The most popular covers. Covers of songs that surpassed the originals: Eatmusic top list
“So to deface the sacred...”, “yes, this is blasphemy!” - this is, perhaps, the typical content of comments under such lists of covers that surpass the originals in their sound. And, of course, the eternal “you forgot about...”.
Why do people have such a strong reaction to such tops? Is it supposedly because the original version (obviously loved enough by some other musician to cover it, and loved enough by listeners to recognize the tune) somehow loses value due to the composer's opinion such a list? Or is it because modern culture, of which song covers and movie sequels are an integral part, is becoming unoriginal? Or is it because controversy over covers doubles the army of fans (both the creators of the original and the “covered” band)?
Regardless of the answer to this question, we still dared to create our own top songs, which are based on a well-known motif, successfully remade into something even cooler.
The main rule is that this list does not pretend to be universal or absolute. Of course, we know of hundreds of other covers of hundreds of other songs. Our task was to collect the most interesting covers from our point of view, and not to make a selection from all existing “re-covers”. And we also didn't include covers that weren't better than the originals: for example, we don't include Muse's cover of "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" because we think The Smiths' original version is better. The same principle was applied to Lenny Kravitz's cover of "American Woman," Pearl Jam's cover of "Love, Reign Over Me," and so on. So no, we didn’t “forget about...”.
Cover versions of famous songs that surpassed the originals
Cake – I Will Survive | Cover of the song Gloria Gaynor
To be honest, outdoing a disco hit is not an easy task, but the cunning Californian guys Cake managed to do it, and they took one of the most most famous songs in this genre. Gloria Gaynor released “I Will Survive” back in 1978. The disco rhythms were decorated with a spectacular saxophone, and the song itself was dedicated to how to be strong when a relationship collapses. But Cake made changes to the lyrics of the song, which was included in their 1996 album Fashion Nugget. In addition, the song acquired a characteristic guitar sound, and the trumpet solo seemed to breathe new life to the classics.
Nine Inch Nails – Dead Souls | Cover of Joy Division song
There are differing opinions on whether Nine Inch Nails' reworking of "Dead Souls" is better than Joy Division's original rendition. British post-punk legends included this song on their 1981 album Still, and it was an incredibly dark track - in the best traditions of the genre. But Nine Inch Nails' version (which no one suspected was a cover when it appeared on the soundtrack to 1994's The Crow) pushed the atmospherics into the background, making it the epitome of an industrial sound with a metallic edge. And although Trent Reznor didn't modify it much, the Nine Inch Nails version sounds much more epic and dynamic. After all, no one denies that cover songs cannot change their vector of perception.
Beck – Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime | Cover of The Korgis song
In 1980, the British pop group The Korgis had an international hit called " Everybody's Got to Learn Sometime" - a melancholic ballad about past love. This theme itself fit perfectly into the soundtrack to Michel Gondry’s film “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” (2004). And in the skillful hands of Beck and composer Jon Brion, it was given an orchestral treatment, after which it was published on the masterpiece 2002 album Sea Change. The sad piano part combined with equally sad vocals is definitely recommended for listening to everyone suffering from heartbreak.
Bjork – It's Oh So Quiet | Cover of the Betty Hutton song
"It's Oh So Quiet" 1951 performed by American actress and singer Betty Hutton was, in fact, a cover of a song written several years earlier by the Austrian composer Hans Lang and the German poet Eric Maeder. Björk's remake, published almost half a century later, is quite close to Hutton's version, and seems somehow ironically naive due to the certain theatricality of her performance and Björk's almost angelically innocent image. The song is dedicated to the danger that falling in love poses.
Foo Fighters – Baker Street | Cover of Gerry Rafferty's song
The name Gerry Rafferty may not be familiar to many, but you've definitely heard some of his hits - such as "Stuck in the Middle With You". His most famous creation is “ Baker Street"1978, an easily recognizable song due to its characteristic saxophone parts. Twenty years later, when covering the song, they abandoned the saxophone in favor of a frantic guitar. Included in the album My Hero, the song, although it seems familiar, is still radically different from the original.
