Top Ten Greatest Cover Songs Ever

A list of great cover songs. The criteria? It varied greatly, but mostly the criteria were popularity and my own opinion. Let's see whether you agree with me in my choices and assessments. They are listed here in no particular order.

SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES/The Platters: A lot of people don't realize that this version of the song is actually a cover. Smoke Gets In Your Eyes was written by Otto Harbach and Jerome Kern in 1933. The fact that the cover is an American classic and the original is virtually unknown is a testament to why this song makes this list.

I AM THE WALRUS/Oingo Boingo: Sadly, this cover is not widely known. It will never eclipse the original, of course. However, it absolutely does the original justice and rocks out like crazy. The heavy instrumentation and strong vocals bring confidence, and almost a cockiness, to this version of the Beatles classic. I quite often choose to listen to it over the original.

FINAL SOLUTION/Peter Murphy: Peter Murphy covers this Pere Ubu selection and brings it a life not recognized in the original. In my opinion, this is one of those songs which has an excellent foundation but was not executed properly by the original artist. Peter Murphy resurrected this song from the dead, and really did it right. And if you have it in your collection, I consider you to be very, very cool.

MAD WORLD/Gary Jules: This is one of those songs that was done so well by the original artist (Tears For Fears) that it seems absolutely pointless to cover it. However it was done just as well, though very differently, and the cover has taken on a life of its own. A slower tempo and very different instrumentation give this song a very different feel, but it still honors the original. This version found its fame playing over the final scenes of the movie Donnie Darko.

CRIMSON AND CLOVER/Joan Jett and The Blackhearts: Originally done by Tommy James and the Shondells in 1969, Joan Jett's hard rocking version shook this song UP! Interestingly, a lot of the vocal harmonies, and soft, gentle vocalizations, are in tact. And they only serve to make the song rock that much harder, in dramatic opposition to the heavy guitar and drum work.

IT'S MY LIFE/No Doubt: I didn't like this version at first, because of the dramatically different vocals. In fact, I thought they fell flat. It grew on me, though, with the realization that this gave the song an entirely new effect that was deliberate - each verse is sung hypnotically, which makes the breakout chorus all the more dramatic. The musicianship is also excellent and absolutely sound. (The original was done by Talk Talk.)

THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD (live)/Nirvana: There are not many bands who could take a song by David Bowie and do it well enough to impress me, but this one did. This song needs a lot of drama in the vocals and Kurt Cobain was able to understand that and provide it. The musicianship is adequate. The vocals are outstanding. Overall, it is understated and truly over the top. It is a definite tribute to the original.

I'M A BELIEVER/Smash Mouth: The cover of this Monkees song (written by Neil Diamond) has been a SMASH hit with a wide range of people. First heard in the movie Shrek, it became very popular on the radio and really embraced as a cover. They took an old rock song and made it into a great song that really rocks!

(I CAN'T GET NO) SATISFACTION/Devo: Just because it's ridiculous. It's still really good and enjoyable, but it doesn't take itself seriously. The Rolling Stones usually don't take themselves too seriously, either, but I thought this version sort of put this song in its place!

SMOOTH CRIMINAL/Alien Ant Farm: This is one of those cases where I disliked the original (by Michael Jackson) but loved the cover. It's so energetic and done so well. The vocals and the musicianship really take this song where it needs to go in a way that the original never even approached.

BONUS: LEONARD COHEN: Leonard Cohen is a songwriter who has, possibly, been covered more than any other songwriter in our time, if not history. His songs are always beautiful, catchy and musically sound. And his lyrics (his even greater talent) are what put his songs over the top to "legendary." It is clear why so many cover his work and honor him.