Some of the most famous songs in music history are cover versions – whether it’s The Beatles doing Motown hits, Elvis tackling R&B tunes or just about everyone covering Bob Dylan songs. In honor of the artists who didn’t write the songs, but recorded legendary versions of them, Gibson.com is counting down the Top 50 Cover Songs of All Time.
Gibson.com recently enlisted its editors, writers and you, the readers, to vote for the greatest cover songs ever released. After announcing #50-41 and #40-31, we’re revealing another 10 on the list – with the original artist, or, in some cases, the most famous previous artist in parentheses. Check back each day this week, as we unveil 10 more classic covers – with the Top 10 arriving on Friday.
30. “Blinded by the Light,” Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (Bruce Springsteen)
Manfred Mann had stated out doing the British Invasion blues-based thing with hits like “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” and “The Mighty Quinn” (another excellent cover), but by 1971 were dabbling in more lavish prog rock sounds. New Dylan on the block, Bruce Springsteen, had seen his first tracks rejected by Columbia, who wanted something more radio friendly. He responded with “Blinded by the Light,” which made his debut album, Greetings form Asbury Park, N.J., but was never a hit for the Boss. In Manfred’s smart hands the bluster, pomp and musical majesty more than match Springsteen’s clever wordplay. – Andrew Vaughan
29. “Blue Suede Shoes,” Elvis Presley (Carl Perkins)
Rockabilly legend Carl Perkins was playing a small-town show when a teen ostracized his girlfriend for stepping on his “suedes.” Something registered with Carl. Later, Perkins came up with the classic intro, “Well, it's one for the money... Two for the show... Three to get ready... Now go, man, go!” (‘man’ became cat in the studio) for the rock and roll classic about shoes. Everyone remembers Elvis’ cover of the song, of course, but if a serious car wreck hadn’t de-railed Perkins career while promoting his version of “Shoes,” rock history may have been a little different. Maybe. – Andrew Vaughan
28. “Higher Ground,” Red Hot Chili Peppers (Stevie Wonder)
Red Hot Chili Peppers took this groovy, wah/Clavinet-driven 1973 Stevie Wonder song from the classic album Innervisions and turned it into a hyperkinetic funk/metal track on their 1989 album Mother’s Milk. The album was the Peppers’ first with guitarist John Frusciante. RHCP’s version felt more frantic than the original, and the video reflected this vibe in glorious Technicolor. The band’s hard work was rewarded with an MTV Video Award nomination. – Peter Hodgson
27. “Take Me to the River,” Talking Heads (Al Green)
A band of art-school punks scored their first real radio hit in 1978 by covering Al Green’s soul classic, in which lust and religion coalesced. Tina Weymouth’s grooving bassline and Jerry Harrison’s greasy keyboards brought new, subdued colors to Talking Heads’ twitchy sound. Frontman David Byrne somehow bridged the gap between R&B and punk with a delivery that was equally soulful and nervy – and included growling the song’s bass riff at the end. Somewhere in there, “punk” became new wave. – Bryan Wawzenek
26. “Proud Mary,” Ike and Tina Turner (Creedence Clearwater Revival)
This may be one of the most extreme examples of how an already classic tune, with a perfect performance, can be made into not only a great remake, but a classic live performance! With Tina’s first delivery of the song “nice and easy” and then turning it into a whirlwind rocker that’s “rough,” she and Ike, and let’s not forget the Ikettes, make this one of the all-time, and out-and-out sexy, explosive masterpieces of soul and rock ’n’ roll! – Arlen Roth
25. “Where Did You Sleep Last Night,” Nirvana (Traditional, Lead Belly)
Nirvana included a wealth of covers on their MTV Unplugged performance, but none seem to capture the band’s last gasp like this version of the early 1900s folk tune. Originally titled “In the Pines,” the most famous rendition was by Lead Belly – whom Nirvana credited with inspiring their take. With a foreboding cello looming in the background and Kurt Cobain howling “My girl! My girl! Don’t lie to me!” near the song’s conclusion, “Where Did You Sleep Last Night” might be the most powerful folk cover ever recorded. – Bryan Wawzenek
24. “Love in Vain,” The Rolling Stones (Robert Johnson)
Upon the release of 1961’s King of the Delta Blues Singers, Robert Johnson became a touchstone for up-and-coming London blues artists. While Eric Clapton famously raved up Johnson’s “Cross Road Blues,” the Stones chose to take a more emotive approach with the painstaking fare-thee-well, “Love in Vain.” Countrified on Let It Bleed, the track attained greater resonance on the more bluesy Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out live version. Both Keith Richards’ studio flourishes and Mick Taylor’s live solo are a study in the emotional possibilities of the slide guitar. – Michael Wright
23. “Hard to Handle,” Black Crowes (Otis Redding)
Originally recorded (and co-written) by Otis Redding, “Hard to Handle” was posthumously released in 1968, shortly after the tragic plane crash that killed Redding and most of his band. Although covered by many over the years, including The Grateful Dead, who made it a staple of their live shows from ’69-’71, it was The Black Crowes’ swaggering, Faces-esque version from their 1990 debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, that not only put the Crowes on the map, but made this soul classic a bona fide rock staple. – Sean Patrick Dooley
22. “Statesboro Blues,” The Allman Brothers Band (Blind Willie McTell)
McTell recorded this southern staple in 1928, and its lithe 12-string riffing remains a compelling insight into blues roots. In 1971, The Allman Brothers Band turned it into a stomping boogie, near-unrecognizable from McTell’s version, but it showcased Duane Allman’s peerless slide playing and the support-skills of Dickey Betts. The Allmans’ cover is indulgent, but with good reason. If you want to hear guitars “sing,” go here. – Michael Leonard
21. “I Heard it Through the Grapevine,” Creedence Clearwater Revival (Marvin Gaye)
John Fogerty and the boys didn’t hold back when they took an R&B classic (recorded by no less than three Motown artists, although CCR was obviously inspired by Gaye’s version) and totally rocked out with it. Great vocals, long extended and interesting solos and jams help make this a unique piece in the Creedence library, from the incredibly overlooked album, Cosmo’s Factory! Classic upon classic material! – Arlen Roth
Votes for the Top 50 Covers of All Time were included from Michael Wright, Bryan Wawzenek, Andrew Vaughan, Sean Patrick Dooley, Cesar Acevedo, Paul Burch, Arlen Roth, Ted Drozdowski, Russell Hall, Peter Hodgson, Anne Erickson, Michael Leonard, Paolo Bassotti and the Gibson.com Readers Poll.
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