Covers That Are Better Than The Original
While it might be a hot take, sometimes a cover just hits harder than the original. From Harry Styles to the Glee Cast and everything in between, the Off The Record Press staff weighed in on the covers we think surpass the original. Whether it’s a stripped-back ballad or a bold reinvention, these tracks prove that occasionally, the second time’s the charm.
Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse’s version of “Valerie,” originally by The Zutons - Maddy Yen, Senior Staff Writer
The English band The Zutons released the original version of “Valerie” in 2006. A year later, Mark Ronson released his reinterpretation with Amy Winehouse’s vocals, which climbed to number two on the UK Singles Chart. While The Zutons’ version with its guitar-driven sound leans into Britpop, Ronson’s take transforms the track with a tighter rhythm and a Motown-inspired soul flair.
Harry Styles’s version of “Girl Crush,” originally by Little Big Town - Madison Avery, Music News Editor
In 2017, Harry Styles covered ‘Girl Crush’ At The BBC, presented by Nick Grimshaw. He performed the cover during his Live on Tour run, and in Little Big Town’s hometown, Nashville, he stated it was “one of my favorite songs recently that’s come out of this place.” The BBC version is stripped down with rich guitar strings. Later during his tour in Japan, he performed the song acoustically —just his voice and guitar, with no microphone. Later that year, Styles released his cover on Spotify as part of his Spotify Singles series, recorded at Metropolis Studios in London.
Japanese Breakfast’s version of “Dreams,” originally by The Cranberries - Chloe Kapoor, Music Supervisor
Also, for a Spotify Singles series, Japanese Breakfast covered “Dreams.” It was the debut single by the Irish rock band The Cranberries, originally released in 1992. Japanese Breakfast stayed true to the classic while adding some indie rock flair. They have been performing the song live for years now, including the Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago.
Paramore’s version of “Burning Down The House,” originally by Talking Heads - Cece Faulkner, Interview Editor
Paramore released a cover of ‘Burning Down the House’ by Talking Heads for the upcoming tribute album, Everyone's Getting Involved: A Tribute to Talking Heads' Stop Making Sense. The album was a project by A24 that celebrated the 40th anniversary of the concert film. Paramore had the lead single, and Hayley Williams brought the quirky, funk, punk energy of David Byrne. Originally released in 1983, it was Talking Heads’ first single off their fifth album, Speaking in Tongues. It subsequently became their highest-charting single in North America.
Harry Styles’s version of “Wet Dream,” originally by Wet Leg - Madison Avery, Music News Editor
Another popular Harry Styles cover is “Wet Dream,” performed in the BBC Live Lounge in 2022. His cover gained traction online and helped boost the popularity of the duo Wet Leg. The UK band went on to join Styles on various legs of his "Love On Tour" during 2023. Wet Leg gained almost overnight with their self-titled debut album, with multiple Grammy and Brit nominations and wins.
The Jonas Brothers’ version of “Year 3000,” originally by Busted - Regan Jones, Contributor
“Year 3000” is a song many listeners don’t realize is a cover. Originally by Busted, a British pop-rock band, which released in 2003. The song reached number two on the UK Singles Chart, and in 2006, the Jonas Brothers released their version. Busted has an edgier take with more suggestive lyrics than the Jonas Brothers, who took a more pop-leaning approach. Matt Willis of Busted in an interview with PopBuzz, said “Dude, they paid my mortgage for four years, I’m stoked to bits. Thank you very much, Jonas Brothers.”
Johnny Cash’s version of “Hurt,” originally by Nine Inch Nails - Alex Stefan, Live Coverage Editor
A cover offering different perspectives is Johnny Cash’s version of “Hurt.” The song by Nine Inch Nails originally depicts a young man with a life ahead of him, while Cash portrays a weakened old man reflecting. The video offers a backstory to this notion. In 2003, Cash received Best Video of the Year by the Grammy Awards, and in 2011, NME named it the best video of all time. Cash managed to produce a cover with a vastly different sentiment and viewpoint, receiving commercial success. Trent Reznor, lead singer of Nine Inch Nails, has praised Cash’s rendition, stating, “That song isn't mine anymore.” He went on to say in an Alternative Press Interview, “I wrote some words and music in my bedroom… reinterpreted by a music legend from a radically different era/genre and still retains sincerity and meaning-different, but every bit as pure.”
