Five superb classic rock songs from top artists that were actually covers

On numerous occasions, I’ve expressed my opinion about cover songs here. I’ll likely repeat myself a few more times. To be honest, I don’t particularly enjoy cover songs. They seldom match the quality of the original. However, there are instances where exceptions prove the rule. It seems to hinge on which rendition you encounter first.

Occasionally, the interpretation can change based on who performs a cover versus the original artist. Notably, prominent musicians often benefit from this situation more frequently, as they’ve often incorporated numerous cover songs during their early careers.

These artists, such as The Beatles, frequently used cover songs initially to establish themselves, eventually introducing their original work. Later in their careers, other musicians experienced success with covers. In some instances, the cover nature was subtly incorporated or even concealed, leaving listeners unaware they were listening to a remake. As an illustration, consider these five outstanding classic rock tunes from prominent artists.

Many may not know that these rock classics were actually covers

Led Zeppelin – “When the Levee Breaks”

This track is considered one of Led Zeppelin’s best, and that’s saying something given their exceptional body of work. It was included in their fourth album, often referred to as “Led Zeppelin IV.” Despite being a favorite among fans, the band seldom performed it live. However, last year, Robert Plant released a live version of the song featuring Alison Krauss.

The tune you’re hearing is a revamped version of a classic track from the 1920s, previously recorded by Memphis Minnie and Kansas Joe McCoy. Originally, it was a country blues song inspired by the catastrophic Mississippi Floods of 1927. While Robert Plant retained many of the original lyrics, Jimmy Page introduced a fresh guitar melody and transformed the overall sound and feel to suit their unique style.

The revised edition carries an evocative feel and features a distinct drum rhythm reminiscent of John Bonham’s style, adding depth. The duet by Plant and Krauss from last year falls midway between these two renditions and is highly recommended for listening.

The Rolling Stones – “Harlem Shuffle”

In their early days, The Rolling Stones often performed cover songs. Over the years, they diversified their music, but they still occasionally took on other artists’ songs. This was true for a popular track featured on their 1986 album “Dirty Work”.

Initially, a soulful R&B tune by Bob & Earl emerged in 1963; however, The Rolling Stones gave it a grittier, more aggressive twist while preserving its original R&B rhythm. This track stood out significantly from the rest of their album and was subsequently released as a standalone single. Surprisingly, it wasn’t anticipated to be successful but managed to reach the top 5 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

KISS – “God Gave Rock n Roll To You”

The tune initially gained fame through UK band Argent and penned by Russ Ballard. Later, KISS selected it for their movie soundtrack, specifically for Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey, in 1991. They released it as a single, making it a crowd favorite during their performances. Tragically, this track marked the last appearance of drummer Eric Carr with KISS; he passed away a few months later and couldn’t contribute to the song’s drums, but his backing vocals can still be heard.

Writer Ballard composed “New York Shuffle” for the British group Hello, which achieved success with the song in the UK. Subsequently, Ace Frehley recorded a version of it for his 1978 solo album. The song’s lively glam rock rhythm suited Frehley perfectly and was also fitting for KISS, who eventually incorporated it into their live performances as well.

Motley Crue – “Smokin’ in the Boys Room”

Raise your hands if you remember the classic hit from 1973 by Brownsville Station, which had an excellent bluesy vibe and flowed smoothly. This tune was a chart success, peaking at number 3 on the Billboard Hot 100.

12 years after its original release, the song was re-interpreted by Motley Crue and given a harder edge that suited their unique style well. It became one of their biggest singles, peaking at number 16 on the US charts. Additionally, it was included in the soundtrack for the movie “The Wraith” in 1986, just a year after its adaptation.

Metallica – “Whiskey In The Jar”

In the UK, where I’m situated, Thin Lizzy is widely recognized for their extensive music catalog. However, in the US, they are often considered a one-hit wonder due to the song “The Boys Are Back In Town.” But make no mistake, Thin Lizzy offers much more than just that hit single.

Initially, “Whiskey In The Jar” was an old Irish folk tune. It was first released as a B-side by the group Highwaymen in 1962 and later as a single by The Dubliners in 1968. Thin Lizzy gave it a more rock-infused spin, which helped them achieve success on the UK charts in 1972. Metallica took this rock rendition even further, releasing their version in 1988 on their album of cover songs called Garage Inc.. This interpretation by Metallica won them a Grammy Award for Best Hard Rock Performance in 1999.

2025-02-09 14:01