10 Of The Strangest Cover Versions Of Classic Rock Songs Ever

Feature Photo: EddieBerman, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our article on 10 of the Strangest Cover Versions of Classic Rock Songs Ever Released looks at some pretty bizarre and original remakes of classic rock songs. Some are a little more out there than others, some done in a serious fashion as artistic statements, while others were probably just meant to entertain, which I guess is the best word for that. Nonetheless, we really dug deep to pick out some very creative pieces you may have never heard before, and of course, we also included some of the most popular strange cover versions of classic songs. One artist we kept off this list was “Weird Al” Yankovic, since his entire career is based on covering songs. He’s one of the best ever, but we wanted to create a list of cover versions by serious musical artists.

# 10 – The Return Of Jackie And Judy – Tom Waits (Originally By The Ramones)

We open our 10 Of The Strangest Cover Versions Of Classic Rock Songs list with none other than the legendary Tom Waits. It makes perfect sense to start this list with one of the most creative solo artists of all time. “The Return of Jackie and Judy” was originally released by The Ramones on their 1980 album End of the Century, produced by Phil Spector. Tom Waits’ cover was issued on his 2006 box set Orphans: Brawlers, Bawlers & Bastards. Tom Waits doesn’t change the tempo much, but he turns everything else upside down, including, of course, his magnificent, gravelly but joyful lead vocals. You’ve got to love Tom Waits, man.

Tom Waits Version

Ramones Original Version

# 9 – Stairway To Heaven – Frank Zappa (Originally By Led Zeppelin)

Continuing with this fun list, we share a little bit of Frank Zappa with everyone. When you combine music from the greatest rock band of all time with perhaps the greatest musical genius of the 20th century, you’re going to get some really interesting stuff. It’s almost hard to call this strange because it’s so brilliant. Yet, it’s all those sound effects that keep creeping in between the verses that make this such a captivating listen as well as the playing.

These were some of the greatest musicians in the world playing on this track. You had to be an A++ musician to play with Frank. Listen to the guitar playing on this. Wow. Just when you thought it couldn’t get any better, those horns take over the rock and roll ending that takes this song somewhere no man has ever gone before. Zappa’s version was recorded during his 1988 tour and released on the 1991 live album The Best Band You Never Heard in Your Life.

Frank Zappa Version

Original Led Zeppelin Version

# 8 – Let’s Dance – M. Ward (Originally By David Bowie)

It’s quite common for musical artists to transform fast, rocking songs into slow-burning ballads. This practice is often more prevalent among the artists themselves. Bruce Springsteen, for instance, has done this multiple times, especially on solo tours. It generally works well, but whether it does is ultimately for the listener to decide. M. Ward took one of David Bowie’s biggest hit singles—a fantastic dance song with incredible groove and soul, and turned it into one of the most depressing pieces of music I have ever heard. Ward released his version on his 2003 album Transfiguration of Vincent.

Now, there are people who will appreciate this; people who will argue it truly presents the meaning of the song in a much truer fashion. I don’t really agree. It is really well done and creative, and some of the sound effects that bounce in and out halfway through the song make it sound quite strange, which is why it made this list. M. Ward is a phenomenal artist, and I give him great credit for what he did with this song, but in the end, it’s one that I could probably only listen to once. Do you like this version? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

M. Ward Version

Original David Bowie Version

# 7 – Walk This Way – Hayseed Dixie (Originally By Aerosmith)

After Run-DMC took this legendary Aerosmith song and completely turned the world upside down by merging rap music with rock music, and additionally bringing the band back to life, you would think that cover versions of this song would be put on hold. Not by Hayseed Dixie. These guys started out covering AC/DC songs in their bluegrass-country style and came up with one of the most interesting and strangest versions of an Aerosmith song I’ve ever heard. Their version of “Walk This Way” appeared on the 2002 album Mountain Love. Like many songs on this list, the video makes it even more entertaining. You’re either going to really love this one or completely hate it. At first, I was a little on the fence, but as soon as the band got to the chorus and they all jumped in, I was sold.

Hayseed Dixie Version

Original Aerosmith Version

# 6 – Black Hole Sun – Paul Anka (Originally By Soundgarden)

I have always been a big Paul Anka fan. How could you not be if you appreciate great songwriting, wonderful singing, and magical entertainment? You’ve got to love Paul Anka. The man is also one of the smartest cats in the room. His 2005 album Rock Swings—at first glance, it might appear like a gimmick. But take a listen, and you’ll find it’s filled with just top-of-the-line arrangements, brilliant playing, and spectacular performances by Paul Anka. It’s strange because, of course, these songs are so heavy-duty.

To take a hard rock song and turn it into a ballad, and then into swing too, is so beyond anything I’ve ever thought—just sheer genius. Of course, things like this have been done before, but Anka took this to a whole new level. The intro he does is mesmerizing, and when it drops into the swing time, it becomes completely jaw-dropping. The only thing better than this would have been if he could have done a duet with Chris Cornell.

