Iconic Cover Songs That Topped the Charts
BTS, the popular K-pop group, has announced their official comeback date for 2026. Aretha Franklin's rendition of Otis Redding's song "Respect" became a feminist anthem and topped the charts. Joan Jett's cover of Alan Merrill's "I Love Rock 'n' Roll" also reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Cyndi Lauper's version of Robert Hazard's "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" became a platinum-selling hit. The Beatles' cover of Phil Medley and Bert Berns' "Twist and Shout" was a chart-topping success. Manfred Mann's Earth Band's cover of Bruce Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light" also reached #1 on the charts. Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson's rendition of The Zutons' "Valerie" was a commercial success. Whitney Houston's cover of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You" became one of the best-selling singles by a woman. The Rolling Stones' version of Jerry Ragovoy's "Time Is on My Side" was a hit. No Doubt's cover of Talk Talk's "It's My Life" reached #10 on the Billboard Hot 100. The Fugees' cover of Lori Lieberman's "Killing Me Softly with His Song" topped the charts. Soft Cell's version of Gloria Jones' "Tainted Love" became a #1 hit. Toploader's cover of King Harvest's "Dancing in the Moonlight" was a double platinum success. UB40's reggae cover of Neil Diamond's "Red Red Wine" reached #1 on the charts. Toni Basil's cover of Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn's "Mickey" sold 1 million copies. Natalie Imbruglia's cover of Scott Cutler, Anne Preven, and Phil Thornalley's "Torn" sold over 1.2 million copies in the U.K. The Chicks' version of Fleetwood Mac's "Landslide" reached #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. Elvis Presley's cover of Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller's "Hound Dog" sold 4 million copies. Led Zeppelin's version of Jake Holmes' "Dazed and Confused" became iconic. Ace of Base's cover of Diane Warren and Albert Hammond's "Don't Turn Around" reached #4 on the charts. Smash Mouth's cover of Neil Diamond's "I'm a Believer" was featured in the movie "Shrek." Sheryl Crow's cover of Cat Stevens' "The First Cut Is the Deepest" sold 500,000 copies. Celine Dion's cover of Jim Steinman's "It's All Coming Back to Me Now" reached #1 on the charts. Sixpence None the Richer's cover of The La's "There She Goes" sold 1 million copies. Donna Summer's cover of Jon Anderson and Vangelis' "State of Independence" reached #41 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart. The Byrds' cover of Pete Seeger's "Turn! Turn! Turn!" topped the charts.