover of Guns N' Rose's "Patience", but it's equally amazing. Everything he has done is amazing! I just might go down the Chris Cornell video rabbit hole now since I'm already here. 😃

[@UltiMac223]

@@steellady1164 thanks! I've heard him sing patience. It's also amazing

[@only1smally]

So glad Johnny Cash is no.1 absolutely heartbreaking version. Some of my faves not listed: Nine inch Nails - Dead Souls Rage Against the machine - renegades of funk Madness - It must be love Soft Cell - Tainted love Faith no more - Easy

[@Emily-cw7tj]

I agree with the Soft Cell version of Tainted Love I actually think more people have heard of that version more than the original version

[@ethandegge3127]

Hurt is a tragic and beautiful song that Cash really put his heart into singing, you can feel the pain in his voice as he sings it.

[@iirawrd]

The pain in the truth of the words and how clear it is that he feels it, is definitely what makes it so powerful in my eyes. You can hear the pain, in the video you can see the pain, and the beat surrounding it is so haunting that no matter how many times you hear it, that chill still rolls down your spine.

[@andrewpersac897]

Plus June passed VERY soon after the filming of the video, which only ADDED more emotion to the experience...

[@OkieAllDay]

That Johnny Cash cover is POWERFUL

[@darkstarmoonshadow]

Powerful and heartbreaking I love it

[@JDsHouseofHobbies]

I'm a die hard metalhead, but damn it, I LOVE Johnny Cash.

[@BIGBLOCK5022006]

Johnny Cash is one of those musicians that people from any genre of music likes.

[@AshPrimeDCFC]

Johnny Cash, Elvis, Bob Marley. Who doesn't love these guys?

[@fromthehaven94]

Johnny Cash should be required listening for everyone.

[@chiarac4967]

Without Johnny Cash, there would be no heavy metal.

[@revacohen]

There's a really good covers band called Home Free. They did covers of "Ring of Fire" and "Folsom Prison Blues" that are really good. You'd probably like them.

[@matthewriebe6214]

I can't imagine how Van Halen's cover of You Really Got Me, originally played The Kinks, didn't make this list. My favorite cover song of any genre. They truly made it their only.

[@atvena]

Same it even makes fans top 10 fav Van Halen songs

[@georgeharris6851]

Van Halen had a lot of good cover songs with DLR.

[@Charliezz_]

Me too, it's literally one of my favourite songs

[@mountednoble]

When I saw this video pop up on my recommended list, my first thought was if Johnny Cash covering Hurt isn’t number one, this world has lost its mind! Did you know that after he covered it, Trent Reznor was quoted as saying “This song belongs to him now.” Best cover ever!

[@728huey]

A few covers I really like: "I'll Be There" - Mariah Carey (The Jackson 5) "Hazy Shade of Winter" - The Bangles (Simon and Garfunkel) "Every Time You Go Away" - Paul Young (Hall and Oates) "Got To Get You Into My Life" - Earth Wind and Fire (The Beatles) "Cum On Feel the Noize" - Quiet Riot (Slade) "Superstar" - Luther Vandross (The Carpenters) "Wild Horses" - The Sundays (The Rolling Stones)

[@colleenross8752]

Because the Night 10,000 Maniacs (Patti Smith) Can't Help Falling in Love UB40 (Elvis Presley) Can't Hurry Love Phil Collins (The Supremes) Last Kiss Pearl Jam (original artist unknown)

[@SaturnusDK]

"It's my life" - No Doubt (Talk Talk) "Don't Turn Around" - Ace of Base (Tina Turner)

[@camlautensleger7767]

Chris Cornell’s rendition of “Nothing Compares 2 U” is top tier

[@jeremygonzales7533]

Agreed 👌

[@phoenixraine2002]

same with his cover of Billy Jean

[@williamsummerson1204]

Facts

[@jshumphress13]

Came here to say this. Incredible performance.

[@camlautensleger7767]

@@phoenixraine2002 I agree. just a talented musician

[@isaacmartinez6904]

Johnny Cash's Hurt is one of the most emotional songs I ever heard.

[@darkstarmoonshadow]

I cry every time 😭

[@Punkmonker]

Everyone talks about Disturbed's cover of Sound of Silence, and it's beautiful, but their cover of Genesis's Land of Confusion was brilliant. I always come back to that song

[@Kriss_L]

I agree, Disturbed added so much to Land of Confusion.