Jose Gonzalez – Heartbeats | Cover of The Knife song
Electronic duo from Sweden The released the track “ Heartbeats"as part of the genre-defining album Deep Cuts (2003). Rhythmic synths and vibrant vocals embodied the nostalgic spirit of the 1980s, coupled with a modern aesthetic. IN next year their indiefolk compatriot Jose Gonzalez shared his version of the song on his debut album Veneer, completely transforming the rhythmic song into a ballad with guitar accompaniment and his signature vocals. In fact, both versions are good, but Gonzalez’s soulful “Heartbeats” hits the soul more.
No Doubt – It's My Life | Cover of the song Talk Talk
« It's My Life" - the title track of the second album of the British new wave group Talk Talk. The song had a rather modest success in 1984, but six years later, when the musicians released an album with their best hits, it still found its audience. decided to make a cover of this song, which was included in the 2003 album. The experiment was so successful that it was even nominated for a Grammy Award. Keeping the signature synth tune but adding more rock dynamics (and, naturally, Gwen Stefani's capricious voice), No Doubt brought the song into the 21st century with style and courage.
The Postal Service – Against All Odds | Cover of Phil Collins song
But this may hurt your feelings for Phil Collins. According to some reports, a musician from the group wrote “ Against All Odds"during the recording of his debut solo album, but this song became a world-famous hit, appearing as a soundtrack to the 1984 film of the same name (in Russian translation - “Despite everything”). However, frontman Ben Gibbard, as part of his side project The, updated the sound of this song for the soundtrack to the film Whiplash. Performed by Collins" Against All Odds"sounds 100% in the spirit of the 1980s, while The Postal Service's version has acquired a purely post-modern sound. However, it cannot be said that the cover was in any way disrespectful to the original, even though The song acquired a certain positive mood in The reworking.
Gary Jules – Mad World | Cover of the song Tears for Fears
Released in 1982, " Mad World"became the first major hit of the British new wave duo Tears for Fears. Rumor has it that the song was written as a response to "Girls on Film" performed by Duran Duran. It reached Generation X and Generation Y thanks to American performer Gary Jules and composer Mike Andrews, who slowed it down and turned it into a melancholy piano ballad, which became the soundtrack to the cult film Donnie Darko of 2001. Jules' incredibly sad version, which relied on gentle chords combined with beautiful vocals, definitely succeeded in creating a dramatic and melancholy mood, which was so lacking in the original.
Reel Big Fish – Take On Me | Cover of the song A-ha
Sometimes covers of songs turn out to be even more corrosive to the ear than the original compositions. Original version " Take On Me" - a real hit of the Norwegians A-ha, which has been a huge success among European audiences for several decades. In many respects, the success of the song can be attributed to the video clip, which was advanced for that time, but at the same time, the catchiness of the tune itself cannot be denied. The song was still being played on the radio when a ska-punk band made it into the soundtrack for the comedy BASEKETBALL in 1998. And although on " Take On Me" Quite a lot of covers have already been made, the new wave synthesizer fits perfectly into the trumpet-trombone sound of third wave ska. It turned out quite energetic and even more annoying than the original.
Sinead O'Connor – Nothing Compares 2U | Cover of the song The Family
Prince wrote “Nothing Compares 2U” for one of his side projects, The Family, and released it on the album of the same name (and only) in 1985. However, the song did not gain a foothold in the music charts until Irish singer Sinead O'Connor covered it on her 1990 album I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got. From a slow funko-jazz ballad, O’Connor created a lush and emotional track at the dawn of the alternative revolution. According to some reports, the death of O’Connor’s mother became the most sensual element of this song, for which, by the way, the singer received her first Grammy statuette in the “Best Alternative Performance” category.
Failure – Enjoy the Silence | Cover of Depeche Mode song
The British synth-pop group released " Enjoy the Silence” on his brilliant 1990 album Violator, going into the darkly depressive musical jungle. Built on a rhythmic synth beat, this love song actually gives you goosebumps, and if you know about lead singer Dave Gahan's heroin addiction, the words (especially the lines about how everything he wanted "was in his hands") will be not at all what one might initially think about. In 1998, the Los Angeles rock band released a tribute album to Depeche Mode - For the Masses, on which "Enjoy the Silence" acquired the guitar dynamics of nu metal.
