Cover versions that charted higher than the originals

Retakes of big hits that out-charted the originals.
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Cover versions are a huge part of pop and though many regard the original version of a song as the definitive, there are plenty of people who reckon it takes a cover version to really make a song sparkle.

We look at cover versions that managed what song purists would call unthinkable – they charted higher than the original!

Remember, we’re not talking about sales – the only numbers that count here are those all-important chart positions. The higher you go, the better, right? 

Higher Love

Speaking of higher… one of 2019's unlikeliest, yet biggest hits, brought together a late, great legend and a Norwegian DJ. Whitney Houston's cover of Higher Love had long languished as a bonus track on the Japanese versions of her third album I'm Your Baby Tonight, before Kygo got his hands on it for a cheeky remix and took it to Number 2. The original, from Steve Winwood, didn't even make the Top 10 when originally released in 1986 – it stalled at Number 13.

 


Whitney Houston and Kygo

You(’ve) Got The Love

The Source and Candi Staton’s version of You Got The Love – itself not the original, and actually borrowing a backing track from Frankie Knuckles' tune Your Love – first reached 4 in 1992. A remix improved on that by one place in 1997. A cover by Florence and the Machine – retitled You’ve Got The Love – made Number 5 in 2009, but You Got The Dirtee Love, a remake of the song with Dizzee Rascal - are you keeping up? - finally beat the original, hitting Number 2 in 2010 after an electric performance at the BRIT Awards.

Candi Staton's version of You Got The Love made it into the Top 10 for a third time in 2006 – this time making it to Number 7. It seems we really do got the love for that tune.

 


Florence and Dizzee at the BRIT Awards.

Dancing on My Own

Alongside her Number 1 with Kleerup, With Every Heartbeat, one of Swedish popstar Robyn's biggest UK hits was the mighty Dancing On My Own, which peaked at 8 in 2010. The track was famously outpeaked by a cover by Britain's Got Talent star Calum Scott, who took his slowed-down version to Number 2 in 2016. 

Hallelujah

X Factor winner Alexandra Burke had a Number 1 with this cover of a Leonard Cohen track in 2008. The original never charted, but following an outcry by fans, it did reach Number 36 the same week Alexandra’s went to Number 1.

Another cover by the late Jeff Buckley sat right behind Alex’s, but the X Factor star won the race, selling over 1.2 million copies, and you can't argue with a million-seller. Well, you could try, but they'd only throw all those zeros at you – and they always have more than you.

 


Alexandra Burke on The X Factor (Rex/Shutterstock)

Killing Me Softly

Fugees scored their first of four Top 10s with this cover of a song Roberta Flack took to Number 6 in 1973 under the full title Killing Me Softly With His Song. Lauryn Hill’s powerful vocal – plus, of course, Wyclef Jean saying “one time” in the background quite a lot – helped the Fugees’ version rocket to Number 1 for 5 weeks beginning June 1996. Not only that, it’s a million-seller! A subsequent version by The Voice contestant Leah McFall managed a Number 36 placing in 2013.

Smooth Criminal

It's a Jackson classic, but given it was released as the seventh single from his Bad album, it peaked at (a still-impressive) Number 8 in 1988. 13 years later, US punk-rock band Alien Ant Farm took their energetic cover of it all the way to Number 3.

Lady Marmalade

The original version of this song, which hit Number 17 for LaBelle in 1975, has been bested twice. Two alternate versions went to Number 1: first All Saints in 1998, then a raucous team-up from Pink, Christina Aguilera, Lil Kim and Mya in 2001.See the chart runs of each version of Lady Marmalade.

