Top 20 Best Cover Songs By Rock And Metal Bands

#20: Another Brick in the Wall Pt. 1, 2, 3 (2004) by Korn

Original by Pink Floyd

Greatest Hits compilation albums can often be a great opportunity for bands to include some rare B-sides or cover tunes theyd played around with in the past. Korns compilation of greatest hits included two covers, one of Word Up! by Cameo and Another Brick in the Wall by Pink Floyd. The wild variation in styles between these two covers showcases Korns wide array of influences, while the latter cover does a great job at modernizing Floyds psychedelic rock sound. Korns Another Brick in the Wall is dark, heavy and mesmerizing, while also retaining the originals groove and atmosphere. This ones just great.

#19: Careless Whisper (2007) by Seether

Original by Wham! feat. George Michael

Spinal Tap sort of said it best: And Seethers decision to cover Careless Whisper by George Michael and Wham! couldve easily fallen into cringe territory, had the band not given the tune their all. This version of Careless Whisper is heavier, sure, but retains the originals melancholy melody. Meanwhile, Seether recreated that iconic sax line with their guitars, lending their own stamp to this 80s pop classic. The end results avoid sounding like a novelty song. Theres no winking or nudging here, but instead a legitimately cool cover that works on its own musical merits.

#18: Summer Breeze (1993) by Type O Negative

Original by Seals & Crofts

Some bands just possess a knack for releasing great covers. Type O Negative knocked it out of the park when they contributed Black Sabbath for a tribute album. Meanwhile, the Brooklyn goth-metal groups third LP, Bloody Kisses, contained an un-ironic cover of this Seals & Crofts classic. The warm sunshine pop of the original is replaced by Peter Steeles fuzzed out bass and brooding voice. Yet, Type O Negative never sounds as if theyre taking the piss. Instead, their Summer Breeze feels like a natural part of their influences, with the final take speaking for itself: its a banger.

#17: Ride Like the Wind (1988) by Saxon

Original by Christopher Cross

The decision of a band to open up an album with a cover song can often be a dicey one, inviting criticism that they might be out of ideas. Saxons 1988 album Destiny definitely seemed to be intentionally seeking out commercial appeal via this cover of Christopher Cross Ride Like the Wind. But you know what? The band totally makes it work, despite the absence of those iconic Michael McDonald backing vocals. Saxons Biff Byford instead decides to stretch out the syllables of Mex-i-co, while the band performs the bridge vocalizations on guitar. Its catchier than the common cold, and actually kicks off Destiny in fine fashion.

#16: The Hunt (1993) by Sepultura

Original by New Model Army

Just as New Model Armys unique sound was impossible to pin down, so too were the influences of Brazils Sepultura opening up back in the early nineties. The latters Chaos A.D. album featured a cover of The Hunt by New Model Army, performed in Sepulturas classically aggressive style. The bands earliest influences laid within bestial, primitive black/death metal, but Chaos A.D. started to explore Sepulturas tribal Brazilian roots. The Hunt, as a result, feels right at home with this new feeling of experimentation. Its dark and moody stuff that rocks hard with an anthemic punch.

#15: Cum On Feel the Noize (1983) by Quiet Riot

Original by Slade

Metal Health by Quiet Riot was the first heavy metal album to top the Billboard 200 chart, but it didnt get there alone. This L.A. group had a little help from the U.K., specifically Slade, whose hit Cum On Feel the Noize was covered by Quiet Riot and released as a single. Metal Health, to be fair, is a pretty great album without the cover, but Slades poppy arrangements, memorable melodies and quirky lyricism made it tailor made for the metal treatment. Quiet Riot wouldnt stop there, either, and covered another Slade tune, Mama Weer All Crazee Now for their next album, Condition Critical.

#14: You Really Got Me (1978) by Van Halen

Original by The Kinks

This classic rock song is remarkably heavy for 1964. No wonder You Really Got Me and The Kinks so often get credited for writing the blueprints for future punk and hard rock. Knowing this information, Van Halens classic cover of the tune feels natural, an example of a hot new band paying a little tribute to the old guard. Of course, Eddies guitar playing manages to make this already rip-roaring cut sound even heavier, with that riff practically melting speakers from note one. Meanwhile, David Lee Roths caterwauling wail further sounds the charge for Van Halens sleek, hard rock attack. The boys had truly kicked open the doors with this one.

