These are my top favorites in no particular order:


- Guns N' Roses Knockin' on Heaven's Door
Originally by Bob Dylan

- NIRVANA The Man Who Sold The World
Originally by David Bowie

- METALLICA Whiskey in the Jar
Orginally by Thin Lizzy

- Soft Cell Tainted Love
Originally by Gloria Jones

- Marilyn Manson Personal Jesus
Originally by Depeche Mode

- Elton John Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Originally by THE BEATLES

- Nightwish Walking In The Air
Originally by Peter Auty for animated film The Snowman

- John Lennon Stand By Me
Originally by Ben E. King

- Joe Crocker With A Little Help From My Friends
Originally by THE BEATLES

Venus - Bananarama (Originally by The Shocking Blue)

A Good Year for the Roses - Elvis Costello (Originally by George Jones)

Stand On it - Mel McDaniel (Originally by Bruce Springsteen)

I Love Rock and Roll - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (Originally by The Arrows)

Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes (Originally by Jackie DeShannon)

Rainy Night in Georgia - Conway Twitty and Sam Moore (Originally by Brook Benton)

Angel of the Morning - Juice Newton (Originally by Merrilee Rush)

A Legend in my Time - Ronnie Milsap (Originally by Don Gibson)

The Running Kind - Radney Foster (Originally by Merle Haggard)

Blinded by the Light - Manfred Mann's Earth Band (Originally by Bruce Springsteen)

Hendrix's version of "All Along The Watchtower", Hendrix's version of "The Star Spangled Banner"

and Jeff Healey's version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps"

And Whitney Houston's version of "I Will Always Love You"

Remake ...................(over)...........................orig


Little Darlin' - the Diamonds / The Gladiolas.

You're so Square- Buddy Holly / Elvis

Little Queenie - Jerry Lee Lewis / Chuck Berry

Cherry Bomb- Shonen Knife / The Runaways

Suzie is a Headbanger- Shonen Knife / Ramones

Sedated- Shonen Knife / Ramones

The Turtles version of "It Aint Me Babe" (originally done by Bob Dylan)

The Rationals version of "Leaving Here" (originally done by Eddie Holland)

Fortune & Maltese's version of "Gone Gone Gone" (originally done by the Everly Brothers)

Buddy Holly's version of "Brown Eyed Handsome Man" (originally done by Chuck Berry)

The Rolling Stones version of "Its All Over Now" (originally done by The Valentinos)

Jeff Beck(with Rod Stewart on vocals) version of "Jailhouse Rock" (originally done by Elvis Presley)

Rare Earth's version of "Get Ready" (originally done by the Temptations)

The Temptations version of "The End of Our Road" (originally done by Gladys Knight & The Pips)

Donny Hathaway's version of "Whats Going On" (originally done by Marvin Gaye)

The Four Tops version of "Reflections" (originally done by The Supremes)

The Beach Boys version of "Do You Wanna Dance" (originally done by Bobby Freeman).

All good choices!!

The Roberta Flack/Donny Hathaway cover of For All We Know just trounces of the original by Johnny Hartman (the Hartman version was used in The Bridges of Madison County). Actually, Donny sang the whole song while Roberta played the piano. Produced by Arif Mardin, he includes a big string/wind solo at the end that makes the song even more gorgeous!! This is one of my favorite songs, period.

I usually prefer the versions by the original artists. Among the exceptions:

"Unchained Melody," by Elvis Presley (originally by The Righteous Brothers)
"Blue Bayou," by Linda Ronstadt (originally by Roy Orbison)
"Twist and Shout," by The Beatles (originally by The Isley Brothers)
"Please Mr. Postman," by The Beatles (originally by The Marvelettes)
"It's Only Make Believe," by Glen Campbell (originally by Conway Twitty)
"Grow Old with Me," by Mary Chapin Carpenter (originally by John Lennon)
"Paper Roses," by Marie Osmond (originally by Anita Bryant)

I usually prefer the versions by the original artists. Among the exceptions:

