Top 20 Cover Songs That Sound Completely Different Than the Original

Top 20 Cover Songs That Sound Completely Different Than the Original

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most notable song covers with a fresh, innovative twist, that managed to retain the spirit of the original while creating something entirely unique.


#20: “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (2013)
Lorde; Originally by Tears for Fears (1985)

The original version of this song tackles themes of corruption and humanity’s relentless thirst for power. It’s a message that has stood the test of time, resonating as much in the Cold War era, when the tune was released, as it did in 2013 when Lorde reimagined it for the soundtrack of “The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.” While Tears for Fears masked their grim commentary with upbeat instrumentals, Lorde fully leaned into the dark atmosphere of the song, delivering each line with a haunting cadence. In her version, the groovy, infectious beats were swapped for ominous percussion that perfectly captures the twisted, dystopian world of “The Hunger Games.”

#19: “Heartless” (2009)
The Fray; Originally by Kanye West (2008)

It’s hard to imagine what Kanye West’s “Heartless” would sound like without the Auto-Tune, heavy percussion and synthesizers. But if you’re struggling to picture it, rock band The Fray offers a clear view with their cover. Like the original, their version is still a ballad, although it strips the production down to its core, emphasizing lead singer Isaac Slade’s raw, breathy vocals. It’s a vastly different atmosphere, yet it remains just as emotionally charged. While West’s use of Auto-Tune and synths brought an innovative perspective, The Fray’s more traditional arrangement let the emotions shine through, creating a powerful interpretation that stands on its own.


#18: “Get Lucky” (2013)
Daughter; Originally by Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers (2013)

By now, just about everyone has grooved to Daft Punk’s 2013 hit “Get Lucky,” a song that dominated dance floors around the world and became an instant classic. While countless covers have surfaced over the years, none stands out quite like that of indie folk band Daughter. It’s a haunting rendition that flips the original’s carefree ode to casual fun into a more dramatic tale—perhaps one of heartbreak, and trying to “get lucky” to numb the pain. It’s fascinating how the song’s meaning drastically changes, even though the lyrics stay the same. And that’s all thanks to the moody, restrained vocals, layered over sparse bass thumps that leave you wishing the song would just never end.


#17: “You Keep Me Hangin' On” (1986)
Kim Wilde; Originally by The Supremes (1966)

Throughout history, only a few songs have managed to top the Billboard Hot 100 twice, each time by a different musical act. “You Keep Me Hangin' On” is one of those rare few. Originally recorded by The Supremes, this Motown track already had a unique psychedelic rock vibe. But 20 years later, English pop singer Kim Wilde gave it a total makeover, turning it into an uptempo disco anthem that perfectly encapsulated the dance-crazed spirit of the ‘80s. The production here is intentionally heavy, drowning the Supremes’ lament about a lingering lover in a sea of percussive guitars and explosive synths. It may sound radically different, but it rode the same wave as its predecessor, right to the top of the charts.



#16: “Smooth Criminal” (2001)
Alien Ant Farm; Originally by Michael Jackson (1988)

What started as a playful warm-up jam before gigs morphed into an iconic punk-rock twist on a timeless classic. Michael Jackson’s 1988 hit “Smooth Criminal” was a sleek pop track driven by the King of Pop’s signature groove. But in the early 2000s, a little-known band called Alien Ant Farm took the song and cranked the energy up to eleven. The band’s version replaced the smooth pop sheen with heavy guitar riffs, punchy drums and a faster tempo, giving the song a rebellious edge. This criminal was no longer smooth, he’d gone full-on angsty. Alien Ant Farm’s cover not only became a massive hit, it also secured its place in pop culture, with its tongue-in-cheek, Michael Jackson-inspired music video.


#15: “Mad World” (2003)
Michael Andrews feat. Gary Jules; Originally by Tears for Fears (1982)

The ‘80s were populated by songs that paired dark lyrics with upbeat, dance floor-ready production, and “Mad World” was no exception. Nearly two decades after its release, director Richard Kelly enlisted Michael Andrews and Gary Jules to reimagine the Tears for Fears classic for his film “Donnie Darko.” What emerged was a haunting rendition that pieced the song apart and brought it together with just a piano and Jules’ somber vocals. This minimalist approach transformed “Mad World” from a danceable track into a melancholy ballad, bringing those dark themes into sharp focus. After appearing on the “Donnie Darko” soundtrack, the cover was released as a single in 2003 and snagged the Christmas number-one spot in the UK.



