10 Cover Songs That Sound Totally Different (And Possibly Better Than The Original)

Photo: Paul Natkin (Getty).

It’s hard to say that any original work of art can be surpassed by something attempting to pay homage to it. But each cover song below became something wholly new, an entity unto itself, free to impregnate some other would-be rocker down the road. And isn’t that the point? The more powerful a tune, the more inspired the listener, and the better chance we all have of getting another rocking tune to shred the ether. Hence, these 10 cover songs sound totally different, and possibly better, than the original.

10 Cover Songs That Sound Totally Different (And Possibly Better Than The Original):

Honorable Mention:

“Such Great Heights,” Iron & Wine (originally by The Postal Service)

“Killing Me Softly,” The Fugees (originally by Roberta Flack)

“I Fought the Law,” The Clash (originally by The Crickets, The Bobby Fuller Four)

“I Can’t Get No Satisfaction,” Devo (originally by The Rolling Stones)

“1989,” Ryan Adams (originally by Taylor Swift)

“All Along the Watchtower,” Dave Matthews Band (originally by Bob Dylan, Jimi Hendrix)

“Everybody Wants to Rule the World,” Lorde (originally by Tears for Fears)

“Time After Time,” Willie Nelson (originally by Cyndi Lauper)

“The Man Who Sold the World,” Nirvana (originally by David Bowie)

“Turn the Page,” Metallica (originally by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band)

“Voodoo Child (slight return),” Angelique Kidjo (originally by Jimi Hendrix)

Also: 10 Songs That Make You Rethink Everything

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