25 Cover Songs That Missed the Mark: When Icons and Novices Collide

Covering classic songs is a tricky feat; sometimes, the results leave us cringing instead of appreciating the homage. Here’s a rundown of 25 cover songs that, despite good intentions or star power, failed to hit the mark. From questionable song choices to odd reinterpretations, these covers had music enthusiasts scratching their heads.

Table of Contents

25. “Dancing In The Street” – David Bowie and Mick Jagger

Even legends like David Bowie and Mick Jagger aren’t immune to cringe-worthy moments. Their 1985 cover of Martha and the Vandellas’ “Dancing In The Street” raised eyebrows with over-the-top visuals and vocals. Despite its odd debut, the star power pushed it to chart-topping success in the UK and the top 10 on the MarkMeets Hot 100 in the US.

24. “Sweet Child o’ Mine” – Sheryl Crow

Sheryl Crow’s rendition of Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child o’ Mine” for the Big Daddy (1999) soundtrack won a Grammy but fell short of capturing the original’s emotion. The coffee-house vibe left listeners questioning the necessity of the cover.

23. “911 Is a Joke” – Duran Duran

Duran Duran’s rap cover of Public Enemy’s “911 Is a Joke” in 1999, following their success with “White Lines,” felt out of place. The bluesy, jug-band sound and distorted vocals made it forgettable compared to their previous cover.

22. “Then He Kissed Me” – KISS

KISS took on The Crystals’ “Then He Kissed Me” in a more glam-rock fashion. While their energetic approach worked for them, it lacked the original’s attitude, falling short on their Decade of Decadence 81–91 compilation.

21. “Big Yellow Taxi” – Counting Crows

Counting Crows’ attempt to pop-up Joni Mitchell’s “Big Yellow Taxi” for the Two Weeks Notice (2002) soundtrack aimed at staying relevant but resulted in a forgettable modern-day soft rock rendition.

20. “Johnny B. Goode” – Judas Priest

Judas Priest’s cover of Chuck Berry’s “Johnny B. Goode” for the 1988 film Johnny Be Good felt like an attempt to maintain mainstream presence but lacked the edge and angst of the original.

19. “Three Little Birds” – Maroon 5

Maroon 5’s cover of Bob Marley’s “Three Little Birds” for a 2018 Hyundai commercial faced backlash for touching a classic. The pop-rock band’s rendition felt sacrilegious and lacked the reggae spirit of the original.

18. “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” – Sugar Ray

Sugar Ray’s take on Joe Jackson’s “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” from their 2003 album In the Pursuit of Leisure leaned towards a harder, up-tempo version but failed to capture the original’s essence.

17. “Zombie” – 93PUNX

Vic Mensa’s punk side project, 93PUNX, covered The Cranberries’ “Zombie” in 2019. While the project had quality aspects, this cover failed to stand out, lacking the punk edge of the original.

16. “Another Brick In The Wall, Parts 1-3″/”Goodbye Cruel World” – Korn

Korn’s 2004 take on Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick In The Wall” and “Goodbye Cruel World” aimed to add a nu-metal touch but faced criticism for lacking the original’s depth.

15. “Love Will Tear Us Apart” – Fall Out Boy

Fall Out Boy’s cover of Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” left critics unimpressed. The lack of originality and the pop-punk twist didn’t resonate well with fans of the iconic post-punk original.

14. “American Idiot” – 5 Seconds of Summer

5 Seconds of Summer’s poppier, distortion-fueled take on Green Day’s “American Idiot” failed to bring a fresh perspective to the iconic punk anthem, leaving fans questioning the need for the cover.

13. “School’s Out” – Krokus

Krokus’ cover of Alice Cooper’s “School’s Out” lacked the attitude that made the original anthem iconic. The 1986 rendition felt like a motionless take that failed to capture Cooper’s rebellious spirit.

12. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Take That

British boy band Take That, despite their instrumental skills, faced criticism for covering Nirvana’s groundbreaking “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” The pop act’s attempt fell short, reminding fans why certain songs are best left untouched.

