Best versions of rock songs

Another memorable performance from Nirvana's MTV Unplugged, with Kurt Cobain's harrowing voice giving it a unique intensity. It's an iconic version that highlights Nirvana's ability to connect with the essence of songs and deliver deeply emotional interpretations.

It's a dark, industrial, and gothic transformation of Eurythmics' original pop hit. It served as a platform for Marilyn Manson to top the sales charts and is an example of how an artist can give a song an entirely new identity.

Joan Jett transformed this song into a generational rock and roll anthem with her attitude and energy. It is the band's biggest hit and a clear example of a cover that far surpassed the original.

This energetic and forceful heavy metal version gave new life to this folk/rock classic. It won a Grammy in 2000 and is one of Metallica's most successful and recognized versions.

It's another acclaimed Disturbed version that demonstrates their ability to reinterpret songs and make them sound like their own. It transformed Genesis' pop-rock track into a more aggressive and darker song, maintaining the political message.

Ike & Tina Turner transformed the song into an explosion of soul and rock, with unparalleled energy and Tina's powerful voice. Their version is a classic in its own right, often considered superior to the original due to its dynamism and Tina Turner's iconic performance.

This powerful and dramatic reinterpretation revitalized the song for a new generation. It is frequently cited as an example of how a cover can completely transform an original, becoming a viral and highly acclaimed success.

It's a raw, emotional, and vulnerable rendition that gave the song a new layer of meaning. Many consider it superior to the original due to its emotional depth and the way Cash made it his own.

Cocker's version is a radical restructuring with a blues rock style and passionate vocal performance. It has become a rock anthem, more widely known than the original for many, thanks to its impact at Woodstock.

Performed on Nirvana's iconic MTV Unplugged, this acoustic and melancholic version gave new life to Bowie's song. It is the best-known version of the song and a memorable moment in music history.

This hard rock version injected an explosion of energy into Dylan's folk classic. It became an anthem and is one of the best-known versions of the song, surpassing the original in popularity for many.

Santana magnified the song's Latin and blues elements, adding his distinctive guitar style. It was a big sales hit and is one of Santana's most recognizable songs, demonstrating how a band can make a song their own.

Clapton gave Marley's reggae song a blues rock touch, taking it to the top of the music charts. It is a very successful version that introduced the song to a wider audience and is an example of Clapton's versatility.

The band led by Gwen Stefani recorded this version with their characteristic pop-rock style, giving a fresh touch to the new wave classic. It was a hit for No Doubt and is a well-received cover that shows how a band can pay homage to an original while imprinting their own stamp on it.

This explosive hard rock version has become a staple on rock radio stations. It's very likely that this cover has been heard many times, as Guns N' Roses' version of this classic James Bond theme has been a 'must-play' on rock stations for years.

This nu-metal version achieves a perfect balance between respect for the original and the band's own imprint. It was the band's only major hit and is a highly recognized cover that demonstrated how a pop icon could be reinterpreted in a different genre.

The Animals' adaptation transformed this traditional folk tune into one of the first major psychedelic rock hits. Although the song has a history stretching back generations, The Animals' rendition made it immensely popular and well-known.

Franklin transformed the song into an anthem of female empowerment with her unique voice and unmistakable style. Her version is much more popular than the original, serving as a testament to the power of interpretation.

The Beatles' version ignited a true explosion of energy, with John Lennon's voice pushed to its limit. With its contagious rhythm and unforgettable chorus, it became one of those songs everyone has sung at the top of their lungs.