13 Worst Cover Songs Of All Time
Wanted: For crimes against music.
Cover songs are fairly commonplace within the music industry, although it’s fair to say that they have had varying levels of success.
Some obscure songs from a singer’s back catalogue find mainstream success when covered by another artist, or a well-known song can be given a new lease of life when re-introduced by another artist’s unique interpretation of the track.
‘All Along The Watchtower’ is arguably more synonymous with Jimi Hendrix although it was originally a Bob Dylan track, whereas Johnny Cash poured his heart and soul into his cover of Nine Inch Nail’s ‘Hurt’ to the point that the song feels like one of his own.
On the other hand, some beloved songs have had their legacy tarnished by a woefully bad cover. It’s always risky to cover a popular song, as fans of the original are likely to push back against a reimagining of the track.
You will likely remember some of these artists butchering classic songs, but perhaps there will be some covers you were previously unaware of and I can play some part in ruining some of your favourite songs. You’re welcome.
13. Girls Aloud & Sugababes - Walk This Way
This atrocious collaboration was recorded for charity to raise money for Comic Relief. Hopefully the song did some good in that respect, but for music lovers, it doesn’t even offer comic relief, it’s just bad.
The Aerosmith and Run-DMC collaboration on which this cover is based is considered one of the most genre-defying and groundbreaking songs of all time. Therefore, it was difficult to watch Girls Aloud and Sugababes slowly torture this song to death over its three-minute running time.
The weak parody of the iconic music video is the cherry on top of this woeful cake and comes across as more of a mockery than a tribute to the original song.
As if that wasn’t enough, the song then ends with celebrity cameos from the likes of Davina McCall and Sonia from Eastenders. Please just stop, it’s already dead!