A few weeks ago I wrote an article covering the top 10 songs of 2007. But now, its time to for me to move in a different direction. I've decided to write this article outlining my favorite top 10 cover songs ever. There are tons of great songs out there, and great covers of those songs, so narrowing down this list was difficult, but without further ado, here is my list.
10) Song: Personal Jesus
Original: Depeche Mode(1989)
Cover: Marilyn Manson (2004)
This is probably my favorite Manson song ever, and every time I hear it on the radio I find myself turning the volume up a little bit and tapping my foot along with the beat. I gotta hand it to Manson though, he managed to keep the cover version of the song pretty much beat for beat, note for note, the same as the original (minus the guitar distortion of course). This song is an excellent cover, and good enough to inch in at number 10.
9) Song: You Really Got Me
Original: Kinks (1964)
Cover: Van Halen (1978)
I bet you didn't know this song was a cover did you? Personally, this is one of my favorite songs to play in Guitar Hero 2, I still don't think I've been able to 4 or 5 star it on expert, prolly cuz I suck, but that is another story. Anyway, Van Halen has made a killing on this song, and you are sure to find this song on their playlist no matter what concert you attend. I think this is actually one of the few cases that can be made that the cover version is better than the original.
8) Song: Knockin' on Heavens Door
Original: Bob Dylan (1973)
Cover: Guns N' Roses (1991)
Bob Dylan is widely considered to be one of the best songwriters/artists of all time, so the fact that Guns N' Roses was able to make this cover song sound as good as it did, is a very admirable accomplishment. I still think that the original is better, but this is a worth effort from GnR and deserves some recognition.
7) Song: Hurt
Original: Nine Inch Nails (1994)
Cover: Johnny Cash (2003)
This is one of the final songs done by Johnny Cash before he died. The original version of the song as performed by NiN didn't receive as much recognition as the version performed by Cash. Hurt won Country Music's award for Single of the Year at the CMA's. The video to this song is very powerful, was filmed at Cash's home, which was ravaged by a fire and no longer stands.
6) Song: Turn the Page
Original: Bob Seger (1976)
Cover: Metallica (1998)
Metallica decided to do an entire album devoted to cover songs, entitled Garage Inc. There were alot of great songs on this album from great artists, Thin Lizzy, Black Sabbath, Lynard Skynard, Seger. A case can be made for the other songs covered by Metallica but I picked this song over the others because I felt that this song best covered the original version.
5) Song: How I Could Just Kill a Man
Original: Run DMC (1991)
Cover: Rage Against the Machine (2000)
Did you know that the entire album this song came out on was a cover album (Renegades)? Check it out if you don't believe me, you'll see that some of RATM's biggist hits are on this album. Anyways, if you turn on any hard rock or alternative station, you'll hear this song sooner or later. While the lyrics are controversial in nature, the song itself is pretty badass.
4) Song: Planet Caravan
Original: Black Sabbath (1970)
Cover: Pantera (1994)
This song has very mellow and smooth lyrics to it. Oddly enough, this song was never considered a hit by Black Sabbath, but you will find this song on Pantera's greatest hits album. I think that Phil from Pantera did a great job at keep the melody and mood of the song the same. This cover was good enough to make it in at number 4.
3) Song: Whiskey in the Jar
Original: The Dubliners (1967)
Cover: Thin Lizzy (1973)
This song is an oldie but goody. The song itself actually tells a pretty good story, which talks of a womans betrayal of her man after he robs his superior officers. Depending on what version of the song you listen to (U2, Metallica and Jerry Garcia have all covered Thin Lizzy's version) depends on the outcome of the song. I'll let you listen to it to find out what happens. Regardless of what version, and who sings it, its a great song.
2) Song: Holy Diver
Original: Dio (1983)
Cover: Killswitch Engage (2006)
Wow, what can be said about this cover? It keeps the same riffs of the original, but this song rocks so much harder than the original. The original version experienced some success, making it to #40 on the charts, but its hard to argue that the original is better than this cover version. Holy Diver is currently the most popular song by this heavy metal band, and it is the final song on their setlist during live events. Rock on KSE, this song owns!
1) Song: All Along the Watchtower
Original: Bob Dylan (1967)
Cover: Jimi Hendrix (1968)
Was there any doubt as to what would take the number 1 slot? Dylan's version is great by itself, but take Hendrix's musical talent, and you got yourself the best cover song of all time. The guitar work in the cover version are amazing which propelled this song to easily become one of Hendrix's greatest hits.
There ya have it, that is my list of my favorite cover songs, I hope you enjoy them as much as I do. Go listen to them all if you haven't and be sure to rock out in the process!
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