The art of crafting cover songs is a common practice. In fact, so many musicians cover their favorite music that at times some great renditions of classic songs get lost in the shuffle. Of course, there are plenty of examples of cover songs that become popular, even when artists change the tune completely. This includes the likes of Metallica, who recorded an album featuring covers, and Bring Me the Horizon, who showed that even just a single release can gain a lot of attention.
Regardless of the exposure gained, many artists view a cover as a way to honor their favorites, challenge themselves, and sometimes just have fun, among other reasons. It can be really exciting to discover that a popular artist covered a legendary song. Some of these definitely deserve more recognitionas many bands deliver great performances of others’ tunes, proving that cover songs hold an important place in a band’s repertoire, including in setlists, albums, and more.
10
Galleons – INVISIBLE (Original: Duran Duran)
Album: Single Release (2025)
It is never easy for a new band to break out, but Galleons is working hard to do that. Their song “DeLorean” became a hit on Sirius XM, helping them gain notoriety in the post-hardcore scene. As they attempt to build an even bigger audience, they have turned to the tactic that has assisted many bands in the past: covering a well-known group. In fact, they chose to cover one of the ’80s most popular acts, Duran Duran.
Instead of going with one of their past hits, “Hungry Like the Wolf” or “Save a Prayer,” Galleons decided to cover a new Duran Duran favorite, “Invisible.” This Galleons cover is new, but it sounds incredible. It truly highlights the strong voice of their lead singer, and while they don’t tamper with the original too much, they were able to add an instrumental flair that showcases their ability to create a catchy melody.
9
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus – Land Down Under (Original: Men At Work)
Album: Single Release (2018)
Forming in the late ’70s, Men at Work quickly ascended to prominence, winning the Grammy Award for Best New Artist in 1983. They became known for hits such as “Who Can It Be Now?,” yet they are not a band often covered by other top artists. However, there is one example that stands out, as The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus covered the hit “Down Under” in 2018. This ended up being a single release titled “Land Down Under.”
One of the biggest changes the band made with this cover was adapting the instrumental to fit their post-hardcore style. The drums are much more pronounced, while the vocals remain consistent with the original. The lead singer of The Jumpsuit Apparatus, Ronnie Winter, definitely showcases his vocal range, but it’s done tastefully. Overall, it was great to see a band that was so influential receive a cover of one of their top hitsreminding the world just how good they were.
8
The Lumineers – Just Like Heaven (Original: The Cure)
Album: Single Release (2018)
For decades, The Cure has been one of the faces of the gothic rock genre. Their unique sound has made them fan favorites, but also a challenging band for others to cover. Their lead singer, Robert Smith, has such a distinctive voice that a musician must really make the song their own to avoid sounding like they’re trying to mimic him. Perhaps this is what makes the Lumineers’ cover of The Cure’s 1987 hit “Just Like Heaven” so impressive.
The Lumineers have always been a very original band, with their folk roots allowing them to create distinctive instrumentals. With only a piano, they managed to make their cover of “Just Like Heaven” feel fresh. They slowed the tune down, which allowed each word to truly resonate. Although this was intended to be a special one-off for a Sirius XM performance, it was so remarkable that it caught a lot of attention, leading to them eventually making it available for download.
7
Finger Eleven – Welcome To The Machine (Original: Pink Floyd)
Album: Greatest Hits (2023)
Over thirty years into their career, Finger Eleven finally released a greatest hits compilation in June 2023. It featured, of course, songs such as “Paralyzer” and “Slow Chemical,” but the band also had some surprises for fans. They included a brand-new single and recorded a cover of “Welcome to the Machine” by Pink Floyd. It certainly is a gamble covering one of the best-selling bands of all time, but Finger Eleven lived up to expectations.
The interesting part of “Welcome to the Machine” is that the song is mainly instrumental, with a few verses mixed in. That makes it even tougher to cover because altering the instrumental could make it an entirely different song, since there aren’t many lyrics to follow. While things may be slightly different, Finger Eleven’s cover is as traditional a cover as it gets. They hit the mark, and it is being added more to their setlist as fans have come to appreciate it.
6
In This Moment – In The Air Tonight (Original: Phil Collins)
Album: Ritual (2017)
Over the years, In This Moment’s lead singer, Maria Brink, has established herself not only as one of the best vocalists in metal but also as a formidable force in the genre. The band is known for being incredibly entertaining, and nothing they do is subtle. Their performances are executed in a grandiose fashionmaking them a highly desirable live act. For all that they are known for, it would be easy for the band to rest on their laurels; however, they have chosen to challenge themselves instead.
One of the biggest tasks was covering “In the Air Tonight” by Phil Collins. Not only was this one of his biggest hits, but it also held deep meaning as it served as his debut solo single. When something carries this much significance, it places pressure on the band covering it to make it exceptional. In This Moment rose to the occasion by allowing Maria Brink’s clean vocals to shine. Although the instrumental has a metal overtone, they kept it relatively close to how Collins had originally done it, showing respect to the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer.