"Unchained Melody," by Elvis Presley (originally by The Righteous Brothers)
"Blue Bayou," by Linda Ronstadt (originally by Roy Orbison)
"Twist and Shout," by The Beatles (originally by The Isley Brothers)
"Please Mr. Postman," by The Beatles (originally by The Marvelettes)
"It's Only Make Believe," by Glen Campbell (originally by Conway Twitty)
"Grow Old with Me," by Mary Chapin Carpenter (originally by John Lennon)
"Paper Roses," by Marie Osmond (originally by Anita Bryant)



Not a lot of people know this but Roy Hamilton did the original version of "Unchained Melody", and Elvis and Phil Spector were big fans of his.


Also a group called the Topnotes did the original version of "Twist and Shout", it was an early Phil Spector production, but it was a big bomb, and the Isleys version became the big hit.

Van Halen's cover of Pretty Woman

Otis Day and The Knight's version of Shout from Animal House.

Not a lot of people know this but Roy Hamilton did the original version of "Unchained Melody", and Elvis and Phil Spector were big fans of his.

Sorry, Roy Hamilton wasn't the original artist. Todd Duncan recorded the song first in 1955. Here's a list of artists that have covered the song: As you can see there were a least 20 versions before the Righteous Brothers' version in 1965.

http://www.secondhandsongs.com/song/18558

Unchained Melody by Todd Duncan (1955)
Unchained Melody by Al Hibbler (1955)
Unchained Melody by June Valli (1955)
Unchained Melody by Roy Hamilton (1955)
Unchained Melody by Jimmy Young (1955)
Unchained Melody by Les Baxter (1955)
Unchained Melody by Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps (1957)
Unchained Melody by Sam Cooke (1960)
Unchained Melody by Ray Conniff and His Orchestra and Chorus (1960)
Unchained Melody by The Browns (September 1960)
Unchained Melody by Marty Robbins (1961)
Unchained Melody by Cliff Richard (1961)
Unchained Melody by Floyd Cramer (1962)
Unchained Melody by Duane Eddy (1962)
Les enchaînés by Les Chaussettes Noires (March 1962)
Unchained Melody by The Lettermen (October 1962)
Unchained Melody by Frank Ifield (1963)
Unchained Melody by Matt Monro (1964)
Unchained Melody by Conway Twitty (February 1964)
Unchained Melody by Brenda Holloway (June 1964)
Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers (1965)
Unchained Melody by Sonny & Cher (1965)
Unchained Melody by The Wailers [1] (1966)
Unchained Melody by Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles (1966)
Unchained Melody by The Supremes (February 1966)
Unchained Melody by The Englishmen (1967)
Senza catene by Igor Mann e I Gormanni (1968)
Unchained Melody by The Sweet Inspirations (September 1968)
Unchained Melody by Jimmy Scott (1969)
Свободная мелодия by Dean Reed (1971)
Unchained Melody by Al Green (1973)
En forunderlig melodi by Bamses Venner (1975)
Unchained Melody by Elvis Presley (July 1977)
Unchained Melody by Paris Connection (1978)
Unchained Melody by Willie Nelson (1978)
Unchained Melody by George Benson (1979)
Unchained Melody by Heart (1980)
Unchained Melody by Gerry & The Pacemakers (1981)
Unchained Melody by U2 (1989)
Unchained Melody by Richard Clayderman (1992)
Unchained Melody by Dread Zeppelin (1993)
Unchained Melody by Michael Chapdelaine (1995)
Unchained Melody by Captain & Tennille (1995)
Unchained Melody by Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (1995)
Unchained Melody by Robson & Jerome (May 8, 1995)
Unchained Melody by Melanie (1996)
Unchained Melody by LeAnn Rimes (1997)
Unchained Melody by Günther Neefs (1997)
Unchained Melody by David Osborne (August 4, 1998)
Unchained Melody by Neil Diamond (October 27, 1998)
Unchained Melody by Mythos 'n DJ Cosmo (1999)
Unchained Melody by Gareth Gates (2002)
Unchained Melody by Justin Guarini (June 10, 2003)
Unchained Melody by Marshall & Alexander feat. The New York Voices (September 2003)
Unchained Melody by Cyndi Lauper (November 18, 2003)
Unchained Melody by Joseph Williams (2006)
Unchained Melody by Barry Manilow (January 31, 2006)
Unchained Melody by Damien Leith (December 6, 2006)