Ryan Adams – Wonderwall | Cover of an Oasis song
Only Noel Gallagher knows for sure what the song “Wonderwall” is about, but this did not stop it from becoming the main song of the group and gaining the status of almost a classic in its genre. And although the lyrics of the original are thoroughly saturated with positivity (“you will be the one who saves me”), American rock singer Ryan Adams turned the song into a slow and sad ballad (it was included in his 2003 album Love Is Hell Part 1). Sure, both songs are great in their own ways, but Adams' version has a special, dark depth to it. Instead of swapping the joke for soap and recording a cheerful cover of a cheerful song, Adams filled Wonderwall with the absolute hopelessness of a man on the verge of death. A worthy example in the top “Covers of songs that surpassed the original.”
Jeff Buckley – Hallelujah | Cover of Leonard Cohen's song
Generally speaking, it is quite difficult - and what’s more, almost impossible - to surpass the work of the legendary Leonard Cohen. However, released on the 1984 album Various Positions, the song " Hallelujah"didn't attract special attention. And it remained in the shadows until John Cale recorded a cover of it in 1991, which received an enthusiastic response from listeners. This inspired Jeff Buckley to record his own version, which was included on his 1994 album Grace. Cohen's rendition of the song sounds like a dirge, and Buckley made it a graceful, yet somehow grandiose ode to beauty.
Johnny Cash – Hurt | Cover of Nine Inch Nails song
This point can cause quite a lot of controversy. Original " Hurt", written by Trent Reznor for the main album - The Downward Spiral (1994), is a minimalist story of self-destruction, gradually reaching a nonsensical crescendo. Without a doubt, one of the band's most outstanding songs. But in 2002, the legendary Johnny Cash recorded his version of this song for the album American IV: The Man Comes Around, which also included other covers of songs that the musician loved. We love both versions, but from Cash's lips the lyrics to this song sound more convincing, admit it: his hoarse voice and whole life rock stars behind us made of Hurt something extraordinarily brilliant.
Nirvana – The Man Who Sold the World | Cover of David Bowie song
David Bowie recorded " The Man Who Sold the World" for his 1970 album; The song was also included in the singles Space Oddity and Life on Mars?. Like most of his creations of that time, the song vaguely shows the opposition between the hero of the song and Bowie himself. The song wasn't particularly popular in the States until Nirvana played it (along with other, less intelligible covers) at their now-legendary MTV Unplugged performance in 1993. And although Nirvana's version doesn't stray far from the original, it's impossible not to add it to the list of "Song Covers That Beat the Original." The song received wide attention, in particular due to Kurt Cobain. By the way, Bowie himself said that the meaning of this song is that “you have to understand who you are.” Did Kurt understand?..
The White Stripes – Jolene | Cover of Dolly Parton's song
Jack White is no stranger to covers: The 1999 album of the same name included reworkings of songs by Bob Dylan and bluesman Robert Johnson. We almost included his cover of the song “ Love Is Blindness" But their cover of “Jolene” by Dolly Parton is still beyond any competition. By exposing the full emotional side of the song, Jack clearly shows that a man is capable of performing songs written from a purely female point of view. The studio version was released in 2000 on the single “Hello Operator”, but all the emotionality of the song can only be appreciated on the live version in 2004.
A cover is not only an interpretation of a popular song, but also a tribute to its creators. And it’s not so rare that a cover version turns out to be much more interesting and successful than the original. We've collected some of the most bright examples world hits, which owe their success to cover versions.
"Summertime" - Janis Joplin (Abbie Mitchell original 1935)
This composition was originally performed in 1935 in the opera "Porgy and Bess" performed by Abbie Mitchell. This is one of the leaders in the number of covers, and the most famous of them is from Janis Joplin.
"The Man Who Sold The World", Nirvana (David Bowie original 1970)
The song was originally recorded by David Bowie for the release of his third album in 1970, after which it was covered several times. But the composition rose to the top of the charts when performed by NIRVANA, fitting very organically into the repertoire of this group.
"You Were Always On My Mind", Pet Shop Boys 1987 (Elvis Presley original 1972)
Elvis Presley recorded this ballad in 1972. And the Pet Shop Boys group remade the composition in 1987, turning it into a dance hit.