[@fitzyfiddle]

One of my favorite songs

[@ginaunger2399]

I just watched it and found it very good but not better than their Sound of Silence cover.

[@PaulStevens-z8b]

Couldn't agree more.

[@dougiejones33]

A honerable mention is also from Nirvana Unplugged: Where did you sleep last night(In the Pines) it was simply amazing

[@fluxcapacitor007]

Correction. Leonard Cohen himself thought the best cover of Hallelujah is by K.D. Lang. He even said of Lang's version, “Well, I think we can lay that song to rest now! It’s really been done to its ultimate blissful state of perfection." He's right. Lang's cover is as good as it gets. :)

[@nein62]

just found that after reading your comment. Love the song but was never a fan of the Jeff Buckley version. Somehow I missed K.D. Lang's performance at the time and never heard about it. Thank you!! I have to agree, that was just phenomenal.

[@Kahli21]

Hell yes. I go back every once in a while to listen/watch her cover at the 2010 winter Olympics in Vancouver. She is just amazing. She also sings the supreme version of Crying (Roy Orbison), the version she sang at his tribute. One of the best vocalists of all time, hands down.

[@cheekychicka]

K.D. Did an incredible rendition of Hallelujah. She sang with such devotion and power. I remember seeing K.D. Perform live back when she had the whacky hair and outfits. She is a true performer.

[@phillymichelle8370]

Surprisingly, Jon Bonjovi does a really good rendition of "Hallelujah. I actually always thought Richie Sambora had a stronger voice than Jon, but over the years his range and tone has gotten way better than back to the Metal 80's days. Bonjovi is one of the bands who remained popular even trough grunge and rap. They must be oing something right! LOL! But really google Jon singing "Hallelujah " you will be pleasantly surprised.

[@nein62]

@@phillymichelle8370 This thread is just the gift that keeps on giving! Just listened to it and I have to agree, really good rendition!

[@goblynkyng8666]

Yes, Johnny Cash's Hurt is undeniably number one for very good reasons, I have to say...while Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah is good...it does NOT surpass the original by any stretch. Leonard Cohen's version is absolutely incredible. Also, I've gotta give a shout out to Ugly Kid Joe's version of Cats in the Cradle. Fantastic.

[@Opshun1]

Aretha Franklin's cover of "Bridge Over Troubled Water" by Simon & Garfunkel is a personal favorite. She took a folk/pop hit and turned it into a church hymnal. It's not as popular as the covers on this great list but it gives me a chill every time I hear it. Franklin's cover of "Natural Woman" is so powerful that Carol King asked her to sing it for her. A few other noteworthy covers would be Lenny Kravitz's cover of "American Woman," Santana's cover of "Oye Como Va," and The Red Hot Chili Peppers cover of "Higher Ground."

[@WrenFaithBridger]

I LOVE Lenny Krevitz's "American Woman"! Santana also had a lot of success covering Fleetwood Mac's "Black Magic Woman".

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

Bridge Over Troubled Water was a thinly-disguised hymn to start with. I've never heard Aretha cover it, but I can picture it being great. I HATE that Kravitz mauling of American Woman.

[@Eshabear1213]

I like Leann Rimes verison if that song.

[@envoirment]

Leona Lewis' cover of "Run" by Snow Patrol deserves a mention. She covered the song for Live Lounge on BBC Radio 1 and it was amazing. It was so popular she officially recorded and released the song. What she did to the song was so hauntingly beautiful. Her live performances of it breathtaking.

[@KatKiddEnt]

Blinded by the Light makes the second song that I learned was originally done by Springsteen. Another great song of his is Fire. It was covered by the Pointer Sisters. You should check it out! ❤️ Great list!

[@hectorsmommy1717]

Joe Cocker's cover of "A Little Help . . . " deserves to be near, or maybe at, the top of this list. Not only is it a great cover, most (arguably) don't realize it was a Beatles original.

[@josephwillis354]

preach.

[@54raynor]

Watchmojo thinks Sinead O’Conner upstaging Prince was an impossibility? Joe Cocker did it with The Beatles.

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

@@54raynor A few folks have upstaged the Beatles with covers. Joe is just one of the best known examples.

