Top 10 Heart Cover Songs

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Our look at the best cover songs that Heart ever recorded showcases the talents of a band that hooked me from the very first moment I heard the opening guitar riff to “Magic Man” back in 1976. At the time, there was no way to know just how remarkable a career this band would build over the next five decades. Yet here we are in 2026, and Heart remains one of the greatest rock bands to emerge from the 1970s. Their music continues to resonate with fans across generations, proving that truly great songs never lose their power.

Fueled by the extraordinary voice of Ann Wilson and the brilliant guitar work of Nancy Wilson, Heart created a sound that few bands could ever match. The Wilson sisters helped define an era while continuing to evolve as artists throughout their careers. When Heart chooses to cover a song, they approach it with the same passion and musical excellence that made their own catalog so beloved. Their versions honor the original songwriters while transforming the material into something uniquely their own. Here are 10 of our favorite cover songs recorded by Heart.

# 10 – Mona Lisa & Mad Hatters – Elton John

We open up with Heart’s grand version of Elton John’s “Mona Lisa & Mad Hatters.” The song was originally released by Elton John on his Honky Chateau album in the early seventies. Nancy Wilson takes the lead vocal on this one and then, of course, shares it with her sister Ann. It was officially released on Heart’s Alive album.

# 9 – I’ve Got The Music In Me – Kiki Dee

Continuing with Heart’s cover songs, we once again find ourselves with an Elton John connection. Of course, Elton John and Kiki Dee scored a massive hit together with “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart,” one of the most successful duets of the 1970s. However, that connection only goes so far here, because this song was originally Kiki Dee’s signature solo hit. Heart took on Dee’s “I’ve Got the Music in Me” and delivered a performance that showcased the band’s trademark power and energy. Heart officially released their version of “I’ve Got the Music in Me” on the album Magazine.

# 8 – Misty Mountain Hop – Led Zeppelin

We wanted to get to this one early in the list. This is the first of three letting-up songs that we concluded here that Heart has covered throughout their career. I’ve always believed that Heart covered Led Zeppelin better than any other band ever did. The only other singer who did justice to Led Zeppelin covers was Chris Cornell. Funny thing is, all three covers of Heart’s Led Zeppelin songs on this list all came from Led Zeppelin’s 4th album.

# 7 – Band On The Run – Paul McCartney & Wings

I can’t believe that it’s been 11 years since this Paul McCartney tribute album was released. Feels like just yesterday I bought the CD. Even scarier is that it doesn’t feel like it was that long ago that I bought the Wings album Band on the Run, and that was over 50 years ago. It’s interesting that, when you put all things in perspective, the Band On The Run album came out only 3 years before Heart’s debut album.

# 6 – Tell It Like It Is

This is one of the most interesting covers that Heart ever released. What makes it so interesting is that it was actually released as the lead single from the band’s Private Audition album. It was an album that went out of print very quickly, and I believe it is one of the most underrated Heart albums from the band’s early years. The song was originally written by Aaron Neville. Watch the video below and you will see the Wilson sisters wearing matching tuxedos and perms.

# 5 – The Witch

This was definitely an unexpected cover by the band. Released on their Alive In Seattle album, Heart took on the punk attitude of The Sonics with their hard rock cover of “The Witch.”

# 4 – River – Joni Mitchell

Heart’s rendition of Joni Mitchell’s Christmas classic “River ” was officially released on the group’s The Road Home album. This is a beautiful orchestrated cover version in which the sisters’ harmonies will just leave you mesmerized.

# 3 – Goodbye Blue Sky – Pink Floyd

Heart has never been shy in taking on rock’s most classic songs. I always believed “Goodbye Blue Sky” was the strongest track on Pink Floyd’s The Wall album. Parts version opens up with Nancy Wilson playing the acoustic guitar with such incredible emotional passion. The band released a live version of this on the 2007 album Dreamboat Annie Live.

# 2 – Rock And Roll – Led Zeppelin

The second of three Heart covers of Led Zeppelin songs on this list, this is probably the cover song the band has played more than any other throughout their sensational career. The band officially released it on their Greatest Hits/Live album in 1980.

# 1 – Stairway To Heaven – Led Zeppelin

We had to close with this one. Heart’s magical performance of Led Zeppelin’s classic song at the Kennedy Center Awards in front of Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, and John Paul Jones was one for the ages. Imagine the pressure of having to perform that song in front of that audience, and how they rose to the occasion magnificently. I can’t watch this without breaking into tears.