Sometimes, a song whispers its way into your ear, and BAM! You realize there's something different about it. A cover song has just snuck up on you, wearing the familiar notes of an original track but with a touch that is unique to that cover artist. Or maybe you already knew that hit but never realized it was one of those songs you didn't know were covers. Here they are saying, "Hey, this song was cool, but watch how I make it cooler!"
But hang on, because we're not just about to list a bunch of tracks that had their five minutes of fame on a talent show. No siree, today we're on a quest to reveal the best covers of all time. Remember when you first heard Jimi Hendrix's reimagining of Dylan's All Along The Watchtower? Or when Whitney Houston added a new depth to Dolly Parton's I Will Always Love You? These irresistible music covers dared to step into the shadow of an original and came out shining bright. From vintage classics to modern-day hits, we're pulling back the curtains on the iconic cover versions that marked the music scene without asking anyone's permission.
The exciting part? Many of these covers are even better than the original. We'll see artists who have taken an established piece and somehow twisted it into something even more catchy, entering the Olympus of the most successful cover songs, wooing fans, winning awards, and creating a league of their own.
We're aware music is incredibly subjective. These brilliant artists, though, have reimagined some already great songs and turned them into the most well-known tunes in the world. We've got you covered (pun intended) with what people have assured are the best cover songs. Who knows, you might discover your next playlist favorite!
#1 Johnny Cash – Hurt

"Johnny Cash singing "'Hurt' by NIN."
iamzeecapt replied:
"Yes. It's unreal how different the same lyrics feel by 2 different artists."
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35points
#2 Jimi Hendrix – All Along The Watchtower

"Jimi Hendrix's "All Along The Watchtower" is much better than Dylan's."
419_glaze_it replied:
"Even Bob Dylan himself admitted that Jimi's version was better."
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31points
#3 Alien Ant Farm – Smooth Criminal

"I like Alien Ant Farm's Smooth Criminal better than Michael Jackson's."
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31points
#4 Somewhere Over The Rainbow – Israel Kamakawiwoʻole

_Wendigun_ replied:
"Didn't he also record it in one take at like 1 am after the studio was supposed to be closed but he called and was very nice, so they let him in."
SenoraNegra said:
"It’s beautiful, but it also drives me up the wall because he mixes up the lines from different verses, so the lyrics make no sense."
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30points
#5 Nirvana – The Man Who Sold The World

"The Man Who Sold the World from Nirvana on MTV Unplugged."
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27points
#6 Joe Cocker – With A Little Help From My Friends

Davidred323 replied:
"Everything Joe Cocker did is a cover and they are all great. The Letter is my favorite."
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25points
#7 Tina Turner – Proud Mary

"Tina Turner's cover of 'Proud Mary'."
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25points
#8 Janis Joplin – Me And Bobby McGee

"Janis Joplin - Me and Bobby McGee, by Kris Kristofferson in the beginning. Although Kristofferson's version is excellent, Janis' vocal performance elevated it."
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23points
#9 Nirvana – Where Did You Sleep Last Night

"Nirvana's cover of Where did you sleep last night."
AlexJamesCook replied:
"Basically every cover they performed during the MTV Unplugged session was pure gold. We met Kurt at his primordial best; where his disdain for everything met his talent, met his desire to perform. That performance sums up Kurt tragically and beautifully."
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23points
#10 Soft Cell – Tainted Love

"Tainted Love by Soft Cell."
7sodab0sc0 replied:
"I feel like I’m receiving the good karma from my life when I chance to hear this version. Makes my day every time."
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22points
#11 Patsy Cline – Crazy

"Better performed and most people just assume she was the original. It was actually Willie Nelson’s song he wrote and performed first, but just didn’t have the same impact as her singing it."
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22points
#13 The Clash's – I Fought The Law

"The Clash's version of I Fought The Law."
_ferrofluid_ replied:
"For real, this was the first version of the song I heard. It’s the best."
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21points
#14 Gary Jules – Mad World

"Mad World by Gary Jules, originally by Tears for Fears, are both great though."
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21points
#15 Patti Smith – Because The Night

"It was originally a Bruce Springsteen song that he wrote and performed, but for whatever reason, gave it to her. I heard the Springsteen/E-Street Band's original spin on it, and although it's amazing, Smith's rendition is otherworldly."
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20points
#16 The Bangles – Hazy Shade Of Winter

"The Bangles version of Hazy Shade of Winter."
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20points
#17 Guns N' Roses – Live And Let Die

"Probably not a popular opinion but I like the GnRs version of Live and Let Die. Yes, I am a Beatles and Paul McCartney fan."
AndImSuperKing replied:
"Also, Guns N' Roses Knocking' on Heaven’s Door."
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20points
#18 Mark Ronson Ft. Amy Winehouse – Valerie

"Valerie sang by Amy Winehouse. So much so that everyone forgets The Zutons ever even tried."
Fresnel_Zone replied:
"This cover is so good that you can slow it down to half speed to get a second really good cover."
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19points
#20 Cake – I Will Survive

FunnyYellowBird replied:
"Their cover of Doris Day’s “Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps” is one of my all-time fave songs."
"Their cover of Doris Day’s “Perhaps, perhaps, perhaps” is one of my all-time fave songs."
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19points




