Top 89 Cover Songs

This fall, we asked you to share your favorite covers, and you responded! Results for The Current's Top 89 Covers will post below as they are revealed on the air on Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. CT.

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1
Hurt
American IV: The Man Comes Around
Johnny Cash
The best cover songs transform the original into a new work of art. Johnny Cash made "Hurt" so much his own that it's almost unthinkable that it was written by Trent Reznor. - Kevin in Princeton
2
All Along The Watchtower
Electric Ladyland
Jimi Hendrix
I think Hendrix' version pays wonderful tribute and interpretation to Dylan's masterful lyrical genius. - John in Eden Prairie
3
Hallelujah
Grace
Jeff Buckley
Hands down, the best cover version of one of the most coveted songs of all time. - John in Chesapeake
4
The Man Who Sold the World
MTV Unplugged in New York
Nirvana
To this day, the guitar solo at the end gives me chills. I turn it up every time I hear it. - Stacia in St. Paul
5
Nothing Compares 2 U
I Do Not Want What I Haven't Got
Sinead O'Connor
Tears. Every. Time. - Melissa in Portland
6
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!
Devo
Devo's decision to omit the "iconic" riff of the original until the arrival of the horns in the song's final moments reveals the chutzpah of this splendid cover. In multiple other respects, from musical arrangement to attitude, Devo improves on the Stones. Ultimately, Devo takes Jagger's lament of the hardships of fame with all the seriousness it deserves. None. - James in Minneapolis
7
Sweet Jane
The Trinity Session
Cowboy Junkies
I first heard this version before I had even heard of the Velvet Underground, and I thought it was a perfect song. Then I heard the original version, and after gathering the pieces of my exploded mind, I knew that one was perfect, too. So different, but the same, neither better nor worse; just existing in perfection together. - Jeremy in Bend
8
Respect
I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You
Aretha Franklin
May this be an opportunity for people to learn this is a cover song. - Stasia in St. Paul
9
I Will Survive
Fashion Nugget
CAKE
To me, the best covers are the ones that take a song in a completely different direction. CAKE's "I Will Survive" is the perfect example — you can listen to both this and the Gloria Gaynor original and have two different experiences. It doesn't feel like you've listened to the same song twice. - Emily in Stillwater
10
With a Little Help From My Friends (Live at Fillmore East)
Mad Dogs and Englishmen
Joe Cocker
11
Tainted Love
Non-Stop Erotic Cabernet
Soft Cell
12
Such Great Heights
Garden State (Soundtrack)
Iron & Wine
Sam Beam (Iron & Wine) captures the spirit and meaning of the song in an entirely new way from the original. Totally brilliant! - Jim in Edina
13
Take Me to the River
More Songs About Buildings and Food
Talking Heads
I like covers that don't sound like the artist purchased a karaoke machine, but wherein they reinvent the song, making it something new. This song is the ultimate example of that. - Roger in Golden Valley
14
Where Did You Sleep Last Night
MTV Unplugged in New York
Nirvana
15
Hazy Shade of Winter
Less Than Zero (Soundtrack)
The Bangles
16
I Fought The Law
The Clash
The Clash
17
I Will Always Love You
The Bodyguard (Original Soundtrack Album)
Whitney Houston
My dad was a huge fan of Dolly Parton. He passed on 3/29/20 due to ALS. I miss him greatly. This song is dedicated to him, because it's the greatest song, and he was the greatest. Love and miss you, Dad. - Jennifer in Brooklyn Park
18
Jolene
Hello Operator - Single
The White Stripes
I just love the idea of Jack White complaining about Jolene stealing his man. It's a fun one. - Jessica in Shafer, MN
19
Higher Ground
Mother's Milk
Red Hot Chili Peppers
20
Killing Me Softly With His Song
The Score
Fugees
Lauryn Hill made this song her own. To my mind, hers is the definitive version. - Kevin in Princeton
21
Ring of Fire
Social Distortion
Social Distortion
22
Twist and Shout
Please Please Me (2009 Remaster)
The Beatles
23
Mad World (feat. Michael Andrews)
Trading Snakeoil for Wolftickets
Gary Jules
24
Me and Bobby McGee
Pearl
Janis Joplin
