20 Rock Covers That are Better Than the Original Song

1. “Make It” by Aerosmith (2007) – “Make It” by Aerosmith (1973)

This list begins with a band covering their own song. Make It appeared on Aerosmith’s 1973 self-titled debut record, for which the song and the record itself received little attention. Fast-forward to 2007, Aerosmith are rock legends and had the honor to be the featured band of Guitar Hero’s 2007 game; Guitar Hero Aerosmith. The band rerecorded the song for the game since the original masters were missing, giving it Aerosmith’s modern hard-rock edge, something it always deserved.

2. “Cum On Feel the Noize” by Quiet Riot (1983) – “Cum On Feel the Noize” by Slade (1973)

Quiet Riot’s Kevin DuBrow wasn’t too keen on recording the glam rock Slade song, as he wanted Metal Health‘s track list to be all originals. The band intended to record the song as badly as possible. The song went on to be their biggest hit at No. 5 on the U.S. charts, helping Metal Health reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 200. I can already feel my girlfriend staring daggers at me for Cum On Feel the Noize‘s inclusion here (big Slade fan).

3. “Helter Skelter” by Mötley Crüe (1983) – “Helter Skelter” by the Beatles (1968)

This may anger some classic rock purists, but it’s hard not to add Mötley Crüe’s Helter Skelter here. The song fits well with the Crüe’s darker and heavier sound, bolstered by exceptional vocals from Vince Neil and the excellent guitar play of Mick Mars.

4. “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jet & the Blackhearts (1981) – “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by the Arrows (1975)

Joan Jett first heard the song on the Arrows‘ weekly U.K. TV series in 1976 while with the Runaways. She recorded her own version with two members of the Sex Pistols in 1979, later rerecording the version we all know and love with her own band in 1981. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts‘ version of the track features more prominent lead guitar play and edgier vocals than the Arrows original.

5. “Blinded by the Light” by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band (1976) – “Blinded by the Light” by Bruce Springsteen (1973)

Bruce Springsteen is a legendary artist, with several iconic tracks from across his large discography, however, his only No. 1 song on the U.S. charts was Blinded by the Light – by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. The 1976 cover features the iconic synthesizer intro heard throughout the track, which makes it stand out from Springsteen’s original. Manfred Mann said in an interview that they got the idea for the synthesizer part from Supertramp‘s Dreamer.

6. “Black Magic Woman” by Santana (1970) – “Black Magic Woman” by Fleetwood Mac (1968)

Years before Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham took Fleetwood Mac into the stratosphere, the band released Black Magic Woman in 1968. Two years later, Santana released their cover as a single for Abraxas. Their version features the iconic guitar solo intro by the legendary Carlos Santana, followed by excellent bass playing by David Brown, congas by José Areas to give it some Latin-American feel and Gregg Rolie‘s smooth vocals. This song belongs to Santana in every way, minus the writing credits.

7. “Your Really Got Me” by Van Halen (1978) – “You Really Got Me” by the Kinks (1964)

The Kinks released You Really Got Me as their third single in 1964, making them international rock stars with their first No. 1 U.K. single and a No. 7 single in the U.S. 14 years later, Van Halen released their cover as their first single, pairing perfectly with Eruption and giving the song a hard-rock supercharge. While only reaching No. 36 on the U.S. charts, most Americans will probably point to Van Halen’s version as the superior these days. The Kinks’ Dave Davies didn’t like Van Halen’s version or Eddie Van Halen much either, likely due to the bitterness of the VH’s success with their cover, and some fans reportedly coming up to members of the band congratulating them for a “great Van Halen cover” when performing at their own shows.

8. “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” by Great White (1989) – “Once Bitten, Twice Shy” by Ian Hunter (1975)

Originally written and recorded by Ian Hunter, Once Bitten, Twice Shy was given new life at the end of the 1980s as a hair metal-infused hit. The Great White version of the song went up to No. 5 on the U.S. charts. It was the band’s biggest hit.

9. “The Ocean” by Tesla (1994) – “The Ocean” by Led Zeppelin (1973)

This is going to make some people mad; on we go. Originally intended to be on the band’s 1994 record Bust a Nut, Tesla‘s Led Zeppelin cover ended up on the 2008 compilation record Tesla – Gold. In defense of this inclusion, Tesla doesn’t retread the legendary Zeppelin track completely, as guitarist Frank Hannon ad-libs here and there with his shredding and Robert Plant‘s “la la la la la la la …” solo is replaced by and solid bass solo by Brian Wheat. Jeff Keith‘s raspy vocals seem to be perfect for this appropriately-polished and edgier version.

My girlfriend and I don’t argue much, but if we do, it’s likely over this take. I think I’m unintentionally getting her to hate Tesla.