[@54raynor]

@@bricefleckenstein9666 ok, name another. A lot of musicians have tried to cover the Beatles, but Joe Cocker is the only one I can think of that arguably upstaged them.

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

@@54raynor Aerosmith "Come Together" and "Helter Skelter". Elton John "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds". Earth Wind and Fire "Got To Get You Into My Life". Carpenters "Ticket To Ride". I'm not sure I count Clapton doing "While My Guitar Gently Weeps", as he was on the original and had McCartney with him on the "cover" version.

[@justapeacefulmanwhosbornin7291]

“I WIll Always Love You” is still one of my 4 most favorite Whitney Houston songs of all time.

[@popmans9999]

Dolly stated "When I recorded the song I went to the bank to cash in my check. When Whitney recorded it. I could buy the bank".

[@thomasgalloway6862]

Dolly wrote a good song and Whitney made it masterful. I just love watching Whitney sing it in the bodyguard video!🥰

[@coreman17]

That Nirvana cover of “Man Who Sold The World” 🤩🤘🏼

[@joshgreen2164]

I thought Bowie was better but Nirvana killed it

[@budthechud9795]

Probably the best cover ever.

[@jooglywoogly5664]

@@budthechud9795 i don’t know about that

[@Nobody15458]

My favorite cover of Al time

[@AntonXul]

My personal favorites not on this list: You Keep Me Hanging On - Vanilla Fudge Eleanor Rigby - Vanilla Fudge Changes - Charles Bradley Don’t Fear The Reaper - Keep Shelly in Athens Sounds of Silence - Nevermore Welcome to the Machine - Shadows Fall Mr. Crowley - Cradle of Filth Great Pretender - Freddie Mercury Hall of the Mountain King - Ritchie Blackmore’s Rainbow Ghost Riders in the Sky - The Outlaws Do You Wanna Dance? - The Ramones Whiskey in the Jar - Thin Lizzy Asturias - John Williams Metal Heart - Dimmu Borgir Black Magic Woman - Santana Anything “covered” by Led Zeppelin

[@damiru2.0]

Cover of "Mad World" for the movie Donnie Darko is a pure art, as is the movie too.

[@bluebear1985]

What about "I Love Rock 'n' Roll"? Yes, that is a cover, believe it or not. It was originally released by British rock band The Arrows in the summer of 1975. Apparently somewhere along the way, Joan Jett saw them perform it on television, and she would eventually record it herself with the Blackhearts, leading to it becoming a huge hit for her in 1982.

[@dylanjbiss]

I think Disturbed's Sound of Silence deserves to be much higher on this list. I think it's objectively one of the most perfect songs ever made.

[@jennb213]

I came here to say the same thing. I don’t care how many times I hear it I still get chills. It should’ve been in the top five.

[@dylanjbiss]

@@jennb213 I think it's as good as those songs up there but it's hard to compete with the impact that those top 5 have had on music history

[@ronggrikmarak4357]

Factos 💯

[@jacmandora1]

Also their cover of Land Of Confusion..... Damn.... 👍🏾👍🏾

[@oofzma4302]

It’s very good, but it’s nothing on the Simon Garfunkel original

[@briannaaaron6804]

Hurt is definitely one of my favorite covers. So is Smooth Criminal. But my top two favorites is Shinedown's cover of Simple Man and Bad Wolves' cover of Zombie.

[@rexgunman847]

I feel like sound of silence deserved to be a lot higher on the list. It's an amazing cover. I also think bad wolves: zombie deserved a spot or at least an honorable mention

[@TheUnknownSpartan]

Came here to ask why the Sound of Silence cover isn’t at least top 5? The transformation of the song from what it was to what it is, isn’t too crazy, and fits the lyrics perfectly. I get chills listening to it, especially the live version

[@p-slipknotfreak]

Ew no

[@fitzyfiddle]

​@@p-slipknotfreak listen to a live version of it. It's a lot better than the recorded imo

[@p-slipknotfreak]

@@fitzyfiddle I've heard it live in concert.

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

The original of Sounds IMO is the better version. Disturbed DID do a great job of putting their own spin on it.

