5 Rock Covers That Are Arguably Better Than the Original Song

Taking on a cover of a legendary rock song is far from an easy task. Still, these five artists and bands managed to do it so well that their covers are widely believed to be better than the originals. But it’s all up to your personal opinion, of course. Let’s look at five rock covers that were (debatably) better than the original song!

1. “All Along The Watchtower” by Jimi Hendrix

The first entry on our list of rock covers that are better than the original song goes to Jimi Hendrix for his 1968 cover of Bob Dylan’s “All Along The Watchtower”. You’d be hard-pressed to find a song that Hendrix performed badly. But this particular cover is absolutely legendary. Not only is it one of the best Bob Dylan covers out there, it’s one of the best covers out there period.

2. “Cūm on Feel the Noize” by Quiet Riot

English rock band Slade hit no. 1 on the charts when they released the song “Cūm on Feel the Noize” in 1973. However, Quiet Riot breathed new life into the song in 1983. They put a “modern” spin on the song that made it stand out, without diminishing the campy glory of the original track.

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3. “I Love Rock N Roll” by Joan Jett &The Blackhearts

When one thinks of the song “I Love Rock N Roll”, one usually thinks of the iconic rock star Joan Jett. However, some may not know that the 1981 cover was originally written and performed by the British rock band Arrows in 1975. Joan Jett fell in love with the song and covered it often during her live shows. This is a great example of a fan-covered song that is even better than the original.

4. “I Fought The Law” by The Clash

Punk rock outfit The Clash popularized the song “I Fought The Law” in 1979. However, the song was originally penned by Sonny Curtis of the band The Crickets in 1960. This isn’t the first time the song was covered, either. The Bobby Fuller Four covered it in 1965. However, The Clash’s version added a punk rock edge that Americans loved, helping the band gain some global attention outside of England.

5. “Miss Amanda Jones” by The March Violets

“Miss Amanda Jones” was originally a Rolling Stones song from the 1967 album Between The Buttons. Stones fans likely still remember the original song. However, younger fans of the track often associate it with The March Violets’ 1987 cover. The song was famously part of the soundtrack for Some Kind Of Wonderful.

Photo by David Redfern

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