50 Beatles Covers You Need to Hear Now
It’s an old truism which I’ve seen attributed to John Lennon in a quote: if a song is good, it doesn’t matter who covers it – it will still be a good song.
There are hundreds of Beatles covers out there and many are not great.. They’ve been covered by jazz artists, metal bands, crooners, bluegrass and country artists, punk bands, and the songs are so strong and malleable that the songs shine through regardless.
I’ve always enjoyed seeking out those covers and found many pleasant surprises. So here is a list of 50 of them. I’ve tried to largely avoid well known ones (like the brilliant Joe Cocker cover of A Little Help From My Friends) and live-only covers. And I’ve put a premium on covers that created their own unique character. Many of these I’ve never heard before.
Give them a listen and tell me what you think.
50. You Can’t Do That – Harry Nilsson
Long before he became John and Ringo’s friend and drinking buddy, Harry was a fan. He cut this track, which is almost a medley of Fab songs. The Beatles took notice.
49. Every Little Thing – Yes
An early incarnation of Yes, featuring original guitarist Peter Banks who shines here. Tony Kaye’s keyboards work wonderfully, and Banks throws in some Day Tripper riffs. It all sounds like it could go terribly wrong, but instead goes incredibly right.
48. It Won’t Be Long – Redd Kross
A Beatles cover by Redd Kross seems like a perfect thing to exist, and this version of the early Fab track only supports that opinion. Great choice, especially when your bass player is an avowed Beatles nut. But truth be told, RK’s version is a cover of the cover by LA’s seminal New Wave greats the Quick (here). Richard Thompson also did a great cover (here).
47. I Want to Tell You – The Melvins
The Melvins take on this Revolver deep cut is sludgier and crunchier than the original, powered by a thumping snare drum. It’s anchored by Redd Kross’ resident Beatles fanatic Steven MacDonald on bass, and you just can’t bury that hypnotic lead riff. I like the version from Concert for George sung by Jeff Lynne (here).
46. Do You Want to Know a Secret - Count Basie
Basie did two albums of Beatles songs, both done with serious purpose, so one can assume he “got” them. This song really seems to be a perfect fit for his style.
45. Misery - The Flamin’ Groovies
After the departure of their roots founding member Roy Loney, the Groovies spent time inhabiting the sounds and vibe of the early Beatles. Few have done it better in original songs, or covers as this track shows. They also covered “There’s a Place” from the first album (here).
44. Don’t Let Me Down - Dillard & Clark
The last song on the second and last record by Doug Dillard and former Byrd Gene Clark, this take on the Let It Be era Lennon track is an unexpected delight. They also covered “I’ve Just Seen a Face” (here).
43. Here There and Everywhere – David Gilmour
““I really wish I had been in the Beatles,” Gilmour said. “[They] taught me how to play guitar; I learnt everything. The bass parts, the lead, the rhythm, everything. They were fantastic.”
Gilmour returns the favor with this beautiful, and original, version of one of Paul’s best songs. It’s done here wit his son. GIlmour went on to be part of one of the best line-ups McCartney’s fronted post Beatles, which also included Thee Mick Green on guitar and Ian Pace (Deep Purple) on drums.
Sean Ono Lennon did a sweet, spare cover of this song (one of his dad’s favorites) for Paul’s 80th birthday in 2022 (here).
42. Little Child - Wreckless Eric
Wreckless Eric is always interesting, and his first records showed a lot of Beatles influence. The guitar’s rolling rhythm captures the vibe here, and his voice sound great singing this early Beatles track. Wish he’d covered more of their songs, but then he had so many great ones of his own.
41. And Your Bird Can Sing - Matthew Sweet & Susanna Hoffs
Two supreme popsters – Sweet and The Bangles’ Hoffs, harmonize beautifully here. Perhaps a full length Beatles cover record is in order? It was also one of several excellant Beatles covers the Jam did (here).
40. Here Comes the Sun – Peter Tosh
Tosh’s version of one of George’s most famous songs, sounds more Marley-esque than Bob’s take on the “And I Love Her”.