Erasure vs ABBA

As well as being an excellent excuse to play dress-up,  Erasure’s Abba-esque EP gave the duo their first and (so far) only Number 1 in 1992.  While lead track Take A Chance On Me had been a chart-topper for ABBA back in 1978, its other tracks had never made the Number 1 spot. SOS only made it as far as 5 in 1975, Voulez Vous was a Number 3 hit in 1979, and Lay All Your Love On Me had to settle for 7 in 1981. See all ABBA's singles and albums in their Official Chart archive

Fast Car

Lots of vintage tunes have got a new lease of life thanks to dancefloor-focused cover versions, and eventually it was the turn of Tracy Chapman's mournful Fast Car. Tracy's original hit the Top 10 twice – first reaching 5 in 1988, and following an appearance on Britain's Got Talent, hitting a new peak of 4 in 2011. Along comes Jonas Blue, however in an even faster car. The 2015 cover version went turbo and overtook the original to peak at 2. Look back at Fast Car's chart history here.

Run

Snow Patrol’s sweeping ballad did well on release in 2004, reaching Number 5 and selling over 475,000 copies. But it was the vocal acrobatics – and an all-important key change – from Leona Lewis that spent two weeks at the top in 2008. Leona also had another cover outranking its original when she took Hurt to Number 8 in 2011. Johnny Cash’s version, itself a cover of an unreleased (in the UK, at least) Nine Inch Nails song, peaked at 39.

Mad World

British group Tears For Fears took the song to Number 3 in 1982, but this cover and an appearance in cult movie Donnie Darko sent it stratospheric. It's not the most festive of themes (dreams about dying figure quite heavily), but Michael Andrews and Gary Jules's Mad World scored the Official Christmas Number 1 in 2003.

Valerie

The Zutons’ scored their second Top 10 hit in 2006 with this tribute to what a tabloid newspaper might call "a mystery redhead". Amy Winehouse saw the song’s potential and recorded an acoustic version for Radio 1’s Live Lounge, but it the magic of Mark Ronson took a rejigged, upbeat version of the song with Amy’s vocals to Number 2 in 2007.

 

amy_winehouse_mark_ronson.jpg

Don’t Leave Me This Way

A couple of versions of Don’t Leave Me This Way came along in quick succession in 1977, with Harold Melvin & The Bluenotes feat.Theodore Pendergrass ending up victorious over Thelma Houston, scoring a Number 5 hit to Thelma’s 13.

But, nine years later, Jimmy Somerville’s band the Communards made the song the smash it had been waiting to be. The group’s storming version spent four weeks at the top in 1986. Altogether now: aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah BABY! (You did that in your head – admit it.)

American Pie

It was thought Don McLean's 1972 original couldn't possibly be covered – at eight and a half minutes long it was a stone-cold classic but not really single material. 'Hold my macrobiotic beer,' said Madonna, who lopped a full four minutes off the track, got William Orbit to do some knob-twiddling, Rupert Everett (!) on backing vocals and did what Don had failed to do: took American Pie to Number 1 in 2000. Don had only made it to Number 2. Your grandad was probably up on arms and musoes lined up to slate Madge's rendition, but Don himself said Madonna was 'magnificent' and that her cover version was 'outstanding'.

Somebody To Love

Queen’s original almost made it to the top – stalling at 2 in 1976. It was a cover by George Michael, recorded at a tribute concert following Freddie's sad death in 1991, that finally saw the song make it to Number 1, spending three weeks there in 1993. Queen can still share some of the glory, though – they performed it with George on the night and got an official credit so the Number 1 belongs to them too!

I Will Always Love You

Whitney again, this time with her cover of I Will Always Love You, written and recorded by Dolly Parton in 1973 as a farewell to her former mentor and business partner. Despite several re-reissues over the years, Dolly's version has never entered the Official UK Chart, while Whitney's power ballad reworking for her film The Bodyguard took it to Number 1 in 1992, spending 10 weeks at the top, including that year's Christmas Number 1. Given Dolly is the song's sole writer, we're sure she's not too disappointed.

