Top 11 Best Song Covers. (IMO)

by ravensword

They say that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. But it also helps when the imitation is good. IMO these are the best 11 song covers. Keep in mind these are ones I like more then anything else. these are in no particular order. Sympathy for the Devil by Guns and roses (original performed by The Rolling Stones) Pretty Woman by Van Halen (original by Roy Orbison) Aside from the utter...

They say that imitation is the most sincere form of flattery. But it also helps when the imitation is good. IMO these are the best 11 song covers. Keep in mind these are ones I like more then anything else. these are in no particular order.

Sympathy for the Devil by Guns and roses (original performed by The Rolling Stones)

Pretty Woman by Van Halen (original by Roy Orbison)

Aside from the utterly Cracked out Music Video, this cover is actualy I think the first time I heard this song. Obviosuly since then I heard the original, and both have their charms. This version is really good IMO and has the great Eddie Van Halen guitar riffs to boot.

Its not that I hated the orginal, in fact the original is quite good. Im just not a huge stones fan. Personaly, I think this version is much better then the original. Seems more roking to me.

Sweet Dreams by Marilyn Manson (original performed by Euthymics)

Ok, it probaly dosent help that im a Marily Manson fan, but I do think this cover is very very good. While the original was more groovy in ways, this one is actualy more dark and rockin, which kinda makes me feel thats how the song should been kind of.

The locomotion by Grand Funk Railroad (original performed by Little Eva)

Really, whos going to deny this? Chances are you have heard this song, and chances are the version you heard and have continued to heard is this cover version.

I Fought the Law by The Clash (originaly performed by the crickets)

  this is one of those examples where the cover oif the original song is arguably superior to the original song (we have a big exampel of this later on in the list) . Its also a example of a song that helped the band become well known even though it was a cover.

Hound Dog by Elvis Presley (oringaly performed by Big Momma Thornton)

  Yet another example of a song you probaly heard the cover of alot more then the original. In fact, im sure no one would hold it against you if you said this was a Elvis Original song, in fact i didnt even know this wasnta Elvis original song until I had a history of rock class. It might as well be IMO, considering the recognition this version gets.

Hurt by Johnny Cash (originaly performed by Nine Inch Nails)

ok, this song is hard to put into words. If I had to pick a number one for this list, this might be it. this song is inspiring for so many reasons. First of all, I wont be ashmed to admit that the Music Video made me cry. Not only was this Cash's last song (or so I think) it is also a giant lament over his life. His Mistakes and regrets. We know Cash didnt exactly have a happily ever after life, and this video and song pretty much cements it. Its impactful, it amkes you think, and most of all it makes you feel. And IMO, this is the only version of Hurt. that NIN one dosent exist to me. Now THAT is a hell of a cover.

You Really Got me by Van Halen (originaly by The Kinks)

Another song where all I heard was teh cover version, so naturally I thought this was the original. Van Halen took on the song that is considered one of the best guitar tracks ever and the blue print of a rock song and nailed it.

  Guns n Roses is a funny band in teh sense that quite a few of there songs that may be associated with them are actualy covers. For me, this is one of those songs. I first heard this version, and now its the one I associate teh song with, even if the Bob Dylan original is arguably just as good if not better to some.

What a Wonderful World by Joey Ramone (originaly performed by Louis Armstong)

  One of my personal favorite covers. The Louis Armstrong original was much more slow and serene, whiel this one is more rockin and upbeat. It may not be as good as the original, but its still great.

Tainted Love by Softcell (originaly performed by Gloria Jones)

    this is Probaly the Poster Child for the song cover. Pretty much, they took a song that wasnt well known and honestly maybe wasnt even that great, and made it amazing and popular as hell. this song is like number 1 or 2 on every list like this, and is honestly one of the best covers ever IMO. For comaprison purposes, I psoted both versions. The cover is on top, the original is on bottom.)

Oh, and here is my honorarey number 12 joke song cover.