"Hurt", Johnny Cash 2002 (Nine Inch Nails original 1994)
This song, with its depressive slant and profanity, was originally performed by Nine Inch Nails. And in 2002, a more lyrical version of it appeared, eclipsing the original both in the beauty of the music and in its meaning. And Johnny Cash recorded it.
"All Along The Watch Tower" – The Jimi Hendrix Experience 1968 (original Bob Dylan 1967)
This single, recorded by Bob Dylan in 1968, was very successfully covered by Jimi Hendrix.
“Nothing Compares 2 U” – Sinead O’Connor 1990 (Prince 1985 original)
This song was written and performed by singer Prince in 1985. And in 1990, the Irish singer Sinead O’Connor brought her to the top of the charts in several countries, captivating listeners with a very soulful performance.
"Feeling Good" – Muse
The song was originally performed in the 1964 musical “The Roar of the Greasepaint - The Smell of the Crowd.” Nowadays, the most popular are its two versions, performed by NINA SIMONE and the group Muse.
“I Will Always Love You” – Whitney Houston 1992 (original Dolly Parton 1974)
The song, featured in the film “The Bodyguard,” is known all over the world and is associated with the name of Whitney Houston, who turned it into a real masterpiece. And few people know that American singer Dolly Parton composed this song back in the 70s.
"Hound dog" - Elvis Presley 1956 (original Willie Mae Thornton, "Big Mama")
The first performer of this rock song was the American blues singer Willie Mae Thornton. But after it was performed by rock and roll star Elvis Presley in 1956, the song is associated with his name.
"Love Hurts" NAZARETH 1975 (original THE EVERLY BROTHERS 1960)
Originally part of THE EVERLY BROTHERS' repertoire, this calm, lyrical song has been covered and re-recorded many times since 1960. Scottish rockers Nazareth seriously reworked the song, turning it into a rock ballad. Their poignant composition, telling the story of all-consuming love, was an unprecedented success.
"Turn The Page" METALLICA 1998 (original Bob Seger 1973)
This classic rock composition was written in 1973 by Bob Seger. Among its many variations, the most famous is the version performed by Metallica, which is distinguished by a heavier sound compared to the original.
"Crying In The Rain" - A-HA 1990 (THE EVERLY BROTHERS original 1962)
The single about rain and tears performed by THE EVERLY BROTHERS, which appeared in 1962, gained wide popularity after it was performed by the Norwegian group A-HA in 1990.
"Wild World" - MR.BIG 1993 (original Cat Stevens 1970)
This song, recorded in 1970, has been performed many times in the most different styles and variations. And yet, according to the charts, the best cover is considered to be the one released by the group MR.BIG in 1993.
"Twist and Shout" - The Beatles (original The Isley Brothers 1962)
It turns out that this famous rock and roll, associated exclusively with the Beatles, was not written by them at all. The authors of the song are Phil Medley and Bert Russell, and the first performers are the American group Isley Brothers. But world fame came to this song only after it was performed by the Fab Four.
“Can't Help Falling In Love” - UB 40 (original by Elvis Presley)
This song has become so firmly established in UB40's repertoire that many fans don't even realize that there is another original version. But it turns out that this song was originally performed by Elvis Presley. And the British group UB40 managed to turn it into their own hit and raise it to the top of the charts.
"Venus" Bananarama (Original Shocking Blue)
This song was first performed by the Danish band Shocking Blue, and a cover version by Bananarama, three girls from Britain, made it a hit.
"I Love Rock "N" Roll" - Joan Jett 1982 (The Arrows original)
The song by The Arrows, which has been covered many times, has achieved worldwide popularity thanks to its performance by American singer D. Jett.
"Behind Blue Eyes" - Limp Bizkit (The Who original)
Although this song performed by the English rock band The Who was a great success at one time, today's youth listen to its cover version by LimpBizkit.
