Top Ten Rock Cover Songs

It is always impressive to see a band take stage and instead of playing one of their songs, they come out with a well known song with the bands own unique twist on it. The ability for musicians to cover other artist work is a true talent in itself, but to add a creative aspect to it that is original is to be respected. Listed below are a list of ten cover songs that will get stuck in your head over and over again.

10.) “Cat Scratch Fever”-Pantera (1999)

The only song dirty enough, loud enough, and southern enough for Pantera to cover to perfection. Not only does the guitar parts in this song scream Nugent, they cry from the added twist that Diamond Darrell brings to it. Also, The lead singer of Pantera really gets into the song and uses his unique voice to make it a Pantera classic.

9.) “Tuesday’s Gone”-Metallica (1998)

A tribute to skynnard that no one can ignore. This song matches up strong against the original version and is very interesting to hear Metallica perform. Lead Singer James Hetfield holds nothing back vocally in this song and takes it very seriously as do the rest of the musicians heard on the track. The perfected harmonica solo that can be heard on this track really has a whole lot of heart behind it and helps to perfectly shape this song as a very inspiring cover song.

8.) “Sweet Dreams”-Marilyn Manson (1995)

Leave it to Marilyn Manson to take a Eurythimics classic song and bring it into a whole new age with his version of “Sweet Dreams.” Quiet arguably a song that launched much popularity into Manson’s unique style. The shock/rock legend Manson has went on to do several cover songs to date including Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus” and a song written by Ed Cobb called “Tainted Love.” Both of which should be looked into by any cover fan.

7). “All Along the Watchtower”-Jimi Hendrix (1968)

Only about a year after Bob Dylan wrote the song”All Along The Watchtower,” guitar legend Jimi Hendrix grabbed it up, and put his own touch to it. The song in these days is actually more known to be a Jimi Hendrix song instead of a Dylan Classic. Jimi Hendrix had so much more power behind his version of the same song that it became more and more well known as Dylan’s version became less known. Both versions are well done, but one can’t deny the unique touch Jimi Henrix brought to this song.

6). “One”-Korn (2003-Mtv Icon: Metallica)

A truly unique spin on a metal classic by Metallica. With Korn’s unique guitar tunings and Johnathan Davis’ one of a kind voice, this cover is a truly impressive one. This version is a little more lenient to the heavier side of the song opposed to the quieter beginning where the second part of the clean solo has been taken out. Also, instead of a shred solo after the machine gun double bass in the build up, the song ends. Overlooking the ability to perform these couple of parts is hard to do by true Metallica fans, but the style that is formed by Korn’s unmatchable sound makes it hard not to get into.

5). “You Give Love a Bad Name”-Atreyu (2005)

Without taking a whole lot from the original song, Atreyu delivers an amazingly hardcore version of a song done by Jon Bon Jovi. “You Give Love a Bad Name” by Atreyu, is a song that isn’t exactly unexpected by the band, based on the subject matter of the band’s other songs, most of which have to do with the subject of love. The addition of brutal breakdowns and the ability to tie the lyrics to fit the breakdowns is what really brings this song out. It’s nice to see a hardcore band that doesn’t have an ego too big to do a cover song such as this.

4). “Turn the Page”-Metallica (1998)

Another cover by the great metal band Metallica. Like Skynnard’s “Tuesday’s Gone,” This cover is just captivating from the very beginning. In the original song by Bob Segar, the intro melody is done by a saxophone, where as lead guitarist of Metallica turns that into a guitar lick. The heavier version of the Bob Segar’s classic song is thought to be one of the best cover songs done by Metallica.

3). “The Man Who Sold the World”-Nirvana (1993)

An amazing cover of a David Bowie song that was performed on Mtv unplugged with a background cello player that can be heard. A different approach to the David Bowie style that brought out a unique sound with Kurt Cobain’s voice. The improvised acoustic solo that Kurt does instead of the long drug out ending of the original song.

2). “The Ghost of Tom Joad”-Rage Against the Machine (1999)

An impressive cover song of another Bruce Springsteen song. The power that Rage Against the Machine brought to this song is to be expected, but the unique way that this song was transformed from the original is incredible. Every single thing in the song had to be changed instrumentally with no relevence to the original song. Another noteworthy aspect of this song is the ability of the lead singer to be able to take the same lyrics and transform them into a powerful and unique rythm that matches the likes of Rage Against the Machine’s style.

1). “Cemetary Gates”-Between the Buried and me (2006)

With the recent death of Diamond Darrell of Pantera, Between the Buried and me released an entire cd of cover songs including the timeless hit, “Cemetary Gates,” which doesn’t get changed around a whole lot, but is performed very well and with a whole lot of respect. For a hardcore band as heavy as Between the Buried and Me, releasing this song is a great surprise , for the band to release an entire cd of cover songs, is a talent. This version of the song with the way the guitars are set up, without a whole lot of processed effects, really tends to bring out the lyrics in the song more so than the original version. Also the way the lead singer sings the song more softly brings a really nice touch to the song.