The 10 Most Covered Songs
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According to 'Guinness World Records', Yesterday by The Beatles was covered seven million times in the 20th century. Official versions range from the sublime (Frank Sinatra) to the ridiculous (Wet Wet Wet and Boyz II Men).
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1. Eleanor Rigby (The Beatles)
A surprising choice for the top spot. But the enigmatic tale has been reworked 131 times, by Joan Baez and Aretha Franklin among others.
2. Yesterday (The Beatles)
According to 'Guinness World Records' this song was covered seven million
times in the 20th century. Official versions range from the sublime (Frank
Sinatra) to the ridiculous (Wet Wet Wet and Boyz II Men).
3. Cry Me a River (Julie London)
Not the Justin Timberlake one. This bluesy jazz number has been covered by
other luminaries of the genre, including Ella Fitzgerald and Ray Charles,
and even Aerosmith.
4. And I Love Her (The Beatles)
From 'A Hard Day's Night', Smokey Robinson, Bob Marley and Barry Manilow have
all recorded it.
5. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones)
With 98 covers recorded, the Stones make the top 10. A surprising range of
artists have lapped this one up, including Aretha Franklin, Jimi Hendrix,
Cat Power and Vanilla Ice.
6. Imagine(John Lennon)
Elton John, David Bowie, Diana Ross, Avril Lavigne and Jack Johnson... the
list is endless.
7. Summertime (Abbie Mitchell)
Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong provide the best known adaptation, so no
one remembers the original. Sonny and Cher, Nina Simone and REM have
recorded their take.
8. Blackbird(The Beatles)
Another album track from the Fab Four, which has been covered by Carly Simon
and Dave Grohl.
9. Over the Rainbow (Judy Garland)
Dorothy was blissfully unaware of how popular the tune would be. Special
mentions to Eva Cassidy and the brilliant partial cover by Israel
Kamakawiwo'ole.
10. The Look of Love (Dusty Springfield)
After husky Dusty, the CV is impressive, with Nina Simone, Diana Krall and
Neil Diamond all doing it.
Which are the best and worst cover versions? Jimi Hendrix doing ‘All Along the Watchtower’? Madonna’s ‘America Pie’? Join the debate by clicking here.
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Comments
I doubt that 'yesterday' has been covered 7 million times.... more likely 2-3.000 times with 7-8 Million plays on US radio depending on when you started counting....
Come on Independent, you can do better than this!
:-)
I agree with davethedog123...this is a very western outlook on the subject...as usual.