20 songs so good they can't have a bad cover version

Apologies to Jolene, but the girl really messed up. She rocked Dolly Parton so hard that she went home and penned “I Will Always Love You” and the best warning song, “Jolene” in the same session. Since dropping in 1973, it’s been a go-to for aspiring singers looking to showcase some attitude in their delivery. In recent years, the likes of Parton’s goddaughter, Miley Cyrus and the Beyonce have helped keep Jolene on her toes, wherever she may be.

“Love Yourself," one of Justin Bieber’s best, took him from a tween icon to a pop mainstay. Evolved pop with a chilled approach that’s granted artists like Ed Sheeran (which makes sense since this song was written by Sheeran), Halsey, and Alessia Cara well when they did their own renditions over the years.

Michael Jackson left the world an abundance of magic when it comes to music, including “Man in the Mirror.” It’s the song that comes on in the car and instantly makes everyone a — Sabrina Carpenter voice — singer. However, when done by professionals like American Idol winner Kris Allen or Glee, it never misses its mark.

Another way an artist knows they’ve got a great song? It’s utilized repeatedly on shows like The Voice and often lands the hopeful contestant a coach.

The reason “Cruel Summer” works with a lot of artists is the chorus. It’s “crank it up, we’re all singing right now” good. Something that artists like Teddy Swims and G Flip have showcased with their fabulous covers of this Taylor Swift favorite.

It’s hard to pin down that singular Foo Fighters song that everyone loves, but chances are “My Hero” ranks pretty high. It’s been a favorite of presidential candidates since 1998 and holds a special meaning to fans, even more so after the band lost drummer Taylor Hawkins in 2022. At a tribute show, the band was joined by Hawkins’ son on drums. It was a moment for sure, and as for covers? It’s the type of song that never fails to evoke emotions, whether done by the original band or the likes of Grammy winners Paramore.

If there is a cover that will always tear at the heartstrings, it’s “Stay With Me.” Originally done beautifully by Sam Smith, it’s been redone by almost everyone with access to a mic from P!nk to T-Pain.

In reality, Cyndi Lauper’s version of “Girls Just Wanna Have Fun” is a cover of Robert Hazard’s 1979 song. However, everyone knows her version, so that’s the one many have tackled when covering the upbeat feminist anthem like George Ezra and the woman who takes people’s songs and truly makes them her own, Kelly Clarkson.  

“Creep” by Radiohead is one of the signature songs of the ‘90s, but because of its depth and haunting ways, it’s continued to be a favorite among the masses. That could also be in part due to the countless covers out there from everyone including VINCINT, Pentatonix, and Jim Carrey. Yes, that Jim Carrey.

John Lennon was an incredible songwriter, and the world will never know how he would’ve reacted to celebrities using “Imagine” during 2020 for…peace on Earth or something, one can imagine that he’d enjoy all the actual covers done since 1971. That includes Lady Gaga and the late Chris Cornell.

“Fast Car” is one of those songs that when one sings it, they sing it like they wrote every word. They are that person working at the convenience store for a little bit of money. It’s a song that so many artists hold close to their hearts, too, like Luke Combs, who got to sing it alongside Tracy Chapman at the 2024 Grammys. He’s not the only one, though. Sam Smith and Khalid have also poured their hearts into this speeding track.

Phil Collins never messes around, whether it be with Genesis or on Disney’s Tarzan soundtrack. However, when he rode solo with “Against All Odds,” he truly soared to new heights and brought a bonafide power ballad to the table, one that someone like Mariah Carey could take and give a masterful makeover. Something she did on 1999’s Rainbow. She’s just one example. YouTube is full of others who have beat the odds and made this song all their own.

Lewis Capaldi is a rather new artist in comparison, having released his debut single in 2017. However, it wasn’t until a year and several songs later that he broke through with “Someone You Loved.” An instant hit, it’s been covered by Charlie Puth and Camila Cabello, and for those who want to have their hormones rocked, check out the Jonas Brothers version. Nick Jonas has no right to sound that good.

Fleetwood Mac ensured they’d never cease to exist in this world with “Landslide.” A song that is perfect from start to finish, proved by the opening line, “I took my love, I took it down.” If an artist can dominate that line then the rest is gravy, and bands like alt-rockers Bush and The Chicks did that with their versions.

‘90s country music was on another level. Garth, Shania, Brooks & Dunn. It didn’t get better than that, and the latter was especially delivering with their stellar 1991 debut that featured “Neon Moon.” Songwriting excellence, “Neon Moon” has gotten better with age, thanks to country stars of today, like Carrie Underwood and Kacey Musgraves, sharing the song's excellence with the world.

Joni Mitchell is the personification of a masterclass when it comes to songwriting. An inspiration to so many artists that have followed her, it’s no wonder people like Harry Styles and the Counting Crows have done their best to pay their respects to her by doing one of her best, “Big Yellow Taxi,” just as well as she.

Although Leonard Cohen originally wrote and released “Hallelujah,” the song didn’t gain momentum until it became a popular song to cover thanks to a couple of artists in the ‘90s, John Cale and Jeff Buckley. After Buckley, it was hard not to hear this song and immediately get emotional, whether it was Bon Jovi or LeAnne Rimes.

The Cranberries’ Dolores O'Riordan had one of the most expressive voices of the ‘90s, so it’s hard to match. Still, several artists took it upon themselves to try while paying homage to one of the Irish band’s best, “Dreams,” like country star Kelsea Ballerini and the powerhouse that is Chappell Roan.

Percy Sledge didn’t have to go so hard when he dropped “When a Man Loves a Woman” in the ‘60s, but he did just that, and the song, rightfully, went to the top of the charts. A new generation would make that song number one again in the ‘90s after Michael Bolton covered it. Between the two, one would think those are the only pair that could execute this love song so well, but artists like Bette Midler and Seal have proven that when one can belt it, they can do awesome things with this Sledge classic.

Janis Joplin wasn’t about the angelic vocals. No, she was rock and roll to the core, which makes singing along to “Piece of My Heart” more fun because it is supposed to have some grit but a lot of heart. Something that both Steven Tyler and Joss Stone brought to the table when they decided to give a piece of themselves to this track.