What’s the Greatest Rock Cover of All Time?
A British radio station recently announced the results of a survey on the greatest rock cover of all time. Leading the pack was Jimi Hendrix’s version of Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” from his 1968 album, Electric Ladyland. Dylan had released it about a year earlier on John Wesley Harding.
Other songs on the list included “Whiskey in the Jar,” a traditional Irish song done by Metallica, Joe Cocker’s take on the Beatles’ “With a Little Help from My Friends” and Van Halen’s smokin’ rendition of “You Really Got Me” from The Kinks.
So here’s my question: what do YOU think are the greatest covers of all time? Here are some thought-starters:
“Tainted Love” by Soft Cell: A cover of a Gloria Jones song from 1965.
“The Man Who Sold the World” by Nirvana: Bowie composition from 1970.
“Twist and Shout” by the Beatles: Their take on a 1961 song written by Phil Medley and Bert Russell
Heart has done a number if great Zeppelin covers.
Headstones: Tweeter and the Monkeyman. Supergroup song, made even better.
I'm not sold on their far reaching impact, but I enjoy Husker Du's Love Is All Around and I think The Atari's version of Boys Of Summer is nasty.
Cake– I Will Survive
Johnny Cash– Hurt
The White Stripes– Jolene
The Rolling Stones– Stop Breaking Down
I agree with the above comment, Tweeter and the Monkeyman.
You mean it wasn't Judas Priest's version of Johnny B Goode? Lol
Some of my fav covers:
Placebo – Running Up That Hill
In Flames – Everything Counts
Johnny Cash – Hurt
Failure – Enjoy The Silence
Smashing Pumpkins – Landslide
Pixies – Head On (Jesus and Mary Chain).
I Fought the Law-The Clash
California Sun-The Ramones
Heroes-The Wallflowers
Hard Sun-Eddie Vedder
Hallelujah-Jeff Buckley
Baba O'Riley-Pearl Jam
I think "Summertime Blues" by The Who probably deserves a nod.
And a good chunk of Led Zeppelin's first 3 albums, maybe…? 😉
I thought you meant album cover for a second. Was gonna say "British Steel."
Gonna go with Johnny Cash's version of "Rusty Cage," Heart's "Battle of Evermore" or Stevie Wonder's "Bridge Over Troubled Waters."
That last one ain't exactly rock, but it's a great example of how you can hate something for years, and then put it in the right hands and make it awesome.
Tool – No Quarter
QOTSA – Going Out West
Eagles of Death Metal – Stuck in the Middle/Metal With You
The Doors – Alabama Song
Trent Reznor & Atticus Ross – Immigrant Song
Hush – Deep Purple
Whiskey in the Jar – Thin Lizzy
China Girl- David Bowie
Nothing Compares 2 U – Sinead O'Connor
If you're talking about songs that weren't rock until they got covered as such, you have to include The Animal's take on House Of The Rising' Sun. As far as a complete reimagining of a piece goes, Ball Of Confusion as redone by Love and Rockets (of The Temptations' original).
I forgot to mention the Nazareth cover of Joni Mitchell's This Flight Tonight.
Led Zeppelin, Gallow Pole is a favourite of mine.
Others that need to be mentioned…..
Hello I Love You – Echo and the Bunnymen
Everlasting Love – U2
Police On My Back – The Clash
Cowboy Junkies – Sweet Jane?
Don't Change – Goo Goo Dolls
Take Me In Your Arms – The Doobie Brothers (originally done by Kim Weston in the 60s)
Liked some of the above but my 2 favorite covers that are better than the originals – mostly mainstream – BILLY MACKENZIE of the ASSOCIATES "Heart of Glass" (Blondie) … FUN BOY THREE, "Our Lips Are Sealed" (The Go-Go's), …….. These others are good … 1 SIOUXSIE – "The Passenger" ( Iggy Pop )…. 2 NAKED EYES – "Always, Something There To Remind Me" (Burt Bacharach), … 3 ENGLISH BEAT "Tears of a Clown" (Smokey Robinson) … 4 FINE YOUNG CANNIBALS – "Suspicious Minds" (Elvis) … 5 INFORMATION SOCIETY – "Lay All Your Love On Me" (Abba) … 6 ROXY – "In The Midnight Hour" (Wilson Pickett) … 7 PET SHOP BOYS – "Always On My Mind" (Elvis) … 8 BANANARAMA – "Venus" (Shocking Blue) … 9 DANCE SOCIETY – "2000 Light Years From Home" ( R. Stones) 10 EUGENE McGUINNESS – "Blue Jeans" (Lana del Ray).
Red Hot Chili Peppers' cover of Stevie Wonder's Higher Ground
Sisters of Mercy's cover of The Rolling Stones' Gimme Shelter
Nine Inch Nails' cover of Joy Division's Dead Souls
Easy-Faith No More
Knockin' on Heaven's Door-G'n'R
Signs-Tesla
WilliamShatner doing Pulp's Common People is groundbreaking.
Vanilla Fudge "You Keep Me Hanging On" cover of The Supremes
Elton John "Honky Tonk Woman" from his live 1970 record – cover of the Rolling Stones
Neko Case "Runnin' Out of Fools" cover of Aretha Franklin
Ben Folds "Bitches Ain't Shit" – cover of Dr. Dre
Supergrass – "Condition" cover of Kenny Rogers & 1st Edition
Peter, Bjorn and John did a great cover of Otis Redding's "Try a Little Tenderness" that I've only seen here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hAEHj33fSDE
Sloan did a nice cover of "Waterfalls" by Paul McCartney on some compilation
Ring of Fire – Social Distortion (Johnny Cash)
Shadowplay – The Killers (Joy Division)
Landslide – Smashing Pumpkins (Fleetwood Mac)
What a wonderful world – Joey Ramone (Louis Armstrong)
While My Guitar Gently Weeps-Peter Frampton
Alexisonfire did a great job covering The Dead Heart, originally by Midnight Oil.
The Chain – Kickaxe