Janis Joplin's interpretation of this much-covered song is filled with emotion and takes us on a journey. The other covers, both before hers and afterward, simply don't compare. She owns this one. - Angelique in Coon Rapids
25
Changes
Changes
Charles Bradley
26
Wild Horses
Blind
The Sundays
27
Eight Miles High
Eight Miles High - Single
Hüsker Dü
28
Angel from Montgomery
Streetlights
Bonnie Raitt
29
Superstar
If I Were a Carpenter
Sonic Youth
30
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding
Armed Forces
Elvis Costello
This song would have remained a pretty obscure album cut by Brinsley Schwarz, but Elvis Costello upped the decibels several years later and transformed the song into a true anthem, with the urgency it deserved. The bones of the song were always terrific, but Costello's version amplified a message that is timeless. It didn't hurt that Costello's song (and its album, 'Armed Forces') were produced by the song's writer, Nick Lowe. - Joel in St. Paul
31
Proud Mary
Workin' Together
Ike & Tina Turner
32
Landslide
Pisces Iscariot
The Smashing Pumpkins
33
Istanbul (Not Constantinople)
Flood
They Might Be Giants
34
Mrs. Robinson
It's A Shame About Ray
The Lemonheads
35
Valerie (feat. Amy Winehouse)
Version
Mark Ronson
36
Blinded by the Light
The Roaring Silence
Manfred Mann's Earth Band
This is one of the few covers that truly outdoes the original. If you listen to the original and then Manfred Mann's version back to back, you will be blown away. - Tony in Stillwater
37
Just Like Heaven
You're Living All Over Me
Dinosaur Jr.
38
You Really Got Me
Van Halen
Van Halen
Guitar rock god heaven! - Steven in Minneapolis
39
Love Vigilantes
Around the Well
Iron & Wine
40
When You Were Mine
She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
41
Hallelujah
Hallelujah - Single
Rufus Wainwright
42
Last Kiss
Last Kiss - Single
Pearl Jam
Lead singer Eddie Vedder came across this song when he found the record in an antique store in Seattle before a show. He bought it and stayed up all night listening to it. He took it to the band and they played it throughout the summer of their 1998 tour. - Ryan in Minneapolis
43
I Love Rock N' Roll
I Love Rock N' Roll
Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
This song initiated me to my own "brand" of rock 'n' roll. Not classic rock my parents listened to: Stones, Zeppelin, et al. I was 12 years old, and hearing a woman rock like that was a revelation. I listened to Casey Kasem's weekly Top 40 every Sunday, and for seven weeks, this was #1. Blew my mind! - Melissa in Portland
44
Rusty Cage
The Legend of Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
45
Darling Nikki
Have It All (Single)
Foo Fighters
46
Smells Like Teen Spirit
Crucify EP
Tori Amos
There's something special about an acoustic cover that sticks with you. This is a longtime favorite. When Tori toured MN in 2003, she did an incredible encore of "Purple Rain." It can't be called pandering when it's a kicka** song in its own right, right? - Jess in Seattle
47
Common People
Has Been
William Shatner
I doubt many people will suggest this one, but it's just such a joyous and soaring take on the song, and it makes me so happy every time I hear it. - Alison in Oakdale
48
A Case of You
A Tribute to Joni Mitchell
Prince
One master of the craft covering another master of the craft. What a delight! - Alyssa in Roseville
49
Dear Prudence - Live at the Royal Albert Hall
Nocturne
Siouxsie and the Banshees
50
Always On My Mind
Always On My Mind - Single
Pet Shop Boys
51
I Feel For You (feat. Grandmaster Melle Mel)
I Feel For You
Chaka Khan
Lord, I love Prince. But the Chaka Khan version really works. - Shannon in Duluth
52
Pressure Drop
Super Black Market Crash
The Clash
53
Lake of Fire
MTV Unplugged in New York
Nirvana
Best Unplugged! Meat Puppets join Nirvana on stage! Classic!! Dedicated to all the Coffee Breakers out there. "The Man Who Sold the World" by Nirvana (Bowie cover) is also on this album. Outstanding!! - Mike in Denver
54
Just Breathe (feat. Lukas Nelson)
Heroes
Willie Nelson
I heard Willie's version first, then the next week, I heard Pearl Jam's. I thought, "Huh, Pearl Jam covering a Willie Nelson song? That's pretty damn cool!!" HAHA!! - Joth in Shakopee
55
Walk This Way (feat. Aerosmith)
Raising Hell
Run-D.M.C.
