10 Amazing Beatles Covers You’ve Probably Never Heard
Posted On: 9/9/11
Written By: Nathan Brunet
*Click images below to view larger versions.
The Black Keys- “She Said She Said”
Richie Havens- “Here Comes the Sun”
Florence + the Machine- “Oh! Darling”
Aretha Franklin- “Eleanor Rigby”
Listening to bands performing covers of other artists’ works is always something special. Quite honestly, even if the cover sucks, you get to peer into a musician’s mind and hear their unique take on an established song. When an artist hears their work being respectfully covered, they are often humbled. When an artist heard their entire catalog of work being respectfully covered by hundreds of prominent musicians, you’re probably a member of The Beatles.
No one has been covered as many times as The Beatles, save for Bob Dylan, who may win by default simply because he’s recorded about 3 times more songs than the Fab Four. Everybody has heard Aeromith’s lively cover of “Come Together” and Joe Cocker’s soulful version of “With a Little Help from My Friends,” but there are so many more Beatles covers that need to be listened to if you’re a fan. While I encourage you to search online for covers of your favorite songs, here are ten covers to get you started. (Note: the list is in alphabetical order by band, since each song is equally amazing for its own reason.)
The Black Keys- “She Said She Said”
From the Album: Revolver (1966)
The heavy blues-rock duo from Akron manages to make this short acid rock tune sound more upbeat and fun, without changing the tempo or altering the trippy feel. Recorded on an EP in 2003 after their sophomore album, Dan Auerbach’s crunching guitar and powerful voice gives the song his signature Black Keys sound.
Bono and The Edge- “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”
From the Album: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
OK, the last song was pretty trippy, but its normal rock when compared to the Beatles classic about LSD. Bono recorded this for the film Across the Universe, a musical that is consisted entirely of Beatles covers. The instrumentals somehow make the ballad even more atmospheric and Bono’s calm voice perfectly fits the mood.
No one has been covered as many times as The Beatles, save for Bob Dylan, who may win by default simply because he’s recorded about 3 times more songs than the Fab Four. Everybody has heard Aeromith’s lively cover of “Come Together” and Joe Cocker’s soulful version of “With a Little Help from My Friends,” but there are so many more Beatles covers that need to be listened to if you’re a fan. While I encourage you to search online for covers of your favorite songs, here are ten covers to get you started. (Note: the list is in alphabetical order by band, since each song is equally amazing for its own reason.)
The Black Keys- “She Said She Said”
From the Album: Revolver (1966)
The heavy blues-rock duo from Akron manages to make this short acid rock tune sound more upbeat and fun, without changing the tempo or altering the trippy feel. Recorded on an EP in 2003 after their sophomore album, Dan Auerbach’s crunching guitar and powerful voice gives the song his signature Black Keys sound.
Bono and The Edge- “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds”
From the Album: Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
OK, the last song was pretty trippy, but its normal rock when compared to the Beatles classic about LSD. Bono recorded this for the film Across the Universe, a musical that is consisted entirely of Beatles covers. The instrumentals somehow make the ballad even more atmospheric and Bono’s calm voice perfectly fits the mood.
Johnny Cash- “In My Life”
From the Album: Rubber Soul (1965)
There may not be another Beatle’s cover that received such a radical change in tone. Featured on Cash’s final album release before his death, a song that originally sounded like a celebration of life now brings thoughts of a man coping with his subsequent death. Cash’s old and earthly voice adds so much power to this moving cover.
Florence + the Machine- “Oh! Darling”
From the Album: Abbey Road (1969)
If you haven’t heard, frontwoman Florence Welch has a lot of soul for a white girl. A bonus song from their debut, Lungs, in 2009, this cover is in the same vein of the original, with Welch adding her own personal touch with her beautiful and eloquent voice. The backing band does a straightforward cover, but her voice needs to be heard.
Aretha Franklin - “Eleanor Rigby”
From the Album: Revolver (1966)
After introducing a group of covers recorded in the 21st century, it’s about time we hear some retro covers! If it weren’t for the lyrics, there is no chance you would recognize this as a Beatles cover. The Queen of Soul’s funky arrangement she wrote in 1969 brings backing singers and an energetic horn section that sparks new life to this classic.
Ben Harper - “Strawberry Fields Forever”
From the Album: Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
Similar to the cover of, “Oh! Darling” featured above, the tone and sound of the instruments are almost identical to the original. Here, it’s Harper’s voice that leads the arrangement in his own unique way. Written for the “I Am Sam” soundtrack that released in 2002, Harper’s voice fits so well, you may think he actually collaborated with The Beatles.