Always On My Mind

Pet Shop Boys covered this Elvis classic in a TV tribute on the tenth anniversary of Elvis’s death in 1987, and never intended it to be a single. The general public, however, had other ideas, and demand was so high, the single was released midway through the campaign for the Pet Shop Boys’ second album Actually. It gave them a third chart-topper and was Christmas Number 1 that year. Elvis’ version reached Number 9 in 1972.

Tainted Love 

Originally recorded in 1964 by US artist Gloria Jones, a cover by British synthpop duo Soft Cell took the song into the UK's Official Chart for the first time in 1981, going all the way to Number 1. It's been covered by numerous artists since - including Marilyn Manson, who scored a Top 5 hit with it in 2002 - but only Soft Cell took it all the way.

The Tide Is High

We just threw this one in just for fun, as both releases hit Number 1 – the first being Blondie's in November 1980, staying there for two weeks. Of course, real chart geeks will tell you that Blondie's version was itself a cover of a song previously sung by the Paragons and Gregory Isaacs – but Blondie were the first act to take it into the chart.

However, Atomic Kitten’s rendition – which added a jaunty bit in the middle and was retitled The Tide Is High (Get The Feeling) – held on to Number 1 for three weeks in September 2002, so technically, enjoyed slightly better chart success.

Who have we missed? Tell us in the comments below.

Article image: Press (Whitney Houston/Dolly Parton/Pet Shop Boys) Rex/Shutterstock (Elvis Presley)

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S

supervoice

0

Don McLean's American Pie was no. 1 in 1972.

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Blank

0

Anyone know the lowest charting cover to achieve this feat?
I don't. Would be interesting to know.

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DIL LONGSTAFF

0

Nothing compares 2 u - The Family released it first.
Rock around the clock - Sunny Dae and the Knights (sounds like a made up name but it isn't)
The day before you came - Blancmange's version charted higher than the Abba original
Hi silver lining - The Attack's original lost out to Jeff Beck's version
Sailing - The Sutherland Brothers
Girls just want to have fun - Leon Hazard
I heard it through the grapevine - Gladys Knight and The Pips - first recorded by The Miracles but their version was not released until several years after Marvin Gaye's No. 1 version
Calling occupants of interplanetary craft - Klaatu
Popcorn - Gershon Kingsley a hit when covered by Hot Butter
Red red wine - Neil Diamond
Help me make it through the night - Kris Krisstofferson

B

Billy

2

"Greatest Love Of All", Whitney Houston (No. 8 in 1986) vs "The Greatest Love Of All", George Benson (No. 27 in 1986)

"I Think We're Alone Now", Tiffany (No. 1 in 1988) vs "I Think We're Alone Now", Tommy James And The Shondells 1967, (did not chart)

"I'll Stand By You", Girls Aloud (No. 1 in 2004) vs "I'll Stand By You", Pretenders (No. 10 in 1994)

"It's Raining Men", Geri Halliwell (No. 1 in 2000) vs "It's Raining Men", The Weather Girls (No. 2 in 1984)

"Itsy Bitsy Teeny Weeny Yellow Polka Dot Bikini", Bombalurina (No. 1 in 1991) vs "Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini", Brian Hyland (No. 8 in 1960)

"Kiss Kiss", Holly Valance (No.1 in 2002) vs "Şımarık", Tarkan (1998, did not chart)

"Take On Me", A1 (No. 1 in 2000) vs "Take On Me", a-ha (No. 3 in 1985)

"Under The Bridge/Lady Marmalade", All Saints (No. 1 in 1998) vs "Under The Bridge", Red Hot Chilli Peppers (No. 13 in 1992)

"We Will Rock You", Five + Queen (No. 1 in 2000) vs "We Will Rock You", Queen (1977, did not chart)"

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DIL LONGSTAFF

-1

It was the B side to We are ther champions...but of course B sides are never listed in the charts!

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JON BATE

1

Baker Street by Undercover. It peaked at number 2, one place higher than Gerry Rafferty's classic original. Gerry was said to hate it as I did too.

