The list focuses on pop, rock, R&B, country, and folk. I excluded classical, jazz, and blues covers, except in few cases where pop, rock or country artists covered a jazz standard or blues song. The list is presented in chronological order, with videos included. Part 1 contains 1-50. Part 2 contains 51-101.
- That’s All Right (1954) – Elvis Presley.
Original: Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup (1946).
2. Mystery Train (1955) – Elvis Presley.
Original: Junior Parker (1953).
3. Hound Dog (1956) – Elvis Presley.
Original: Big Mama Thornton (1953).
4. Twist and Shout (1963) – The Beatles.
Originals: Top Notes (1961); The Isley Brothers (1962).
5. Long Tall Sally (1964) – The Beatles.
Original: Little Richard (1956).
6. Not Fade Away (1964) – The Rolling Stones.
Original: Buddy Holly (1957).
7. It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue (1966) – Them.
Original: Bob Dylan (1965).
8. Try a Little Tenderness (1966) – Otis Redding
Originals: Ray Noble & His Orchestra (1932); Bing Crosby (1933).
9. Respect (1967) – Aretha Franklin.
Original: Otis Redding (1965).
10. Alabama Song (1967) – The Doors.
Original: Lotte Lenya (1930).
11. All Along the Watchtower (1968) – Jimi Hendrix.
Original: Bob Dylan (1967).
12. I Put a Spell on You (1968) – Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Original: Screamin’ Jay Hawkins (1956).
13. I Ain’t Superstitious (1968) – Jeff Beck Group (w/ Rod Stewart).
Original: Howlin’ Wolf (1961).
14. With a Little Help From My Friends (1969) – Joe Cocker.
Original: The Beatles (1967).
15. I Heard It Through the Grapevine (1970) – Creedence Clearwater Revival.
Originals: Gladys Knight & the Pips (1967); Marvin Gaye (1968).
16. Proud Mary (1970) – Ike & Tina Turner.
Original: Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969).
17. Will You Love Me Tomorrow (1971) – Carole King.
Original: The Shirelles (1960).
18. (I Know) I’m Losing You (1971) – Rod Stewart.
Original: The Temptations (1966).
19. One Way Out (1972) – The Allman Brothers.
Originals: Elmore James (1960); Sonny Boy Williamson II (1961).
20. Baby Don’t You Do It (as Don’t Do It) (1972) – The Band.
Original: Marvin Gaye (1964).
21. Baby Don’t You Do It (1972) – The Who.
Original: Marvin Gaye (1964).
22. America (1972) – Yes.
Original: Simon & Garfunkel (1968).
23. Take Me Home, Country Roads (1973) – Toots and the Maytals.
Original: John Denver (1971).
24. Willin’ (1974) – Linda Ronstadt.
Original: Little Feat (1971).
25. Angel from Montgomery (1974) – Bonnie Raitt.
Original: John Prine (1971).
26. Love Hurts (1974) – Gram Parsons (w/ Emmylou Harris).
Original: The Everly Brothers (1960).
27. I Shot the Sheriff (1974)– Eric Clapton.
Original: Bob Marley & the Wailers (1973).
28. When Will I Be Loved (1975) – Linda Ronstadt.
Original: The Everly Brothers (1960).
29. Stand by Me (1975) – John Lennon.
Original: Ben E. King (1961).
30. The Acid Queen (1975) – Tina Turner.
Original: The Who (1969).
31. Gloria (1975) – Patti Smith.
Original: Them (1964).
32. Runaway (1977) – Bonnie Raitt.
Original: Del Shannon (1961).
33. She’s Not There (1977) – Santana.
Original: The Zombies (1964).
34. Cocaine (1977) – Eric Clapton.
Original: J.J. Cale (1976).
35. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (1978) – Devo.
Original: The Rolling Stones (1965).
36. Take Me to the River (1978) – Talking Heads.
Original: Al Green (1974).
37. I’m Gonna Love You Too (1978) – Blondie.
Original: Buddy Holly (1957).
38. Money (1979) – The Flying Lizards.
Original: Barrett Strong (1959).
39. I Want You Back (1979) – Graham Parker.
Original: The Jackson Five (1969).
40. Downtown (1979) – The B-52’s.
Original: Petula Clark (1964).
41. I Fought the Law (1979) – The Clash
Originals: The Crickets (1960); Bobby Fuller Four (1965).
42. Stop Your Sobbing (1979) – Pretenders.
Original: The Kinks (1964).
43. Tears of a Clown (1979) – The English Beat.
Original: Smokey Robinson & the Miracles (1967).
44. In the Midnight Hour (1980) – Roxy Music.
Original: Wilson Pickett (1965).
45. It’s Bad For Me (1980) – The Roches.
Original: Ray Noble and His Orchestra (1933).
46. Jealous Guy (1981) – Roxy Music.
Original: John Lennon (1971).
47. Absolutely Sweet Marie (1983) – Jason and the Scorchers.
Original: Bob Dylan (1966).
48. Baby It’s You (1984) – Elvis Costello & Nick Lowe.
Original: The Shirelles (1961).
49. Jersey Girl (1984) – Bruce Springsteen
Original: Tom Waits (1980).
50. I Got You Babe (1985) – UB40 with Chrissie Hynde.
Original: Sonny & Cher (1965).
Go to Part 2.