#13: Got the Time (1990) by Anthrax

Original by Joe Jackson

Obvious choices have historically never been much of an option for Anthrax when it came to cover songs. This legendary thrash metal act usually thought outside the box, achieving hits with their covers of Antisocial by French metal band Trust and this tune from Joe Jackson. Anthrax actually changes very little from Jacksons frenetic original. Got the Time still boasts boisterous bass, a frantic pace and energy to spare. This version just sounds more metal than new wave or post-punk, while Joey Belladonnas clear vocals are a little different from Joe Jacksons snotty punk snarl. It all works, though and Got the Time remains in the Anthrax set list to this day.

#12: The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown) (1979) by Judas Priest

Original by Fleetwood Mac

The history of the British-American Fleetwood Mac didnt begin and end with Lindsey Buckingham and Stevie Nicks. Their legacy as a blues and psychedelia-tinged band was secure long before that, just as Judas Priests heavy metal story began long before their 80s heyday. The latters influence from classic rock can be seen in their cover choices, such as Diamonds and Rust by Joan Baez or Macs The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown). Priests 70s rock chops are set ablaze as they take whats already a cool psych number and amp up the volume. Fans responded, too, and The Green Manalishi continues to be a Judas Priest set staple to this day.

#11: All Along the Watchtower (1968) by The Jimi Hendrix Experience

Original by Bob Dylan

A good song is a good song. It can transcend genres and songwriters, even those as generational as Bob Dylan. His version of All Along the Watchtower has almost certainly been eclipsed by The Jimi Hendrix Experience cover at this point, right? The latters incendiary guitar pyrotechnics steal the show when it comes time for the solo, but Hendrixs All Along the Watchtower really just captures our attention right away. The arrangements here are evocative and groovy, hinging upon the rhythm section of Mitch Mitchell and Noel Redding, who back up Jimi perfectly. This is lightning-in-a-bottle type stuff.

#10 Bad Company (2010) by Five Finger Death Punch

Original by Bad Company

This heavy metal band from Las Vegas started out playing Bad Company to fill in time during some of their early live shows. Fans loved it so much that the track was eventually incorporated into their 2009 album War Is the Answer. Since then, its become one of the bands biggest songs, receiving almost 200 million plays on YouTube. While the original is already a beloved rock song, this cover transforms Bad Company from an easy going jam into an anthemic banger. When the heavy guitar riffs come in, you cant help but sing along with the familiar chorus. Whats more, the band used this cover as an opportunity to thank American troops serving in Iraq.

#9: Turn the Page (1998) by Metallica

Original by Bob Seger

Heavy metal legends Metallica have always made it a point to expose audiences to their musical influences, even going so far as to release a double disc covers collection back in 1998, titled Garage, Inc. It was the bands cover of Bob Segers Turn the Page which served as the albums first single and video, a dark and disturbing clip starring adult film star Ginger Lynn as a single mother forced to make some difficult and desperate decisions in order to provide for her daughter. Meanwhile, Metallica approaches Turn the Page with a sense of reverence for Segers original, while at the same time lending their own musical muscle and grit to the proceedings.

#8: Painkiller (1998) by Death

Original by Judas Priest

The Sound of Perseverance would be the final album from extreme metal forefathers Death before their founder Chuck Schuldiner would succumb to brain cancer. The band went out on a high note with the albums closing track, however, a ripping cover of Painkiller from metal gods Judas Priest. Schuldiner and Co. amplify the aggression tenfold on their version right from the get-go, thanks to Richard Christys octopus-like drumming and Schuldiners paint-peeling vocals. Theres plenty of tribute here to Priests fiery original, but make no mistake: Death made this metal classic their own in a big way.

#7: No Ordinary Love (2005) by Deftones

Original by Sade

The Deftones are well known for their ability to tap into some serious sensuality with their atmospheric rock music, so it sort of makes sense that they would cover this classic slow jam by Nigerian singer/songwriter Sade. The bands take on No Ordinary Love keeps the mid-paced arrangement of the track relatively intact, using punchier drums and vocal effects over singer Chino Morenos voice to retain the songs seductive sound. Theres something to be said about being faithful to a classic songs heart and soul, and the Deftones manage this while at the same time leaving their own mark on this enduring hit.

