When you hear the line “The whispers in the morning,” what singer comes to mind? Most music fans will probably imagine world-famous recording artist Celine Dion’s version of “The Power of Love.” And many will think of a certain rock-and roll singer when they hear “The Twist.” But in neither case was the tune initially performed by the artist most people associate it with. (These are the most covered songs in music history.)
Cover versions of songs aren’t usually more popular than the original – but there are exceptions.
To assemble a list of cover songs that outperformed the original version, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data on chart performance through May 14, 2022 on the Billboard Hot 100. Cover songs were ranked based on an inverted ranking of performance on the Hot 100 chart, wherein a week at position No. 100 is worth one point, a week at position No. 99 two points, and so on, up to a week at position No. 1 worth 100 points. Only cover songs whose performance on the Hot 100 outranks the original version to chart on the Hot 100 were included for consideration.
Click here to see cover songs that outperformed the original
There is no single genre in which cover songs tend to chart better. The songs on the following list vary from classic country to rock to pop ballads. Some cover versions change up the genre, in fact, as when Donna Summer recorded a disco interpretation of the ballad “MacArthur Park.”
Sometimes the cover artist is less famous than the originator of the song (for instance, the R&B quartet Jodeci, whose version of “Lately” outdid the first recording, by the iconic Stevie Wonder). Other times an artist outperforms him- or herself in a different context, as when Eric Clapton’s solo version of “Layla” did better on the charts than the original he recorded with his group, Derek & the Dominos. (Here are the best cover songs of all time.)
Whether you prefer the song as it was first released or in its newer incarnation is up to you, but there’s no disputing that these covers were more successful than the originals.
50. “We’re All Alone” by Rita Coolidge (1977)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 7 (4 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: Frankie Valli (1976)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 78 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 3 weeks
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49. “Signs” by Tesla (1991)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 8 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Original version artist: Five Man Electrical Band (1971)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 3 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 18 weeks
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48. “We’ve Got Tonight” by Kenny Rogers & Sheena Easton (1983)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 18 weeks
> Original version artist: Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band (1978)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 13 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 17 weeks
47. “Gypsy Woman” by Brian Hyland (1970)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: The Impressions (1961)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 20 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 15 weeks
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46. “Cruel Summer” by Ace Of Base (1998)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 10 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: Bananarama (1984)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 9 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 18 weeks
45. “Cat’s In The Cradle” by Ugly Kid Joe (1993)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: Harry Chapin (1974)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 1 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 19 weeks
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44. “Layla” by Eric Clapton (1992)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 12 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: Derek & The Dominos (1971)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 10 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 25 weeks
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43. “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye (1968)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (7 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Original version artist: Gladys Knight And The Pips (1967)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 2 (3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 17 weeks
42. “I Didn’t Mean To Turn You On” by Robert Palmer (1986)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Original version artist: Cherelle (1984)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 79 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 9 weeks
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41. “Crying” by Don McLean (1981)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 5 (3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 18 weeks
> Original version artist: Roy Orbison (1961)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 2 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 16 weeks
40. “Knock On Wood” by Amii Stewart (1979)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: Eddie Floyd (1966)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 28 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 17 weeks
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39. “To Love Somebody” by Michael Bolton (1992)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 11 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: Bee Gees (1967)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 17 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 9 weeks
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38. “Sea Of Love” by The Honeydrippers (1984)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: Phil Phillips with the Twilights (1959)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 2 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 18 weeks
37. “The Loco-Motion” by Grand Funk (1974)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: Little Eva (1962)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 1 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 16 weeks
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36. “Heaven Must Have Sent You” by Bonnie Pointer (1979)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 11 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Original version artist: The Elgins (1966)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 50 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 8 weeks
35. “La Bamba” by Los Lobos (1987)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 21 weeks
> Original version artist: Ritchie Valens (1958)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 22 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 15 weeks
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34. “You Can’t Hurry Love” by Phil Collins (1982)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 10 (3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 21 weeks
> Original version artist: The Supremes (1966)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 1 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 13 weeks
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33. “Only Sixteen” by Dr. Hook (1976)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Original version artist: Sam Cooke (1959)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 28 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 10 weeks
32. “Mony Mony” by Billy Idol (1987)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Original version artist: Tommy James and the Shondells (1968)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 3 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 17 weeks
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31. “Elvira” by The Oak Ridge Boys (1981)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 5 (4 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Original version artist: Dallas Frazier (1966)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 72 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 4 weeks
30. “Get Ready” by Rare Earth (1970)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: The Temptations (1966)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 29 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 7 weeks
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29. “MacArthur Park” by Donna Summer (1978)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: Richard Harris (1968)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 2 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 13 weeks
28. “I Found Someone” by Cher (1987)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 10 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 26 weeks
