35 Terrible Classic Rock Covers

It is not straightforward to cowl a music that is already legendary, however that does not cease individuals from making an attempt.

Whereas some remakes do a formidable job of each honoring the unique whereas discovering a option to be distinctive, the overwhelming majority of canopy songs fall flat. It is not like an act goes out of the best way to remake a tune they hate. They virtually all the time have their hearts in the precise place. As a rule, they’re performing the music as a result of they’ve a connection to the monitor, as a result of the tune itself or the artist who made it was influential in their very own profession.

Sadly, good intentions don’t make a remake any good. Many very proficient musicians have failed of their makes an attempt to at cowl songs – and the listing under proves it. Listed here are 35 horrible basic rock covers:

Mick Jagger and David Bowie, “Dancing within the Road”
Two rock legends, bringing their unbelievable musical skills collectively. You’d count on one thing transcendent, however as an alternative, we received a punchline. Mick Jagger and David Bowie’s rendition of “Dancing within the Road” has routinely been panned for its normal ridiculousness, each for the recording itself and in its excessively campy music video. Sure, the only raised cash for charity, and sure, it was in style, peaking at No. 7 on the Billboard Sizzling 100. However “Dancing within the Road” stays an embarrassing second within the careers of two undisputed icons, and even their most ardent followers would agree it should not have been made. (As Peter Griffin as soon as stated on Household Man, “That occurred and all of us let it occur.”)

The Treatment, “Purple Haze”
A sequence of well-known artists celebrated the work of Jimi Hendrix in 1993 with the tribute album Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix. The liner notes said that “artists had been inspired to not solely file one in every of their private favorites but in addition to position their stamp on Jimi’s songs.” Perhaps they need to have rethought that second half. The Treatment, an unbelievable act in their very own proper, went a bit too far with their interpretation of “Purple Haze.” With copious layers of synths, drum machines, samples and ambient noise, the well-known music was barely recognizable. Hendrix was reportedly a childhood hero of Robert Smith, inspiring him to type a band. We’ll chalk the Treatment’s rendition of “Purple Haze” up as a failed try to have a good time their musical idol.

Gal Gadot and Associates, “Think about”
It was the cringe second heard world wide. Within the early days of the COVID pandemic, actress Gal Gadot took to social media and delivered a rendition of John Lennon’s “Think about.” She recruited an extended listing of movie star pals to take part, together with Kristen Wiig, Sarah Silverman, Jimmy Fallon, Natalie Portman, Pedro Pascal, Will Ferrell and Cara Delevingne. Gadot all the time insisted the quilt was supposed to elevate individuals’s spirits, nevertheless it as an alternative drew the ire of hundreds of thousands. Widespread complaints included the vacuous message and that the self-important celebrities appeared woefully out of contact with what was occurring with most of the people on the time.

U2, “Lucky Son”
From a thematic standpoint, the thought of proudly socially acutely aware U2 overlaying Creedence Clearwater Revival’s basic anti-war music “Lucky Son” made worlds of sense. In execution, nevertheless, issues fell aside. Bono modified the vocal key, making his rendition way more monotonous than the unique. In the meantime, the Edge’s hovering, arena-ready guitar tone works nicely on U2’s originals however sounds miscast on the CCR hit.

Cyndi Lauper, “What’s Going On”
Marvin Gaye’s 1971 basic took an extended take a look at society – race riots, struggle abroad, poverty – and requested the straightforward but poignant query, “What’s occurring?” We discover ourselves asking related questions as we hearken to Cyndi Lauper’s 1986 remake: What’s occurring right here? Why are there so many synths on this music? Is she doing jazz scat? Who thought this was a good suggestion?

Counting Crows, “Huge Yellow Taxi”
Joni Mitchell’s 1970 music “Huge Yellow Taxi” took an earnest take a look at people’ results on nature and the surroundings. Within the well-known refrain, she notes that industrialization “paved paradise and put up a car parking zone.” In some ways, Counting Crows’ 2002 cowl echoed the music’s themes within the worst doable approach: They took one thing stunning and made it chilly, industrial and lifeless. That didn’t cease the quilt from being in style. Regardless of usually being listed among the many worst songs of the yr by critics, Counting Crows’ model of “Huge Yellow Taxi” hit No. 42 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 and was licensed gold within the U.S.

