Greatest Cover Songs and Remakes of the 1960s
Criteria: These cover songs/remakes of the 1960s are ranked according to their initial and lasting popularity, influence and acclaim, as well as their cultural impact. The greatness of an original record is not taken into consideration. To qualify as a cover version, the song has to be neither the first recorded nor the first released version of particular song.
Legend:
Song - Original Artist with first recording (year) | Great Cover Version/Remake (year)
Legend:
Song - Original Artist with first recording (year) | Great Cover Version/Remake (year)
Cover Songs 1960s
1. Respect
Otis Redding (1965) | Aretha Franklin (1967)
2. Louie Louie
Richard Berry (1957) | The Kingsmen (1963)
3. I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Gladys Knight & the Pips (1967) | Marvin Gaye (1968)
4. All Along The Watchtower
Bob Dylan (1967) | Jimi Hendrix (1968)
5. Mr. Tambourine Man
Bob Dylan (1965) | The Byrds (1965)
6. The House of the Rising Sun
Traditional | The Animals (1964)
7. Somebody To Love
The Great Society (1966) | Jefferson Airplane (1967)
8. Twist And Shout
Top Notes (1961) | The Beatles (1963)
9. Georgia on My Mind
Hoagy Carmichael & His Orchestra (1930) | Ray Charles (1960)
10. Dazed and Confused
Jake Holmes (1967) | Led Zeppelin (1969)
Otis Redding (1965) | Aretha Franklin (1967)
2. Louie Louie
Richard Berry (1957) | The Kingsmen (1963)
3. I Heard It Through The Grapevine
Gladys Knight & the Pips (1967) | Marvin Gaye (1968)
4. All Along The Watchtower
Bob Dylan (1967) | Jimi Hendrix (1968)
5. Mr. Tambourine Man
Bob Dylan (1965) | The Byrds (1965)
6. The House of the Rising Sun
Traditional | The Animals (1964)
7. Somebody To Love
The Great Society (1966) | Jefferson Airplane (1967)
8. Twist And Shout
Top Notes (1961) | The Beatles (1963)
9. Georgia on My Mind
Hoagy Carmichael & His Orchestra (1930) | Ray Charles (1960)
10. Dazed and Confused
Jake Holmes (1967) | Led Zeppelin (1969)
11. Wild Thing
Wild Ones (1965) | The Troggs (1966)
12. Surfin' U.S.A.
Chuck Berry (1958, "Sweet Little Sixteen") | The Beach Boys (1963)
13. I Got You (I Feel Good)
Yvonne Fair & James Brown Band (1962, "I Found You") | James Brown (1965)
14. The Twist
Hank Ballard and the Midnighters (1959) | Chubby Checker (1960)
15. At Last
Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1941) | Etta James (1960)
16. I Can't Stop Loving You
Don Gibson (1957) | Ray Charles (1962)
17. Unchained Melody
Todd Duncan (1955) | The Righteous Brothers (1965)
18. Turn, Turn, Turn
The Limeliters (1962, "To Everything There Is a Season") | The Byrds (1966)
19. Try A Little Tenderness
Ray Noble and His Orchestra (1932) | Otis Redding (1966)
20. Suspicious Minds
Mark James (1968) | Elvis Presley (1969)
21. My Back Pages
Bob Dylan (1964) | The Byrds (1967)
22. I Fought The Law
The Crickets (1960) | The Bobby Fuller Four (1965)
23. Good Lovin'
The Olympics (1966) | The Young Rascals (1966)