Sorry, Roy Hamilton wasn't the original artist. Todd Duncan recorded the song first in 1955. Here's a list of artists that have covered the song: As you can see, There were a least 20 versions before the Righteous Brothers' version in 1965.

http://www.secondhandsongs.com/song/18558

Unchained Melody by Todd Duncan (1955)
Unchained Melody by Al Hibbler (1955)
Unchained Melody by June Valli (1955)
Unchained Melody by Roy Hamilton (1955)
Unchained Melody by Jimmy Young (1955)
Unchained Melody by Les Baxter (1955)
Unchained Melody by Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps (1957)
Unchained Melody by Sam Cooke (1960)
Unchained Melody by Ray Conniff and His Orchestra and Chorus (1960)
Unchained Melody by The Browns (September 1960)
Unchained Melody by Marty Robbins (1961)
Unchained Melody by Cliff Richard (1961)
Unchained Melody by Floyd Cramer (1962)
Unchained Melody by Duane Eddy (1962)
Les enchaînés by Les Chaussettes Noires (March 1962)
Unchained Melody by The Lettermen (October 1962)
Unchained Melody by Frank Ifield (1963)
Unchained Melody by Matt Monro (1964)
Unchained Melody by Conway Twitty (February 1964)
Unchained Melody by Brenda Holloway (June 1964)
Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers (1965)
Unchained Melody by Sonny & Cher (1965)
Unchained Melody by The Wailers [1] (1966)
Unchained Melody by Patti LaBelle and the Bluebelles (1966)
Unchained Melody by The Supremes (February 1966)
Unchained Melody by The Englishmen (1967)
Senza catene by Igor Mann e I Gormanni (1968)
Unchained Melody by The Sweet Inspirations (September 1968)
Unchained Melody by Jimmy Scott (1969)
Свободная мелодия by Dean Reed (1971)
Unchained Melody by Al Green (1973)
En forunderlig melodi by Bamses Venner (1975)
Unchained Melody by Elvis Presley (July 1977)
Unchained Melody by Paris Connection (1978)
Unchained Melody by Willie Nelson (1978)
Unchained Melody by George Benson (1979)
Unchained Melody by Heart (1980)
Unchained Melody by Gerry & The Pacemakers (1981)
Unchained Melody by U2 (1989)
Unchained Melody by Richard Clayderman (1992)
Unchained Melody by Dread Zeppelin (1993)
Unchained Melody by Michael Chapdelaine (1995)
Unchained Melody by Captain & Tennille (1995)
Unchained Melody by Clarence "Gatemouth" Brown (1995)
Unchained Melody by Robson & Jerome (May 8, 1995)
Unchained Melody by Melanie (1996)
Unchained Melody by LeAnn Rimes (1997)
Unchained Melody by Günther Neefs (1997)
Unchained Melody by David Osborne (August 4, 1998)
Unchained Melody by Neil Diamond (October 27, 1998)
Unchained Melody by Mythos 'n DJ Cosmo (1999)
Unchained Melody by Gareth Gates (2002)
Unchained Melody by Justin Guarini (June 10, 2003)
Unchained Melody by Marshall & Alexander feat. The New York Voices (September 2003)
Unchained Melody by Cyndi Lauper (November 18, 2003)
Unchained Melody by Joseph Williams (2006)
Unchained Melody by Barry Manilow (January 31, 2006)
Unchained Melody by Damien Leith (December 6, 2006)



Yeah you got me, its one of those songs that goes back several years like "Try A Little Tenderness" for instance.


No need to apologize, I should apologize for missing this, but it happens :)

No need to apologize, I should apologize for missing this, but it happens :)

Thanks, I've done the same thing and I'm glad you mentioned that Roy Hamilton recorded it. I wouldn't mind hearing that myself.