Motley Crue, “Anarchy within the U.Ok.”
Nikki Sixx has been a proud Intercourse Pistols fan for many years. Moreover singing their praises, he performed on Pistols guitarist Steve Jones’ 1989 album Fireplace and Gasoline. Perhaps that’s the place the adoration ought to have ended. As a substitute, Motley Crue coated their basic music “Anarchy within the U.Ok.” for the 1991 compilation album Decade of Decadence. Motley Crue could also be unquestionably rebellious however they aren’t punk, and the stylistic variations stand out dramatically. Additionally problematic: Motley Crue’s makes an attempt at altering the lyrics to suit a U.S. viewers.

Limp Bizkit, “Religion”
It was the pink Yankees hat that launched a thousand ships. Limp Bizkit, a nu-metal rock band that may briefly go mainstream, scored their first hit by overlaying George Michael’s “Religion.” “I really like George Michael and determined to cowl ‘Religion’ for enjoyable. We love to do actually aggressive variations of tacky pop hits,” frontman Fred Durst defined to Billboard. The music was launched in 1998, the identical yr Michael was arrested for “partaking in a lewd act” in a public park restroom. “I did not count on him to get busted in that rest room however his misfortune really helped us. We could not ask for extra of a buzz,” Durst admitted. However one listener was not a fan of Limp Bizkit’s cowl, which featured screaming, guitar scratching and an extra of aggression. “What we’ve heard from George Michael’s individuals is that he hates it and hates us for doing it,” Limp Bizkit guitarist Wes Borland stated again then. “He apparently actually despises it.”

Limp Bizkit, “Behind Blue Eyes”
Yep, they are a second offender. Limp Bizkit overlaying “Behind Blue Eyes” could be dangerous sufficient, however Fred Durst and firm took issues a step additional and significantly altered the Who basic. Limp Bizkit added a brand new verse, an additional refrain and even made the peculiar alternative to make use of a Converse & Spell – the robotic youngsters’s toy E.T. used to speak together with his house planet – within the music’s bridge. The outcomes obtained some average radio airplay, however had been roundly panned upon launch.

Sugar Ray, “Is She Actually Going Out With Him?”
After all, Sugar Ray is a straightforward goal. They are a relic of the flip of the millennium, when it was briefly trendy to have frosted suggestions. The group’s reputation was already starting to dwindle by 2003, once they coated Joe Jackson’s “Is She Actually Going Out With Him?” The unique, launched in 1978, was a tongue-in-cheek monitor about beautiful girls shacking up with ugly males, Sugar Ray frontman Mark McGrath didn’t appear to understand the joke. As a substitute, his vocals had been straight forward and humorless, with backing by acoustic guitar and a few incessant file scratching. Swing and a miss.

Puddle of Mudd, “A few Lady”
One other one which went viral for all of the improper causes. Puddle of Mudd carried out an acoustic cowl of Nirvana’s “A few Lady” in January 2020 for SiriusXM. Frontman Wes Scantlin clearly struggled with the monitor, singing off key and straining for the notes. Slightly than cease the efficiency, Scantlin appeared to double down, making an attempt to drive much more emotion into his vocals. It sounded painful. The video was circulated all around the world, with many viewers commenting on how dangerous it was. Scantlin later admitted remorse. “I used to be acclimating and it was a tiring day,” Scantlin informed Songfacts, “and I had already carried out 5 or 6 songs at one time. By the point I received to that one — which I should not even have finished as a result of I can not nail that music — I used to be just a little drained. It seemed and seemed like whole shit.” No argument right here.