24. Evil Ways
Willie Bobo (1967) | Santana (1969)
25. Mustang Sally
Sir Mack Rice (1965) | Wilson Pickett (1966)
26. Do Wah Diddy Diddy
The Exciters (1963, "Do-Wah-Diddy") | Manfred Mann (1964)
27. Hanky Panky
The Raindrops (1963) | Tommy James & the Shondells (1964)
28. Devil With A Blue Dress On & Good Golly Miss Molly
Little Richard (1957, "Good Golly Miss Molly") and Shorty Long (1964, "Devil with the Blue Dress") | Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels (1966)
29. Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)
Dick Holler & the Holidays (1964) | The Swingin' Medallions (1966)
30. Piece Of My Heart
Erma Franklin (1967) | Big Brother & Holding Company (1968)
31. Hang On Sloopy
The Vibrations (1964, "My Girl Sloopy") | The McCoys (1965)
32. On Broadway
The Crystals (1963) | The Drifters (1963)
33. Needles and Pins
Jackie DeShannon (1963) | The Searchers (1964)
34. Memphis
Chuck Berry (1959, "Memphis, Tennessee") | Johnny Rivers (1964)
35. You Keep Me Hangin' On
Supremes (1966) | Vanilla Fudge (1967)
36. Get Together
The Kingston Trio (1964, "Let's Get Together") | The Youngbloods (1967)
37. Hello Mary Lou
Johnny Duncan (1960) | Ricky Nelson (1961)
38. Twist And Shout
Top Notes (1961) | The Isley Brothers (1962)
39. Blue Moon
Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra (1934) | The Marcels (1961)
40. Summertime Blues
Eddie Cochran (1958) | Blue Cheer (1968)
41. Hush
Billy Joe Royal (1967) | Deep Purple (1968)
42. Walk Don't Run
Johnny Smith (1954) | The Ventures (1960)
43. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Nina Simone (1964) | The Animals (1965)
44. Land of 1,000 Dances
Chris Kenner (1962) | Cannibal & the Headhunters (1965)
45. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Solomon Linda's Original Evening Birds (1939) | The Tokens (1961)
46. Crossroads
Robert Johnson (1936) | Cream (1968)
47. Different Drum
The Greenbriar Boys (1966)| Stone Poneys (1967)
48. For Once in My Life
Jean DuShon (1966) | Stevie Wonder (1968)
49. Magic Bus
Pudding (1967) | The Who (1968)
50. Land of 1,000 Dances
Chris Kenner (1962) | Wilson Pickett (1966)
51. Gloria
Them (1964) | The Shadows of Knight (1966)
52. Summertime
Abbie Mitchell (1935) | Billy Stewart (1966)
53. Time Is On My Side
Kai Winding & His Orchestra (1963) | The Rolling Stones (1964)
54. Misirlou
Traditional | Dick Dale (1962)
55. Night Train
Jimmy Forrest (1952) | James Brown and the Famous Flames (1961)
56. I'm a Man
Bo Diddley (1955) | The Yardbirds (1965)
57. Barbara Ann
The Regents (1961) | The Beach Boys (1965)
58. It's All over Now
The Valentinos (1964) | The Rolling Stones (1964)
59. With A Little Help From My Friends
Beatles (1967) | Joe Cocker (1968)
60. Get Ready
Temptations (1966) | Rare Earth (1969)
61. Hey Joe
The Leaves (1965) | Jimi Hendrix (1966)
62. Sloop John B
Traditional | The Beach Boys (1966)
63. Go Now