Paul Anka Version

Original Soundgarden Version

# 5 – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction – Devo (Originally By The Rolling Stones)

At the halfway point on our 10 Of The Strangest Cover Versions Of Classic Rock Songs list is one that we just couldn’t leave off. It very well could be the most popular strange cover song on this list. Yes, we’re talking about Devo’s bizarre cover version of The Rolling Stones classic “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction.” Devo released the song before including it on their 1978 debut album, Q: Are We Not Men? A: We Are Devo!, produced by Brian Eno. Of course, being Devo, this isn’t really that surprising, and even when they did it, it wasn’t that much of a surprise, although it was met mostly with positive reviews. Devo is one of the most interesting and creative bands to come out of the late ’70s. I always wondered what Mick Jagger thought of this. I would say Keith Richards probably just sat back and cracked up.

Devo Version

Original Rolling Stones Version

# 4 – Born To Be Wild – The Residents (Originally By Steppenwolf)

Who are these guys? Well, actually, that’s a genuine question because nobody really knows. The Residents have released dozens of albums and have worked for decades to keep the identities behind the project secondary to the art. And let me tell you this: if there’s one song on this list that is way, way out there—and there are plenty—but if there’s one that is completely and utterly bizarrely strange, it’s their cover of Steppenwolf’s classic “Born to Be Wild.” The Residents created their radically slowed-down arrangement for the 2010 So Long Sam project and released a version that year. If you have never heard of The Residents, well then, you’re in for a treat—or then again, maybe not. It all depends on your sense of humor and your love of originality and adventure. Are you ready to get your motor running, baby?

The Residents Version

Original Steppenwolf Version

# 3 – Heartbreaker – Dread Zeppelin (Originally By Led Zeppelin)

A Led Zeppelin song makes its second appearance on this strange musical list, accompanied by one of the most bizarre, twisted, and yet breathtakingly original videos and remixes we have ever seen. When Dread Zeppelin burst onto the music scene in 1989, people were astounded—what are you, kidding me? Yet, think about how original this is: a band that would take Led Zeppelin songs and play them with a reggae beat, sung by an Elvis Presley impersonator. Dread Zeppelin released their debut album Un-Led-Ed in 1990, and “Heartbreaker (At the End of Lonely Street)” became one of the recordings that perfectly captured their Led Zeppelin-meets-reggae-meets-Elvis concept. It was “Heartbreaker” and the accompanying video that blew our minds. If you’ve never seen this, stop what you’re doing and make sure you watch because it is just utterly interesting and might be the most entertaining thing you’ve ever seen.

Dread Zeppelin Version

Original Led Zeppelin Version

# 2 – Solsbury Hill – Lou Reed (Originally By Peter Gabriel)

Just off the top spot on our 10 Of The Strangest Cover Versions Of Classic Rock Songs list is Lou Reed’s exceptional version of Peter Gabriel’s stunning song “Solsbury Hill.” Reed’s cover was released on the 2013 Peter Gabriel project And I’ll Scratch Yours, in which artists covered Gabriel songs in return for the covers he had recorded for Scratch My Back. If you are a Lou Reed fan, this is going to make perfect sense. If you’re young and not familiar with Lou Reed, then you’re probably going to be scratching your head. This is what we call original. It’s a very clever take on the meaning behind Gabriel’s classic song in a way only Lou Reed could have pulled it off. This has always been a song about letting go. Though often discussed in past interviews as being written about a spiritual experience atop Solsbury Hill, Gabriel’s version is cinematic and beautiful, but Lou Reed’s take is darker; still, there’s a sense of hopefulness in what Lou did, and that’s what makes this one so fascinating.

Lou Reed Version

Original Peter Gabriel Version

# 1 – Bohemian Rhapsody – William Shatner (Originally By Queen)

Oh boy, did we save the best—or at least the strangest—one for last, probably a better way to put it. We could have filled this entire list with William Shatner’s cover versions of famous songs, but we thought it would be best to keep it down to just one. Shatner’s “Bohemian Rhapsody,” featuring John Wetton, was released on his 2011 album Seeking Major Tom. Now, some people are going to get really angry about this one. Some Queen fans are going to listen to this and say, “Are you kidding me?” They may even come looking for us. Please don’t do that; we’re nice people here.

We’re just trying to make enough money to buy a bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich in the morning and a slice of pizza for lunch. That’s all. We’re trying to have some fun, and if you don’t find any humor in this, then I don’t know what to tell you. There’s really nothing else we can say about this; it speaks for itself. All we can say is, you must listen to this and listen all the way through because it is one of the most entertaining pieces of audio we have ever heard in our lives.

William Shatner Version