Madonna, “American Pie”
Regardless of being generations aside, Madonna seen Don McLean’s 1971 hit “American Pie” as a “millennium music.” “We’re going by means of a giant change when it comes to the best way we view popular culture, due to the Web,” Madonna stated in 2000, because the music was launched. “In a approach, it is like saying goodbye to music as we knew it — and to popular culture as we knew it.” However, Madonna’s match undoubtedly felt like a sq. peg in a spherical gap.

Celine Dion and Anastacia, “You Shook Me All Night time Lengthy”
VH1 continued its in style Divas live performance sequence in Could 2002 at Las Vegas with a lineup that includes pop star Celine Dion, nation act Dixie Chicks, R&B singer Mary J. Blige and worldwide famous person Shakira. Such an occasion hardly appeared applicable for an AC/DC cowl, however for some cause Dion deemed it the right event to interrupt out a rendition of “You Shook Me All Night time Lengthy.” Spoiler alert: It wasn’t. The replace, which featured an look by Anastacia, was awkwardly misplaced in the course of the present. After all, it didn’t assist that Dion’s soprano voice was ill-suited for AC/DC’s hard-rock growl.

R.E.M., “Toys within the Attic”
It pains us to place R.E.M. on this listing. However why did they must cowl Aerosmith’s “Toys within the Attic”? The selection was unusual and the bands’ respective kinds made for uncomfortable bedfellows. On some stage, R.E.M. will need to have recognized that. The music wasn’t launched till the 1987 rarities album, Useless Letter Workplace. Nonetheless, Setlist.fm reveals that R.E.M. performed “Toys within the Attic” usually in live performance from 1984-86. “Should you grew up within the ’70s, you appreciated Aerosmith,” Peter Buck famous within the Useless Letter Workplace liner notes. “This one is all the time enjoyable to play reside.”

Hilary Duff, “My Era”
Somebody – seemingly wearing an costly go well with and sitting in a Disney board assembly – raised their hand and urged that Hilary Duff of Lizzie McGuire fame ought to remake the Who’s “My Era.” Slightly than getting fired, that individual’s concept was taken to coronary heart, as Duff recorded a saccharine pop rendition throughout classes for her 2004 self-titled album. The duvet was mercifully saved off the U.S. model, however was included on the LP in Japan and has made the rounds on-line ever since.

Take That, “Smells Like Teen Spirit”
Take That coated Nirvana’s grunge anthem “Smells Like Teen Spirit” throughout their 1995 set at Earl’s Court docket in London. Many features right here make no sense, starting from the bubblegum pop voices on a decidedly anti-pop monitor, to frontman Mark Owen’s pre-song query: “Are you prepared for some rock ‘n’ roll?” Nirvana’s mainstream success was sparked by their riot towards company entities – corresponding to pre-fabricated boy bands. This entire cowl is the stuff of Kurt Cobain’s nightmares.

Ugly Child Joe, “Cat’s within the Cradle”
Ugly Child Joe was one of many extra nondescript acts to emerge from the ‘90s. Not fairly grunge and never fairly metallic, their sound was extra aligned with angsty-alternative acts of the period. The group’s sophomore album, America’s Least Wished, included a canopy of Harry Chapin’s 1974 chart-topper “Cat’s within the Cradle.” Whereas the unique was a heartfelt folk-rock basic, Ugly Child Joe turned it into – you guessed it – an angsty-alternative tune. In doing so, they stripped the music of its soul, however that didn’t cease Ugly Child Joe’s rendition from turning into a success. The one peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard Sizzling 100 and have become probably the most profitable single of their profession.

Avril Lavigne, “Think about”
Amnesty Worldwide put collectively an album in 2007 to assist these struggling on account of the continued struggle in Darfur. The mission featured an all-star listing of musicians overlaying the work of John Lennon. Unbelievable materials plus a noble trigger, what might go improper? For starters, “Think about” was handed to pop-punk princess Avril Lavigne. It is not honest to be too laborious on her – this was a charity album, in spite of everything – however Lavigne’s rendition was so weak and unemotional that it rendered one of many best songs ever written completely forgettable.