[@vsp.flippy]

Tuesday’s gone - Metallica Walk - Avenged Sevenfold Black Betty - Spider Bait Coming together - godsmack Girl from the north country - the lions Sympathy for the devil - Guns N’ Roses Gimme Shelter - Puddle of Mud Zombie - Bad Wolves Attack - Wolves at the Gate Gone away - fiver finger death punch House of the rising sun - walls of Jericho Power of my love - Elvis Presley and jack white

[@MyNameJefff]

This list is actually damn near perfect. Sound of Silence deserves to be way higher up on the list.

[@susanrobinson910]

Wait wait wait…Bruce Springsteen originally performed Blinded by the Light?! How have I lived 45 years and didn’t know that!?

[@BLWard-ht3qw]

Lol, okay...it wasn't just me. I knew some of the newer and older ones, but that one took me for a wha, wha, whaaat loop.

[@jimjohnson9785]

Track it down and listen to it, and you will understand.

[@craighenry2351]

That’s been a known fact for a long time, so I don’t know how you missed that.

[@mikeking7710]

I've known it for a long time, but I didn't know it for an even longer time. And not only did Springsteen write this song, but it was his very first single, released from his debut album, but it didn't even chart. He didn't chart until about 2 years later with "Born to Run".

[@donpietruk1517]

@@mikeking7710 Loved Rosalita off of the Wild and Innocent album.

[@_Genius_Mind_]

Hallelujah from Jeff Buckley always brings me to tears. RIP Jeff, you made a masterpiece and will always be remembered.

[@AB-qy4hj]

I like Rufus Wainwright's version better. But for making me cry, that was k.d. lang's rendition at The Olympics (don't recall the year).

[@JohnSmiththe66th]

@@AB-qy4hj No offense, Tesla, but Rufus Wainwright's is considerably better - and Buckley's is very, very good.

[@erikaswanson7072]

While I loved Buckley's version. I have to say the one that touched my soul was by Pentatonix..

[@darkstarmoonshadow]

Love it

[@brianopp7595]

I'm tired of people praising others like Jon Bon-Jovi etc. ...Jeff OWNS that song and made it his.....PERIOD

[@trosty9921]

Notable misses: Animals - House of the Rising Sun (Bob Dylan), Joe Cocker - A Little Help From My Friends (Beatles) and Metallica - Turn the Page (Bob Seger).

[@donpietruk1517]

House of the Rising Sun is a traditional folk tune that no one knows the origins of. It likely emigrated from Scotland/Wales to the US. Many many people have recorded it with the earliest known recordings from the mid 1930s. Among the legendary artists to record it in addition to Dylan are Woodie Guthrie, Roy Acuff, Joan Baez, Hendrix, and more

[@sherihoffman47]

Heart's cover of Led Zeppelin's "Rock and Roll" is outstanding! Hendrix also covered Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone", which is fantastic (albeit not quite as good as "Watchtower" imo). A little-known cover that I love is Tori Amos's version of "Smells Like Teen Spirit" - not a Top 20, but definitely worth checking out. Almost forgot: Janis Joplin's cover of everything she covered, especially "Summertime" from Porgy and Bess, and "Me and Bobby McGee", originally by Kris Kristofferson.

[@OzStick]

Three that could/should have easily slotted into a Top 20: John Farnham - Help (The Beatles) UB40 - Red Red Wine (Neil Diamond) Joe Cocker - With A Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles)

[@ronmetz6683]

Not many people know that Red Red Wine was a cover. Neil Diamond doesn’t even do his version anymore, when he performs it it’s the UB40 version.

[@atvena]

Red red wine is a cover ???

[@blebhan8213]

@@atvena UB40 is a reggae cover band. They have no original material.

[@robskot1]

My two favorite covers are Def Leppard’s cover of Sweet’s ACTION. Also Bad Wolves’ cover of The Cranberries ZOMBIE….especially considering the timing/story of when it was recorded.

[@craighenry2351]

Black n Blue also covered Action on their debut album. If you don’t know Black n Blue Gene Simmons produced their third album and later tabbed oneof their guitarists, Tommy Thayer to be the lead guitarist for KISS. Tommy is still with KISS.

[@PikachuFan-yw6vp]

Sweet Dreams are Made of These, by the Eurythmics/ Marilyn Manson is my favorite!

[@FearTheBoognish]

Very surprised this didn't make the list. MM made it a completely different song and in such an epic way.

