SmittenbyBritain’s Top 10 British Cover Songs

I have a great guest post for you today from Melissa, the brains behind the excellent Smitten By Britain blog.  ‘Home of the Britophile and All Things British’

It’s no secret that I love British rock n’ roll; it was the catalyst for my journey to Britophilia which started some thirty years ago. Twice a month I run a feature on my blog called Music Monday when I post on some of the latest releases out of the UK music scene. I’m in love with the British sound as much as ever.  Sure, America may have invented rock n’ roll, but in my view, the British perfected it. It’s this belief that inspires this post. Through the years, various British bands have covered songs that were originally released by American artists and in many cases, made the song better.  Sometimes they made a hit song where there wasn’t one.

The following is my Top 10 list of the best British cover songs:

Twist and Shout – The Beatles – Yeah, maybe it’s a bit predictable listing the Beatles as numero uno, but really, can you name the band that released this song first? I doubt it. Written by Americans Phil Medley and Burt Russell, the Beatles turned this toe-tapping tune into one of their own. Released in 1964, it reached #2 on the U.S. charts. The Beatles cover of “Twist and Shout” is an iconic song heard in lots of TV shows and films throughout the years. Who can forget that classic scene from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off?


Tainted Love – Soft Cell – I would almost bet money you didn’t know this was a cover version. The reason it’s number two is because once again, a band took a song and not only made it their own but turned it into a classic.  “Tainted Love” was originally recorded by Gloria Jones back in the 60’s. Soft Cell’s version is universally recognized as one of the iconic song of the 80’s. Pick up an 80’s compilation and I bet it’s on there.


Wild Thing – The Troggs – This song has some of the most memorable opening chords in rock n’ roll history and was listed in Rolling Stone magazine’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. “Wild Thing” was originally recorded by The Wild Ones in 1965 but The Troggs took it to #1 in the U.S. and #2 in Britain in 1966.
Suspicious Minds- Fine Young Cannibals – Now I would bet money you do know who did the original version of this song. You have to give these guys credit for taking on the King and in my view they did a fine job of it. In fact, I like this version just as much as the original and maybe a bit more. It’s the guitar sound and Roland’s vocals. Classic!

Mony, Mony – Billy Idol – I will admit, I had to think long and hard about listing this song in the top 10 because I despise it. Here in America it is probably the most over-played song at weddings and in bars and clubs. We’ve even taken to adding some of our own colorful lyrics. But giving credit where credit is due, Billy Idol turned this Tommy James song into the classic party song. His live version shot to #1 on the U.S. Hot 100 in 1987.
Red, Red Wine – UB40 – When I was researching this post I had no clue Neil Diamond originally recorded this song, a credit to UB40. They turned “Red, Red Wine” into a #1 hit in the U.K. followed by two more #1 covers: “I Got You Babe” and “I Can’t Help Falling In Love with You.”
Summertime Blues – The Who – Originally recorded by Eddie Cochran in 1958, The Who rocked out their own version on the Live from Leeds album released in 1970. The song featured John Entwistle singing some of the vocals and The Who have not played the song since Entwistle’s death in 2002. Watch their classic performance of the song at Woodstock:

Blinded By The Light – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band – I grew up with this song; it used to play on AM radio when AM radio was king. To me, this is the only version of “Blinded by the Light” that matters. Manfred Mann took a Bruce Springsteen song that never charted and turned it into a number one hit and an instant classic. Interestingly, Manfred Mann changed the original chorus from “cut loose like a deuce, another runner in the night” to “revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night.” But my husband swears they’re singing “revved up like a douche.” LOL! Go figure. One thing’s for sure, I have no idea what they’re going on about but I like it.

If You Don’t Know Me By Now – Simply Red – This song wins a spot in the top 10 for being such a beautiful cover song.  It’s as if this tune was written specifically for Mick Hucknall’s vocals.  Again, many people equate this song with Simply Red and not the original artist, Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, so to me, it’s their song. They took it to #1 in the U.S. and number two in the U.K. in 1989.
Love Hurts – Nazareth – Scottish band Nazareth had their only hit with a cover of the Everly Brothers’ song, “Love Hurts.” Yeah, the Everly Brothers. Hard to believe but true. Another case where a band makes the original version forgettable. “Love Hurts” reached #1 in Canada and Norway but only made it to # 8 in the U.S. and #15 in Britain. Still, it’s a rock n’ roll classic.

You didn’t think a music fan like me could stop at just 10 did you? Visit Smitten by Britain now and see which British cover songs nearly made my top 10. http://www.smittenbybritain.com