DF

David F

1

One you missed. ABBA's 'I Have A Dream' only made number 2 but Westlife took it to number 1.

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Stan Grim

0

superstar and top of the world and close to you..sweet sweet smile.. all the carpenters

AR

Anthony Rogers

0

This is just listing songs that were written by other people. Not hit singles that were covered by other people and achieved higher chart placing..

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Stan Grim

0

superstar..the carpenters

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Rolf Rausch

0

Glee Cast - Don´t Stop Believin´ (No. 2), originally by Journey from 1981, but charted in 2009 up to No. 6

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Rolf Rausch

0

One-hit wonder Rage took Bryan Adam´s No. 11 Run To You into the Top Ten (No. 3, but not sure ...)

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Rolf Rausch

2

The Flying Picketts reached No. 1 with a cover of Yazoo`s first hit Only You (No. 2)

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Chris Kaukonummi

0

You got your info wrong. Always on my mind was originally by Willie Nelson, not Elvis who covered it. PSB of course made the best and most known version.

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Anthony Rogers

0

Sorry Chris. Willie Nelson didn't record Always on my mind until 1982 , 10 years after Elvis.

JS

John S

1

Rockin All Over the World and In the Army Now by Status Quo completely outstripped the originals.

PM

Paul McCarthy

0

How about Bob the Builder outcharting Lou Bega with Mambo no. 5?

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Blank

0

And Lou Bega in turn out-charting the Perez Prado original.

LB

Lee Brown

2

Love is all around, Wet Wet Wet no 1, original by The Troggs

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La Burridge

1

Last Thing On My Mind: original by Bananarama got to no 72! Steps' cover went top 5!

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My Name Is Stomp

2

"Painter Man" by The Creation, 1966 no. 36.
Remade by Boney M., 1979 no. 10

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Mark Wislen

0

ABBA's 'SOS' was a No.6 UK Hit in 1975 - not a No.5 Hit. It should have been a much bigger Hit, but it was very hard for Acts, from Continental Europe, to have more than 1 UK Top 10 Single, in those Days. After 'Waterloo' was a 2 Week No.1, in 1974, ABBA had Released 3 Singles, that got no-where near the UK Top 10 - 'Ring Ring' - No.32, 'So Long', (failed to Chart!), and 'I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do' - No.38. So, it was quite an achievement, when 'SOS' reached No.6, in 1975. It sold well too, (for a No.6 Hit), and was the UK's 48th Best Selling Single of 1975. It was the start of 18 UK Top 10 Singles, in a row, for ABBA. With 8 of them reaching No.1. 'Waterloo' being a 9th No.1 Single for them.

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Maurice Tyler

1

Mariah Carey - Without You (original by Badfinger)

LB

Lee Brown

1

The definitive version though by Nilsson which also went to no 1

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Maurice Tyler

0

Whitney Houston (again) - Greatest Love of All (original by George Benson)

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Küll

1

Changes
Black Sabbath: Not charted
Ozzy and Kelly Osbourne: 1

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Blank

0

Does it count when you cover your own song?

N

Nick

2

1985 Jealous Guy (as Single) No 65 John LENNON, 1981 ROXY MUSIC No 1.

1988 Hush (as Single) No 62 DEEP PURPLE, 1997 KULA SHAKER No 3

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Lars Van Moer

0

In 1967 the original version of "Hush" by Billy Joe Royal made the singles charts in various countries.

N

Nick

0

Hi i 've the US Single, never made in UK, we are talking about UK chart, but nice try....