[@codybaker2577]

Shinedown - Simple Man Dixie Chicks - Landslide Two really good ones

[@TelepathicBunnyComics]

Eva Cassidy's Somewhere Over The Rainbow" is one of the greatest vocals I have ever heard in my life. If you haven't heard it...KZbin it. It's lifechanging. At least it was for me.

[@sherihoffman47]

Eva Cassidy had a gorgeous voice - gone too soon. Her cover of Sting's "Fields of Gold" is sublime.

[@TelepathicBunnyComics]

@@sherihoffman47 everything she covered her version became the version I listen to! Once in a generation voice!

[@marleywilkinson4259]

Jeff Healey's cover of "While my Guitar Gently Weeps" definitely dissevered to be on here. It is a beautiful version of Harrison's beautiful song.

[@bdfoxfire]

"Our Lips Are Sealed" is a song co-written by Jane Wiedlin, guitarist of the Go-Go's, and Terry Hall, singer of the Specials and Fun Boy Three. It was first recorded by the Go-Go's as the opening track on their album Beauty. The Fun Boy Three also released their version. I really like both versions and yet they are completely different in tone and tempo.

[@craighenry2351]

Jane Were doing is actually the base player for the Go-Gos.

[@Jdo4031]

who the fuck are the The Fun Boy Three

[@bdfoxfire]

@@Jdo4031 Ya could just google it or look at there music on youtube , just saying

[@corabernal6432]

The Go-gos really deserved their place in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame ❤😮

[@ricklp1861]

Chris stapleton's "Tennessee whiskey" shoulda been on the top ten!! Original song by David Allen Coe is awesome as well

[@aulduronsmith5577]

Agreed

[@neilburns8869]

Disturbed did such a fantastic job of the Sound of Silence that it actually had lead singer David Draiman in tears listening to it. The guy who was recording it for them in the sound booth said that David had come into the room without saying a single word and was so quiet he thought that he must have done something wrong and had screwed it up. David stared down at the equivalent and played the song back three times in a row before he decided to turn to the guy in the control booth. David just gave him a huge big hug and told him that he absolutely loved it and that he was sorry about the fact that he just couldn't talk but he was so filled up with emotion but also incredibly proud of what they had done.

[@kevinkirk4285]

Great picks. A few favorite covers of mine: Grand Funk's cover of Feeling Alright by Traffic also covered by Joe Cocker. Van Halen's cover of Dancing In The Street by Martha and the Vandellas.

[@jeffgibson4985]

I really dig Chris Cornell’s version of Patience. Conversely, I love GNRs version of live and let die. Turn the page by Metallica was awesome as well.

[@jazziered142]

I definitely would have picked up live and let die for guns n' roses. That was an awesome remake.

[@scotcoon1186]

Metallica were a lot more in tune with the disgust and frustration of being on the road 2 to 3 weeks and home a day and a half.

[@notqali]

His cover of nothing compares to you is beautiful as well

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

I like how Metallica turned was was in it's heart a country song and made it rock. But I still prefer Bob's original.

[@cristinagudino7180]

“Dedicated to the one I love” Cover: The Mamas and the Papas Original: The Shirelles Really good one

[@pauloverly2868]

Actually, the original recording was by The 5 Royales in the '50s. The Shirelles improved on that version, and then the Mamas and Papas took it all the way home.

[@olvialee7221]

You had me at Respect. I love Aretha. She’s the Queen of Soul! I just love her songs.

[@DrTenochtitlan]

Joe Cocker's version of With a Little Help from my Friends by the Beatles deserves to be at least in the top 20. The Guns and Roses cover of Live and Let Die is an excellent cover of Paul McCartney's version for the Bond film, but if they could only take one G&R cover, they picked the right one.

[@moritzbonn175]

Melanie - Ruby Tuesday Faith no More - Easy Mariah Carey - Without you Joe Cocker - With a little help by my friends Soft cell - Tainted love

[@joshuabrooks4907]

It's weird hearing Bob Dylan and Otis Redding's names twice in the same video. Nonetheless, Disturbed's cover of "The sound of silence" and Johnny Cash's cover of "Hurt" still give me chills to this day. Honorable mention goes to Jeff Buckley for "Hallelujah."

[@jasontester3]

Bob Dylan was a better song writer than a singer, he wasn’t bad but there’s many better imo

[@joshuabrooks4907]

@@jasontester3 Bob is still with us. He turns 82 this year.

