some songs should just not be touched
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
counting down our picks for the top ten
worst cover songs for this list we’re
looking at covers that absolutely
butchered the original song and are
often considered terrible renditions in
their own right we’re only including
official releases so live songs like
Kanye West’s Bohemian Rhapsody cover
will not be eligible long long time ago
I can still remember how that music used
to make me smile
number 10 American Pie by Madonna
originally by Don McLean I can still
remember how that music used to make me
this eight minute classic from don
mclean with many famous references to
old musicians like Elvis Presley and
Buddy Holly was woefully condensed into
a four-minute dense pop song from
superstar Madonna
the original had the perfect blends of
soothing acoustic guitar emotional
vocals and that sing-along factor that
just made it a fun to
Madonna’s version had none of those
things at least we can take comfort in
one thing we were spared the four extra
minutes of torture that she decided to
forego
number nine walk this way
by Macy Gray originally by Aerosmith
nasally R&B singer Macy Gray is probably
not the first person you would think to
do an Aerosmith cover band after
listening to this song you’ll realize
that there’s a very good reason for that
the song replaces the heavy hitting
guitars with some weird techno noises
that sound straight out of a cheesy
porno while Steven Tyler’s harsh vocals
are replaced by grace squeaky
high-pitched singing grace vocal style
does not make a good match for the song
which turns the rock classic into an R&B
mess
number eight these boots are made for
walkin by Jessica Simpson originally by
Nancy Sinatra right around 2005 as fans
were preparing for the Dukes of Hazzard
movie Jessica Simpson was soaking in her
50 minutes of fame and it unfortunately
included this abysmal cover of a Nancy
Sinatra classic cover is a loose term
though as Simpson basically changed
everything about it including its lyrics
and musical arrangements even
incorporating banjos to make it sound
more country which is never a good idea
not only that but her Poppy’s seductive
singing doesn’t even compare to
Sinatra’s classic empowering voice these
boots are made
and that’s just what they’ll do
boots are gonna walk all over you
number seven comfortably numb by scissor
sisters originally by Pink Floyd
this is a rock classic so of course
groups are going to cover it but the
song definitely doesn’t belong in the
disco genre
while we have to commend the group for
their original approach the song and the
techno style make an awful pairing and
the lyrics lose all of their meaning
when played with electronics rather than
soulful guitars
the atmosphere and emotion of the song
are lost and replaced by loud techno
babble turning the song into something
you would hear at a coked-up disco club
in the 70s number 6 our lips are sealed
by Hilary and Haylie Duff originally by
the go-go’s
the Duff Sisters team up to ruin yet
another song as if Hilary’s rendition of
my generation didn’t make your ears
bleed
enough
while the go-go’s version was raw
complete with a funky bass melody and
authentic vocals the Duff version is
simply over produced pop similar to
anything you’d hear on top 40 radio
the guitar throughout tries to retain
some of the originals power but the
Duff’s overproduced vocals simply make
this song sound like something you’d
hear on the Disney Channel
picture yourself in a boat
number five Lucy in the Sky with
Diamonds by The Flaming Lips featuring
Miley Cyrus and Moby originally by the
Beatles
the first rule of covering the beetles
don’t cover the beetles the second rule
of covering the beetles if you’re going
to do it don’t have Miley Cyrus and Moby
do the vocals
this cover of the iconic song tries to
be artistic but is simply loud noise
that is unbearable to listen to
they probably still believe that the
song is about LSD despite constant
denial and they set out to make a song
that must only sound good when under the
influence of some powerful stuff
even then it’s questionable
number four crush on you by Aaron Carter
originally by the Jets crush on you was
a successful single from the Jets
released in 1986 which reached number
three in the United States
this unfortunately drew the attention of
then ten-year-old Aaron Carter or rather
his managers attention who included a
cover of it on his debut album
it retains the silly 8e sound of the
original but it also features Carters
really boyish and young sounding vocals
which sound far too awkward and actually
