The Most Popular Cover Song, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the cover song you think is the most popular!
Updated on Apr 25, 2024 06:33
Cover songs often breathe new life into original tracks, allowing them to reach different audiences and generations. When artists reinterpret another's work, they can highlight different aspects of the song or bring an entirely new flavor to it. However, with so many versions out there, it can be challenging to gauge which ones resonate the most with the public.
This site enables fans and music enthusiasts alike to cast their votes for their preferred cover songs, helping to determine which versions truly stand out in the crowd. By participating, users contribute to a dynamic ranking that reflects the collective opinion and tastes of a broad community. Encouraging participation ensures the list remains current and representative of popular opinion.
What Is the Most Popular Cover Song?
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134votes
"Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley
Jeff BuckleyThis cover of Leonard Cohen's song has become one of the most iconic covers of all time, with Buckley's haunting vocals and emotional delivery."Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley is a captivating and soul-stirring pop song that has become an iconic masterpiece in the music industry. The hauntingly beautiful lyrics and Buckley's angelic vocals combine to create an emotionally charged listening experience.- Release date: 1994
- Genre: Pop
- Length: 6 minutes and 53 seconds
- Album: Grace
- Songwriter: Leonard Cohen
"Hallelujah" by Jeff Buckley in other rankings- Position 2 of 10 in Most beautiful song to play on guitar
- Position 2 of 10 in Most beautiful pop song
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233votesOriginally written and performed by Dolly Parton, Houston's version became a massive hit and is still a beloved classic."I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular love song of all time
- Position 3 of 10 in Most beautiful pop song
- Position 5 of 10 in Most difficult song to sing
- Position 7 of 10 in Most famous song lyrics
- Position 7 of 10 in Most dramatic song
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular wedding hymn
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328votes
"All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix
Jimi HendrixBob Dylan's original version of this song is legendary, but Hendrix's electrifying cover is often cited as the definitive version.The guitar solo in 'All Along the Watchtower' by Jimi Hendrix is a masterpiece of musical innovation and creativity. With its soulful and emotive sound, it captivates listeners and remains one of the most iconic solos in rock history. The solo showcases Hendrix's unique approach to guitar playing, combining elements of blues, rock, and psychedelia.- Song Release Year: 1968
- Album: 'Electric Ladyland'
- Genre: Rock
- Duration: 1:58
- Key: C minor
"All Along the Watchtower" by Jimi Hendrix in other rankings- Position 9 of 10 in Most beautiful guitar solo
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422votesOriginally a soul song by Gloria Jones, Soft Cell's synth-pop cover became a huge hit and has remained popular to this day."Tainted Love" by Soft Cell in other rankings
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular one-hit wonder
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522votes
"Respect" by Aretha Franklin
Aretha FranklinOriginally written and performed by Otis Redding, Franklin's cover added a feminist twist and became an anthem for women's rights."Respect" by Aretha Franklin is a powerful and iconic cover song originally written and recorded by Otis Redding in 1965. Aretha Franklin's version, released in 1967, became a massive hit and is considered one of her signature songs. It is an empowering anthem that demands respect and stands as a symbol for the civil rights and feminist movements. Aretha's soulful and passionate delivery, combined with the song's infectious rhythm and message, catapulted it to the top of the charts and has made it a timeless classic.- Original Writer/Artist: Otis Redding
- Year of Original Release: 1965
- Cover Artist: Aretha Franklin
- Year of Cover Release: 1967
- Genre: Soul, Rhythm and Blues
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616votesDavid Bowie's original version of this song is often overlooked, but Kurt Cobain's stripped-down cover brought it back into the spotlight.The Man Who Sold the World is a cover song originally written and performed by David Bowie in 1970. It gained significant popularity when it was covered by the American rock band Nirvana in their MTV Unplugged performance in 1993. The song is known for its melancholic and haunting melody, poignant lyrics, and raw acoustic performance by Nirvana. It showcases Kurt Cobain's powerful vocals and the band's ability to create a haunting atmosphere with minimal instrumentation. The cover version has become one of Nirvana's most beloved and iconic songs.
