27 Of The Best Pop Songs Covered By Rock Bands – Part Three [VIDEOS]

Welcome to the end of the journey. We've been counting out the top 'POP' songs that were turned into rock/metal songs. Here's how we got here:

Some really good covers have been released recently, so I decided to sit down and figure out the best of all time. Now there were some quick rules I had to put in place for myself. First, it had to be a POP song, but I did include hip hop songs too, so that eliminates songs like "The Man Who Sold The World" which Nirvana did a bad ass cover of, but it was a David Bowie songs first. I considered David Bowie a rock artist, so it didn't count. Also, I put a lot of emphasis on how big the cover was, not necessarily the original. There have been a lot of big songs covered unsuccessfully.

There might be some no-brainers here, but I'm sure you'll find one or two you've never enjoyed before.

Number 10: Mushroomhead "Rumor Has It"

Original Artist: Adele

This is probably the one that people will fight on. Yes, there were probably songs between #27 and here that could have been Top 10 over this one, but what would a list be without room for debate. Mushroomhead balanced this one so well, it needed to be here. A lot of covers are just slightly different versions of the first (sorry HIM) and others are SO far off the original that they don't make sense. But what 'Shroomhead did with this Adele song is perfectly in the middle between knowing what it is, and knowing that Mushroomhead is doing it.

Number 9: A Perfect Circle "Imagine"

Original Artist: John Lennon

It takes a massive set to cover one of the biggest songs in history, from one of the biggest artists in history of music. Or it takes a Maynard James Keenan. When A Perfect Circle took on "Imagine" it rubs some people the wrong way, but even those who wanted to be upset couldn't, because the band did such an incredible job with the song. I hope no one else ever covers this song.

Number 8: Orgy "Blue Monday"

Original Artist: New Order

Right place, right time. Orgy showed up just as people were becoming comfortable enough in society to say the band name ORGY out-loud. They also showed up with a fantastic cover of a song that people were still able to recall without hating. Orgy's biggest success was also a rough spot for them, as they were never able to escape the shadow created by such a successful cover song as their debut.

Number 7: Nonpoint "In The Air Tonight"

Original Artist: Phil Collins

I think its safe to say that there would not be as many Nonpoint fans today if this song was never released. The song was one of the last big successes for a dying MTV-music-video industry, featuring clips from the Miami Vice movie (which featured the song on the soundtrack). The song gained a second life in 2010 when it was used to promote the TV show Dexter.

Number 6: Social Distortion "Ring of Fire"

Original Artist: Johnny Cash

I know, this is supposed to be 'pop' songs turned into rock songs through covers...but we've made exceptions for hip hop songs, so why not country songs too. Also, being fair, when Johnny Cash was at the top of his game, he was 'pop'. Social Distortion did such a bad ass cover, that many people don't realize this is even a cover. Seriously, I've met them.

Number 5: Marilyn Manson "Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)

Original Artist: Eurythmics

Pretty sure Manson's the only act on here twice...and he deserves it. When Annie Lennox showed up on my TV as a kid, in a dictator outfit, singing this, it seemed like this song would always be hers. About a decade later, Manson shows up, and owns the song like she wrote it for him. This song will always be known more as a Marilyn Manson song than a Eurythmics song...sorry Annie.

Number 4: Van Halen "(Oh) Pretty Woman"

Original Artist: Roy Orbison

There was no way that Van Halen could ever top Orbison's version, which sold millions of copies, won a Grammy, and was a #1 across the world. But that's not what they wanted to do. They took the song, made it their own, created an all-time great music video, and crashed the charts with it. Since then, it's been a staple of live shows, and has even become a playable track in video games.

Number 3: Alien Ant Farm "Smooth Criminal"

Original Artist: Michael Jackson

This is probably #3 only because I'm the one making the list. Surely it would land on ANYONE'S list who was using the pop-to-rock equation. Anyway, Alien Ant Farm almost fell victim to the one-hit-wonder-cover-band thing, but they actually achieved success with a couple other songs. That was no easy task with as big of a song as this became. With the help of their hilarious video getting mad airplay on MTV (yes kids, the used to play music videos instead of crappy reality TV) this song became a monster for them.

Number 2: Limp Bizkit "Faith"

Original Artist: George Michael 

George Michael songs are easy targets for rock bands I guess (his second song covered on the list). Anyway, it's safe to say that we don't know, or even remember, Limp Bizkit without this 1998 cover. They had released two singles prior to "Faith" catching fire, and rode the song's success into their sophomore album.

Number 1: Aerosmith "Come Together"

Original Artist: The Beatles 

Is this one totally fair? Probably not. Two of the greatest bands of all time sharing one of the greatest songs of all time...that's a recipe for success. Now, with the lawsuits between John Lennon and Chuck Berry, you could argue this is a cover of a cover, but that doesn't really change our conversation. Aerosmith isn't who they are today if they don't do this cover, and if it doesn't find a place on the Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band soundtrack.

 
WELP, that's all folks. The Top 27 Pop Songs Turned Into Rock Songs...if you missed anything, catch the rest here: