Top 10 Cover Songs Bigger than the Original

Top 10 Cover Songs Bigger than the Original

The real winner in a cover song is the writer. Most of the time, the original singer is also the writer. So even if many may argue that the cover is better than the original, please keep in mind that the words, music and emotions came from the writer and no matter how good the dover does, it’s never going to be better than when the writer does it.

It is commendable though, for another singer to pick up someone else’s tune and give it another life. Below are some of the more successful covers.

10. It’s Raining Men


First Released by: The Weather Girls

Covered by: Geri Halliwell

Their original version became an international hit, selling over 6 million copies worldwide and reached the number 2 position in the charts.

It was taken to number one in 2001 by Geri Halliwell. It was the 12th best seller of 2001 and Geri Halliwell’s most successful single worldwide.



9. Nothing Compares to you


First Released by: The Family

Covered by: Sinead O’Connor

The Family version was not realeased as a single and was never really noticed.

Sinead O’Connor had a world wide number one hit in 1990 with this cover. The song became a number hit in the US, Australia, Germany and the UK, Prince even began to perform the song at his live shows.



8. Mad World


First Released by: ]By Tears For Fears


Covered by: Gary Jules

The original version reaced #3 on the UK Singles Chart in November 1982

Gary Jules created this masterpiece interpretation of Mad World for the movie Donnie Darko. The song charted at #1 in the UK versus the #3 the original had attained. The simple piano tune and stronger more emotion-filled vocals made the song more powerful and successful than the original.



7. Hallelujah


First Released by: Leonard Cohen

Covered by: Jeff Buckley

The original version was never really as success. Buckley’s version became a hit after he died. It was never released as a single but it ranked number 259 on Rolling Stone’s “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”. Buckley had his first national Top 10 bestseller when “Hallelujah” went to number seven in Norway. In 2007 it made the top 3 on the Swedish charts. In March 2008 it hit number one in France. In April 2008 it topped Billboard’s Hot Digital Songs in the U.S., where the sudden resurgence of interest catapulted Buckley’s version past both Gold and Platinum status, the RIAA certifying the digital track on April 22, 2008.



6. You Can’t Hurry Love


First Released by: The Supremes

Covered by: Phil Collins

A number 3 hit for the Supremes in 1966, it was taken to the top of the charts in 1982 when Phil Collins released his version.



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