Cover songs are a fundamental part of rock ‘n’ roll history. Think about your favorite songs. Chances are there’s a cover song (or two) on the list. Some cover songs serve as the introduction to new bands that catapult their careers. Some become iconic songs in their own right surpassing the impact of the original. Some mirror the original closely, while others are a completely new take on the song. Many bands have included cover songs as a mainstay in their concert set lists.

Here’s my top 20:

#20 – “La Bamba” by Los Lobos (1987). Ritchie Valens made this Mexican folk song into a rock ‘n’ roll number in 1958. Los Lobos had a huge hit with the song in 1987 by incorporating traditional Mexican music into an updated, popular rock sound. The song won the MTV Best Video Award which featured Lou Diamond Phillips (who played Valens in the film named after the song).

#19 – “Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinead O’Connor (1990). This Prince song was the perfect vehicle for Sinead O’Connor’s voice. It’s soaring beauty transforms the song and became her breakthrough worldwide hit. At first the song didn’t quite make my list, but I gave it another listen. Plus, it’s my wife’s favorite.

#18 – “Wichita Lineman” by Ghost of an American Airman (1993). Glen Campbell made this Jimmy Webb tune into an American classic in 1968. These Irish rockers straightforward version reminded me of how timeless the song is in 1993. Take a listen to “Bring on the Mystery” or “When the Whistle Blows” to hear how the band sounds when they’re playing their own songs.

#17 – “I Don’t Need No Doctor” by Humble Pie (1971). Ray Charles turned this song written by Nick Ashford, Valerie Simpson, and Jo Armstead into a hit in 1966. Humble Pie remade the soulful original into a nine-minute rock jam on the live album Performance Rockin’ the Fillmore, highlighted by the raspy vocals of Steve Marriott and guitar by Peter Frampton.

#16 – “Road Runner” by the Sex Pistols (1979). Jonathan Richman first recorded this song in 1972, but its inclusion on the long-delayed 1976 debut album with his band The Modern Lovers (containing future members of The Cars and Talking Heads) put the song on the radar. The Sex Pistols made a mess of it on their The Great Rock N’ Roll Swindle album with Johnny Rotten leading off with “I dunno the words.” This may not be worthy of an outstanding covers list, but I’m putting myself back in the punk days when Rotten’s snarling “road runner, road runner, faster miles an hour” was mimicked…in a good way.

#15 – “Soul Kitchen” by X (1980). X took this organ-y song by the Doors and punked it up on their classic 1980 debut album. It’s a fitting tribute since the Doors keyboardist Ray Manzarek is at the helm producing the album.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_ZZf4qN07s

#14 – “I Know (I’m Losing You)” by Rod Stewart (1971). Rod Stewart borrowed a song from Motown (The Temptations) and changed it into an extended jam on the exemplary album Every Picture Tells a Story.

#13 – “You Really Got Me” by Van Halen (1978). Van Halen used this Kinks’ standard as its first single and it launched them to early fame. The song detonates from the first moment and it’s an early showcase for David Lee Roth and Eddie Van Halen.

#12 – “I Fought the Law” by The Clash (1979). This song was first made popular in 1965 by the Bobby Fuller Four, but was written in 1958 by Sonny Curtis and recorded in 1959 with The Crickets when he replaced Buddy Holly in the band. The song is a perfect vehicle for The Clash’s rebellious attitude and Joe Strummer’s hoarse pleadings. (Honorable Mention: The Clash version of “Police and Thieves” by Junior Murvin)

#11 – “Johnny Was” by Stiff Little Fingers (1979). Stiff Little Fingers included this Bob Marley cover on their appropriately-named first album Inflammable Material. They would continue to visit reggae beats throughout their long career.

#10 – “Summertime Blues” by The Who (1970). The Who covered this Eddie Cochran number in 1970 on the definitive live album Live at Leeds and included it in their live sets for years to come. (An all-time concert experience for me: October 12, 2000, Cabo Wabo, Cabo San Lucas for Sammy Hagar’s annual birthday show on his “homecourt.” He calls for a special guest and John Entwistle lumbers down the stairs and joins him and the band for three songs; “Summertime Blues” being one of them. A packed, sweaty, tequila-fueled communion.)

#9 – “Woodstock” by Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young (1970). CSN&Y released their cover in 1970 the same year that Joni Mitchell put out her original. Where Joni’s song is a stark piano solo, CSN&Y led with Neil’s guitar, Stills’ vocals, and the band’s exquisite harmonies to craft an enduring rocker from their Deja Vu album.

#8 – “Take Me to the River” by Talking Heads (1978). Talking Heads kept the soul of the Al Green song, but made it their own – pop, punk and quirky . The band’s first hit.

#7 – “Let’s Spend the Night Together” by David Bowie (1973). Bowie takes this Rolling Stones song from the 60s to the 70s , from a spacey rocker to a lascivious glam fest. (Honorable Mention: Bowie’s Pinups album also from 1973 made up entirely of covers of English bands from the mid-60s. Bands covered include the well known (The Kinks, The Who, The Yardbirds) and the not so well known (Pretty Things, Easybeats, and Merseys).

#6 – “Respect” by Aretha Franklin (1967). Talk about a cover song! Aretha made this Otis Redding tune a powerful anthem for the ages. Her signature song and always high on the best song of all time lists.

#5 – “Hurt” by Johnny Cash (2002). This one is nuts. Johnny Cash covering Nine Inch Nails. Achingly profound.

#4 – “The Man Who Sold the World” by Nirvana (1993). Nirvana puts the acoustic spin on this Bowie track giving it a whole new dimension. A highlight from the MTV Unplugged in New York sessions.

#3 – “All Along the Watchtower” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1970). Many Bob Dylan songs have been covered. This may be the best. The opening lyrics of, “There must be some kind of way outta here,” followed by the epic guitar. Dylan’s lyrics and Hendrix’s guitar. Classic. I know I tend to overuse the term “classic,” but this song deserves it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmGFFJtkDXA

#2 – “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding” by Elvis Costello & the Attractions (1979). I love this song! Elvis Costello pumps up the beat on this Nick Lowe song. A rollicking peak of his live shows for 40 years.

#1 – “So You Want to Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star” by Patti Smith (1979). This has always been my favorite cover song and I’m sticking to it. Patti Smith grabs this 1967 folky, jangly Byrds song and supercharges it into a punk masterpiece.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxHDxmEnY6Q

Please share some of your favorite covers.