Orgy, “Blue Monday”
If anybody needed a 9 Inch Nails-sounding reinterpretation of New Order’s largest industrial hit, they need to have simply requested Trent Reznor. As a substitute, nu-metal group Orgy took it upon themselves to cowl the monitor in 1998. The consequence, like a lot of the materials from that awkward transition interval from the late ‘90s to the early 2000s, is finest left within the archives of music nobody must revisit.

Rockwell, “Taxman”
Hundreds of acts, each well-known and never, have coated the Beatles through the years. Nobody can do the official math, nevertheless it’s honest to guess that lower than 10% of them really do the supply materials justice. However, do not give a go to Rockwell, the one-hit-wonder recognized for his 1984 single “Anyone’s Watching Me.” It’s not simply that his cowl of “Taxman” is dangerous – which, make no mistake, it’s. There’s additionally one thing much more infuriating about Rockwell, the son of multimillionaire Motown mogul Berry Gordy, singing a music about monetary hardship.

Marilyn Manson, “Candy Goals (Are Manufactured from This)”
It is simple to see what Marilyn Manson was going for right here. There’s one thing undoubtedly stunning about Eurythmics’ “Candy Goals (Are Manufactured from This)” being reinterpreted as a darkish and twisted industrial monitor. Manson’s cowl turned a breakout hit, incomes him substantial radio airplay. In the meantime, the tune’s nightmarish music video caught the eye of MTV, who put it into their late-night rotation. However all of these items distract from one crucial reality: This replace isn’t excellent. Behind his make-up, costumes and disturbing imagery, Manson is simply making noise for the sake of creating noise. There’s no goal, and the juxtaposition of heartbreak and hope that was discovered within the authentic is wasted in Manson’s fingers.

Cat Energy, “I Can’t Get No (Satisfaction)”
This was so near being good. For Cat Energy’s fifth album, the proficient Atlanta singer-songwriter opted for an all-covers launch. The opening monitor was a rendition of the Rolling Stones’ “(I Cannot Get No) Satisfaction,” and Cat Energy did a valiant job making her model sound totally different than virtually every other cowl on the market. With a simplistic, sluggish lilt, she combined indie rock with a slight nation twang, creating an replace that was each partaking and just a little haunting. So what’s the issue? Properly, for causes nonetheless unknown, Cat Energy selected to go away out the music’s well-known hook. When listeners get to the purpose within the music the place the refrain ought to kick in, they’re greeted by empty house. There could also be no extra irritating cowl ever recorded – however, wait, was that the purpose all alongside? Does this cowl solely exist in order that nobody will get any satisfaction?

Judas Priest, “Johnny B. Goode”
The crew behind the 1988 teen comedy Johnny Be Good turned to Judas Priest once they wanted an replace of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode.” Priest had made a mistake by turning down an opportunity to seem on the Prime Gun soundtrack two years earlier than, in order that they jumped at a second likelihood to be a part of a significant movement image. Sadly, the pairing didn’t work. Regardless of well-known solid members Robert Downey Jr., Anthony Michael Corridor and Uma Thurman, Johnny Be Good was a field workplace flop. Judas Priest’s model of “Johnny B. Goode” wasn’t significantly better.

Smash Mouth, “I am a Believer”
You possibly can blame an enormous inexperienced ogre for bringing this cowl into the world. Featured on the soundtrack to Shrek, Smash Mouth’s rendition of the Monkees’ “I’m a Believer” manages to be corny and cringey on the identical time. Frontman Steve Harwell’s vocals really feel utterly misplaced on the monitor, and the makes an attempt at a retro sound – one thing Smash Mouth mined a number of different occasions – appear completely phony. It’s like somebody grabbed a Casio keyboard, switched the pre-set to “’60s pop,” then hit file. Nonetheless, the quilt of “I’m a Believer” was an enormous success, reaching No. 25 on the Billboard Sizzling 100. Mercifully, it was Smash Mouth’s final hit.