[@Claro1993]

Soft Cell’s cover of Gloria Jones’s Tainted Love defined the benchmark of 80s pop.

[@DrendeSalkash259]

Marilyn Manson's cover did good for bringing it into the newer age too. this is just one of those songs that needs to be covered every 20+ years and call it relevant still

[@brianthomas2434]

The best cover by Otis is "Try a Little Tenderness" written decades before he got to it.

[@willmfrank]

@@DrendeSalkash259 Check out Broken Peach's cover, mashed up with Eurythmics' "Sweet Dreams."

[@darkstarmoonshadow]

Yes

[@mattperciful8970]

Wait it's a cover? 🤯

[@ttex8171]

I liked Soft Cell’s version of Tainted Love, and Van Halen’s cover of Pretty Woman, but I realize they are more honorable mentions. (AAF Smooth Criminal ROCKS!)

[@welcometothemovies9157]

And according to his daughter, Michael Jackson loved AAF take on it

[@thomasgalloway6862]

...and soft cell's blended version of tainted love/where did our love go is wunnerfull wunnerfull!

[@fleurelise997]

Randy Crawford's Knocking on Heaven's Door and Mick Hucknall"s You Make Me Feel Brand New are amazingly beautiful renditions.

[@Nyquil5]

I agree with "Hurt" being #1. Cash brought such a a poignancy to it. One of my favorite covers is "Hazy Shade of Winter" originally by Simon and Garfunkel, covered beautifully by The Bangles.

[@Wedigar]

Jeff Healey's cover of While My Guitar Gently Weeps is fantastic too

[@kellybarthel8060]

It is great, man could he play guitar. And the tone was fabtastic.

[@porkbelly0713]

Bang, I had thought of this one. I got to see him play it live in concert before he passed ................. RIP Jeff

[@kenterminateddq5311]

Where's Thin Lizzy's "Whiskey In The Jar" or Bob Seger's "Turn The Page" covered by Metallica? Where's Stevie Wonder's "Higher Ground" covered by Red Hot Chilli Peppers?

[@cermisan]

Or MacArthur Park covered by Donna Summer

[@andubh9360]

Do you mean that Whiskey in the jar was a Thin Lizzy song covered by Metallica? Or that you love the Thin Lizzy version of it? If you think it’s a Lizzy song you’re wrong. It’s a traditional Irish song made famous by the Dubliners - and covered by Thin Lizzy and Metallica and many more.

[@oppressive1770]

Glad to see so many different genres and eras on the list.

[@steverino333]

Great list Mojo! I'd like to add four or my favorites... 1. Ring of Fire. Original- Johnny Cash, Cover- Social Distortion. 2. Mary Tyler Moore Show Theme Song, Original- Sonny Curtis (?), Cover- Joan Jett. 3 & 4. Just My Imagination AND Ain't Too Proud to Beg. Original- The Temptations, Cover- The Rolling Stones!

[@kinseymilkbone]

Minneapolis boys Hüsker Dü also did a great version of Love Is All Around (the Mary Tyler Moore theme).

[@RFGfotografie]

The number 1 spot is truly perfection! This cover is the ultimate cover.

[@tomasjephersin84]

"Smooth Criminal" By Alien Ant Farm Is BRILLIANT

[@ohair87]

So, this just broke my brain. How did I not know that Johnny Cash’s version was the cover?! I’ve ALWAYS thought his was the original and NIN covered it.

[@thedoctorrises4310]

Also rusty cage is a cover that Johnny made his own

[@noggyplays2822]

Don't feel too bad, I had a co worker that thought the bad wolves cover of zombies was actually the original. >.>

[@ohair87]

@@noggyplays2822 speaking of that, how was that cover not on this list? It’s incredible.

[@noggyplays2822]

@@ohair87 yeah was kinda surprised myself that it wasn't on here.

[@johnbarnden123]

It isn’t a cover, nine inch nails just borrowed it before Johnny claimed it as his own.

[@louisdellalucca8969]

Johnny Cash’s “Hurt” playing during the Logan Trailer was perfection

[@anniebunny722]

Any of Chris Cornell’s covers like: 🔘Billie Jean 🔘 Nothing Compares 2 U 🔘 Patience 🔘 Thank You and any Beatles songs His voice was so raw and unique.