Bessie Banks (1964) | The Moody Blues (1964)
64. Rainy Night In Georgia
Tony Joe White (1969) | Brook Benton (1969)
65. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
Kelly Gordon (1969) | The Hollies (1969)
66. Tobacco Road
John D. Loudermilk (1960) | The Nashville Teens (1964)
67. Last Kiss
Wayne Cochran (1961) | J. Frank Wilson & the Cavaliers (1964)
68. Heart and Soul
Larry Clinton & his Orchestra with Bea Wain (1938) | The Cleftones (1961)
69. I'm into Something Good
Earl-Jean (1964) | Herman's Hermits (1964)
70. California Sun
Joe Jones (1960) | The Rivieras (1964)
71. Surfin' Bird
The Rivingtons ("Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" 1962 / "The Bird's the Word" 1963) | The Trashmen (1963)
72. My Boy Lollipop
Barbie Gaye (1956) | Millie Small (1964)
73. Hippy Hippy Shake
Chan Romero (1959) | The Swinging Blue Jeans (1963)
74. Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In
The Cast of "Hair" (1968) | The 5th Dimension (1969)
75. Bewildered
Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1938) | James Brown and the Famous Flames (1960)
76. Such a Night
The Drifters featuring Clyde McPhatter (1953) | Elvis Presley (1960)
77. Roll Over Beethoven
Chuck Berry (1956) | Beatles (1963)
78. Mean Woman Blues
Elvis Presley (1957) | Roy Orbison (1963)
79. It Ain't Me Babe
Bob Dylan (1964) | The Turtles (1965)
80. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone
Paul Revere & the Raiders (1966) | The Monkees (1966)
81. Susie Q
Dale Hawkins (1957) | Creedence Clearwater Revival (1968)
82. Worst That Could Happen
The 5th Dimension (1967) | Brooklyn Bridge (1968)
83. Walk On By
Dionne Warwick (1964) | Isaac Hayes (1969)
84. By The Time I Get To Phoenix
Johnny Rivers (1966) | Isaac Hayes (1969)
85. I'm Henry VIII, I Am
Harry Champion (1911) | Herman's Hermits (1965)
86. My Little Red Book
Manfred Mann (1965) | Love (1966)
87. The 'In' Crowd
Dobie Gray (1964) | The Ramsey Lewis Trio (1965)
88. Iko Iko
Sugar Boy and His Cane Cutters (1953, "Jock-A-Mo") | The Dixie Cups (1964)
89. Little Red Rooster
Howlin' Wolf (1961) | The Rolling Stones (1964)
90. Tell Mama
Clarence Carter (1967, "Tell Daddy" ) | Etta James (1967)
91. Hair
The Cast of "Hair" (1968) | The Cowsills (1969)
92. Baby It's You
Shirelles (1961) | Smith (1969)
93. Both Sides, Now
Judy Collins (1968) | Joni Mitchell (1969)
94. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
Joan Baez (1962) | Led Zeppelin (1969)
95. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Rolling Stones (1965) | Otis Redding (1965)
96. Blowin' in the Wind
Bob Dylan (1963) | Stevie Wonder (1966)
97. Train Kept A Rollin'
Tiny Bradshaw (1951) | The Yardbirds (1965)
98. Silence Is Golden
The Four Seasons (1964) | The Tremeloes (1967)
99. This Magic Moment
The Drifters (1960) | Jay & The Americans (1969)
100. Dedicated To The One I Love
The "5" Royales (1957) | The Mamas & the Papas (1967)
Wild Ones (1965) | The Troggs (1966)