The Ataris, “Boys of Summer season”
The Ataris pop-punk band out of Indiana up to date Don Henley’s 1984 solo hit for his or her 2003 album So Lengthy, Astoria. This was solely supposed to be an album monitor, however when influential Los Angeles radio station KROQ started to play it, the quilt quickly took off. “Boys of Summer season” turned the largest hit of the Ataris’ profession, peaking at No. 20 on the Billboard Sizzling 100. Henley admitted he wasn’t thrilled with a lyric change the band made – switching “Deadhead sticker on a Cadillac” to “Black Flag sticker.” He additionally urged the Ataris had been ungrateful for his or her lone mainstream hit. “They weren’t excellent songwriters — they usually put out an album, and the one music that folks would wish to hear once they did a live performance was ‘Boys of Summer season,’” Henley informed the Montreal Gazette. “And the lead singer apparently received so offended about it that he had a T-shirt made that stated ‘Who the fuck is Don Henley?’, or ‘Who the hell is Don Henley?’ or one thing like that. And he would apparently put on that on stage … and I believed that was actually infantile.”

Kelly Osbourne, “Papa Don’t Preach”
The Osbournes are, in fact, one of the crucial well-known and beloved households in heavy metallic historical past. Nonetheless, Kelly Osbourne’s cowl of Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach” does not get a crucial go. Launched in 2002 on the top of the Osbourne’s actuality TV fame, the replace seemed to capitalize on Kelly’s newfound movie star. To that finish, it was a hit: “Papa Don’t Preach” loved ample publicity within the U.S. and even went Prime 5 in a number of nations. Nonetheless, the entire thing felt extremely pressured. Then tv executives shoved it down the general public’s throat by scheduling a efficiency in the course of the MTV Film Awards.

Godsmack, “Rocky Mountain Manner”
Godsmack included a canopy of Joe Walsh’s “Rocky Mountain Manner” as a bonus monitor on their reside album Stay & Impressed in 2012. The consequence was understandbly jarring – like seeing your buttoned-down mother abruptly come house coated in tattoos, sporting a leather-based gown and spiked choker. Propulsive drums, sludgy riffage, Sully Erna’s guttural howl – none of Godsmack’s components match nicely with Walsh’s basic. No less than they saved the talkbox.

Disturbed, “The Sound of Silence”
Simon & Garfunkel had been one of the crucial well-known folks rock duos in historical past, recognized for his or her expressive and deeply private songs. Disturbed is the abrasive metallic act whose most well-known lyric is “oh, ah, ah, ah, ah” from 2000’s “Down With the Illness.” Stylistically, the 2 acts couldn’t be extra totally different, however Disturbed frontman David Draiman however holds Simon & Garfunkel in excessive regard. Disturbed’s cowl “The Sound of Silence” caught lots of people off guard, particularly in live performance. “The Disturbed fanbase sometimes reacted in a mixture of elation and shock. A lot of individuals had been very into it. Some individuals instantly known as it a sell-out transfer,” Draiman informed Kerrang, including that his replace “launched a complete new era of followers to the brilliance of Simon & Garfunkel.” Disturbed’s model was a shock hit, reaching No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Chart and No. 42 on the Billboard Sizzling 100. Nonetheless, its overdramatic association is just a little a lot. Stick to the delicate genius of the unique.

One Course, “One Manner or One other”
If this listing makes something clear, it’s that rock songs coated by pop teams not often prove good. On one stage, One Course cannot be blamed for overlaying Blondie’s “One Manner or One other.” The unique is implausible, and One Course recorded their model to lift funds for Comedian Aid. However this sugary pop model rips out the sultry enchantment of the 1979 authentic. In yet one more head-scratching transfer, Harry Types’ former group additionally interpolated a part of “Teenage Kicks,” a music by the Undertones punk group, into this replace.

