10 Cool Cover Versions Of The Yardirds' "Shape Of Things"

KRLA Beat/Beat Publications, Inc., Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

“Shapes of Things,” written by Jim McCarty, Keith Relf, and Paul Samwell-Smith of The Yardbirds, is widely regarded as one of the most influential songs in rock history. Recorded during sessions in late 1965 and early 1966 and released as a single in February 1966, the groundbreaking track showcased the band’s ability to move beyond its blues-rock foundation into the experimental sounds that would help define psychedelic rock. The song reached No. 3 on the UK Singles Chart and became one of the defining recordings of the Jeff Beck era of The Yardbirds.

Although “Shapes of Things” was not originally released on a standard Yardbirds studio album, its powerful lyrics, innovative use of feedback, and pioneering guitar work by Jeff Beck gave the song a life far beyond its original single release. Over the decades, musicians from hard rock, punk, glam rock, progressive rock, Southern rock, and heavy metal have returned to it, often reshaping the song almost completely.

The cover versions featured below demonstrate just how adaptable “Shapes of Things” has remained. David Bowie recast it through the glam-rock world of Pin Ups, Gary Moore attacked it with heavy blues-rock guitar, Rush honored it as one of the songs that shaped their youth, and Deep Purple brought it into the 21st century. Jimmy Page later performed it with The Black Crowes even though the original Yardbirds recording came from the Jeff Beck period, while Beck himself rebuilt the song on Truth with Rod Stewart on vocals. These are 10 of our favorite interpretations of one of The Yardbirds’ greatest songs.

# 10 – The Dead Milkmen

The Dead Milkmen, the Philadelphia-based punk rock band known for their satirical humor and irreverent style, put their own spin on “Shapes of Things” for the 1993 self-released compilation Now We Are 10. The limited-edition collection celebrated the band’s tenth anniversary and gathered early cassette material, live performances, radio recordings, and other rarities for dedicated fans.

The Dead Milkmen’s version of “Shapes of Things” was recorded live at The Trocadero in Philadelphia on June 19, 1992. The raw performance fits perfectly with the strange, loose spirit of the compilation and gives the Yardbirds classic a completely different punk-rock personality.

# 9 – Black Stone Cherry

Black Stone Cherry included a rocking version of “Shapes of Things” on their self-titled debut album, released on July 18, 2006, through Roadrunner Records. Produced by David Barrick and Richard Young, Black Stone Cherry introduced the Kentucky band with a powerful blend of hard rock, Southern rock, and heavy blues influences.

The lineup featured Chris Robertson on lead vocals and guitar, Ben Wells on guitar and backing vocals, Jon Lawhon on bass and backing vocals, and John Fred Young on drums. Their version of “Shapes of Things” appears as the ninth track on the album and gives the Yardbirds song a heavier Southern-rock attack without losing the original melody.

Read More: Top 10 Black Stone Cherry Songs

# 8 – The Sweet

The Sweet revisited the Yardbirds classic on the 2012 album New York Connection. Released under Andy Scott’s version of the band, the album was built largely around cover songs connected to the music that influenced the group. “Shapes of Things” fits naturally into that concept, carrying a distinctly heavier Sweet sound into a song that had already survived several generations of rock music.

The lineup featured Peter Lincoln on bass and lead vocals, Bruce Bisland on drums, Andy Scott on guitar, and Tony O’Hora on keyboards and backing vocals. Their polished arrangement keeps the melodic identity of the original while adding the kind of hard-edged guitar sound associated with the later history of Sweet.

# 7 – Jimmy Page & The Black Crowes

Jimmy Page and The Black Crowes delivered a powerful live rendition of “Shapes of Things” during their 1999 collaboration, with the performance appearing on Live at the Greek in 2000. The project brought Page together with one of the strongest blues-rock bands of the era for a set built around Led Zeppelin material, blues standards, Black Crowes songs, and a few carefully chosen pieces from Page’s wider musical history.

The lineup included Chris Robinson on lead vocals, Rich Robinson and Audley Freed on guitars, Steve Gorman on drums, Sven Pipien on bass, and Eddie Harsch on keyboards, with Page at the center of the guitar attack. It is worth noting that Page did not play on the original Yardbirds recording of “Shapes of Things”; that famous 1966 version featured Jeff Beck. Still, Page’s own history with The Yardbirds makes this performance feel like a fascinating return to the band’s catalog. This version smokes!

