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Readers will discover that Sammy Hagar has no problem covering some of the most iconic classic rock songs in classic rock history without fear or trepidation. It’s no easy feat to cover a Robert Plant vocal. Not many can do it. Sammy Hagar has no problem with it. The man can go from covering Robert Plant and Led Zeppelin to Pink Floyd to the Rolling Stones with relative ease. I think you will enjoy this top 10 Sammy Hagar cover songs list because it was so much fun to put it together.
# 10 – Catch The Wind
We open up our top 10 Sammy Hagar Cover songs list with Sammy Hagar’s cover of the classic Donovan song “Catch The Wind.” Sammy Hagar’s version appeared on his solo album entitled Sammy Hagar in 1977. For us die-hard Sammy Hagar fans, this was our first Sammy Hagar album. The 1977 album also contained another great cover; Patti Smith’s “Free Money.”
# 9 – Flamingos Fly
Sammy Hagar’s first solo album contained a great cover version of Van Morrison’s “Flamingos Fly.” This was Sammy Hagar’s soulful grooving side that often gets lost among his fiery rock and roll vocals. We were originally going to place his cover of Otis Redding’s “I’m Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay,” here, but we just liked this one better.
# 8 – Piece of My Heart
Sammy Hagar’s breakout album Standing Hampton was released in 1982. The album was huge! Four singles were released from the album including Sammy’s soon to be legendary originals “There’s Only One Way to Rock,” and “I’ll Fall in Love Again.” The classic Janis Joplin song “Piece of My Heart,” was released as the album’s third single. Sammy stepped up to the plate on this one and hit it into orbit. Killer version of this classic tune.
# 7 – I Love This Bar
This song seems like it was written with Sammy Hagar in mind based on all the success he had with his Cabo Wabo Tequila. Nonetheless, it was originally penned by Toby Keith who had a number one hit with the song back in 2003. Sammy sings country and makes it all his own like only Sammy can. Awesome cover! Sammy’s version was released on his Livin It Up CD which was issued in 2006.
# 6 – Connection
Sammy Hagar’s vocal performance on the Rolling Stones song “Connection,” is one of Classic Rock’s finest moments. Sammy Hagar recorded this one when he was the lead singer of Montrose. This great cover was released on the Montrose album Paper Money. The album was released in 1974.
# 5 -Comfortably Numb
This was one of the most surprising covers I have ever heard Sammy Hagar attempt. After starting off a bit shaky, it continues to get better and better until once again you’re overwhelmed by the talents of those musicians performing on that stage. Listening to Sammy Hagar sing a duet with Nancy Wilson of Heart on a Pink Floyd song is incredibly heavenly. Listen to Joe Satriani perform that classic David Gilmour solo, unbelievable! And they did this all acoustically at Acoustic for a Cure VI.
# 4 – Whiter Shade Of Pale
We could listen to Sammy Hagar sing this one over and over again. His vocal performance on “Whiter Shade Of Pale,” is every reason why this cover version is on this Sammy Hagar Cover songs list. Procol Harum’s original version of this song is so iconic based on the song’s opening organ introduction that attempting to cover that would have been an exercise in futility. So these guys did it their own way with the golden vocal chords of Sammy Hagar opening up the song instead.
# 3 – Personal Jesus
Sammy Hagar’s brilliant cover of Depeche Mode’s “Personal Jesus,” appeared on the album Sammy Hagar & Friends. The album was released in 2013. The recording featured Sammy Hagar, Chad Smith, Michael Anthony and Neal Schon. It’s interesting to hear how Neal Schon combines old school blues riffs with his Journey style grooves all at the same time in his playing. This was basically Chickenfoot with Neal replacing Joe.
# 2 – Rock and Roll
This one was all about Sammy and Eddie. The two never looked happier working together in this fantastic cover of Led Zeppelin’s “Rock and Roll.” Sammy Hagar has done this one so many times with all the groups he has played with. However, this particular performance at Farm Aid in 1985 stands out because it seemed like it was just Sammy and Eddie together driving this one home at the start of what would be that great stretch of music Van Halen would produce during the years Sammy teamed up with them. Look how happy Eddie seems to be working with such an incredible singer as Sammy Hagar. This one is so telling!
# 1 – Highway Star
Oh Lord, if this doesn’t knock off your rock and roll boots nothing will. Chickenfoot’s performance of Deep Purples’s “Highway Star,” stands as one of the finest rock and roll covers of all time. Every member of Chickenfoot shines in all their glory on this one. Sammy hits every note perfectly adding his own iconic chops to this one in stellar fashion. Michael Anthony backs him up on vocals with those legendary harmonies. His bass playing cuts right through your skin into your bones with absolute pleasure. Chad’s drums grooves and fills light this one up defining how brilliant of a drummer he is. However, the highlight of this incredible performance is Joe Satriani playing Jon Lords’ legendary organ solo on guitar. You need to see this!
Updated June 6, 2023
Top 10 Sammy Hagar Cover Songs article published on Classic RockHistory.com© 2023
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