Britney Spears, “I Love Rock ’N Roll”
“They requested me to sing karaoke within the film Crossroads, and I’ve really sung ‘I Love Rock’ ’N Roll’ in a whole lot of golf equipment that I have been to,” Britney Spears as soon as stated, and that rationalization really makes a whole lot of sense. Her rendition of Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ’N Roll” completely comes throughout like a karaoke efficiency. To nobody’s shock, Jett refused to hearken to the monitor. “I’ve by no means even heard Britney’s model,” she informed NME. “I imply, I’ve clearly heard about it, however I by no means understood that entire concept. I imply, individuals normally cowl a music that claims one thing about them, however I doubt she loves rock ‘n’ roll.”

Nickelback that includes Child Rock, “Saturday Night time’s Alright for Preventing”
Elton John’s authentic model of “Saturday Night time’s Alright for Preventing” was a vigorous piano-based tune, harkening again to such early rock pioneers as Jerry Lee Lewis and Little Richard. Nickelback’s model doesn’t function a piano in any respect. That isn’t essentially the rationale for its inclusion, nevertheless it actually doesn’t assist. Launched on the soundtrack to 2003’s Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle, this replace is essentially generic and forgettable. Child Rock makes an look, a number of of the lyrics are modified – as a result of Rock simply has to inform us he’s ingesting “a fifth of Jack” – and the entire thing is an assault to the senses. Nonetheless, the only is nearly saved by a blistering guitar solo courtesy of Pantera’s Dimebag Darrell. Virtually.

The Used, “Burning Down the Home”
A part of what makes the Speaking Heads’ 1983 single “Burning Down the Home” so interesting is its many layers. The music has components of funk, new wave and artwork rock. David Byrne’s lyrics are partaking but cryptic, inviting repeat listens in an try to crack the code. These particulars assist make it chic, whereas the 2009 remake by the Used emo-punk band has all of the subtlety of a Micheal Bay film. Facet be aware: The duvet was launched on the soundtrack to Bay’s Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. What a coincidence!

Paris Hilton, “Do Ya Assume I’m Attractive”
Most individuals don’t join music and the title Paris Hilton, however the lodge heiress and actuality TV star really launched a full-length album in 2006 – titled Paris, in fact. It was panned and justifiably forgotten, however the creme de la crap was Hilton’s cowl of Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Assume I am Attractive.” The 1978 single has lengthy been seen as a turning level in Stewart’s profession, the place he deserted his blues-rock roots to delve into disco. Nonetheless, the unique “Do Ya Assume I am Attractive” appears deeply inventive in comparison with Hilton’s horrible replace, full with woeful singing and lame manufacturing.

5 Seconds of Summer season, “American Fool”
Inexperienced Day’s 2004 music “American Fool” was arguably the loudest post-millennium protest music. Bassist Mike Dirnt described it as “a name for individuality,” whereas frontman Billie Joe Armstrong admitted it was written in response to George W. Bush-era politics. So, it will make little sense for a boy band to cowl the fiery “American Fool,” but 5 Seconds of Summer season however did so on their 2014 EP Amnesia. The outcomes actually could possibly be worse – no less than this boy band performs their very own devices! – however 5 Seconds of Summer season’s cowl is lacking all the drive of the unique.

Rob Zombie, “Blitzkrieg Bop”
Johnny Ramone was approached with the thought of a Ramones tribute album in 2003, as he was within the midst of his battle with prostate most cancers. He agreed, beneath the stipulation that he might have full management of the mission. Ramone then tagged Rob Zombie to be his right-hand man. Collectively, they co-produced We’re a Completely happy Household: A Tribute to Ramones, with Zombie drawing the quilt artwork and recruiting lots of his well-known pals to contribute – together with Eddie Vedder, Metallica, Kiss, Purple Sizzling Chili Peppers, the Pretenders, Inexperienced Day and extra. Sadly, Zombie’s personal contribution, a canopy of “Blitzkrieg Bop,” is disappointing. He slowed the tune down, turning it right into a grinding industrial monitor. With out the frenetic vitality of the unique, the charms of “Blitzkrieg Bop” are misplaced. Kudos to Zombie for his efforts on the mission, however maybe he ought to have simply stayed behind the scenes.

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