Top 10 Worst Cover Songs

[Music] [Applause] some songs should just not be touched [Music] 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 McClane with many famous references to old musicians like Elvis Presley and Buddy Holly was woefully condensed into a four minute dance pop song from superstar Madonna [Music] the original had the perfect blends of soothing acoustic guitar emotional vocals and that sing-along factor that just made it a fun to [Music] 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 [Music] 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 and after listening to this song you'll realize that there's a very good reason for that [Music] 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 [Music] 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 [Music] 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 amaze 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 [Music] 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 [Music] 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 [Music] 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 [Music] 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 [Music] while the go-go's version was raw complete with a funky bass melody and authentic vocals the Duff version is simply overproduced pop similar to anything you'd hear on top-40 radio [Music] [Applause] 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 [Music] 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 [Music] 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 [Music] 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 [Music] 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 [Music] 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 [Music] number three never gonna give you up by ashley tisdale originally by rick astley we're no strangers to love you know 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 [Music] 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 [Music] 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 - barrage on the gun Mother Superior on the gun [Music] number one I can't get no satisfaction by Britney Spears originally by the Rolling Stones arguably the Rolling 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 [Applause] [Music] so far detached from Jagger's iconic roughness that we can't help but feel embarrassed for her [Music] 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 [Music] for more ear pleasing top 10 is published every day be sure to subscribe to watchmojo.com [Music] [Applause] [Music]

Channel: WatchMojo.com

Views: 8,186,092

Rating: 4.5089107 out of 5

Keywords: Cover Version (Literature Subject), Song (Composition Type), music, worst, cover songs, american pie, these boots are made for walkin, walk this way, lucy in the sky with diamonds, our lips are sealed, comfortably numb, crush on you, never gonna give you up, twist and shout, happiness is a warm gun, Satisfaction

Id: uIhg0Au14lU

Length: 13min 44sec (824 seconds)

Published: Wed Oct 21 2015

Reddit Comments

[u/Georgia-OQueefe]

I don't think that saying a cover sucks really counts as defening but yeah the the tone on some of these entries sounded close to it. I'm sure the comment section is a defening goldmine though like every other WatchMojo video. Also this is much worse than anything on that list

[u/JohnWH]

"First rule of covering The Beatles: Don't cover the Beatles".... except if you are Joe Cocker, Sonic Youth, St. Vincent, The Pixies, or you know, a ton of great artists. Also, the Flaming Lips have done amazing stripped down covers of The Beat[le]s.

edit: I may be biased when it comes to St. Vincent covers....

[u/ZordonFreemanI]

Watchmojo complains about top 40 songs and calls Smells like Teen Spirit the best Nirvana song smh.