Tesla (the band) deserves more love. If you liked this cover (as you should), check out their two volumes of Real to Reel, completely made up of some great cover tracks, almost enough for their own “better than the original” list. 

10. “When the Levee Breaks” by Led Zeppelin (1971) – “When the Levee Breaks” by Kansas Joe McCoy & Memphis Minnie (1929)

Speaking of Led Zeppelin, they’ve been known to … “borrow” songs, riffs and other pieces throughout parts of their discography, however that shouldn’t take away from what they achieved and how it impacted rock music. The band had an obvious appreciation for American blues music, and chose to cover When the Levee Breaks for Led Zeppelin IV, which was recorded 42 years prior in 1929 by Kansas Joe McCoy & Memphis Minnie. Jimmy Page‘s guitar play and Jon Bonham‘s drumming give the cover a lot of its own originality, while Plant stays relatively true to the original’s vocal style.

Want a sobering fact? We are farther away from 1971 in 2025 (54 years) than 1929 was from 1971. 

11. “Love Hurts” by Nazareth (1974) – “Love Hurts” by the Everly Brothers (1960)

The Scottish rockers took the Everly Brothers‘ country-pop hit and turned it into the ultimate ’70s-rock power ballad, synonymous with slow dancing across the world. Roy Orbison covered the song in 1961, but it’s clear Nazareth‘s song is the best version of the trio.

12. “All Along the Watchtower” by the Jimi Hendrix Experience (1968) – “All Along the Watchtower” by Bob Dylan (1967)

Recorded six months after Bob Dylan‘s original, Jimi Hendrix and his band took the folk song and made it into a psychedelic rock anthem. Rolling Stone ranked Hendrix’s rendition as 48th on their 2004 500 Greatest Songs of All Time list.

13. “Hound Dog” by Elvis Presley (1956) – “Hound Dog” by Big Momma Thornton

Elvis Presley took Big Momma Thornton‘s soulful blues song and turned it into one of the most-iconic rock and roll songs of the 1950s – and his discography for that matter.

14. “Twist and Shout” by the Beatles (1963) – “Twist and Shout” by the Top Notes (1961)

The Beatles took the Top Notes‘ 1961 single and took it in the direction of where 1960s rock and roll was heading. John Lennon was critical of his vocals on the track, recorded in one take, believing he could’ve sung it better. An attempt at a second take was abandoned due to his horse voice.

15. “Here I Go Again ’87” by Whitesnake (1987) – “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake (1982)

Released in 1982 as a single for Whitesnake’s Saints & Sinners record, the original version of Here I Go Again had a bluesier sound and charted in the U.S., but not very high. Geffen Records asked David Coverdale to redo the song for their 1987 record, Whitesnake, which landed the band their only No. 1 U.S. hit. The 1987 version is more polished, with more of a late-’80s hair metal sound, and a few lyrical changes to prevent misheard lyrics like in the 1982 version.

16. “California Girls” by David Lee Roth (1985) – “California Girls” by The Beach Boys (1965)

This might be a controversial one, by I think David Lee Roth‘s California Girls slightly edges out The Beach Boys‘ original as the better song. Roth’s rendition updates the song for the 1980s, while finding room for his love of show tunes and his “Diamond Dave” persona.

17. “Good Rockin’ Tonight” by Montrose (1973) – “Good Rockin’ Tonight” by Roy Brown (1947)

Sammy Hagar and Ronnie Montrose took Roy Brown‘s jump blues original, which would feel at home on a Fallout franchise soundtrack, and turned it into an early-’70s hard rock track perfect for those 1970s house parties. That first Montrose record deserves more than what it got as far as attention then and now.

18. “The Seeker” by Rush (2004) – “The Seeker” by The Who (1970)

This will anger many I’m sure, but Rush‘s 2004 version of The Who‘s The Seeker simply rocks harder and better than the original. The song is featured on their EP, Feedback, which is full of covers of songs that were inspirational to the band prior to their mid-1970s breakthrough. Do yourself a favor and give their version a listen!

19. “Call Me the Breeze” by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974) – “Call Me the Breeze” by J.J. Cale (1971)

Lynyrd Skynyrd took J.J. Cale‘s country rock song from his debut record and made it a southern rock classic for their 1974 album; Second Helping. The late Gary Rossington‘s exceptional guitar play sets these two versions vastly apart, and his solo probably deserves a place on a follow-up to my list of underrated guitar solos.

20. “Ain’t That a Shame [Live at Budokan]” (1978) – “Ain’t That a Shame?” by Fats Domino

 Fats Domino’s smooth rock and roller is a fantastic song, but Cheap Trick’s live cover from their legendary live album Cheap Trick at Budokan is the better version. Preceded by a long jam buildup, the Rockford, Illinois band turned it into a hard rock live stadium staple, often regarded as one of the band’s best songs.