10 Best Cover Songs In Classic Rock

The Clash certainly lived up to their self-proclaimed moniker as the Only Band That Mattered. From their uber political diatribes to their more poppy leanings, each blistering track always left you bobbing your head. Even when performing other artists' material, the band always made it feel like an unstoppable sonic force coming at you.

Originally an old 50's tune by Bobby Fuller, "I Fought The Law" was a mild hit but was not really enjoying too much of a shelf life beyond a few plays on oldies radio. However, the lyrical topic of being put in jail for your violent behavior managed to fit all too perfectly with the ethos of punk rock. Once Joe Strummer started to perform it, the song quickly morphed from a bitter teenage lament into a desperate plea for freedom.

This is one of the rare instances that the cover eclipses the initial version, with many people taking the song for another great Clash original. Many elitists tend to rag on punk rock for its simplicity, but the energy the Clash create when playing this tune is something only true artists can accomplish. This is the sound of four British lads cutting loose, blasting through rock and roll almost as if their lives depend on it.