12. Surfin' U.S.A.
Chuck Berry (1958, "Sweet Little Sixteen") | The Beach Boys (1963)
13. I Got You (I Feel Good)
Yvonne Fair & James Brown Band (1962, "I Found You") | James Brown (1965)
14. The Twist
Hank Ballard and the Midnighters (1959) | Chubby Checker (1960)
15. At Last
Glenn Miller & His Orchestra (1941) | Etta James (1960)
16. I Can't Stop Loving You
Don Gibson (1957) | Ray Charles (1962)
17. Unchained Melody
Todd Duncan (1955) | The Righteous Brothers (1965)
18. Turn, Turn, Turn
The Limeliters (1962, "To Everything There Is a Season") | The Byrds (1966)
19. Try A Little Tenderness
Ray Noble and His Orchestra (1932) | Otis Redding (1966)
20. Suspicious Minds
Mark James (1968) | Elvis Presley (1969)
21. My Back Pages
Bob Dylan (1964) | The Byrds (1967)
22. I Fought The Law
The Crickets (1960) | The Bobby Fuller Four (1965)
23. Good Lovin'
The Olympics (1966) | The Young Rascals (1966)
24. Evil Ways
Willie Bobo (1967) | Santana (1969)
25. Mustang Sally
Sir Mack Rice (1965) | Wilson Pickett (1966)
26. Do Wah Diddy Diddy
The Exciters (1963, "Do-Wah-Diddy") | Manfred Mann (1964)
27. Hanky Panky
The Raindrops (1963) | Tommy James & the Shondells (1964)
28. Devil With A Blue Dress On & Good Golly Miss Molly
Little Richard (1957, "Good Golly Miss Molly") and Shorty Long (1964, "Devil with the Blue Dress") | Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels (1966)
29. Double Shot (Of My Baby's Love)
Dick Holler & the Holidays (1964) | The Swingin' Medallions (1966)
30. Piece Of My Heart
Erma Franklin (1967) | Big Brother & Holding Company (1968)
31. Hang On Sloopy
The Vibrations (1964, "My Girl Sloopy") | The McCoys (1965)
32. On Broadway
The Crystals (1963) | The Drifters (1963)
33. Needles and Pins
Jackie DeShannon (1963) | The Searchers (1964)
34. Memphis
Chuck Berry (1959, "Memphis, Tennessee") | Johnny Rivers (1964)
35. You Keep Me Hangin' On
Supremes (1966) | Vanilla Fudge (1967)
36. Get Together
The Kingston Trio (1964, "Let's Get Together") | The Youngbloods (1967)
37. Hello Mary Lou
Johnny Duncan (1960) | Ricky Nelson (1961)
38. Twist And Shout
Top Notes (1961) | The Isley Brothers (1962)
39. Blue Moon
Glen Gray and the Casa Loma Orchestra (1934) | The Marcels (1961)
40. Summertime Blues
Eddie Cochran (1958) | Blue Cheer (1968)
41. Hush
Billy Joe Royal (1967) | Deep Purple (1968)
42. Walk Don't Run
Johnny Smith (1954) | The Ventures (1960)
43. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood
Nina Simone (1964) | The Animals (1965)
44. Land of 1,000 Dances
Chris Kenner (1962) | Cannibal & the Headhunters (1965)
45. The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Solomon Linda's Original Evening Birds (1939) | The Tokens (1961)
46. Crossroads
Robert Johnson (1936) | Cream (1968)
47. Different Drum
The Greenbriar Boys (1966)| Stone Poneys (1967)
48. For Once in My Life
Jean DuShon (1966) | Stevie Wonder (1968)
49. Magic Bus
Pudding (1967) | The Who (1968)
50. Land of 1,000 Dances
Chris Kenner (1962) | Wilson Pickett (1966)
51. Gloria
Them (1964) | The Shadows of Knight (1966)
52. Summertime
Abbie Mitchell (1935) | Billy Stewart (1966)
53. Time Is On My Side
Kai Winding & His Orchestra (1963) | The Rolling Stones (1964)
54. Misirlou
Traditional | Dick Dale (1962)
55. Night Train
Jimmy Forrest (1952) | James Brown and the Famous Flames (1961)
56. I'm a Man
Bo Diddley (1955) | The Yardbirds (1965)
57. Barbara Ann
The Regents (1961) | The Beach Boys (1965)
58. It's All over Now
The Valentinos (1964) | The Rolling Stones (1964)
59. With A Little Help From My Friends
Beatles (1967) | Joe Cocker (1968)
