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

A band called I Prevail unleashed a cover of Taylor Swift's "Blank Space" that is torching the internet. The video has almost 10 million views since last December, and it's only getting hotter.

But this got me thinking, how many other pop songs were turned into awesome rock cuts? There actually have been a few. So I decided to sit down and figure out the best of what's out there. 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 27: HIM "Wicked Game"

Original Artist: Chris Isaak

"Wicked Game" has been covered a few times, but no rock band has done it as well as HIM did back in 1997. It was released as a single from their debut album Greatest Love Songs Vol. 666, and ended up with two different music videos produced for it.

Number 26: Throwdown "Baby Got Back"

Original Artist: Sir Mix-A-Lot

Everyone knows the original, but a lot of people missed the 2001 metal cover from the band Throwdown. The song was released on the compilation album 'Too Legit For The Pit: Hardcore Takes The Rap'.

Number 25: In This Moment "Call Me"

Original Artist: Blondie

The song "Call Me" from Blondie is one of the most covered songs on the list. It has probably been featured on more motion picture soundtracks than any of the other songs too. In This Moment released the cover, along with a video, as one of the first noteworthy releases from the band back in 2009.

Number 24: Cry To The Blind "Wrecking Ball"

Original Artist: Miley Cyrus

Since we're doing a 'pop' list, the current princess of pop should be included. Miley Cyrus turned heads with her semi-nude video for her song "Wrecking Ball", thankfully the guys from Cry To The Blind didn't cover the video when they dropped their cover of the single.

Number 23: Five Finger Death Punch "Mama Said Knock You Out"

Original Artist: LL Cool J

Some people have accused Five Finger Death Punch of being a glorified cover band. No that's not really fair, the band has had plenty of success with original tunes. But, they have done their fair share of cover tunes. From "Bad Company" to "House Of The Rising Sun" with a few in between. Now you won't see a song like "Bad Company" on this list, because we're only doing 'pop' covers.

Number 22: Pearl Jam "Last Kiss"

Original Artist: Wayne Cochran

Now, one part of my criteria for this that the cover would get more credit if it out-shined the original. This might be the exception to that rule. Even though this was one of Pearl Jam's biggest hits, it became a massive hit as a crossover song...most of its airplay came from 'pop' radio stations. So even though its a rock band, and a song that started as a rock song, most of its growth came outside of rock.

Number 21: Like A Storm "Gangster's Paradise"

Original Artist: Coolio

When the song "Gangster's Paradise" was at its peak, Weird Al did a parody of the song, and Coolio wasn't happy. But that was at a point where Coolio was at the peak of his career. Fast forward a decade and a half, and I bet he's THRILLED to have New Zealand rockers Like A Storm breathing new life into his money-maker.

Number 20: Anthrax "Got The Time"

Original Artist: Joe Jackson

Anthrax is another band who has a big resume of cover songs. They've done The Police, Kiss, Sabbath, Rush, Thin Lizzy, Boston...but their best, is their cover of Joe Jackson's "Got The Time" from 1990.