- Original Artist: David Bowie
- Year: 1993
- Album: MTV Unplugged in New York
- Genre: Grunge, Alternative Rock
- Length: 4:20
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76votes
"Hurt" by Johnny Cash
Johnny CashOriginally a song by Nine Inch Nails, Cash's cover is often cited as one of the most powerful and emotional covers of all time.Hurt by Johnny Cash is a deeply emotional song that captures the pain and regret of a life lived. It was originally written and performed by Trent Reznor for his band Nine Inch Nails, but Cash's cover brought a whole new level of vulnerability to the song. The haunting melody and Cash's raw, weathered voice create a sense of longing and reflection that resonates with listeners.- Original Writer/Performer: Trent Reznor (Nine Inch Nails)
- Year of Release: 2002
- Genre: Country, Folk
- Album: American IV: The Man Comes Around
- Length: 3:36
"Hurt" by Johnny Cash in other rankings- Position 5 of 10 in Most dramatic song
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86votesThe Beatles' original version of this song is beloved, but Cocker's soulful cover is often considered even better."With a Little Help from My Friends" by Joe Cocker is a cover version of the original song by The Beatles. Released in 1968 as part of his debut album, "Joe Cocker!", this rendition of the popular Beatles track became one of Cocker's signature songs. The cover showcases Cocker's soulful and powerful vocals, accompanied by a blues-rock arrangement.
- Year: 1968
- Album: Joe Cocker!
- Genre: Rock
- Duration: 4:13
- Label: A&M
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95votes
"Nothing Compares 2 U" by Sinead O'Connor
Sinead O'ConnorOriginally written and performed by Prince, O'Connor's cover became an international hit and remains a classic.'Nothing Compares 2 U' by Sinead O'Connor is a powerful and emotionally charged cover of the original song written by Prince in 1984. It was released as a single in 1990 and became an international hit, topping charts in multiple countries. The song, with its haunting vocals and raw vulnerability, resonates with listeners, expressing the pain and longing of lost love.- Original Song: Written by Prince
- Release Year: 1990
- Genre: Pop
- Chart Performance: Reached #1 in multiple countries
- Duration: 5 minutes, 10 seconds
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102votesOriginally recorded by Gladys Knight & the Pips, Gaye's version of this song is often considered the definitive version.
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Ranking factors for popular cover song
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Number of streams/playsOne of the key factors to consider is the play count across various platforms such as Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, etc. The more streams/plays a cover song has, the more popular it is.
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Social media engagementTrack likes, shares, retweets, and comments on social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to gauge how popular the cover song is among online users.
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Chart performanceChart positions, especially on established music charts like Billboard or iTunes, should be considered to identify the popularity of a cover song.
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Critical receptionReviews from music critics and websites can provide valuable insight into what makes a cover song popular and well-regarded by industry insiders.
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Fan feedbackObserve how fans of the original artist or the cover artist react to the song. This feedback can be found in online forums, comments under videos, or social media posts.
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Awards and recognitionsIf a cover song has won awards or received special recognition, it is a strong indicator of its popularity and impact on the listeners.
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Influence on other artistsIf a cover song has inspired other artists to create their own renditions, it indicates the popularity and importance of the original cover.
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LongevityThe longevity of a cover song's popularity can also be a significant factor, as it shows that it remains relevant and continues to connect with audiences over time.
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Cultural impactConsider the cultural impact or significance of the cover song in terms of its message, theme, or role in social movements or events.
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CollaborationsA cover song that features well-known artists may witness a higher degree of popularity as these collaborations generally attract more attention from fans and media alike.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular cover song. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or cover is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2085 views
- 172 votes
- 10 ranked items
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Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each cover once every 24 hours. The rank of each cover is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular cover song
Cover songs have been around for as long as music itself, with artists taking their own spin on popular tunes to create something new and fresh. From acoustic renditions to full band covers, there's something special about hearing a familiar tune reinterpreted in a new way. But with so many cover songs out there, which ones are the most popular? At StrawPoll, we've compiled data from thousands of polls and rankings to determine the answer to this question. In this article, we'll explore the most popular cover songs of all time and what makes them stand out from the rest.
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