a little creepy
number three never gonna give you up by
ashley tisdale
originally by rick astley changes
the internet sensation that became
popular due to Rick rollin and while the
original seems like an essential song of
the 80s we couldn’t forget about this
song faster
while the original song certainly wasn’t
winning any major awards it had its own
charm about it mostly due to Ashley’s
deep voice and innocent lyrics instead
this version is filled with annoying
electronic effects weird echoing vocal
sounds and clearly obvious auto-tune
we’re not sure who gave this version the
final stamp of approval but they should
no longer be in the music business
number two Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
by William Shatner originally by the
Beatles remember our first rule of
covering the Beatles Captain Kirk
himself released a truly bizarre album
in the late 60s covering famous songs
and reciting poetry in an overly
dramatic spoken word form the girl was a
Sun in her eyes many know his infamous
Rocket Man cover of the same type but
his version of The Beatles classic is
truly bewildering and fails it even
remotely being artistic everyone smiles
we’re not sure what he was on when he
thought of doing this but then again it
was the 60s so it could have been
anything before we hurt your ears with
our top pick here are a few honorable
mentions
I used a
you would never come
there is no life I know to compare with
pure imagination there is no life I know
to come
superior jump the gun mothers of
marriage on the gun
number one I can’t get no satisfaction
by Britney Spears originally by the
Rolling Stones arguably the Rouen stones
most popular song it has drawn the
attention of many and artists throughout
the years but none as bad as Britney
Spears absolutely no one asked for this
and it’s as bad as everyone thinks
as Spears winds her way slowly
throughout the song in her signature
whiny voice
so far detached from Jagger’s iconic
roughness that we can’t help but feel
embarrassed for her
Speirs should simply stay away from
classic rock as her cover of I love rock
and roll didn’t garner too many fans
either so do you agree with our list
what’s cover song do you find to be
terrible
for more ear pleasing top 10 is
published every day be sure to subscribe
to watchmojo.com
welcome to watchmojo.com and today we’re
counting down our picks for the top ten
worst cover songs for this list we’re
looking at covers that absolutely
butchered the original song and are
often considered terrible renditions in
their own right we’re only including
official releases so live songs like
Kanye West’s Bohemian Rhapsody cover
will not be eligible long long time ago
I can still remember how that music used
to make me smile
number 10 American Pie by Madonna
originally by Don McLean I can still
remember how that music used to make me
this eight minute classic from don
mclean with many famous references to
old musicians like Elvis Presley and
Buddy Holly was woefully condensed into
a four-minute dense pop song from
superstar Madonna
the original had the perfect blends of
soothing acoustic guitar emotional
vocals and that sing-along factor that
just made it a fun to
Madonna’s version had none of those
things at least we can take comfort in
one thing we were spared the four extra
minutes of torture that she decided to
forego
number nine walk this way
by Macy Gray originally by Aerosmith
nasally R&B singer Macy Gray is probably
not the first person you would think to
do an Aerosmith cover band after
listening to this song you’ll realize
that there’s a very good reason for that
the song replaces the heavy hitting
guitars with some weird techno noises
that sound straight out of a cheesy
porno while Steven Tyler’s harsh vocals
are replaced by grace squeaky
high-pitched singing grace vocal style
does not make a good match for the song
which turns the rock classic into an R&B
mess
number eight these boots are made for
walkin by Jessica Simpson originally by
Nancy Sinatra right around 2005 as fans
were preparing for the Dukes of Hazzard
movie Jessica Simpson was soaking in her
50 minutes of fame and it unfortunately
included this abysmal cover of a Nancy
Sinatra classic cover is a loose term
though as Simpson basically changed
everything about it including its lyrics
and musical arrangements even
incorporating banjos to make it sound
more country which is never a good idea
not only that but her Poppy’s seductive
singing doesn’t even compare to
Sinatra’s classic empowering voice these
boots are made
and that’s just what they’ll do
boots are gonna walk all over you