[@poihpioakarp8845]

Discovering the existence of Bob Dylan's original version of Knockin' on Heaven's Door was one of the most shocking moments of my life ngl

[@BigChuckMeister]

lmao

[@danielthomas7193]

I figured Johnny Cash would be #1 here. Not disappointed. 👌

[@mannholloway]

I still say All along the Watchtower is THE greatest cover of all time.

[@glennwelsh9784]

I believe Bob Dylan is on the record for saying Hendrix's cover is better, and it says so much when the original artist defers to the cover of his own work.

[@fornostios8970]

@@glennwelsh9784 That is true! Dylan from that point on played it in Hendrix' style.

[@Stonerdteh_poofish]

Jimi Hendrix version was actually released first. Bob Dylan wrote it for him. Then decided to release his own version a few months later. Hendrix version: 9/2/68 Dylans version: 11/22/68

[@mannholloway]

@@Stonerdteh_poofish the Album John Wesley Harding by Bob Dylan was released on December 27, 1967 All along the Watchtower AS A SINGLE was released on 1968 but it was in that album already.

[@Stonerdteh_poofish]

@@mannholloway thanks for that! I feel like an idiot now lol. Mojo still had its year wrong for Dylans release in that case!

[@antman8887]

Great list! Definitely agree with #1. A suggested addition: The Wilson sisters from Heart, Jason Bonham (son of the late John Bonham), and a gospel choir covering Stairway to Heaven live at the Kennedy Center honors for Led Zeppelin.

[@gtv6chuck]

That brought Robert Plant to tears.

[@antman8887]

@@gtv6chuck Amazing performance.

[@BigStef11]

One cover that I've always loved is Lenny Kravitz's cover of the Guess Who's American Woman. It's the only song that I prefer the cover to the original.

[@JDPwatching]

The Bangles "Hazy Shade of Winter" is better than the original IMNHO. It's just fantastic.

[@darkstarmoonshadow]

Me too

[@darkstarmoonshadow]

@@JDPwatching yup

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

I HATE the way Kravitz mauled that great song. Hazy Shade is a much better cover - and it's close enough that it depends on my mood if I prefer it to the original.

[@Patrick-ow5um]

Oh ‼️ YEAH 🤓

[@TRIPYXmusic]

Slow jam Original: midnight star Remake: Usher and Monica

[@aray5445]

I was surprised not to see Chaka Khan’s 1980s staple “I Feel For You” in the top 20 at all. Song was originally done by Prince.

[@lpellett429]

I can't believe Joe Cocker's cover of the Beatles "With a little help of my friends".... probably one of the best covers of all time

[@aulduronsmith5577]

Or Unchain my Heart, You Are So Beautiful, You Can Leave Your Hat On or Feelin' Alright

[@olvialee7221]

I like Dolly Parton but Whitney’s take is beautiful and captivating. This is her best song of all time. I even heard it in the musical The Bodyguard

[@reneebush2399]

It’s like Fancy or Hurt to me. I love both equally, but for different reasons.

[@sjaool]

Dolly's version has a soul. Whitney's version is just loud shouting...

[@donpietruk1517]

@@sjaool You should check out Linda Ronstadt's cover. It's closer to Dolly but still unique.

[@aardvarkscanfly]

Marilyn Manson not making this list makes me sad. I'm not a die hard fan of his, but his cover of Sweet Dreams launched his career and helped make him a household name. His cover (and the Soft Cell cover) of Tainted Love were also excellent. And finally his cover and Cash's cover of Personal Jesus were both brilliant takes and quite well done.

[@summerof67]

You did an excellent job putting this video together, including both older and more recent covers. If I could add a few more, they would be: Turn Turn Turn, The Byrds (Pete Seeger) Black Magic Woman, Santana (F. Mac) House of the Rising Sun, Animals (trad)

[@justapeacefulmanwhosbornin7291]

The “Smooth Criminal” remake by Alien Ant Farm is still a good song. 👍

[@bobthedopeman7327]

The music video is pure fan service too

[@somberstricken4424]

Good, but not better than the OG.

[@Andrew_trollino344]

@@somberstricken4424 Agreed with that statement 100%. Michael Jackson's original version is 100 million times more superior than Alien Ant Farm's.