#14: “The Sound of Silence” (2015)
Disturbed; Originally by Simon & Garfunkel (1964)

Inspired by childhood memories of “The Sound of Silence” echoing through his home, Mike Wengren, drummer of the heavy metal band Disturbed, suggested they cover it. The band was determined to put their own spin on it, but decided to trade their signature sound for something more subdued. The gamble paid off. Disturbed’s cover takes the iconic folk tune and revamps it into a powerful, brooding anthem. Unlike the original’s gentle, acoustic sound, this version is dark and intense, with lead singer David Draiman’s deep vocals soaring over a heavy, orchestral backdrop. It became a huge success for the band, earning not only a Grammy nomination and millions of streams, but a seal of approval from Paul Simon himself.


#13: “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
Whitney Houston; Originally by Dolly Parton (1974)

When a cover of a song becomes so famous that most people don’t even know it’s a cover, you know something special has happened. That’s exactly the case with Whitney Houston’s rendition of “I Will Always Love You.” But that’s not to take anything away from Dolly Parton’s original recording—her tender, solemn voice was perfect for the country ballad. However, Houston’s powerhouse vocals and the sweeping orchestration completely transformed the track, adding an emotional punch that gave it a whole new meaning. It’s almost like a different song altogether. This cover, featured on the soundtrack of Houston’s film debut “The Bodyguard,” became a global sensation and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.



#12: “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1990)
Sinéad O'Connor; Originally by The Family (1985)

In 1985, music icon Prince recorded a song titled “Nothing Compares 2 U” for his side project The Family, which was featured on their sole self-titled album. The song was never released as a single and would probably have remained forgotten as a deep cut if not for Sinéad O'Connor. The Irish singer-songwriter reworked the track for her sophomore album, stripping it down from its funky, understated vibe, to emphasize the emotion at its center. O’Connor’s evocative voice, paired with a minimalistic arrangement of strings and percussion, brought the heartbreak in the lyrics to life. This approach gave the tune an entirely new identity and catapulted it from its little-known status into a worldwide hit.


#11: “With a Little Help from My Friends” (1968)
Joe Cocker; Originally by the Beatles (1967)

Over his 43-year career, Joe Cocker was beloved for his cover songs, most of which elevated their source material into something extraordinary. The first cover that shot him to fame was the Beatles’ 1967 tune “With a Little Help from My Friends.” For his version, Cocker slowed down the tempo, infused it with gritty vocals and added a gospel-inspired backing choir, all of which transformed the upbeat pop tune into a soulful anthem drenched in blues. As if that wasn’t enough, he threw in some electrifying guitar work from Led Zeppelin’s Jimmy Page. This bold reinterpretation earned high praise from Paul McCartney and became Cocker’s signature performance, especially after his legendary Woodstock appearance in 1969.


#10: “Boyz-n-the-Hood” (2000)
Dynamite Hack; Originally by Eazy-E (1987)

Dynamite Hack's cover is a mellow and acoustic arrangement of Eazy-E's gangsta rap classic "Boyz-n-the-Hood," here re-imagined with more than a little bit of post-grunge irony. In place of Eazy-E’s gritty delivery and hard-hitting beats, Dynamite Hack turned the track into a laid-back, acoustic, soft-rock version. But the real key to the band's success is the monotone delivery of the lead vocals matched with all the original's gruff and boisterous bravado, which provides the comedic punch and timing needed to make this genre-bending cover a hit.


#9: “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (1992)
Tori Amos; Originally by Nirvana (1991)

Singer-songwriter Tori Amos is no stranger to releasing inventive, unique cover versions of artists as diverse as Eminem, R.E.M. and Slayer. Yet, it’s this 1992 version of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" that really strips down the original's arrangement and essence to its basic, memorable vocal melody. Amos' passionate, sensual vocals are set on full display here, as is her evocative and haunting piano playing, which punches each chord with a charged, palpable energy. If intense head banging and rough vocals aren’t your scene, you just might enjoy this powerful rendition instead.


#8: “Gin and Juice” (1998)
The Gourds; Originally by Snoop Dogg (1994)

Ever wonder what it would sound like if a bluegrass band decided to cover Snoop Dogg's classic "Gin and Juice”? Well, look no further than The Gourds. Complete with violin scratches, mandolins and accented Southern twang instead of beats 'n bass. The Gourd's don't stray far at all from their musical roots, instead adopting the original's lyrics into their own upbeat musical arrangements, which fit in just fine with their swinging country roots-rock. Shortly after its release, their cover eventually reached the ears of Snoop D-O-Double G himself, who gave the alternative country group his seal of approval.