60. Get Ready
Temptations (1966) | Rare Earth (1969)
61. Hey Joe
The Leaves (1965) | Jimi Hendrix (1966)
62. Sloop John B
Traditional | The Beach Boys (1966)
63. Go Now
Bessie Banks (1964) | The Moody Blues (1964)
64. Rainy Night In Georgia
Tony Joe White (1969) | Brook Benton (1969)
65. He Ain't Heavy, He's My Brother
Kelly Gordon (1969) | The Hollies (1969)
66. Tobacco Road
John D. Loudermilk (1960) | The Nashville Teens (1964)
67. Last Kiss
Wayne Cochran (1961) | J. Frank Wilson & the Cavaliers (1964)
68. Heart and Soul
Larry Clinton & his Orchestra with Bea Wain (1938) | The Cleftones (1961)
69. I'm into Something Good
Earl-Jean (1964) | Herman's Hermits (1964)
70. California Sun
Joe Jones (1960) | The Rivieras (1964)
71. Surfin' Bird
The Rivingtons ("Papa-Oom-Mow-Mow" 1962 / "The Bird's the Word" 1963) | The Trashmen (1963)
72. My Boy Lollipop
Barbie Gaye (1956) | Millie Small (1964)
73. Hippy Hippy Shake
Chan Romero (1959) | The Swinging Blue Jeans (1963)
74. Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In
The Cast of "Hair" (1968) | The 5th Dimension (1969)
75. Bewildered
Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra (1938) | James Brown and the Famous Flames (1960)
76. Such a Night
The Drifters featuring Clyde McPhatter (1953) | Elvis Presley (1960)
77. Roll Over Beethoven
Chuck Berry (1956) | Beatles (1963)
78. Mean Woman Blues
Elvis Presley (1957) | Roy Orbison (1963)
79. It Ain't Me Babe
Bob Dylan (1964) | The Turtles (1965)
80. (I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone
Paul Revere & the Raiders (1966) | The Monkees (1966)
81. Susie Q
Dale Hawkins (1957) | Creedence Clearwater Revival (1968)
82. Worst That Could Happen
The 5th Dimension (1967) | Brooklyn Bridge (1968)
83. Walk On By
Dionne Warwick (1964) | Isaac Hayes (1969)
84. By The Time I Get To Phoenix
Johnny Rivers (1966) | Isaac Hayes (1969)
85. I'm Henry VIII, I Am
Harry Champion (1911) | Herman's Hermits (1965)
86. My Little Red Book
Manfred Mann (1965) | Love (1966)
87. The 'In' Crowd
Dobie Gray (1964) | The Ramsey Lewis Trio (1965)
88. Iko Iko
Sugar Boy and His Cane Cutters (1953, "Jock-A-Mo") | The Dixie Cups (1964)
89. Little Red Rooster
Howlin' Wolf (1961) | The Rolling Stones (1964)
90. Tell Mama
Clarence Carter (1967, "Tell Daddy" ) | Etta James (1967)
91. Hair
The Cast of "Hair" (1968) | The Cowsills (1969)
92. Baby It's You
Shirelles (1961) | Smith (1969)
93. Both Sides, Now
Judy Collins (1968) | Joni Mitchell (1969)
94. Babe I'm Gonna Leave You
Joan Baez (1962) | Led Zeppelin (1969)
95. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction
Rolling Stones (1965) | Otis Redding (1965)
96. Blowin' in the Wind
Bob Dylan (1963) | Stevie Wonder (1966)
97. Train Kept A Rollin'
Tiny Bradshaw (1951) | The Yardbirds (1965)
98. Silence Is Golden
The Four Seasons (1964) | The Tremeloes (1967)
99. This Magic Moment
The Drifters (1960) | Jay & The Americans (1969)
100. Dedicated To The One I Love
The "5" Royales (1957) | The Mamas & the Papas (1967)
Edited By: Tim, pauldrach
Last Updated: 2022-04-04Newly added names are in Red
Definition: The term "cover version" originally referred to a rival version of a tune recorded to compete with the recently released version of a song. Eventually it went on to have a more general meaning including any performance or recording by someone other than the original artist or composer of a previously recorded, commercially released song. For sake of this list, versions of songs which fit the newer definition of cover version but not the original one are referred to as remakes.