The Art of Cover Versions: When Artists Get it Wrong

Cover versions can be a source of delight for music enthusiasts. They offer artists a chance to pay tribute to their influences or put a unique spin on a well-loved song. These reimagined tracks can be a pleasant addition to an album or a lively surprise in a live set. Sometimes, a successful cover version can even propel an artist’s career to new heights, winning them new fans and critical acclaim. However, in the ever-evolving landscape of music, not all cover versions hit the right note. Some renditions are unintentionally humorous, while others are painfully off-key. Furthermore, some cover songs, both good and bad, can be met with disdain from the artists who penned the original. In this article, we explore ten cover versions that were despised by the original artists who created them.

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Van Halen’s Take on “You Really Got Me” (1978)

The Kinks’ 1964 hit, “You Really Got Me,” is hailed as one of the earliest heavy metal tracks, thanks to guitarist Dave Davies’ iconic riff. Nevertheless, when Van Halen released their flashy version in 1978, it didn’t sit well with Kinks’ singer and songwriter, Ray Davies, who also happened to be Dave Davies’ brother. Ray’s unimpressed reaction was articulated in an interview with Classic Rock in 2010: “It was very Middle America. It was like, ‘Hey man, look at me with my tight trousers! Here’s our version of ‘You Really Got Me’!” Dave Davies was equally critical, emphasizing that good art isn’t solely about technical prowess.

Eagles’ Rendition of “Ol’ 55” (1974)

Tom Waits, the boozy bohemian singer-songwriter, had a couple of moderately successful albums under his belt when the Eagles decided to cover his nostalgic piano ballad, “Ol’ 55,” on their 1974 album, “On The Border.” Although Waits found it flattering that someone wanted to cover his song, he couldn’t help but feel that the Eagles’ rendition was somewhat sterile. While cashing the substantial royalty check probably softened the blow, it’s clear that Waits was not entirely pleased with the outcome.

Mötley Crüe’s Take on “Anarchy In The UK” (1991)

A word of advice to American bands: steer clear of “Anarchy In The UK.” Both Megadeth and Mötley Crüe learned this the hard way. Megadeth’s cover was infamous for its mangled lyrics, but Mötley Crüe’s version took the cake for unintentional humor. When they debuted it at the 1990 Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donnington, the crowd erupted in laughter. Ex-Sex Pistols singer John Lydon couldn’t contain his amusement, describing Mötley Crüe’s version as “hilarious.” Despite the mockery, Lydon didn’t object strongly enough to halt the cover, remarking that it was making him easy money.

Limp Bizkit’s Rendition of “Behind Blue Eyes” (2003)

Limp Bizkit had already stirred the pot with divisive covers. Singer Fred Durst claimed that George Michael loved their brazen 1997 version of his 80s hit, “Faith,” although guitarist Wes Borland insisted that George Michael loathed it. There was no ambiguity when it came to their rendition of The Who’s “Behind Blue Eyes.” The Who’s guitarist, Pete Townshend, labeled it an “embarrassing effort” that discredited a great song. Townshend’s reaction upon hearing it was likened to the time he physically confronted hippie activist Abbie Hoffman.

Peter Gabriel’s Cover of “Street Spirit” (2010)

Radiohead has remained silent about Peter Gabriel’s somber reimagining of their 1995 single, recorded for his covers album, “Scratch My Back.” Fortunately, Gabriel acknowledged that the band wasn’t thrilled with his rendition. “It’s pretty extreme, I guess,” he admitted. Gabriel’s cover even led to Radiohead pulling out of a proposed Gabriel covers album, confirming that the band was indeed dissatisfied with his interpretation.

Manfred Mann’s Earth Band and Springsteen’s “Blinded By The Light” (1976)

Although the term ‘hate’ might be too strong, Bruce Springsteen was certainly annoyed by what Manfred Mann’s Earth Band did with his 1973 debut single, “Blinded By The Light.” His disapproval wasn’t rooted in musical differences, but rather in the lyrical interpretation. Specifically, the line “cut loose like a deuce,” referring to a Little Deuce Coupe hotrod, was transformed by Manfred Mann’s singer, Chris Hamlet Thompson, into “wrapped up like a douche.” Springsteen quipped that one version was about a car, and the other about feminine hygiene products. Ultimately, the Earth Band’s rendition outperformed Springsteen’s in the U.S., reaching Number One.

