10 Song Covers You May Not Know Were Covers
10. Louie Louie - The Kingsmen (original by Richard Berry)
While probably nobody remembers a version of this song as sung by Richard Berry, most people can hum the version that The Kingsmen produced. With lyrics that were barely intelligible, this song is notorious for singers shouting the chorus…and mumbling the rest of the song.
9. All Along the Watchtower - Dave Matthews Band (original by Bob Dylan)
Ok, so the original version of this song wasn’t written by Jimi Hendrix either, but most of us thing of Hendrix when we hear this song. Dave Matthews Band did an amazing cover of this song during their concert in New York at Central Park. If you’ve never heard this version, go listen to it now.
8. Against All Odds - The Postal Service (original by Phil Collins)
Done for the “Wicker Park” soundtrack, this is the only song on here that features Josh Hartnett in the video. A great new take on a classic, The Postal Service took what Phil Collins wrote and made it hip, cool, and interesting…something the former Genesis drummer would never be able to do on his own.
7. Smooth Criminal - Alien Ant Farm (original by Michael Jackson)
It’s hard to think of any reason why this wouldn’t be a better version, mostly because anything associated with Michael Jackson is now usually associated with…bad things. Alien Ant Farm does an amazing job of taking Jackson’s hit from the “Bad” album and making it rock, and then proceeded to shoot a video that is either an homage or a mockery of the King of Pop.
6. One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer - George Thorogood (original by John Lee Hooker)
If anybody besides the internet actually knew this, they really need to look into getting a life. One can debate whether this song or “Bad to the Bone” is more associated with Mr. Thorogood, but I can say that I have walked into a bar and ordered using this song…it got me a few funny looks and a free drink from the old guy next to me.
5. Live and Let Die - Guns n’ Roses (original by Paul McCartney and Wing)
I’m having a hard time picturing Paul McCartney singing anything that would later be sung by Axel Rose, but there’s no denying that this is one of the quintessential G’n'R songs. While Sir McCartney left his greatest days behind him with the Beatles, he at least still put out albums post Beatle, something that cannot be said for Axel Rose (we’re still waiting on Chinese Democracy dude).
4. (I Can’t Help) Falling In Love With You - UB40 (original by Elvis Presley)
Taking a more reggae approach to this song, UB40 had a huge hit with this cover of the Elvis song in the 90’s. Introducing a new generation of listeners to the King’s music, UB40 managed to do a cover of a song that was similar to the original, but was distinct enough that you knew exactly which version you were listening to five seconds in.
3. Hooked on a Feeling - Blue Swede (original by BJ Thomas)
If you know who BJ Thomas is there’s probably something to be said, but if you catch yourself humming along to “Hooked on a Feeling”, you probably know who Blue Suede is. While this song can be argued for being a great cover, the fact that Quentin Tarantino included it in his masterpiece Reservoir Dogs means it’s a great cover to me, and that should be good enough.
2. Candle in the Wind - Elton John (original by Elton John)
Ok, so maybe I’m stretching here, but when Elton John re-recorded “Candle in the Wind” after the death of Princess Diana, he managed to cover himself, a feat that not many artists can do. This song counts as a cover because while the basic lyrics were the same, changes were made to make this version focus on Princess Diana, whereas the first one had been about Marilyn Monroe. It takes real gravitas…and cajones…to do a cover or a song that you yourself had already made famous. Kudos Mr. John.
1. Hurt - Johnny Cash (Original by Nine Inch Nails)
The Man in Black’s cover of this song brought him to a whole new generation of listeners, and when coupled with the movie about his life, meant Johnny Cash had one of the more productive four year spans of any artist. Many viewed the video for “Hurt” as Cash’s epitaph for himself, as it showed his regret over many of the decisions throughout his life. A moving version of the song, this is easily the number one cover song.
Honorable Mentions
Rocket Man - Angie Aparo (original by Elton John)
I’m not usually a fan of Elton John’s works, nothing against him personally, I just don’t dig his music. That being said, when Angie Aparo covered “Rocket Man” for his The One with the Sun album, it made me a fan of the song. Angie’s haunting voice and minimalist approach added a new dimension to what was already a hit song. While the entire album was covers, “Rocket Man” stands out amongst them all. See the video.
Red, Red Wine - UB40 (original by Neil Diamond)
It would seem that UB40 hasn’t recorded a successful original song…ever. That being said, “Red, Red Wine” was a huge success for them in the 90’s, and while not many people probably remember that Neil Diamond sang this song first, it is in fact a cover. While some would argue that this is more popular a song than “Fools Rush In”, there can be no denying that Elvis is bigger than Neil Diamond…and so the Neil only get the honorable mention. See the video.
Submitted by George Perry, The $20 Sommelier.
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15 Responses to “10 Song Covers You May Not Know Were Covers”
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All Along the Watchtower is Bob Dylan, NOT Jimi Hendrix!
Awesome List! There’s definitely a lot of cover songs you could mention that people might not know the originals.
Bob Dylan Fan - Thank you for the correction. I have made the change from Hendrix to Dylan.
topher - Thanks for the additional songs. I particularly like Landslide.
Actually tophers list is far better, the primary list is more a list of covers you most likely know are covers.
Umm… these are fairly well known songs.
Would you really think someone wouldn’t know Smooth Criminal or Against All Odds? Maybe a twelve year old but anyone over about 15 or so can recognize a lot of these!
i have to agree that most people know smooth criminal was michael’s song if for no other reason than the video. i remember michael jackson video premieres being a really big deal.
@ topher- yeah, you are right. i did not know that the jefferson aiplane song was a cover. and even though whitney gets most of the credit for that iconic song, i am sure mrs. parton is laughing all the way to the bank.
dita - I would agree that most of us know Michael did the original, if you are 18 and older. I think those younger may only know Michael Jackson as the odd looking white man who has been accused of some crimes. He has become an unfortunate caricature and his musical legacy from the 70s, 80s and 90s is slowly being forgotten. He is the Howard Hughes for this generation. Just my opinion, but I could be wrong.
My daughter didn’t understand how Michael Jackson could have been in the Jackson 5, since he was black and today’s Michael Jackson is white. That was very telling how things can change from one generation to the next.
Some more interesting cover versions (apart from Topher’s mentions):
Always on my mind - The Pet Shop Boys (original by Elvis Presley)
I love Rock’n'Roll - Joan Jett (original by The Arrows)
are you effin kidding about the against all odds cover? that song is garbage. listen to the original. then listen to that trash.
How about “Cum on feel the noize” the was covered by Quiot Riot and originally wrote by Slade.
Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinaed O’Connor (Original written by Prince, performed by The Family)
seriously, how dumb do you think we are?
#1 Hurt-Johnny Ca$h
bob dylan should find dave mathews and choke him out for that horrid cover
I think most of these are very well-known as covers to anyone with even a minute interest in music.
You may think rock music was invented in the 21st century, but a lot of people in the world realize otherwise and have knowledge of such “unknowns” as John Lee Hooker, Elvis Presley, and Paul McCartney & Wings.