The Best Cover Versions of Songs Ever (That Might Even Beat the Originals)

There’s something magical about a cover version that reimagines a song you already love - sometimes even eclipsing the original. Whether it’s stripped-back acoustic takes, genre-bending reinterpretations, or straight-up belters that become bigger than their source material, cover songs have given us some of the most unforgettable moments in music history.

Here are 11 of the best cover versions ever. From jaw-dropping reinventions to classic reinterpretations that have earned their own place in pop culture.

1. Johnny Cash — “Hurt” (original by Nine Inch Nails)

Cash’s stark, haunting rendition turned this industrial rock song into a stark meditation on age, loss and reflection - often cited as one of the most powerful covers ever.

2. Jimi Hendrix — “All Along the Watchtower” (Bob Dylan)

A seismic shift from Dylan’s original folk-rock version, Hendrix’s guitar-soaked interpretation is arguably the definitive one.

3. Jeff Buckley — “Hallelujah” (Leonard Cohen)

A beautiful, melancholy reinterpretation that brought Cohen’s song to global prominence and is now the version many people think of first.  Grace by Jeff Buckley

4. The Beatles — “Twist and Shout” (originally by the Isley Brothers)

The Beatles turned this soul classic into a ferocious, roof-raising rock anthem - with John Lennon’s famously raw vocal taking centre stage.

5. Pet Shop Boys — “Always on My Mind” (Elvis Presley/Brenda Lee)

A synth-pop reinvention that turned a country-pop classic into one of the ’80s biggest hits, especially beloved in the UK charts.

6. Whitney Houston — “I Will Always Love You” (Dolly Parton)

Houston’s towering ballad performance arguably replaced the original in pop culture memory, especially after The Bodyguard.

7. Amy Winehouse & Mark Ronson — “Valerie” (The Zutons)

Arguably the iconic BBC Radio 1 Live Lounge cover of all time - this soulful, upbeat interpretation became a smash hit and is often mistaken for the original. It was even voted the #1 Live Lounge cover by Radio 1 presenters.  Amy Winehouse albums 

8. The Streets — “Your Song” (Elton John)

English producer and MC Mike Skinner offered a uniquely British take on Elton John’s classic, “Your Song,” delivering the lyrics with his unmistakable storytelling style - a rare but charming reinterpretation that resonated with fans of both the original and UK music culture.

9. Soft Cell — “Tainted Love” (Gloria Jones)

An ’80s synth-pop smash built on a Northern soul classic, this cover became a defining track of its era.

10. Sinead O’Connor — “Nothing Compares 2 U” (Prince)

O’Connor’s emotionally raw delivery propelled this belter to global fame, making it one of the ’90s most unforgettable ballads.

11. Nirvana — “The Man Who Sold the World” (David Bowie)

Their grunge-tinged rendition at MTV Unplugged gave Bowie’s classic a grittier texture and introduced it to a new generation.

🎶 Honourable Mentions (UK Flavour)

A few more standouts that Brits love seeing covered and re-covered:

• Madness — “It Must Be Love” (Labi Siffre) - a ska-pop staple in the UK. 
• UB40 — “Red Red Wine” (Neil Diamond) - became an anthem on these shores.
• Aretha Franklin — “Respect” (Otis Redding) - a defining soul reinterpretation.
• Adele — “Make You Feel My Love” (Bob Dylan) - a modern classic version.

🎧 Bonus Fact: Who’s the Most Covered Artist in History?

If you’re fascinated by covers, here’s a neat bit of trivia: according to ongoing music databases tracking global cover recordings, John Lennon tops the list for total number of cover versions recorded of songs he wrote or co-wrote, followed closely by Paul McCartney and Bob Dylan - all perennial songwriting giants whose work has been reimagined thousands of times. 

🎤 Final Thoughts

A great cover isn’t just a copy, it’s a conversation with the original, a reinvention, a new emotional layer added to something already beloved. Whether you’re a vinyl collector, a Spotify deep-diver, or just someone who loves music that feels something, these tracks are proof that the art of the cover song has shaped pop culture itself.

Written by the Chalkys editorial team - lifelong music fans celebrating the albums and artists that shaped popular culture.

Got a favourite cover we missed? Drop it in the comments and let’s build the ultimate playlist!