Most of the time, a great song should not be touched. Like a great movie, they just shouldn’t be remade. Saying that, every so often a cover song comes out that is just as good (and sometimes even better) than the original. I’m also keeping it to one song per artist (some bands I like are known for all their covers), so I’m choosing the best one. I’m also keeping it to one cover a certain song. So here are my top 20 best cover songs.

20 – Without Me by Flight Paths
Original by Halsey (2018)

I didn’t even know this was a cover when I first heard it. But having listened to the original, I can easily say that this is the superior version.

Released as a single in 2018.

19 – Another Brick in the Wall by Korn
Original by Pink Floyd (1979)

I’m generally not a fan of prog rock, so it’s no surprise that I prefer this version to the original.

Released in 2004, from the album Greatest Hits Vol 1.

18 – Headhunter by Icon of Coil
Original by Front 242 (1988)

I like these two equally, and they’re different enough that it’s not repetitive.

Released in 2003, from the album Android.

17 – Umbrella by Vanilla Sky
Original by Rihanna (2007)

The video for this song is absolutely hilarious, but the song is actually surprisingly great.

Released in 2007, from the album Changes.

16 – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Marilyn Manson
Original by Eurythmics (1983)

I like the original, but this cover really is so much better. Manson also did a great cover of Depeche mode’s Personal Jesus.

Released in 1995, from the album Smells Like Children.

15 – Careless Whisper by Seether
Original by George Michael (1984)

This cover just takes all the longing and regret of the original and dials it up to 11.

Released in 2007, from the album Finding Beauty in Negative Spaces.

14 – The Sound of Silence by Disturbed
Original by Simon and Garfunkel (1964)

It’s kind of not fair to compare these two, they’re on different levels. Disturbed also did a great cover of Genesis’ Land of Confusion.

Released in 2015, from the album Immortalized.

13 – Stripped by Rammstein
Original by Depeche Mode (1986)

The original is a classic, but I do prefer this hard rock cover of it. Palaye Royale also did a good cover of this song.

Released in 1998, from the Depeche Mode tribute album For the Masses.

12 – Shape of You by Fame on Fire
Original by Ed Sheeran (2017)

I’m actually not a fan of the original, but this rock version is awesome.

Released as a single in 2017.

11 – Running Up That Hill by Placebo
Original by Kate Bush (1985)

Not a huge fan of the original, but then I do always prefer male voices.

Released in 2003, from the album Covers.

10 – Every Breath You Take by Chase Holfelder
Original by The Police (1983)

Finally, a version of this song that matches the lyrics. And people think this is a love song. Pfft…

Released in 2015, from the album Major to Minor Vol 1.

9 – The Man Who Sold the World by Nirvana
Original by David Bowie (1970)

I love David Bowie, but Nirvana’s version of this song kind of blows the original out of the water.

Released in 1994, from the album MTV Unplugged in New York.

8 – Radioactive by Bullet for My Valentine
Original by Imagine Dragons (2012)

These two songs are similar, but I prefer the singer from Bullet for My Valentine’s voice a lot more. It’s also harder than the original.

Released in 2018, from the album Gravity.

7 – Zombie by Bad Wolves
Original by The Cranberries (1994)

Definitely not better than the original, but this version still rocks hard.

Released in 2018, from the album Disobey.

6 – The Hills by Solence
Original by The Weeknd (2015)

The original is fine, but this hard rock cover is so much better.

Released as a single in 2016.

5 – Blue Monday by Orgy
Original by New Order (1983)

Not a huge fan of the original, but Orgy really made it theirs.

Released in 1998, from the album Candyass.

4 – Wicked Game by HIM
Original by Chris Isaak (1989)

The original of this song is smooth and sultry, and the cover is harder and louder. Which one is better? No idea.

Released in 1997, from the album Greatest Lovesongs Vol 666.

3 – Set Fire to the Rain by No Resolve
Original by Adele (2011)

I do love me some rock covers, don’t I? Adele’s version is good, but I much prefer the cover.

Released in 2021, from the album A New Beginning.

2 – Someone You Loved by Our Last Night, with I See Stars, The Word Alive, and Ashland
Original by Lewis Capaldi (2018)

The original is good, but, for me, this cover is much better. I love all the different voices together. Our Last Night also did an amazing cover of Billie Eilish’s When the Party’s Over.

Released as a single in 2019.

1 – Closer by Palaye Royale
Original by Nine Inch Nails (1994)

I’m just gonna say it: this cover is way better than the original. Also, singer Remington Leith is one of the most beautiful men on the planet, and this video does things to me…

Released in 2023, from the album Sextape.

And that’s it! Are your favourite covers on the list? If not, what are they? Let me know!

M.