11. “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” – Nickelback (w/ Kid Rock and Dimebag Darrell Abbott)

Nickelback’s cover of Elton John’s “Saturday Night’s Alright for Fighting” for the Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle (2003) soundtrack, featuring Kid Rock, failed to impress. Despite the star-studded lineup, the cover felt unnecessary.

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10. “American Pie” – Madonna

Madonna’s 2000 rendition of Don McLean’s “American Pie” for The Next Best Thing film aimed to bring a dance-pop twist but ended up sounding wrong. The attempt to bridge classic rock and modern pop received mixed reviews.

9. “These Boots Are Made for Walkin'” – Jessica Simpson

Jessica Simpson’s cover of Nancy Sinatra’s feminist anthem for The Dukes of Hazzard (2005) movie turned the classic into a country-dance number. Despite its commercial success, the cover left fans questioning the need for the rendition.

8. “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” – Britney Spears

Britney Spears’ 2002 cover of Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” for the film Crossroads leaned heavily on pop and dance elements. While Spears may have been a fan of the song, the cover lacked the rock grit of the original.

7. “Behind Blue Eyes” – Limp Bizkit

Limp Bizkit’s cover of The Who’s “Behind Blue Eyes” in 2003 received criticism for lacking the original’s sincerity. The nu-metal band’s attempt failed to capture the emotional depth of The Who’s classic.

6. “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” – William Shatner

William Shatner’s monologue-style cover of The Beatles’ “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” drew attention for all the wrong reasons. Released in 1968 as part of The Transformed Man album, Shatner’s interpretation became more of a punchline than a musical success.

5. “Papa Don’t Preach” – Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne’s pop-metal, lyrically-distorted cover of Madonna’s “Papa Don’t Preach” seemed like an attempt to capitalize on her fame from The Osbournes (2002-05). The cover left fans questioning the need for Osbourne’s musical venture.

4. “My Generation” – Hilary Duff

Hilary Duff’s bonus track cover of The Who’s “My Generation” on her 2004 self-titled album aimed to offer a unique take. However, the pop rendition felt out of place, lacking the iconic rebellious spirit of the original.

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3. “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” – Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton’s attempt to cover Rod Stewart’s “Do Ya Think I’m Sexy” resulted in a dance track that failed to impress. The cover aimed for a modern twist but ended up being more of a novelty than a musical success.

2. “Behind Blue Eyes” – Limp Bizkit

Nu-metal favorite Limp Bizkit, known for its unique cover of George Michael’s “Faith,” took on The Who’s classic “Behind Blue Eyes” in 2003. By this time, Limp Bizkit’s popularity had waned, and critics were quick to pan the effort. Even the presence of Halle Berry in the music video couldn’t salvage the cover from being dismissed, emphasizing that it’s often unwise to tamper with musical greatness.

1. “Imagine” – Gal Gadot and Friends

Gal Gadot and a group of celebrity friends attempted to bring hope during the COVID-19 pandemic with a cover of John Lennon’s “Imagine” in March 2020. Despite good intentions, the cover received criticism, with some describing it as “cringe.”

Conclusion

Even the most iconic and well-intentioned cover songs can miss the mark. From legendary artists to novices, the attempt to reinterpret classics sometimes falls flat, reminding us that certain songs are best left untouched. While some covers achieved commercial success, they faced backlash for lacking the original’s essence or failing to offer a fresh perspective. As music enthusiasts, we continue to cherish the timeless originals that shaped the music landscape.

Author Profile

Mark Boardman

Mark Boardman is an established showbiz journalist and freelance copywriter whose work has been published in Business Insider, Daily Mail, Bloomberg, MTV, Buzzfeed, and The New York Post, amongst other media. Often spotted on the red carpet at celebrity events and film screenings, Mark is a regular guest on BBC Radio London and in demand for his opinions on media outlets such as Newsweek, Daily Express, and OK! Magazine, as well as Heart radio, Capital FM, LBC, and Radio 2. His TV credits include ITV News, This Morning, BBC News, The One Show, Sky News, GB News, and Channel T4. Mark is a keen traveller having visited 40+ countries, and a devout sports fan who also attends as many gigs as he can across the capital when not rubbing shoulders with the stars. Email Mark@MarkMeets.com