And a few more famous hit covers:
"Don't Turn Around" - Ace Of Base (Tina Turner original)
"Without You" - Mariah Carey, Harry Nilsson (Badfinger original)
“Sunny” - Boney M. (original by Bobby Hebb)
"One Way Ticket" - Eruption (original by Neil Sedaka)
"Sailing" - Rod Stewart (original by The Sutherland Brothers Band)
"Got My Mind Set on You" - George Harrison (James Ray original)
It happens that songs, having received their second, third, or tenth birth in cover versions, forever remain in the people’s memory in exactly this, rethought and reworked form - and the names of the authors are forgotten in favor of talented reworkers. For your attention - the top 10 (of course, not without subjectivity) world hits, the covers of which turned out to be stronger, more powerful, and better than the original version.
Originally the title track of David Bowie's third album, released in November 1970. It was sung more than once, but the detachedly dramatic version of NIRVANA, which penetrates to the cerebellum, was included in MTV Unplugged In New York in '94, brought this topic to the top of the charts. It fit so organically into Nirvana’s work that in subsequent years Bowie had many bitter moments at concerts when, while performing “The Man Who Sold the World,” he heard remarks a la “hey, good for you for singing Kurt’s song”!
This composition received an additional birth in the charts in 1974 thanks to the Scottish singer Lulu, who made it into a cool, rollicking cabaret, but, of course, it did not reach the level of Cobain.
2. "Hurt"
That case when from a rather mediocre original (even if it was by Reznor himself and NINE INCH NAILS; the album The Downward Spiral 1994) a true diamond is born through cutting. Although... Johnny Cash, as you know, was a great magician and turned everything he touched into a jewel. The epitaphic video for “Hurt” performed by Cash, containing footage of his biography, according to the British music magazine NME, was played at the Grammy ceremony, etc. And deservedly so.
3. "Love Hurts"
One of the signature songs of NAZARETH, the ballad about stinging and wounding love by Boudleaux Bryant originally belonged to the repertoire of the “fathers” of 60s country rockabilly THE EVERLY BROTHERS, and has been covered and re-recorded dozens of times since 1960. But it was the Scottish rockers who entered the history of rock music - with McCafferty’s characteristic rough vocals, Manny’s solo and a stingy male tear that literally soaked the lines “I know it isn’t true; Love is just a lie”...
Unfortunately, I couldn’t find the first recording of the composition on the Internet.
4. “Nothing Compares 2 U”
A heartfelt piece that brought the Irishwoman Sinead O’Connor with her perfectly shaved skull to the top of the charts in fifteen countries in 1990 - and became the most successful single of her long and fruitful career. The author of the hit was Prince, who wrote this composition for his funk side project THE FAMILY in 1985 and released it (without any furore) on his debut album entitled The Family. Subsequently, realizing the scope of the popularity of Sinead's cover, Prince would release this composition twice more on his albums.
5. "I Will Always Love You"
Whitney Houston's most powerful bestseller - a love drama, suffering, two Grammy awards... Initially, long before "The Bodyguard", it was a single by the American country singer Dolly Parton. And it’s also not to say that it was unsuccessful - for example, the first version of this thing included in the album Jolene 1974, topped the Hot Country Songs chart. And then, in ’82, re-recorded for the soundtrack to the film “The Best Brothel in Texas,” it won the same hit parade again. Parton made several versions of her musical brainchild - but, alas, Whitney could only envy the worldwide success of the “child”.
6. "Turn The Page"
One of METALLICA's most chart-topping singles, "Turn the Page" was written by Bob Seger in 1973, dedicating this song to the difficult life of a rock musician on tour: emotional ups and downs, joys and disappointments. There were many variations on the theme of this composition - from Kid Rock to GOLDEN EARRING - but METALLICA's cover is perhaps the best. Heavier (while maintaining the tempo set in Seeger's original), more percussive, more convincing. Although - taking into account the plot of the video - it’s not about musicians at all.
7. "Crying In The Rain"
Another work, originally recorded by THE EVERLY BROTHERS and finding a second wind in the discography of the famous group. The single appeared in 1962 - and since then it has been performed several times. Tammy Vinet, Art Garfunkel, GREGORIAN and SLADE... however, he gained immortality in the 90s, when the Norwegians A-HA decided to sing a song about tears and rain.
