List RulesVote up the covers that definitely outshine the originals.
Everyone loves when a musical artist somehow re-crafts a beloved song with a creative new spin. Covers illustrate the multifaceted nature of music and lyrics. A simple tweak of the melody or alteration of the singing style can create whole new layers of complexity in regards to what a song means - without even changing the lyrics! Sometimes, covers even surpass the originals in terms of popularity and critical acclaim. What are the best cover songs? Help decide below.
Good cover songs are common, but they don't always outdo the source material. Whether it's old songs covered by new bands or recent hits revamped by contemporary artists, people often show loyalty to original versions. The songs below, however, are an exception. Some of the best cover songs on this list are so universal that most people think that they aren’t covers at all. "Twist and Shout" was not originally recorded by the Beatles and while "Me and Bobby McGee" is heavily associated with the late Janis Joplin, she was not the original writer or recording artist. When artists choose to try their luck with a cover, it can sometimes be a gamble, especially if the band or musician behind the original version is an esteemed figure. However, the below musicians took a risk and it really paid off.
Which cover songs do you think are better than the originals? Vote up the most impressive songs below!
1
3,755562Original Artist: Bob Dylan
Cover Artist: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
2
3,447574Original Artist: Otis Redding,
Cover Artist: Aretha Franklin
3
2,624453Original Artist: The Leaves,
Cover Artist: The Jimi Hendrix Experience
4
2,368421Original Artist: Frankie Trumbauer and Hoagy Carmichael, Cover Artist: Ray Charles
5
2,235445Original Artist: Jake Holmes, Cover Artist: Led Zeppelin
6
3,197699Original Artist: The Arrows, Cover Artist: Joan Jett
7
2,419556Me and Bobby McGee
Original Artist: Roger Miller, Cover Artist: Janis Joplin
8
2,678741Original Artist: The Top Notes, Cover Artist: The Beatles
9
2,679795Original Artist: Gloria Jones,
Cover Artist: Soft Cell
10
3,8241,413Original Artist: Nine Inch Nails,
Cover Artist: Johnny Cash
11
1,519552Original Artist: Sir Mack Rice,
Cover Artist: Wilson Pickett
12
2,4971,101Original Artist: Prince, Cover Artist: Sinéad O'Connor
13
1,943920I Fought the Law
Original Artist: Sonny Curtis, Cover Artist: The Clash
14
2,7801,364Hallelujah
Original Artist: Leonard Cohen,
Cover Artist: Jeff Buckley
15
1,575753Original Fleetwood Mac(decent)-Santana(awesome)
16
1,235602Cover artist: Led Zeppelin
Original Artist: Memphis Minnie and Kansas City Joe
17
1,707900Original Artist: The Paragons, Cover Artist: Blondie
18
2,6631,443Original Artist: The Beatles,
Cover Artist: Joe Cocker
19
1,218655Torn
20
1,539849Original Artist: The Zutons,
Cover Artists: Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse
21
753401JOni Mitchell's version is good. Crosby, Stills and Nash's version is great!
22
2,7821,689Original Artist: Dolly Parton,
Cover Artist: Whitney Houston
23
2,1121,301Original Artist: Tears for Fears,
Cover Artist: Gary Jules
24
3,1121,948Original Artist: Bob Dylan,
Cover Artist: Guns N' Roses
25
1,546995Original Artist: Otis Redding,
Cover Artist: The Black Crowes