5 Covers That (We Think) Rival Their Originals

There are some songs that make it to the top, fall out, and then get picked up, rerecorded and put back on top again a hundred times over. There are also songs that are discreetly paid tribute to, going almost unnoticed, but end up being just as wonderful of a reincarnation as their Hot 100 brethren. Here we’ve taken five covers from little mix of both these worlds that we love, and hope that you do too.

1) Walk This Way- Run DMC
Who did it first: Aerosmith, Toys in the Attic

In the mid ‘80s, we get the Run-D.M.C. cover released on the hip-hop trio’s album Raising Hell. Of course, it features Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, so maybe we can’t totally call it separate, but as the first rap song to crack the top 5 of The Billboard Hot 10, we think we should give credit where it’s due.

2) Power of Loves- The Early November
Who did it first: Huey Lewis and the News, Back to the Future: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack

This song was originally written for and featured in the 1986 blockbuster, Back to the Future, giving Huey Lewis and the News their first number one hit on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, a Top Ten Hit on the UK Singles Chart, and a Number One spot on the U.S. Top Rock Tracks. It was definitely good news for The News- it even warranted a nomination for at the 58th Annual Academy Awards. A stripped down version was released by The Early November on the 2005 compilation, Punk Goes 80′s, for us, putting the song in a new light. Reviewsic gives Ace Enders a big thumbs up for this one.

3) Rebel Rebel- Seu Jorge
Who did it first: David Bowie, Diamond Dogs

Other interesting covers of this track include one by the Bay City Rollers and, believe it or not, Dead or Alive. More short and sweet than the original, the one that we think trumps them all comes from the film The Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou, recorded by Brazilian musician Seu Jorge, who is is featured a number of times on the soundtrack.

4) Hurt- Johnny Cash
Who did it first: Nine Inch Nails, The Downward Spiral

This isn’t the first time a genre great has covered Hurt- David Bowie did it when NIN opened for him in 95′. But it was Johnny Cash who really made this song something, when he released it on his 2002 album American IV: The Man Comes Around. Chock full of covers, another great one on this album is “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Paul Simon. The recording went on to win awards and become the only entry Cahse ever had on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, where it hit #33 in 2003.

5) Unchained Melody- The Righteous Brothers
Who did it first: Todd Duncan, Unchained: Music from the Motion Picture Soundtrack

Originally written for the 1955 film Unchained, this is one of the most often covered songs penned in the last 100 years, with more than 500 versions in hundreds of different languages. A number of musicians released versions that all topped the charts, but our favorite is still the Phil Spector version, sung by the Righteous Brothers and released as a single in 1965.

Bonus: Cape Cod Kwassa Kwass- Peter Gabriel and Hot Chip
Who did it first? Vampire Weekend- Vampire Weekend

Music fans were abuzz when Peter Gabriel announced his plans to cover Vampire weekend this past summer, and we’re happy to say that their excitement was not ill placed. The cover swaps the originals wriggly riff and congo drums for a combination of soft keys and electronic flourishes with the help of Hot Chip. It’s great to hear a pop song from Gabriel, and come on, kind of a fun novelty to hear him sing his own name. Gabriel has also been invited by Hot Chip to collaborate further in future projects, so we have that to look forward to as well.

What are your favorite covers? Leave us a comment and let us know

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