5
Black Veil Brides – Rebel Yell (Original: Billy Idol)
Album: Rebels EP (2011)
Since the start of their career, Black Veil Brides have never hidden the inspiration they have drawn from musicians who preceded them. From KISS to Mötley Crüe, just to name a few, Black Veil Brides have paid homage to these bands through their look and sound. Once they established themselves over their first two albums with hits like “Knives and Pens” and “Fallen Angels,” there was room for the band to honor a couple of their favorites, but this time through covers.
After the release of their sophomore album in June 2011, they finished the year with another project, Rebels EP. On this EP, they covered “Unholy” by KISS and “Rebel Yell” by Billy Idol. The latter has become a crucial part of the band’s setlistas they have performed it over 200 times live. This cover has meant a lot to them, and it has always served as a way for them to engage the crowd, especially if they were new to Black Veil Brides.
4
Mayday Parade – I Want To Hold Your Hand (Original: The Beatles)
Album: Single Release (2020)
For any musician, the chance to cover the Beatles is a great honor. They are the best-selling music act of all time, with over 600 million records sold worldwide, making them true legends of the industry. One band that decided to take on the challenge of covering them was Mayday Parade. This wasn’t something they intended to record for an album; it was just a way for them to help make their fans smile during a very tough time.
The cover was released in July 2020, during the start of the COVID -19 pandemic. The entire world was going through it at that point, so Mayday Parade helped in the best way they knew how: through music. They published a really cool video in which each member recorded their own parts in the safety of their homes. They also did an hour-long live stream to discuss the cover, providing another escape for the fans. For the band, it was a special moment as they got to uplift their fans while honoring one of the greatest bands ever.
3
YUNGBLUD – I Was Made For Lovin’ You (Original: KISS)
Album: The Fall Guy Soundtrack (2024)
Making a name as a solo artist in alternative rock is not an easy feat. For a musician to go on stage by themselves and stand out with no one else’s help means they must possess truly special talents. Since gaining mainstream exposure, YUNGBLUD has captured attention all over the world. With a captivating voice and an original style, the singer was quickly set apart from others. This not only built a large fan base, but made YUNGBLUD desirable for collaborations and various projects.
One of the biggest opportunities presented itself during the making of the 2024 film, The Fall Guy. Not only was YUNGBLUD on the soundtrack for a movie starring Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, but the song that was covered was by KISS. YUNGBLUD’s version of “I Was Made for Lovin’ You” doesn’t stray too far from the original, but what it does is strip the song down into slower sections that allow for the most powerful vocal performance. YUNGBLUD succeeded with this opportunity, leaving the door open for more in the future.
2
Ice Nine Kills – Can’t Help Falling In Love (Original Elvis Presley)
Album: Single Release (2021)
Becoming one of the most sought-after live acts, Ice Nine Kills has built a reputation for being unique. In 2018, with their album, The Silver Screamthe band initiated a new concept where each song revolved around a specific horror movie. This has set them apart so much, they are now touring with the likes of Metallica, and even hosting their own convention (Silver Scream Con) for fans each year. With their lyrics based on spooks, it was strange to see them cover Elvis Presley, but in many ways, it made sense.
Much like Ice Nine Kills, Elvis was all about the performance. From his signature jumpsuits, to his dance moves, he knew how to entertain a crowd. Although their music may differ, stage presence is something similar. Additionally, Ice Nine Kills appreciates slicked-back hair and leather jackets. Primarily, their look revolves around the classy style of the era in which Elvis performed. Instead of transforming the song into a scary tribute, they covered it almost identically, paying homage to the “King of Rock and Roll.”
1
Asking Alexandria – Hysteria (Original: Def Leppard)
Album: Under The Influence: A Tribute To The Legends Of Hard Rock (2012)
As Asking Alexandria began their career with their debut studio album, Stand Up and Scream, in 2009, they quickly burst on the scene of the metalcore genre. To capitalize on the growing popularity, the band continued working in the studio to produce more material. They first dabbled with a few covers in 2010 on their Life Gone Wild EP, performing a couple of songs by Skid Row. They returned to the studio for another album in 2011 but experimented with covers again in 2012.
Arriving in November 2012, Asking Alexandria released their EP Under the Influence: A Tribute to the Legends of Hard Rock. Instead of covering just one band, this time they covered four: Journey, Mötley Crüe, Whitesnake, and Def Leppard. The latter was arguably the most meaningful for them because, as a fellow English rock band, Asking Alexandria looked up to Def Leppard, as they were the ones who paved the way for bands like them. They didn’t change the tune too much, instead opting to make it a true tribute to the original.