Richie Havens- “Here Comes the Sun”
From the Album: Abbey Road (1969)
One of the greatest folk singers to ever take the stage poured his heart into creating an amazingly energetic cover in 1971. The intense picking of Haven’s acoustic guitar and soothing voice still keeps the uplifting tone of the original while adding elements to the song’s composition.
Jimi Hendrix- “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band”
From the Album: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
Wow, imagine what kind of band The Beatles would be with Hendrix at lead guitar. Actually, you kind of can when listening to this cover! Knowing Paul McCartney and George Harrison were attending a show of his in London, Hendrix performed this cover only three days after the song’s album was released to the public. Just listen to that boy jam.
Elliott Smith- “Because”
From the Album: Abbey Road (1969)
If there’s any artist on this list who you’ve never heard, it’s probably ‘90s indie-rock icon Smith, but that doesn’t mean you should skip this cover by any means. Sure, the song is almost exactly similar to the original, but there are a couple of features that make this a great cover. Not only does Smith perfectly emulate the beautiful harmonies throughout the song, he also manages to make the song even more dark and haunting.
Ike and Tina Turner- “She Came in through the Bathroom Window”
From the Album: Abbey Road (1969)
Remember, before this couple ended up having one of the greatest failures in celebrity marriages, they fronted a damn good rock and soul fusion band. Tina’s empowering screeches almost give Aretha Franklin a run for her money. Accompanied by a wild backing soul band, this cover embodies ‘70s funk while keeping the original intact.
From the Album: Rubber Soul (1965)
There may not be another Beatle’s cover that received such a radical change in tone. Featured on Cash’s final album release before his death, a song that originally sounded like a celebration of life now brings thoughts of a man coping with his subsequent death. Cash’s old and earthly voice adds so much power to this moving cover.
Florence + the Machine- “Oh! Darling”
From the Album: Abbey Road (1969)
If you haven’t heard, frontwoman Florence Welch has a lot of soul for a white girl. A bonus song from their debut, Lungs, in 2009, this cover is in the same vein of the original, with Welch adding her own personal touch with her beautiful and eloquent voice. The backing band does a straightforward cover, but her voice needs to be heard.
Aretha Franklin - “Eleanor Rigby”
From the Album: Revolver (1966)
After introducing a group of covers recorded in the 21st century, it’s about time we hear some retro covers! If it weren’t for the lyrics, there is no chance you would recognize this as a Beatles cover. The Queen of Soul’s funky arrangement she wrote in 1969 brings backing singers and an energetic horn section that sparks new life to this classic.
Ben Harper - “Strawberry Fields Forever”
From the Album: Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
Similar to the cover of, “Oh! Darling” featured above, the tone and sound of the instruments are almost identical to the original. Here, it’s Harper’s voice that leads the arrangement in his own unique way. Written for the “I Am Sam” soundtrack that released in 2002, Harper’s voice fits so well, you may think he actually collaborated with The Beatles.
Richie Havens- “Here Comes the Sun”
From the Album: Abbey Road (1969)
One of the greatest folk singers to ever take the stage poured his heart into creating an amazingly energetic cover in 1971. The intense picking of Haven’s acoustic guitar and soothing voice still keeps the uplifting tone of the original while adding elements to the song’s composition.
Jimi Hendrix- “Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band”
From the Album: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
Wow, imagine what kind of band The Beatles would be with Hendrix at lead guitar. Actually, you kind of can when listening to this cover! Knowing Paul McCartney and George Harrison were attending a show of his in London, Hendrix performed this cover only three days after the song’s album was released to the public. Just listen to that boy jam.
Elliott Smith- “Because”
From the Album: Abbey Road (1969)
If there’s any artist on this list who you’ve never heard, it’s probably ‘90s indie-rock icon Smith, but that doesn’t mean you should skip this cover by any means. Sure, the song is almost exactly similar to the original, but there are a couple of features that make this a great cover. Not only does Smith perfectly emulate the beautiful harmonies throughout the song, he also manages to make the song even more dark and haunting.
Ike and Tina Turner- “She Came in through the Bathroom Window”
From the Album: Abbey Road (1969)
Remember, before this couple ended up having one of the greatest failures in celebrity marriages, they fronted a damn good rock and soul fusion band. Tina’s empowering screeches almost give Aretha Franklin a run for her money. Accompanied by a wild backing soul band, this cover embodies ‘70s funk while keeping the original intact.