#7: “(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction” (1977)
Devo; Originally by The Rolling Stones (1965)

The idea of Devo covering The Rolling Stones is a bizarre one in and of itself, but it isn't until ears are properly tuned to the band's cover "Satisfaction," that the true size of the situation can be assessed. Can you say "Total Musical Deconstruction?" Well, Devo certainly can with this unique and avant-garde re-tooling of the Stones classic, stripping virtually all of the rock bombast from the original and replacing it with the futuristic and cold machinations. The results are a weird, yet no less driving take on the song, although dyed-in-the-wool Stones fans are advised to stay as far away from this one as possible.


#6: “Billie Jean” (2007)
Chris Cornell; Originally by Michael Jackson (1983)

Stripping down a song to its most basic form is a popular method of covering a song, and this was exactly the method Chris Cornell followed for his take on this MJ classic. Whereas Jackson's original was a cautionary tale against the dangers of groupies with super sweet bassline, Cornell drops the tone down significantly with his version. The same approach was taken by Americana duo, The Civil Wars, in 2011 who, just like Cornell, traded in the bass and drums for a "man and his guitar" style. This gave Cornell's version a darker and starker vibe, while his powerful vocals carried "Billie Jean" into a much harder rock arena. We still miss that bassline, though.


#5: “Style” (2015)
Ryan Adams; Originally by Taylor Swift (2015)

When news hit that Ryan Adams was going to be releasing a cover album of Taylor Swift's entire “1989” album, expectations were fairly high as to what he would do with the material. Predictably, Adams' “1989” is very much in the singer's established approach of emotional pop and indie rock, with his take on Swift's "Shake It Off" and “Style” serving as early standouts of his own from the record. Adams replaces the 80s electro vibe of "Style" with a jangling rock arrangement not that dissimilar from classic Bruce Springsteen, while at the same time keeping the big melodic chorus which made the Swift original such a hit.


#4: "All Along the Watchtower" (1968)
Jimi Hendrix Experience; Originally by Bob Dylan (1968)

It takes a certain, special sort of cover to become better known than its original, and that power can definitely be heard here with The Jimi Hendrix Experience, as they run through an iconic take on Bob Dylan's "All Along the Watchtower." The song is very cinematic in scope, having made appearances in numerous films and soundtracks over the years, and with good reason. The deep production, soulful vocals and powerful guitar work of the track sends this electrified Bob Dylan original into the upper echelon of stone cold cover version classics.


#3: "Woodstock" (1970)
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young; Originally by Joni Mitchell (1970)

Joni Mitchell was dating Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young member Graham Nash when she wrote "Woodstock," in 1969 but didn't actually attend the event thanks to bad advice from her then-manager. Nash and his CSNY bandmates David Crosby, Stephen Stills and Neil Young would include an up-beat, harder rocking version of the track on their Deja Vu album, updating Mitchell's soft and emotional folk style into the burgeoning rootsy rock movement. CSNY's "Woodstock" is an aggressive, to-the-point road trip track, with hard drums and some slick guitar licks, making a musical snapshot for this legendary festival of peace, love and music.


#2: "Hurt" (2003)
Johnny Cash; Originally by Nine Inch Nails (1995)

This cover song may have some of the most emotional impact of any on our list, as evidenced almost immediately from Johnny Cash's raw and ravaged vocals, brimming with passion and determination as he rips out a heart-wrenchingly brilliant cover of Nine Inch Nails' "Hurt." This cover was one of the final releases of Cash's career, appearing on his “American IV: The Man Comes Around” release. The accompanying video also serves as a moving tribute to The Man in Black. While both versions are intensely personal, Cash’s death shortly after the track’s release adds an extra layer to the already emotional song.


#1: "Blinded by the Light" (1976)
Manfred Mann’s Earth Band; Originally by Bruce Springsteen (1973)

Manfred Mann's Earth Band took a slinky, disco meets prog approach to this Bruce Springsteen jam in 1976. Taking The Boss' working man rock aesthetic and shining it real nice with plenty of smooth high hat action, bright lights and sequins, turning "Blinded By the Light" into a major, if not quirky, hit. The band even decides to throw in a little bit of Euphemia Allen's "Chopsticks" melody for good measure...because... why not? Of course, there's also that little bit of business about this song's chorus being one of the most commonly misheard in the world. For the record, it's "wrapped up like a deuce." DEUCE.


Is there a cover song that you prefer to its original version? Tell us about it in the comments below.