| 1. |
the doobie brothers – what a fool believes
(orig. Kenny Loggins, 1978) Loggins co-wrote it and released his jazzier, more experimental version first. The Doobies (with Michael McDonald’s creamy lead vocals, the signature synth riff, and that locked-in groove) turned it into a polished yacht-rock classic that hit #1 and won Record and Song of the Year Grammys. Most people know and prefer this version.
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| 2. |
jimi hendrix – all along the watchtower
(orig. Bob Dylan) Dylan’s spare folk original is atmospheric. Hendrix poured gasoline on it—searing guitar, urgent rhythm, and a sense of impending storm—that made Dylan himself later adopt elements of the arrangement. This is the definitive version for most.
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| 3. |
johnny cash – hurt
(orig. Nine Inch Nails) Trent Reznor’s industrial self-loathing becomes a stark, end-of-life confession in Cash’s weathered voice. The sparse arrangement and video only heighten the gravity. Reznor has said the song no longer felt like his afterward.
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| 4. |
jeff buckley – hallelujah
(orig. Leonard Cohen) Cohen’s original is dry and wry. Buckley’s soaring, vulnerable, cathedral-like reading (building on John Cale’s arrangement) turned it into an emotional modern standard that far outstripped the source in popular consciousness.
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| 5. |
aretha franklin – respect
(orig. Otis Redding) Redding’s version is a solid R&B plea. Aretha flipped the perspective, added the R-E-S-P-E-C-T spelling, and turned it into a feminist anthem and one of the greatest vocal performances on record.
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| 6. |
sinéad o’connor – nothing compares 2 u
(orig. The Family / Prince) Prince wrote it; The Family recorded a solid but relatively forgotten version. O’Connor’s raw, haunted, close-mic performance (and the famous video) made it a massive, deeply personal hit.
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| 7. |
whitney houston – i will always love you
(orig. Dolly Parton) Parton’s country original is beautiful and understated. Houston’s powerhouse, cinematic version (especially the a cappella opening and massive crescendo) made it a global phenomenon and one of the best-selling singles ever.
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| 8. |
earth, wind & fire – got to get you into my life
(orig. The Beatles) The Beatles’ Revolver original is a bright, slightly psychedelic rock track. Earth, Wind & Fire turned it into a pure funk-soul explosion—tight horns, driving rhythm, and radiant vocals—that many prefer for its energy and groove. It became a sizable hit for them in 1978.
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| 9. |
santana – black magic woman
(orig. Fleetwood Mac / Peter Green): Latin-rock fire and Carlos’s guitar turned a bluesy original into a signature hit.
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