# 6 – Nazareth

Landing in the number six spot is one of the heaviest versions of “Shapes of Things” we have ever heard. Leave it to Nazareth to deliver a rock-hard, cranking version of this legendary song. The Scottish band included “Shapes of Things/Space Safari” on its 1974 album Rampant, produced by Deep Purple bassist Roger Glover.

Most people in the United States know Nazareth primarily for their massive 1975 hit single “Love Hurts.” However, Nazareth, formed in Scotland in 1968, built a long and successful international career that extended across decades of studio albums and touring. Their version of “Shapes of Things” closes Rampant with a crushing hard-rock performance that pushes the Yardbirds song into much heavier territory.

# 5 – Gary Moore

Gary Moore, the Northern Irish guitarist known for his fiery playing and wide-ranging musical style, delivered a powerful rendition of “Shapes of Things” on Victims of the Future. Recorded in late 1983 and released at the turn of 1984, the album found Moore pushing deeper into hard rock while retaining the blues-influenced guitar work that remained central to his identity.

The album featured Neil Carter, Neil Murray, Bob Daisley, and Ian Paice during different parts of the sessions, with Jeff Glixman handling production. Moore’s version of “Shapes of Things” strips away much of the psychedelic atmosphere of the Yardbirds original and replaces it with a sharper, heavier attack. Released as a single in 1984, it reached No. 77 on the UK Singles Chart.

Read More: Top 10 Gary Moore Songs

# 4 – Rush

In 2004, the legendary Canadian rock trio Rush paid homage to some of the music that had influenced them as teenagers with the Feedback EP. Among its eight cover songs was “Shapes of Things,” which gave Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart an opportunity to step away from the enormous complexity of their own catalog and simply play songs they loved.

Rush’s version keeps the recognizable framework of the Yardbirds recording while filtering it through Alex Lifeson’s guitar sound, Geddy Lee’s unmistakable voice and bass playing, and Neil Peart’s drumming. It is cool, and it is also a little strange, in the best possible way, to hear Geddy Lee singing these classic 1960s songs.

# 3 – Deep Purple

In 2021, Deep Purple added their own spin to “Shapes of Things” on Turning to Crime, the first studio album in the band’s long career made entirely from cover songs. Recorded during the pandemic, the album reflected the group’s affection for rock, blues, and rhythm-and-blues songs that had influenced its members over the years.

Deep Purple’s interpretation featured Ian Gillan on vocals, Steve Morse on guitar, Roger Glover on bass, Don Airey on keyboards, and Ian Paice on drums. Their cover retains the original song’s melodic structure while bringing in the unmistakable Deep Purple combination of heavy guitar, Hammond-style keyboards, and a driving rhythm section. It sounds respectful to the Yardbirds original without pretending to be a 1966 record.

# 2 – David Bowie

David Bowie brought his unique style to the Yardbirds classic “Shapes of Things” on his 1973 album Pin Ups. Released on October 19, 1973, the album was Bowie’s homage to the British rock and R&B music that had influenced him during the 1960s. Recorded at the Château d’Hérouville in France and produced by Bowie and Ken Scott, Pin Ups featured Bowie’s interpretations of songs associated with The Who, The Kinks, Pink Floyd, The Pretty Things, The Yardbirds, and others.

Bowie’s version of “Shapes of Things” is both a faithful cover and a bold glam-rock reinterpretation. Mick Ronson’s guitar gives the track a sharper 1970s edge, while Trevor Bolder on bass and Aynsley Dunbar on drums provide the rhythmic foundation. Bowie’s vocal delivery transforms the song without losing the strange psychedelic quality that made the Yardbirds original so important.

# 1 – Jeff Beck

Jeff Beck revisited “Shapes of Things” on his landmark 1968 album Truth. Having played the famous guitar part on the Yardbirds original, Beck was in the unusual position of covering a song that he had already helped define. Instead of trying to recreate the 1966 single, he and the musicians around him rebuilt it into something much heavier.

The recording featured Rod Stewart on vocals, Ronnie Wood on bass, and Micky Waller on drums, with Beck’s guitar dominating the arrangement. The version that opens Truth slows the song down, gives it a darker blues-rock weight, and turns Beck’s guitar into the central dramatic voice of the performance.

As the final entry on our list, this rendition of “Shapes of Things” is a fitting conclusion. It connects Beck’s Yardbirds past directly to the hard-rock future he was helping create with the Jeff Beck Group. With Rod Stewart’s unmistakable vocals and Beck pushing the guitar far beyond the sound of the original single, this remains one of the most celebrated versions of the song.

Read More: Top 10 Jeff Beck Songs