Megadeth’s Take on “These Boots” (1985)

Dave Mustaine’s decision to record a more aggressive version of Nancy Sinatra’s 1966 hit, “These Boots Are Made For Walkin’,” for Megadeth’s debut album, “Killing Is My Business… And Business Is Good,” didn’t go as planned. The song’s author, Lee Hazlewood, didn’t appreciate the raunchier lyrics that Mustaine had incorporated into the song. Hazlewood demanded the removal of the song from the album, but not before Mustaine had pocketed a decade’s worth of royalties.

Type O Negative’s Reimagining of “Summer Breeze” (1993)

Goth-metal provocateurs Type O Negative weren’t known for respecting music’s sacred cows. They put their own spin on songs by The Beatles, Neil Young, and Jimi Hendrix, but their biggest controversy came when they overhauled Seals & Crofts’ soft-rock classic, “Summer Breeze,” renaming it “Summer Girl.” They didn’t stop there; they changed the lyrics to include references to pools of vomit, “devil music,” and provocative descriptions of their paramour’s legs. The original artists promptly intervened, and the title and lyrics were reinstated.

The Pet Shop Boys’ Version of “Where The Streets Have No Name” (1990)

In a peculiar twist, The Pet Shop Boys’ choice to cover U2’s “Where The Streets Have No Name” was designed to provoke the band they were covering. The Pet Shop Boys and U2 engaged in a war of words in the 1980s, with the synth-pop duo delivering stinging remarks to Bono and company. The Pet Shop Boys’ cover turned U2’s earnest 1987 anthem into a hi-NRG disco track, even merging it with Andy Williams’ easy-listening classic, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You.” The result was certainly divisive. Bono reportedly sighed, “What have we done to deserve this?” in a playful nod to another Pet Shop Boys song, their Dusty Springfield collaboration, “What Have I Done To Deserve This?”

Guns N’ Roses – “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” (1990)

When Guns N’ Roses decided to cover Bob Dylan’s “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” for their “Use Your Illusion II” album, it was met with a mixed response. While it became one of their iconic tracks, Bob Dylan himself expressed his displeasure with their rendition, stating that they “ripped it off.”

Whitney Houston – “I Will Always Love You” (1992)

Whitney Houston’s rendition of Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You” became a massive hit and a signature song for her. While Dolly Parton appreciated the success of Houston’s version, it’s worth noting that Parton originally wrote and performed the song in 1974, making it a personal and emotional piece for her.

Jimi Hendrix – “All Along the Watchtower” (1968)

Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” took on a new life when Jimi Hendrix covered it. The cover is often considered superior to the original by many, but Bob Dylan himself admitted that he was influenced by Hendrix’s version when performing the song in concerts. While it wasn’t a point of contention, it highlights how a cover version can influence the original artist.

Johnny Cash – “Hurt” (2002)

Johnny Cash’s poignant cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt” was met with critical acclaim and considered by many to be one of his most emotionally charged performances. Trent Reznor, the original artist behind Nine Inch Nails, was deeply moved by Cash’s rendition and expressed how the song felt like it belonged to Cash after hearing it.

Amy Winehouse – “Valerie” (2007)

Amy Winehouse’s take on “Valerie,” originally recorded by The Zutons, became a chart-topping hit. While The Zutons appreciated the recognition the cover brought to their song, they mentioned that they initially performed it differently and were inspired to adopt Winehouse’s version when playing it live.

Weird Al Yankovic’s Offbeat Covers: Wings, Weezer, Prince

Weird Al Yankovic is renowned for his parodies and covers, but not all artists are thrilled with his quirky renditions. At various points in his career, Weird Al tried to cover songs by Wings, Weezer, and Prince, with mixed results. Paul McCartney politely declined Yankovic’s request to turn “Live And Let Die” into “Chicken Hot Pie” due to it clashing with his vegetarian lifestyle. Weezer’s Rivers Cuomo vetoed a spoof of “Buddy Holly” in Yankovic’s “The Polka Medley.” As for Prince, well, he was just being Prince. Weird Al has also faced pushback from other artists, including Coolio, James Blunt, and Michael Jackson. While Jackson allowed a spoof of “Beat It,” he drew the line at “Black Or White.”

In the world of music, cover versions are a double-edged sword. While some pay homage and capture the essence of the original, others miss the mark entirely. The ten cover versions mentioned here not only failed to impress the original artists but, in some cases, sparked controversy and led to disputes. Whether it’s a matter of clashing artistic visions, misinterpreted lyrics, or simply a lack of enthusiasm, these cover songs serve as a reminder that not all reinterpretations are met with open arms. Music is a deeply personal and emotional art form, and when an artist’s work is reimagined in a way they find unpalatable, the result can be less than harmonious. Nevertheless, these contentious cover versions are also a testament to the enduring power of music to inspire strong reactions and passionate discussions.