"Do You Wanna Touch?"-Joan Jett and the Heartbreakers(Gary Glitter)
When Doves Cry-The Be Good Tanyas(Prince)
"Paranoid Android"-Sia(Radiohead)

Yeah you got me, its one of those songs that goes back several years like "Try A Little Tenderness" for instance.


No need to apologize, I should apologize for missing this, but it happens :)
Gee, who DIDN'T cover this song? :lol: I really like the Heart version - the live arena feel and Ann Wilson's passionate delivery give it a real raw feel. :cool: The Fleetwoods ("Come Softly to Me", "Mr. Blue", "(He's the) Great Imposter") also covered "Unchained Melody", but I don't think they ever released it as a single.

When Doves Cry-The Be Good Tanyas(Prince)


I remember the first time I heard this song it was by "The Be Good Tanya's" and I thought it was a such a horrible song :lol:... then I found out that Prince did the original and it is now one of my favorite songs.

I saw Juice Newton's "Angel of the Morning" and Joe Cocker's "With A Little Help From My Friends" (or should I say the theme song from you know what :D ), and, needless to say, I agree. I'll have to add Don McLean's 1981 rendition of "Crying" (originally done by Roy Orbison) and John Conlee's 1982 rendition of "Busted" (originally done by Ray Charles).

I have to disagree with MickeyMac. Donny Hathaway's version of What's Going On is very fine, but I'm still going to give the edge to Marvin. His version had the saxophone, and he just had this sheer intensity that was powerful. Having said that, Donny's is still the best cover of that song I've heard. I do agree with Do You Want to Dance - probably the best lead vocal Dennis Wilson did on a Beach Boys song.

I like Don Gibson's "I Cant Stop Loving You" but I think Ray Charles version is better.

"You Really Got Me" by Van Halen. This is one of my favorite, if not my favorite song of the Roth era. The band made this song their own. It's hard to believe it is even a cover of someone else's song...the Kink's.

Kylie Minogue's 1988 cover of "The Locomotion" is better then the early 60's Little Eva song or the early 70's Grank Funk Railroad verson. Kylie took a corny 60's pop song and turned it into a great late 80's pop song.

Kim Wilde's 1986 version of "You Keep Me Hangin' On" and Phil Collins 1983 verson is "You Can't Hurry Love" are both better then the old Supremes' versions. Which isn't hard since the Supremes, IMO, sucked. Both are great covers though.

^ Well, I have to disagree about the Supremes - I like their originals better than the covers. Having said that, I do have to say that I liked Van Halen's covers better than the Kinks' and Roy Orbison's versions.

The Rascals version of "Good Lovin' " I gotta take over the Olympics original, even though I like their version.

The Rascals version of "Good Lovin' " I gotta take over the Olympics original, even though I like their version.
Ditto.

The Beatles:
Steve Hillage/"It's All Too Much."
Adrian Belew/"I'm Down"*
Bob Dylan:
Johnny Winter/"Highway 61 Revisited"
Jimi Hendrix and Dave Mason/"All Along the Watchtower"
Jimi Hendrix/"Drifter's Escape"
The Beatles/Aerosmith's cover of "Come Together" is awful.
Jimi Hendrix's "Little Wing": none of the covers is as good as the original.
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Note: I've listed the name of the artist or group whose cover of the song following the name is superior, unless the cover is worse.
*: This song's video is available at Youtube, and I'm having a helluva time putting up the link.

The Kinks/"You Really Got Me": Van Halen's is better.
Santo and Johnny's "Sleep Walk": Jeff Beck's cover is superb.

The Rascals version of "Good Lovin' " I gotta take over the Olympics original, even though I like their version.

The Grateful Dead also recorded it, but their version isn't good. I like the one by The Rascals.

And on a related note, I hate the two Jimi Hendrix tribute CDs.

I gotta take Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels's version of "Shakin' With Linda" over the Isley Brothers original. The Isley's did it as "Twistin' With Linda".

Metallica's "Turn the Page" (original by Bob Seager)