Covering songs is as old as rock and roll itself. Elvis covered countless songs written and performed by other people and throughout the ensuing decades, others have done it as well. Some have been good, a few even better than the original, and some have been awful. I've compiled a list of what I feel are the 50 Greatest Rock Covers of all-time. Some of these are obvious covers, many of them I had no idea that they weren't original songs. Click on the links to see and hear the differences in the songs from over the years.
20. With a Little Help from My Friends by The Beatles (1967)
With a Little Help from My Friends by Joe Cocker (1969)
This Beatles classic was rearranged by Joe Cocker, Jimmy Page, and others in 1969. They pulled it off well and any song that can serve as the opening tune to The Wonder Years is ok in my book.
19. Hey Joe by The Leaves (1965)
Hey Joe by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1966)
This remake became one of Jimi Hendrix' bigger hits.
18. Signs by Five Man Electrical Band (1970)
Tesla's take on this song became one of their most recognizable tunes as well.
17. Crimson and Clover by Tommy James and the Shondells (1968)
Crimson and Clover by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (1982)
Even though it's a cover, this is my favorite Joan Jett song. If anyone could have made this song their own, it was her.
Holy Diver by Killswitch Engage (2007)
Killswitch Engage, who at the time was fronted by Columbus' Howard Jones, owns one of the greatest metal covers ever done. I'm sure Ronnie James Dio was proud.
15. Knockin' on Heaven's Door by Bob Dylan (1973)
Knockin' on Heaven's Door by Guns N' Roses (1987)
Many big named acts have covered this song; including Clapton, U2, and The Grateful Dead. I chose the Guns N' Roses version, though, because they took the song and made it into a Guns N' Roses song. It doesn't sound like a cover.
14. Faith by George Michael (1987)
As many acts from the nu-metal era were able to do, Limp Bizkit turned a popular song from a different genre into a metal anthem. MUCH better than the original!
13. Last Kiss by Wayne Cochran (1961)
I never thought this was a cover song. Pearl Jam, like they do on most songs they cover, make it their own. Eddie Vedder makes it happen.
12. Hallowed Be Thy Name by Iron Maiden (1982)
Hallowed Be Thy Name by Machine Head (2008)
In 1982, Iron Maiden's Steve Harris wrote what would quite possibly become the greates metal song ever written. While the Machine Head version doesn't showcase the same vocal range as Maiden's Bruce Dickinson does; it makes up for that with raw power in this updated and modernized gem. Horns up!
11. Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics (1983)
Sweet Dreams by Marilyn Manson (1995)
Manson's cover of this New Wave song is a metal masterpiece. Much more emotion than the original, and as a metal-head it's just.....better.
Stay tuned for songs #10 - #1 coming very soon. Agree? Disagree? Sound off in the comments section below. And as always if you haven't subscribed; please do by clicking the link by my name at the top of the page. Thanks and rock on!
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