#6: Live and Let Die (1991) by Guns N Roses

Original by Paul McCartney & Wings

The chances are probably pretty good that youve heard this cover plenty of times while driving in your car, as this Guns n Roses take on a classic James Bond theme has been a rock radio staple for years. Its never exactly been commonplace for rock bands to cover songs from motion picture soundtracks, but Axl Rose and Co. did a great job at replicating Live and Let Die on their 1991 album Use Your Illusion II. G n R keep the grandiose string section and funky rock backbeat intact on their version, creating a cover which may not offer many surprises, yet delivers the goods when it comes to respecting a true classic.

#5: Imagine (2004) by A Perfect Circle

Original by John Lennon

The next track on our list has been covered by numerous artists over the years, yet very few of them have done so with quite the same stylized darkness as A Perfect Circle. The all-star rock group, featuring Tools Maynard James Keenan, released their cover of John Lennons Imagine on their third album, eMOTIVe, a collection of politically charged cover songs designed as commentary on the 2004 U.S. Presidential Election. Lennons moods of optimism, realism and hope are presented here by A Perfect Circle in a more provocative style. The classic piano chords are still there, only twisted and performed with a much darker and more sinister intent.

#4: I Fought the Law (1979) by The Clash

Popularized by The Bobby Fuller Four

This song may have originally been written by Texas-based songwriter Sonny Curtis of Buddy Hollys group The Crickets, but I Fought the Law was initially made popular by, well...a cover! The Bobby Fuller Four performed the first version of I Fought the Law with which most people are familiar. However, it was a 1979 cover by the formative English punk band The Clash which brought I Fought the Law to an even younger audience, thanks to the groups musical urgency and infectious charisma. The rebellious lyrical spirit of I Fought the Law fits in perfectly with The Clashs own political fire, making this a musical match made in heaven.

#3: The Sound of Silence (2015) by Disturbed

Original by Simon & Garfunkel

Chicagos Disturbed have made their metallic mark on a number of successful cover songs over the years, including their expert take on the 80s Genesis hit Land of Confusion. But Genesis aside, its this fan favorite cover which takes the number 3 spot on our list, thanks largely in part to Disturbeds talented frontman David Draiman. The singer delivers a tour de force on Simon & Garfunkels The Sound of Silence, turning what was a delicate folk ballad into an epic orchestral journey of cinematic proportions. String sections and booming percussion amplify guitarist Dan Donegans tasteful guitar work, while Draiman lays down what may be the vocal performance of his career.

#2: Holy Diver (2007) by Killswitch Engage

Original by Dio

New England metalcore titans Killswitch Engage have always been known for possessing an irreverent sense of humor to go along with their memorable riffs and passionate vocals. The band truly outdid themselves, however, when it came to their cover of this 80s metal classic from Dio. Killswitchs version of Holy Diver turns on maximum crunch in the guitar department, while former front man Howard Jones switches effortlessly between screams, clean singing and a most righteous falsetto. Meanwhile, drummer Justin Foley alternates his tempo between the songs original mid-pace and a quicker pick-up section, adding to the covers musical dynamic. The band also shot a humorous video clip for the track, a goofy but loving tribute to Holy Divers mighty medieval past.

#1: Faith (1998) by Limp Bizkit

Original by George Michael

Just kidding. The redemption arc of nu-metal has been greatly exaggerated.

#1: Smooth Criminal (2001) by Alien Ant Farm

Original by Michael Jackson

Was there ever any doubt? Sure, Alien Ant Farms cover of Smooth Criminal may be the California bands one major chart-topping hit, but what a hit it was. The band strikes a perfect balance between treating the original with respect, while placing their own particular stamp upon the King of Pop. Lead singer Dryden Mitchell and bassist Tye Zamora trade off on Michael Jacksons trademark vocal style, while guitarist Terry Corso and drummer Mike Cosgrove offer a more aggressive take on the musical arrangements. Add to the mix a funny and funky video, and you have a recipe for cover song success.

Do you prefer it when a rock band covers similar genres of music, or when they experiment outside the box? Let us know in the comments!