7 Rock Covers That Blew the Originals Out of the Water!

Through the years — Source: Kurt Cobain of Nirvana (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)

Hold onto your leather jackets, rock fans we’re diving into the world of cover songs that didn’t just honor the originals, they obliterated them. These 7 killer rock covers took familiar tracks and cranked them to eleven, leaving audiences wondering, “Wait, who sang it first?!”

1. “All Along the Watchtower” – Jimi Hendrix (vs. Bob Dylan)
Let’s face it: Dylan wrote it, but Hendrix owned it. With wailing guitar solos and a psychedelic edge, Hendrix transformed Dylan’s haunting folk tune into a rock masterpiece. Even Dylan himself reportedly started performing Hendrix-style after hearing it.

1999 MTV Video Music Awards — Yes, Trent was in his High School jazz and marching band

2. “Hurt” – Johnny Cash (vs. Nine Inch Nails)
Technically country, but emotionally pure rock ‘n’ roll grit. Cash’s version stripped away Trent Reznor’s industrial edge and replaced it with raw, soul-crushing vulnerability. Reznor said it felt like the song “wasn’t mine anymore.” Enough said.

Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash on the set of CMT INSIDE FAME at their home in Jamaica. — The icon of cool. Cash in 2002

3. “Respect” – Aretha Franklin (vs. Otis Redding)
Otis brought the funk, but Aretha brought the fire. With just one word and a commanding voice, Franklin turned “Respect” into a feminist anthem bold, brassy and unforgettable. Otis admitted she “stole” his song and we’re thankful she did.

Nirvana Backstage — Photoshoot in toliet always works

4. “The Man Who Sold the World” – Nirvana (vs. David Bowie)
Bowie wrote it. Nirvana made it iconic, again. Performed during their 1993 MTV Unplugged set, Cobain’s haunting vocals and stripped-down melancholy gave new life to this Bowie deep cut. Even Bowie was impressed (and a little confused) by how young fans thought it was Nirvana’s song.

David Bowie en concert en 1987 — The Man With The Hippest (insert), no matter the year. David Bowie mid-80’s

Joan Jett & the Blackhearts perform on Broadway — Think of Joan and the hairspray in this photo

5. “I Love Rock ’n’ Roll” – Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (vs. The Arrows)
British band The Arrows wrote it, but Joan Jett immortalized it. Her sneering vocals and punk-laced guitar riffs made this anthem the go-to karaoke banger for generations. Sorry, Arrows this one’s hers now.

Soft Cell Film The 'Soul Inside' Video — They looked surprised that there is a large Nikon pointed at them

6. “Tainted Love” – Soft Cell (vs. Gloria Jones)
From obscure ‘60s soul hit to synth-pop stardom, Soft Cell’s eerie electronic spin turned “Tainted Love” into a new-wave staple. The original had groove but the cover had attitude.

Photo of O'Kelly ISLEY and Rudolph ISLEY and Marvin ISLEY and Ronald ISLEY and ISLEY BROTHERS and Ernie ISLEY and Chris JASPER — They did the jumpsuit way better than Elvis.

7. “Twist and Shout” – The Beatles (vs. The Isley Brothers)
Yes, the Isley Brothers rocked it first, but The Beatles blew the roof off. Lennon’s raspy, throat-shredding vocals turned the party up to eleven and sealed the song’s place in rock history.