20 Best Classic Rock Covers of the Year
Miley Cyrus’ Rendition of the Cranberries’ “Zombies”
2020 has been the year of Rock and Roll for Miley Cyrus. She has covered a vast majority of classic rock artists this year; Arguably, one of her best renditions appears on her new album, Plastic Hearts where she adds hints of grunge and rasp to a Cranberries’ 1994 hit.
Bleachers’ Version of Springsteen’s “Hungry Heart”
As a rite of passage for any New Jersey native group, it was only appropriate that Jack Antonoff’s band, Bleachers, covered a song by The Boss himself. This cover of “Hungry Heart” features a more alternative Indi-rock approach to the 1980 favorite.
Chris Cornell Cover of GNR’s “Patience”
To mark what would have been the 56th birthday of Soundgarden’s Chris Cornell, his family gave fans a treat by delivering a previously unreleased cover of Guns N’ Roses’ 1987 song, “Patience”. Between the arrangement and Chris’ tone, listeners should prepare for ALL THE FEELS.
Disturbed Takes on Sting’s “If I Ever Lose My Faith In You”
Disturbed took a different approach to the Grammy winning 1993 tune. The group initially turned the song into a piano ballad before introducing a heavier rock approach. Trust me, you’re going to want to listen to this one more than once!
Lzzy Hale and Taylor Momsen Bring the ATTITUDE with Queen’s “We Will Rock You”
Did someone order a pretty-little-storm? Because these two women put the ROCK in this cover. In This Moment – “We Will Rock You (feat.Maria Brink, Lzzy Hale and Taylor Momsen)”
Mark Morton & Lzzy Hale’s Rendition of “She Talks to Angels” by The Black Crowes
Speaking of Lzzy Hale, she also teamed up with Lamb of God’s guitarist, Mark Morton for a socially distanced jam session on her podcast, Raise Your Horns.
Nickelback Goes Down to Georgia
After the death of Charlie Daniels, Nickleback was one of the many bands to cover “The Devil Went Down to Georgia”. The unique component of this rendition is the absence of a fiddle. Instead, this version includes a guitar battle. Buckle up, this one is a wild ride!
Halsey and Kelsea Ballerini Follow Their Dreams
Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” got a country-rock spin on CMT’s Crossroads earlier this year. This duo is everything that 2020 needs.
Up-and-Coming Artist, Hauskey, Finds a Brightside
Australian native, Hauskey, provided an indi-alternative approach to a Killer’s favorite. You’re not going to be able to help stop yourself from singing along.
Blondie Meets Miley
Join Miley while she shatters her heart of glass with this cover. You’re going to want to put this one on repeat. You can thank me later.
Zakk Sabbath vs. Black Sabbath
As the name suggests, Zakk Sabbath is a Black Sabbath cover band. 2020 gave us one of their best renditions of a BS tune/ Take a listen to this soulful take on “Under the Sun”.
Chris Cornell Takes on ELO’s “Showdown”
Cornell fans were given an early Christmas gift with the release of No One Sings Like You, an album made completely of cover songs. “Showdown” by ELO appears as the eighth track on this album. Enjoy!
Cornell Watches the Wheels
Also from the recently released album, No One Sings Like You, Cornell gives us his rendition of John Lennon’s “Watching the Wheels”. If you need me I’m just sitting here watching the wheels go round and round…
Lennon Covers Lennon
You might remember Lennon Stella from the hit show, Nashville, or from the viral YouTube videos with her sister, Maisy. Appropriately named after her parents favorite Beatle, Lennon used 2020 to cover 1971’s Imagine.
Harry Styles Takes a Swing at Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer”
Earlier this year, Styles covered the 1986 Gabriel hit, “Sledgehammer” as an ode to his time spent recording in Peter’s studio across the pond. The bass and drums combined with Harry’s voice make for a smooth rendition.
Billie Eilish and The Beatle’s “Something”
2020 was a breakout year for Billie Eilish. While Eilish’s original music veers more on a contemporary / hip hop genre, Billie took time to go back to her roots this December and cover a Beatle’s favorite. Take a listen to Something you’re going to love.
Wishing Miley Was Here…
Cyrus has done it again! She gave a powerful female rock performance of Floyd’s 1975 ballad, “Wish You Were Here” on SNL in April. Feel free to come into the WMGK studios anytime, Miley. Seriously.
Phoebe Bridgers Wants You to Know Who She Is
Phoebe features Maggie Rogers in this delicate cover of the Goo Goo Dolls’ 1998 hit, “Iris”. Let these lovely ladies serenade your ear for the next three minutes!
Ace Frehley Covers “Space Truckin’” By Deep Purple
Although vocally similar to the original track, Frehley adds a plethora of guitar riffs and sequences that gives this rendition a new sound.
Smith & Myers Decide to Rock in the Free World
Brent Smith & Zack Myers of Shinedown are no strangers to covering their favorite artists. Recently, they took on Neil Young’s “Rockin’ in The Free World”. The duo turned the 1989 hit into a smooth piano ballad. Listen below!
Written by Taylor Brooke