> Original version artist: Laura Branigan (1986)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 90 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 6 weeks
27. “Muskrat Love” by Captain & Tennille (1976)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (5 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: America (1973)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 67 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 8 weeks
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26. “The Loco-Motion” by Kylie Minogue (1988)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 27 weeks
> Original version artist: Little Eva (1962)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 1 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 16 weeks
25. “The Way You Do The Things You Do” by UB40 (1990)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 25 weeks
> Original version artist: The Temptations (1964)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 11 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 11 weeks
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24. “I Think We’re Alone Now” by Tiffany (1987)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 24 weeks
> Original version artist: Tommy James and the Shondells (1967)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 4 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 17 weeks
23. “Don’t Let The Sun Go Down On Me” by George Michael & Elton John (1991)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: Elton John (1974)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 2 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 15 weeks
22. “Misty Blue” by Dorothy Moore (1976)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (4 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Original version artist: Eddy Arnold (1967)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 57 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 8 weeks
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21. “How Am I Supposed To Live Without You” by Michael Bolton (1989)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Original version artist: Laura Branigan (1983)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 12 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 20 weeks
20. “When A Man Loves A Woman” by Michael Bolton (1991)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: Percy Sledge (1966)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 1 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 13 weeks
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19. “Blue Bayou” by Linda Ronstadt (1977)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (4 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Original version artist: Roy Orbison (1963)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 29 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 10 weeks
18. “Sukiyaki” by A Taste of Honey (1981)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 24 weeks
> Original version artist: Kyu Sakamoto (1963)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 1 (3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 14 weeks
17. “Last Kiss” by Pearl Jam (1999)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 21 weeks
> Original version artist: J. Frank Wilson and the Cavaliers (1964)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 2 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 20 weeks
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16. “Lady Marmalade” by Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, & P!nk (2001)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (5 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Original version artist: Labelle (1975)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 1 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 18 weeks
15. “Beggin'” by Maneskin (2021)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 13 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 25 weeks
> Original version artist: The 4 Seasons featuring the “Sound of Frankie Valli” (1967)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 16 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 9 weeks
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14. “So Much In Love” by All-4-One (1994)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 5 (3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Original version artist: The Tymes (1963)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 1 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 15 weeks
13. “Don’t Know Much” by Linda Ronstadt (featuring Aaron Neville) (1989)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 26 weeks
> Original version artist: Bill Medley (1981)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 88 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 4 weeks
12. “Lately” by Jodeci (1993)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 24 weeks
> Original version artist: Stevie Wonder (1981)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 64 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 7 weeks
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.jpg#/media/File:Nicki_French_Oxford_(cropped).jpg "Nicki French Oxford (cropped) by Christopher Matthew Thiemann, Columbus, Ohio")
11. “Total Eclipse Of The Heart” by Nicki French (1995)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 27 weeks
> Original version artist: Bonnie Tyler (1983)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 1 (4 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 29 weeks
10. “Because The Night” by 10,000 Maniacs (1993)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 11 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 29 weeks
> Original version artist: Patti Smith Group (1978)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 13 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 18 weeks
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9. “It’s My Life” by No Doubt (2003)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 10 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 28 weeks
> Original version artist: Talk Talk (1984)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 31 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 14 weeks
8. “Red Red Wine” by UB40 (1984)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 40 weeks
> Original version artist: Neil Diamond (1968)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 62 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 3 weeks
7. “Sukiyaki” by 4PM (1994)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 8 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 32 weeks
> Original version artist: Kyu Sakamoto (1963)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 1 (3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 14 weeks
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6. “Landslide” by Dixie Chicks (2002)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 7 (3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 29 weeks
> Original version artist: Fleetwood Mac (1998)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 51 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 20 weeks
5. “The First Cut Is The Deepest” by Sheryl Crow (2003)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 14 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 36 weeks
> Original version artist: Rod Stewart (1977)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 21 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 12 weeks
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4. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston (1992)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (14 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 29 weeks
> Original version artist: Dolly Parton (1982)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 53 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 14 weeks
3. “The Power Of Love” by Celine Dion (1993)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (4 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 33 weeks
> Original version artist: Jennifer Rush (1986)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 57 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 13 weeks
2. “Wild Night” by John Mellencamp with Me’Shell Ndegeocello (1994)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (2 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 42 weeks
> Original version artist: Van Morrison (1971)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 28 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 11 weeks
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1. “The Twist” by Chubby Checker (1960)
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (3 weeks)
> Total time spent on Billboard Hot 100: 39 weeks
> Original version artist: Hank Ballard and the Midnighters (1960)
> Peak position on Hot 100 of original version: No. 28 (1 week)
> Total time spent on Hot 100 of original version: 16 weeks
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