Best Cover Versions of Your Favorite Songs

Imitation is the finest form of flattery. Many musical artists find the best way to pay tribute to their favorite artists is to cover their song and offer their own twist to the original. Some covers fall flat of the original, but some are truly tributes to the original artist and live on multiple times.

Hurt by Nine Inch Nails, covered by Johnny Cash- A haunting end to Trent Reznor's concept album The Downward Spiral, Hurt was covered in 2002 as his final hit before his death. A seemingly odd pairing, both Cash and Reznor are independent thinkers who act on passion and instinct rather than public opinion. An ode to love loss, Cash's lifelong love, June Carter Cash died shortly after the songs success, while Cash himself died shortly after her. This final addition to the Cash legacy is heralded by Trent Reznor saying that Hurt is no longer his song. Paired with an amazing video showing Cash in his last throws of life, Hurt is a song cover that is as good as its original. "Everyone I know, goes away, in the end."

This Must Be the Place (Naïve Melody by Talking Heads, covered by the Arcade Fire- Originally released in 1983, Talking Heads created a New Wave Indie excitement, the Arcade Fire were the best choice to cover as Indie darlings over 20 years later. Their live version includes vocals from David Byrne himself, a true validation of their cover. The slower, sadder, string laced and rock tumbler vocals give this version a life its own. "Sing into my mouth."

Monkey Gone to Heaven by the Pixies, covered by PJ Harvey- Referencing environmental concerns and a connection to the divine and sacred, Monkey was a fun Pixies classic. Covered by the alternative queen PJ Harvey of Pixies proportions, Monkey was given new life in the voice of a woman. Matching Pixies screams in the middle, Harvey goes louder and shriller, to our delight. "Got killed by 10 million tons of sludge from New York and New Jersey."