Lizzy McAlpine’s version of “A Little Bit of Everything,” originally by Dawes - Jackie Fortis, Music Review Content Editor
Dawes released “A Little Bit of Everything” in 2011 from their studio album Nothing Is Wrong. The signature song of the folk rock band caught Lizzy McAlpine’s attention, and she recorded it as part of her Spotify Singles session, released in 2023. Her version is more stripped down and emotionally raw, giving the song a distinct personal touch. Fans praised her rendition for its quiet intensity, with some calling it more heartbreaking than the original.
Catfish and the Bottlemen’s version of “Read My Mind,” originally by The Killers - Regan Jones, Contributor
British Indie Rock Band Catfish and the Bottlemen performed an acoustic cover of The Killers’ “Read My Mind” during a Triple J session in January 2015. The band also incorporated elements of the song “Ignition,” adding an unexpected R&B flair to the cover. The Killers’ original was released in 2007 and was listed as number 12 on Rolling Stone's 100 Best Songs of 2006; however, the complete album Sam's Town received mixed reviews.
Phoebe Bridger’s version of “Summer’s End,” originally by John Prine - Brooke Shapiro, Music Extras Editor
Phoebe Bridgers’ first performance of “Summer’s End” was on a livestream on Pitchfork’s Instagram page. Among other artists, Bridgers honored John Prine’s work shortly after his death. Then, as a part of SiriusXM’s Sirius XMU sessions in 2020, she released an official version of Prine’s song. Using symbolism of the end of summer, the legendary songwriter displays feelings of longing for a lost loved one. Bridgers also adds a voicemail from her father, shifting the perspective of the song to one of familial troubles.
Inhaler’s version of “That’s Entertainment,” originally by The Jam - Maddy Yen, Senior Staff Writer
Irish band, Inhaler, covered The Jam’s “That’s Entertainment” for 4Music in their Fresh Spotlight 2020 cast. The Jam formed in the 70s in England and has had 24 consecutive top 40 singles in the United Kingdom. Inhaler covered the popular song by staying true to the original with stunning harmonies. This cover goes down as one of Inhaler’s best covers within their fanbase.
Fiona Apple’s version of “Across the Universe,” originally by The Beatles - Regan Jones, Contributor
Originally released by The Beatles in 1969, “Across the Universe” has been reinterpreted in numerous versions and covered by many artists. In an interview with Rolling Stone in 1970, John Lennon said, “It's one of the best lyrics I've written. In fact, it could be the best.” In 1998, Fiona Apple recorded and released her version as part of the motion picture soundtrack for Pleasantville. Apple’s rendition is much slower and somber compared to the popular Beatles track.
The Last Shadow Puppets’ version of “Is This What You Wanted,” originally by Leonard Cohen - Cece Faulkner, Interview Editor
The Last Shadow Puppets, aka Alex Turner and Miles Kane, covered “Is This What You Wanted” in 2016. The duo also made a music video for the cover, offering theatrics and drama. Their version features orchestral strings with a more cinematic feel than the original by Leonard Cohen. Cohen released the song 42 years prior, in 1974, for his fourth studio album, New Skin for the Old Ceremony.
Glee’s version of “Misery,” originally by Maroon 5 - Chloe Kapoor, Music Supervisor
It wouldn’t be a complete list without a Glee version. In the second season, Blaine and The Warblers sang “Misery” by Maroon 5. Obviously being an a cappella version, the harmonies and clapping add a unique spin on the original. American pop-rock band Maroon 5 released the song in 2010 as the lead single from their third studio album, Hands All Over. The following year, it was nominated for a Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
This is a collaborative piece written by Maddy Yen with submissions from Cece Faulkner, Jackie Fortis, Chloe Kapoor, Brooke Shapiro, Regan Jones, Madison Avery and Alex Stefan.
