Cover to Cover Part 2: #5 - 1

5. You Really Got Me - Van Halen (Originally by The Kinks)

80s metal mainstays Van Halen (David Lee Roth era) kept popping up on everyone else's lists of best cover songs and I kept wondering why. Then I relistened to it and I was like, "oh, right."

Every part of the original song is rollicking, rocking fun and it had to take a party band like Van Halen to get it just as right and fun as the first time. Every part of the band would fit perfectly into the song, from Roth's mugging vocals to Eddie Van Halen's ever-sweer guitar licks and the amazing solo he busts out in the middle.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30tLuLaZbh4

4. Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley (Originally by Leonard Cohen)

The late Jeff Buckley's sad and hopeless cover leaves me a puddle of depression everytime I listen to it.

The slow, sad guitar makes this song about a loss of faith even more of a loss. It's way better than the original now because the Cohen version makes me think of full-length fucking now. Thanks, Watchmen movie.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nkkW5blfEPk

3. Walk This Way - Run-DMC (Originally by Aerosmith)

This is it. This is the song that combined rap and rock, for better or for worse. A remake and cover all in one, the boys' rhymes are hot and Joe Perry's guitar solo is better than the original.

The video also remains one of the all-time best and I dare you to argue with me. I fucking dare you.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o8A0rhVG91U

2. Hurt - Johnny Cash (Originally by Nine Inch Nails)

Do you know how awesome you have to be to make the guy who originally sang the song to say that yours is the best version? Johnny Cash levels of awesome.

This song is so dark and sad and the fact that this was one of Cash's last songs add to the beauty of this song.

The video, mixed with the song, gives more insight into Cash's life than a two hour film about it can.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SmVAWKfJ4Go

1. Proud Mary - Tina Turner (Originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival)

The talent and performance of this cover is fascinating. Turner was able to turn a country-fried rock smash into a even bigger foot-stomping, fast-paced funk-fused R&B masterpiece.

This is everything a cover song should be in my opinion, an ass-kicking good time devoted purely to taking a song and turning into something completely different from its original style.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54XRNQ2C2x0