number seven comfortably numb by scissor
sisters originally by Pink Floyd
this is a rock classic so of course
groups are going to cover it but the
song definitely doesn’t belong in the
disco genre
while we have to commend the group for
their original approach the song and the
techno style make an awful pairing and
the lyrics lose all of their meaning
when played with electronics rather than
soulful guitars
the atmosphere and emotion of the song
are lost and replaced by loud techno
babble turning the song into something
you would hear at a coked-up disco club
in the 70s number 6 our lips are sealed
by Hilary and Haylie Duff originally by
the go-go’s
the Duff Sisters team up to ruin yet
another song as if Hilary’s rendition of
my generation didn’t make your ears
bleed
enough
while the go-go’s version was raw
complete with a funky bass melody and
authentic vocals the Duff version is
simply over produced pop similar to
anything you’d hear on top 40 radio
the guitar throughout tries to retain
some of the originals power but the
Duff’s overproduced vocals simply make
this song sound like something you’d
hear on the Disney Channel
picture yourself in a boat
number five Lucy in the Sky with
Diamonds by The Flaming Lips featuring
Miley Cyrus and Moby originally by the
Beatles
the first rule of covering the beetles
don’t cover the beetles the second rule
of covering the beetles if you’re going
to do it don’t have Miley Cyrus and Moby
do the vocals
this cover of the iconic song tries to
be artistic but is simply loud noise
that is unbearable to listen to
they probably still believe that the
song is about LSD despite constant
denial and they set out to make a song
that must only sound good when under the
influence of some powerful stuff
even then it’s questionable
number four crush on you by Aaron Carter
originally by the Jets crush on you was
a successful single from the Jets
released in 1986 which reached number
three in the United States
this unfortunately drew the attention of
then ten-year-old Aaron Carter or rather
his managers attention who included a
cover of it on his debut album
it retains the silly 8e sound of the
original but it also features Carters
really boyish and young sounding vocals
which sound far too awkward and actually
a little creepy
number three never gonna give you up by
ashley tisdale
originally by rick astley changes
the internet sensation that became
popular due to Rick rollin and while the
original seems like an essential song of
the 80s we couldn’t forget about this
song faster
while the original song certainly wasn’t
winning any major awards it had its own
charm about it mostly due to Ashley’s
deep voice and innocent lyrics instead
this version is filled with annoying
electronic effects weird echoing vocal
sounds and clearly obvious auto-tune
we’re not sure who gave this version the
final stamp of approval but they should
no longer be in the music business
number two Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds
by William Shatner originally by the
Beatles remember our first rule of
covering the Beatles Captain Kirk
himself released a truly bizarre album
in the late 60s covering famous songs
and reciting poetry in an overly
dramatic spoken word form the girl was a
Sun in her eyes many know his infamous
Rocket Man cover of the same type but
his version of The Beatles classic is
truly bewildering and fails it even
remotely being artistic everyone smiles
we’re not sure what he was on when he
thought of doing this but then again it
was the 60s so it could have been
anything before we hurt your ears with
our top pick here are a few honorable
mentions
I used a
you would never come
there is no life I know to compare with
pure imagination there is no life I know
to come
superior jump the gun mothers of
marriage on the gun
number one I can’t get no satisfaction
by Britney Spears originally by the
Rolling Stones arguably the Rouen stones
most popular song it has drawn the
attention of many and artists throughout
the years but none as bad as Britney
Spears absolutely no one asked for this
and it’s as bad as everyone thinks
as Spears winds her way slowly
throughout the song in her signature
whiny voice
so far detached from Jagger’s iconic
roughness that we can’t help but feel
embarrassed for her
Speirs should simply stay away from
classic rock as her cover of I love rock
and roll didn’t garner too many fans
either so do you agree with our list
what’s cover song do you find to be
terrible
for more ear pleasing top 10 is
published every day be sure to subscribe
to watchmojo.com
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