Alan Garrigan ranks the ten best cover songs of all time
10) ‘MANY RIVERS TO CROSS’ BY UB40
From the album Labour of Love, 'Many Rivers to Cross' was originally by reggae artist Jimmy Cliff and was given new life by UB40’s upbeat rendition. This single peaked at number 16 on the UK Singles Chart.
9) ‘COUNTRY ROADS’ BY TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS
Originally known as ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’ by John Denver. Jamaican ska/reggae band Toots and the Maytals covered this song on their 1973 album In the Dark.
8) ‘SWEET DREAMS’ BY MARILYN MANSON
Marilyn Manson released this eerie cover of the 80s Eurythmics pop hit as the first single from Smells Like Children (1995), an EP of covers, remixes and interludes.
7) ‘PRESSURE DROP’ BY THE CLASH
This anthemic tune originally by The Maytals has been covered often, most notably by the Specials, Keith Richards, Izzy Stradlin and the Ju Ju Hounds, and of course The Clash.
6) ‘INTO THE MYSTIC’ BY GLEN HANSARD
As a young musician, one of Hansard’s major influences was fellow Irish musician Van Morrison, so it’s fitting for Hansard to take on this ballad with help from collaborator and ‘Once’ co-star, Markéta Irglová.
5) ‘LOVE IS BLINDNESS’ BY JACK WHITE
The Jack White rendition of this U2 song appears on the 2011 tribute album AHK-toong BAY-bi Covered, and was later released as a bonus track on the Japanese edition of White's Blunderbuss album.
4) ‘HURT’ BY JOHNNY CASH
In 2002, "Hurt" was covered by Johnny Cash to commercial and critical acclaim; it was the final single release before Cash’s death and has become cemented in the singer’s musical legacy.
3) ‘THE MAN WHO SOLD THE WORLD’ BY NIRVANA
The haunting Nirvana performance of this Bowie track was recorded in 1993 during their MTV Unplugged appearance, and it was released on their MTV Unplugged in New York album the following year.
2) ‘I PUT A SPELL ON YOU’ BY CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL
This version of the classic tune originally by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins, reached No. 58 on the U.S. Hot 100 in 1968. The band famously performed the song at the Woodstock Festival in 1969.
1) ‘ALL ALONG THE WATCHTOWER’ BY JIMMY HENDRIX
The Jimi Hendrix Experience began to record their eclectic version of Dylan's ‘All Along the Watchtower’ on January 21, 1968, at Olympic Studios in London and little did they know that the track would become a rock classic, adored by fans.