8. "Wild Thing"
The calling card of THE TROGGS, “Wild Thing”, performed by them, regularly finds itself on the best-of lists of all times. This impeccable hit was composed by the American Chip Taylor, and in 1965 it was recorded by THE WILD ONES. THE TROGGS came out just a year later - and immediately found themselves at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
9. "Tainted Love"
This song was written by Ed Cobb - and it has been performed by a great many groups and artists. Gloria Jones was the first to record “Tainted Love” in 1965. Then COIL, ATROCITY, THE PUSSYCAT DOLLS, SCORPIONS and all and sundry were applied. Marilyn Manson scored an awesome cover in 2001. But the composition gained true fame and popularity (as well as, hmm, the title of “one hit wonder”) in 1981 in a languid performance by SOFT CELL, suddenly becoming iconic for gay music lovers around the world.
10. "Wild World"
This theme was recorded by Cat Stevens in 1970, giving followers incredible scope for imagination and reinterpretation. There are dozens of covers of it, in different styles and interpretations. But for some reason it seems that the MR.BIG version, released in 1993, is the best. In any case, the world charts thought so.
1. The Slits - I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Original belongs to: Gladys Knight & the Pips
2. Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U
Original belongs to: The Family
3. Hot Chip - Dancing in the Dark
Original belongs to: Bruce Springsteen
4. Aretha Franklin - Eleanor Rigby
Original belongs to: The Beatles
5. Sturgill Simpson - In Bloom
Original belongs to: Nirvana
6. Ra Ra Riot - Suspended in Gaffa
Original belongs to: Kate Bush
7. Ryan Adams - Wonderwall
Original belongs to: Oasis
8. Gary Jules - Mad World
Original belongs to: Tears for Fears
9. Tori Amos - Smells Like Teen Spirit
Original belongs to: Nirvana
Original belongs to: John Lennon
11. Fiona Apple - Across the Universe
Original belongs to: The Beatles
12. Antony and the Johnsons - Crazy in Love
Original belongs to: Beyonce
13. Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
Original belongs to: Dolly Parton
14. Cowboy Junkies - Sweet Jane
Original belongs to: The Velvet Underground
15. Kele - Goodbye Horses
Original belongs to: Q Lazzarus
16. Joan Osborne - What Becomes of the Brokenhearted
Original belongs to: Jimmy Ruffin
17. Bettye LaVette - Love Reign O"er Me
Original belongs to: The Who
18. Maxwell - This Woman's Work
Original belongs to: Kate Bush
19. CSS - Knife
Original belongs to: Grizzly Bear
20. Cake - I Will Survive
Original belongs to: Gloria Gaynor
21. Echo and the Bunnymen – Ticket to Ride
Original belongs to: The Beatles
22. Urge Overkill — Girl, You"ll Be a Woman Soon
Original belongs to: Neil Diamond
23. Dean & Britta - I'll Keep It With Mine
Original belongs to: Bob Dylan
24. Cat Power — (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Original belongs to: The Rolling Stones
25. Jim James & Calexico - Goin" to Acapulco
Original belongs to: Bob Dylan
26. Roberta Flack - Bridge Over Troubled Water
Original belongs to: Simon & Garfunkel
27. Cyndi Lauper - When You Were Mine
Original belongs to: Prince
28. Guns N' Roses - Live and Let Die
Original belongs to: Paul McCartney and Wings
29. Bette Midler - When a Man Loves a Woman
Original: Percy Sledge
30. Nina Simone - Ain't Got No, I Got Life
Original belongs to: Broadway musical "Hair" ( Hair)
Original belongs to: The Zutons
32. Ronnie Spector - You Can't Put Your Arms Around a Memory
Original belongs to: Johnny Thunders
33. Nancy Sinatra - Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)
Original belongs to: Cher
34. Best Coast - Rhiannon
Original belongs to: Fleetwood Mac
35. Talking Heads - Take Me to the River
Original belongs to: Al Green
36. CeeLo Green - No One's Gonna Love You
Original belongs to: Band of Horses
37. Jimi Hendrix - All Along the Watchtower
Original belongs to: Bob Dylan
38. Joe Cocker - With a Little Help From My Friends
Original belongs to: The Beatles
39. Aimee Mann - One
Original belongs to: Harry Nilsson
40. Clem Snide - Beautiful