[@CptnWolfe]

I'm going to be honest, I'm a little tired of all the praise it is receiving, mainly because it was the top spot of "Top 10 Rock And Metal Covers"

[@jazziered142]

I like it best.

[@justaperson2372]

Hazy Shade of Winter, The Bangles

[@lisagibson2975]

Proud Mary and Hurt was one of those songs that even as a cover it sounded like an original for the artist performing it. CCR proud mary is a classic and Tina's version is also a classic. Hurt was a huge hit for NIN and for Johnny Cash. It was like in an alternative world, Tina Turner and Johnny Cash's version were their original songs.

[@BrunoWaldron]

Hey Joe, Jimi Hendrix (Billy Roberts) Little Wing, Stevie Ray Vaughn (Jimi Hendrix) I'm a Man, Black Strobe (Bo Diddly) Oye Como Va, Santana (Tito Puente) Highway 61 Revisited, Johnny Winter (Bob Dylan) I Heard it Through the Grapevine, Creedence Clearwater (Marvin Gaye) Back Door Man, The Doors (Howlin' Wolf)

[@frederikheide151]

I’ll be missing you as a cover of every breath you take deserves a place on this list

[@NoName-fj5nm]

I think Five finger death punches cover Gone Away could be on a future list. It just hits the feels in the right spot the gives a feeling that’s difficult for me to describe.

[@aardvarkscanfly]

or Bad Company

[@TheBishopEmpire]

"All Along the Watchtower" by Dave Matthews Band is a great version too.

[@macethorns1168]

I don't understand why the DMB version isn't the one on here.

[@footlessduck1264]

I will always like Shinedown's cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Simple Man. I think they did a good job if it.

[@ghosthealthgames]

Same.

[@ryanb33n]

It’s good, but not as much as the original

[@fitzyfiddle]

​@@ryanb33n horrible take. Both are amazing

[@bricefleckenstein9666]

I prefer the original. IMO Shinedown has only had one really good song - and it wasn't a cover. Second Chance.

[@elvisselmanaj3647]

They made it better

[@naginiriddle7091]

It's great to see "Hurt" as number one. I feel like "Sound of Silence" needs to be way higher on this list. It is freaking amazing and I play both of those songs all the time when I'm in an emotional state. There is something about them that helps calm me down, helps me cry, and helps me work through what I am feeling

[@TheBoytoy09]

Wow! Honestly some of the covers are so iconic that they are the ones I heard first and didn't know they were covers!! Speechless!!

[@ukulelekitten15]

Willy Nelson’s cover of the Beach Boys’ “Warmth of the Sun” is amazing. Much like Johnny Cash re-creating “Hurt” to the point of deeply moving Nine Inch Nails, original artists. Beach Boys, who still sang harmonic background on Willy Nelson’s version, were extremely moved. Check out the back story where Mike Love from the Beach Boys admitted he had his reservations at first, trying to correct Willy’s unique phrasing, but by the time Willy nailed it down, Mike was blown away. Both versions are beautiful, but again, as iJohnny Cash gave new perspective from an older man, so does Willy give new perspective to the classic Beachboys version. Amazing song. Beach boys were such gifted composers for the young men that they were. Complete respects and props to both they & Willy.🙌🏼💫💞

[@Agnethatheredhairkid]

For me, the definitive version of 'Twist And Shout' will always be that by the Beatles. When I first heard Gary Jules sing 'Mad World', I thought it was Cat Stevens.

[@MegaMaxiepad]

Whitney Houston's I will always love you is my number one, because of its intrinsic merits and its impact in popular culture. It was simply a massive, masterfully delivered hit.

[@WrenFaithBridger]

Unpopular opinion: While I generally love me some Whitney Houston, I really don't like her version of IWALY. I find it loud and bombastic, with all of the sweetness & subtlety sucked out of it. At the end it's almost threatening: "IIIIIIIIIIII WILL AAAALWAYYYYYS LOOOOOOVE YOOOOOOUUUUUU!!!!!!!!!"

[@donpietruk1517]

@@WrenFaithBridger I actually prefer Linda Ronstadt's version to Whitney's. There's a video out there showing Whitney, Linda and Dolly doing their versions.

[@eburel506]

Question. Where is Edda James “At last”? To quote another reviewer “She may not have been the first to sing thing song…but she owned it”.