56
Landslide
Home
The Chicks
Here's an example of when two bands' sounds perfectly fit together, but add a new dimension to the original song. The Chicks' bluegrass country refreshed this classic without rejecting its original beauty. A perfect cover. - Brady in Minneapolis
57
Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Use Your Illusion II
Guns N' Roses
58
The Sound of Silence
Immortalized
Disturbed
59
Doin' Time
Norman F—ing Rockwell!
Lana Del Rey
60
I Heard it Through the Grapevine
In The Groove
Marvin Gaye
Gladys' version is flawless, but Marvin's is flawless-er. If that's a thing. - Allie in Oakdale
61
Gloria: In Excelsis Deo
Horses
Patti Smith
62
Where is My Mind
Where Is My Mind - Single
Trampled by Turtles
63
How Come You Don't Call Me
Songs In A Minor
Alicia Keys
64
Everybody Knows
Still In Hollywood
Concrete Blonde
65
Country Road
Funky Kingston
Toots & The Maytals
66
Girls Just Want to Have Fun
She's So Unusual
Cyndi Lauper
67
Across The Universe
Pleasantville (Music From The Motion Picture)
Fiona Apple
I showed this cover to my roommate (freshman year of college), a HUGE Beatles fan, and even she said that this version is even better than the original. - Emily in Stillwater, MN
68
(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
Lady Soul
Aretha Franklin
69
Red Red Wine
Labour of Love
UB40
70
It's Oh So Quiet
Post
Bjork
71
Love Is All Around
Eight Miles High - Single
Hüsker Dü
To my beautiful wife Linda, who makes every day worthwhile. - Andrew in Bloomington
72
Heartbeats
Veneer
José González
73
Viva Las Vegas
Fresh Fruit for Rotting Vegetables
Dead Kennedys
74
Kids in America
Clueless: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
The Muffs
The Muffs took an iconic new wave/'80s pop tune and seamlessly transformed it into a '90s punk rock smash. Absolutely dig it. - Christopher in Apple Valley
75
Whiskey in the Jar
Garage, Inc.
Metallica
76
Hanging On The Telephone
Parallel Lines
Blondie
77
Kiss (feat. Tom Jones)
Kiss - Single
Art of Noise
78
Superman
Lifes Rich Pageant
R.E.M.
79
Love Hurts
Hair of the Dog
Nazareth
Talk about making a song your own. Nazareth nailed it. - Jeff in Minneapolis
80
Torn
Left of the Middle
Natalie Imbruglia
81
Another Girl, Another Planet - Live
All for Nothing
The Replacements
82
Weird Fishes
Lianne La Havas
Lianne La Havas
83
American Woman
5
Lenny Kravitz
84
Stop Your Sobbing
Pretenders
The Pretenders
The best covers are love letters from one artist to another. This song appeared on both of the Kinks' and the Pretenders' self-titled, debut albums. That Chrissie Hynde and Ray Davies went on to have a relationship and a child together further cements the significance of this cover. - Christian in Sewickley
85
I Don't Wanna Grow Up
¡Adios Amigos!
The Ramones
86
Goodbye Yellow Brick Road
Walk Through Fire (Deluxe Edition)
Yola
87
Renegades of Funk
Renegades
Rage Against The Machine
88
Can't Help Falling in Love
Blind Man on a Flying Horse
Lick The Tins
Even though he IS the King, this is my favorite version of my favorite Elvis song. Elvis' version goes right to the heart for those who have been through stuff and are still together, but Lick The Tins' version perfectly captures the feeling you have during those first days of new love. - Shannon in Duluth
89
Louie Louie
Quadrophenia (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
The Kingsmen