digitaldreamdoor


100 Greatest Cover Songs and Remakes
of the 1970s

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.

Criteria: These cover songs/remakes of the 1970s 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.

Last Updated: 2022-04-05
Greatest Cover Songs 1970s
Cover Songs and Remakes 1970s collage image
Legend:
Song - Original Artist with first recording (year) | Great Cover Version/Remake (year)
  1. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - The Undisputed Truth (1972) | The Temptations (1972)
  2. Midnight Train to Georgia - Jim Weatherly (1972, "Midnight Plane to Houston") | Gladys Knight & the Pips (1973)
  3. Me And Bobby McGee - Roger Miller (1969) | Janis Joplin (1971)
  4. Black Magic Woman - Fleetwood Mac (1968) | Santana (1970)
  5. Killing Me Softly with His Song - Lori Lieberman (1972) | Roberta Flack (1973)
  6. War - The Temptations (1970) | Edwin Starr (1970)
  7. Oye Como Va - Tito Puente (1963) | Santana (1970)
  8. Drift Away - John Kurtz (1972) | Dobie Gray (1973)
  9. Lady Marmalade - The Eleventh Hour (1974) | Labelle (1974)
10. Without You - Badfinger (1970) | Harry Nilsson (1971)
11. Burning Love - Arthur Alexander (1972) | Elvis Presley (1972)
12. Smiling Faces Sometimes - The Temptations (1971) | The Undisputed Truth (1971)
13. Cocaine - J. J. Cale (1976) | Eric Clapton (1977)
14. I Shot the Sheriff - Bob Marley (1973) | Eric Clapton (1974)
15. You're No Good - Dee Dee Warwick (1963) | Linda Ronstadt (1974)
16. You Really Got Me - Kinks (1964) | Van Halen (1978)
17. Video Killed the Radio Star - Bruce Woolley & The Camera Club (1979) | The Buggles (1979)
18. Blinded By The Light- Bruce Springsteen (1973) | Manfred Mann's Earth Band (1976)
19. Love Hurts - The Everly Brothers (1960) | Nazareth (1974)
20. You Are So Beautiful - Billy Preston (1974) | Joe Cocker (1974)
21. The Air That I Breathe - Albert Hammond (1972) | Hollies (1974)
22. Proud Mary - Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969) | Ike & Tina Turner (1970)
23. Mama Told Me Not to Come - Eric Burdon & the Animals (1967) | Three Dog Night (1970)
24. Don't Leave Me This Way - Harold Melvin and Blue Notes (1975) | Thelma Houston (1976)
25. You've Got A Friend - Carole King (1971) | James Taylor (1971)
26. Strawberry Letter 23 - Shuggie Otis (1971) | The Brothers Johnson (1977)
27. Black Betty - Traditional | Ram Jam (1977)
28. Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (1967) | Diana Ross (1970)
29. Woodstock - Joni Mitchell (1970) | Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1970)
30. One Step Beyond - Prince Buster (1964) | Madness (1979)
31. Knock on Wood - Eddie Floyd (1966) | Amii Stewart (1978)
32. Blame It On The Boogie - Mick Jackson (1977) | The Jacksons (1978)
33. A Message to You, Rudy - Dandy Livingstone (1967, "Rudy, A Message to You") | Specials (1979)
34. Never Can Say Goodbye - Jackson 5 (1971) | Gloria Gaynor (1974)
35. Wild Horses - The Flying Burrito Brothers (1970) | The Rolling Stones (1971)
36. Superstar - Delaney and Bonnie with Eric Clapton (1969, "Groupie (Superstar)" | The Carpenters (1971)
37. The Loco-Motion - Little Eva (1962) | Grand Funk Railroad (1974)
38. Rivers Of Babylon- The Melodians (1970) | Boney M (1978)
39. Take Me To The River - Al Green (1974) | Talking Heads (1978)
40. I Fought The Law - The Crickets (1961) | The Clash (1979)
41. Sailing - The Sutherland Brothers (1972) | Rod Stewart (1975)
42. Morning Has Broken - Traditional | Cat Stevens (1971)
43. The Wonder Of You - Ray Peterson (1959) | Elvis Presley (1970)
44. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart - Bee Gees (1971) | Al Green (1972)
45. When the Levee Breaks - Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie (1929) | Led Zeppelin (1971)
46. Dancing in the Moonlight - Boffalongo (1969) | King Harvest (1972)
47. Whiskey In The Jar - Traditional | Thin Lizzy (1972)
48. Spanish Harlem - Ben E. King (1960) | Aretha Franklin (1971)
49. MacArthur Park - Richard Harris (1968) | Donna Summer (1978)
50. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Gladys Knight & the Pips (1967) | Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970)
51. How Sweet It Is - Marvin Gaye (1964) | James Taylor (1975)
52. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - Nina Simone (1964) | Santa Esmeralda (1977)
53. Gloria - Them (1964) | Patti Smith (1975)
54. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding - Nick Lowe (1974) | Elvis Costello & The Attractions (1978)
55. Hanging on the Telephone - The Nerves (1976) | Blondie (1978)
56. Denis - Randy & the Rainbows (1963, "Denise") | Blondie (1977)
57. Everlasting Love - Robert Knight (1967) | Carl Carlton (1974)
58. Don't Play That Song - Ben E. King (1962) | Aretha Franklin (1970)
59. After Midnight - J. J. Cale (1970) | Eric Clapton (1970)
60. Always On My Mind - Gwen McCrae (1972) | Elvis Presley (1972)
61. One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer - Amos Milburn (1953, "One Scotch, One Bourbon, One Beer") and John Lee Hooker (1966, "House Rent Boogie") | George Thorogood and the Destroyers (1977)
62. The First Cut Is the Deepest - P. P. Arnold (1967) | Rod Stewart (1976)
63. Blue Bayou - Roy Orbison (1963) | Linda Ronstadt (1977)
64. Lucy In the Sky With Diamonds - The Beatles (1967) | Elton John (1974)
65. Soul Man - Sam & Dave (1967) | The Blues Brothers (1978)
66. Shambala - B. W. Stevenson (1973) | Three Dog Night (1973)
67. I Hear You Knocking - Smiley Lewis (1955) | Dave Edmunds (1970)
68. Shout - The Isley Brothers (1959) | Otis Day & the Knights (1978)
69. She's Not There - Zombies (1964) | Santana (1977)
70. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel (1970) | Aretha Franklin (1971)
71. Statesboro Blues - Blind Willie McTell (1928) | Allman Brothers Band (1971)
72. Hot Rod Lincoln - Charlie Ryan and the Livingston Bros. (1955) | Commander Cody & His Lost Planet Airmen (1971)
73. Hooked On A Feeling - B. J. Thomas (1968) | Blue Swede (1973)
74. Train Kept A Rollin' - Tiny Bradshaw (1951) | Aerosmith (1974)
75. Stay - Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs (1960) | Jackson Browne (1977, live)
76. City of New Orleans - Steve Goodman (1971) | Arlo Guthrie (1972)
77. America The Beautiful - Traditional | Ray Charles (1972)
78. Mr. Bojangles - Jerry Jeff Walker (1968) | Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1970)
79. Reason to Believe - Tim Hardin (1965) | Rod Stewart (1971)
80. You're Sixteen - Johnny Burnette (1960) | Ringo Starr (1973)
81. Rockin' Pneumonia and the Boogie Woogie Flu - Huey "Piano" Smith & His Clowns (1957) | Johnny Rivers (1972)
82. Jesus Is Just Alright - Art Reynolds Singers (1966) | Doobie Brothers (1972)
83. When Will I Be Loved - The Everly Brothers (1960) | Linda Ronstadt (1974)
84. Who Do You Love - Bo Diddley (1956) | George Thorogood and the Destroyers (1978)
85. Rock and Roll Heaven - Climax (1973) | Righteous Brothers (1974)
86. Come Together - The Beatles (1969) | Aerosmith (1978)
87. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones (1965) | Devo (1977)
88. Ça plane pour moi - Elton Motello (1977, "Jet Boy, Jet Girl") | Plastic Bertrand (1977)
89. Money (That's What I Want) - Barrett Strong (1959) | The Flying Lizards (1979)
90. Bad Case of Loving You (Doctor, Doctor) - Moon Martin (1978) | Robert Palmer (1979)
91. Heaven Must Have Sent You - The Elgins (1966) | Bonnie Pointer (1978)
92. Handy Man - Jimmy Jones (1959) | James Taylor (1977)
93. Stand By Me - Ben E. King (1961) | John Lennon (1975)
94. (I Know) I'm Losing You - The Temptations (1966) | Rare Earth (1970)
95. Sorrow - The McCoys (1966) | David Bowie (1973)
96. Yes We Can Can - Lee Dorsey (1970, "Yes We Can") | The Pointer Sisters (1973)
97. Move It on Over - Hank Williams (1947) | George Thorogood and the Destroyers (1978)
98. Roll Over Beethoven - Chuck Berry (1956) | Electric Light Orchestra (1973)
99. I Can't Get Next to You - Temptations (1969) | Al Green (1970)
100. Summer Breeze - Seals and Crofts (1972) | The Isley Brothers (1973)



More Music Lists