N

Nick

1

Twist And Shout.
1961 Top Notes (only US Single), 1962 ISLEY BROTHERS (US Single), 1964 BEATLES (US Single), 2010 UK Single No 42, 1988 SALT 'N' PEPA No 4, but 1994 No 1 for 2 weeks Chaka DEMUS And PLIERS.
1961 It Keeps Raining No 49 Fats DOMINO, 1983 Bitty McLEAN No 2

N

Nick

0

1976 Baby I Love Your Way No 43 Peter FRAMTON, 1996 BIG MOUNTAIN No 2.

1977 Thunder In My Heart No 22 Leo SAYER, 2006 MECK No 1

LB

Lee Brown

1

Mmmmm, it was Meck ft Leo Sayer

N

Nick

1

1960 Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie... Brian HYLAND No 8, 1990 BOMBALURINA No 1.
1964 No 28, 1969 No 4 Dancing In The Streets Martha REEVES 1985 No 1 David BOWIE & Mick JAGGER.
1979 Relight My Fire Dan HARTMAN (Didn't Chart) 1993 TAKE THAT No 1.
1983 It's A Raining Men No 2 WEATHER GIRLS, 2001 Geri HALLIWELL No 1

N

Nick

1

Unchain Melody 1955 Les BAXTER No 10, 1955 Jimmy YOUNG No 1 for 3 weeks but not enough, 1990 RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS (From film Ghost) No 1 for 4 weeks 1.167.000 sales, not enough two, 1995 ROBSON & JEROME 1.872.400 (For me the worst version ever) and for the end 2002 Gareth GATES 4 weeks No 1 1.348.000 Sales

N

Nick

0

1964 Under The Boardwalk DRIFTERS No 45, 1982 TOM TOM CLUB No 22, but

1987 Bruce WILLIS (The actor) No 2

N

Nick

0

1967 Neil DIAMOND (Didn't Chart), 1994 Girl You 'll A Woman Soon URGE OVERKILL No 37

1962 Sealed With A Kiss Brian HYLAND, 1989 Jason DONOVAN No 1

N

Nick

0

1963 It's My Party Leslsy GORE No 9, 1981 Dave STEWART No 1
1968 Words BEE GEES, 1996 BOYZONE No 1

1979 Tragedy BEE GEES No 1 Total 10 weeks 1998 STEPS No 1 Total 30 on chart
1980 Stomp Br. JOHNSON No 6, 2000 STEPS No 1

AR

Anthony Rogers

0

The 2 Stomps are totally different songs

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Tak Opidisc

0

Ellie Goulding - Your Song (Peak #2) / Elton John (Peak #4)
Ellie Goulding - How Long Will I Love You (Peak #3) / The Waterboys (Didn't chart)
Ellie Goulding - River (#1) / Joni Mitchell (Didn't chart)

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marti pujolar

0

Cannonball by Damien Rice, charted first in 2003 (reaching number 32 on the UK Singles Chart), 2004 (reaching number 19) and 2011 (reaching number 9, after being played in the X Factor auditions). Then Little Mix took it to #1 as their XFactor winning single in Dec 2011,

A

Andrew077

0

She's The One by World Party from their 1997 Egyptology, which wasn't a single, but 2 years later a No.1 for Robbie Williams.

AR

Anthony Rogers

0

So this is pretty irrelevant then. If it wasn't released as a single it could never chart. Unlike nowadays with the manipulated " Official Charts Company Singles and Album Track charts."

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Blank

0

Red Red Wine (Neil Diamond, uncharted / UB40 #1)
Suspicious Minds (Elvis #2 / Gareth Gates #1)
Don't Stop Believing (Journey #62 originally, reissued #6 / Glee #2)
Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins #10 / Elvis #9)
Freedom (George Michael #28 / Robbie Williams #2)

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Blank

0

Take On Me is an obvious one: #2 originally (A-Ha), #1 A1
Against All Odds likewise with a similar original and cover timeline (Phil Collins #2, Mariah Carey/Westlife, #1)

G

geebee

0

You keep me hanging on
The original my The Supremes went to no 8 in the UK. Kim Wildes cover version in 1886 went to No 2!

F

franco

0

Kiss by Prince peak position at 6, the Art of noise feat Tom Jones version at 5