39. The Word – Betty Lavette
Lavette, a soul artist who’s style encompasses multiple genres as influences, created a unique take on this Beatles track which itself was cradled by soul and gospel. Her version of Blackbird, which she had never heard before learning it to perform at a Beatles tribute in 2010, is equally arresting (here). She instantly recognized the song was written about a black woman and the Civil RIghts movement, and she identified with it immediately.
38. Back in the USSR – Ramsey Lewis
The jazz great had covered several Beatles songs before embarking on an album of Fab covers, but in his own words, he “didn’t get them”. That changed when his producer Charles Stepney arranged a few of the tracks. Interesting side note – get the electronic texture he used a new instrument called the Moog. The Beatles would use it to great effect the next year on Abbey Road. The song was much covered by artists as varied as southern rockers Molly Hatchet (here), and the Beach Boys, who famously were the inspiration for it (here).
37. I’m Down - New Grass Revival
The New Grass Revival was bringing rock elements into their new interpretation of bluegrass. This is a stellar product of that experiment.
36. Magical Mystery Tour – Cheap Trick
As my friend Marc has often said – Cheap Trick are the punk Beatles. A great cover that is at once faithful, and at the same time all Cheap Trick.
35. She Said She Said – Black Keys
Head Key Daniel Auerbach is a lover of classic rock, and this Revolver great gets a bluesified treatment from the duo. A version missed by almost everyone is the one done by Cheap Trick, with blistering guitars, and Robin Zander’s full throttle vocals (here).
34. What Goes On – Sufjan Stevens
An interesting diversion for Sufjan. Part of it sounds like his Illinois era songs, and the other sounds psychedelic (Sufjan style).
33. Dr. Robert – J Mascis
Done for a one off Howards Stern Revolver tribute on his radio show, Dinosaur Jr’s guitarist/singer brings a little D Jr to this Beatles guitar heavy track. Grungey guitars, and what a solo!
32. Norweigan Wood – Waylon Jennings
Waylon did more than one Beatles song, and they always came out sounding like the original country outlaw.
31. Something - Frank Sinatra
Sinatra famous called this a “Lennon and McCartney” song, but gave its author a backhanded compliment calling it “one of the best love songs…written in the last 50 or 100 years”. Elvis, who covered five Beatles songs, did a supreme version on his Aloha TV special (here). My favorite cover of it is from the Concert for George show, It starts with Macca solo on a ukelele George gave him, and then the band deftly drops in, with beautiful harmonies by Eric Clapton and Paul (here).
30. Thank You Girl - Jerry Reed
Country picking legend Reed, takes this early Beatles track and twists it around until it’s moved all the way to Nashville.
29. I Need You – Tom Petty
There are some great covers of George’s songs in the tribute concert film, Concert for George. Petty and the Heartbreakers do a sweet version of this one in memory of Tom’s friend.
28. I Will - Daniel Johnston
Unabashed Beatles fanatic Johnston often covered the Fab Four. Here he brings his unique vulnerability to the song.
27. I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party - Rosanne Cash
The Lennon-McCartney original owes a deep debt to country music, and Rosanne Cash’s version pulls all those strings together nicely.
26. Yesterday - Ray Charles
The most covered song in history gets an update by one of music’s most recognizable voices. Ray was the inspiration for the writing of two Beatles songs, one being “I Feel Fine’ (which he sadly never covered). On another occasion Paul wrote a song, while in Scotland, imagining himself as Ray Charles. Ray later did a great cover of that song, “The Long and Winding Road” (here).
25. Can’t Buy Me Love – Chet Atkins
A guitar virtuoso, and country legend, Chet did an album of Beatles covers, and this one in particular shines. McCartney also covered his own song, perhaps in memory of Chet, as a bluegrass tune (here)
24. Within You Without You - Patti Smith
I didn’t even know this existed. Patti strips down George’s Indian raga original and finds the great melody and vibe at its center. Of course, alt rock experimenters, Sonic Youth, had a plan of their own for this song (here).
22. For No One – Emmylou Harris
Sung like it was written for Emmylou’s voice, with a sparse, fragile arrangement. Hard to pick between this and her cover of Here There and Everywhere (here).
21.Tomorrow Never Knows – 801
The supergroup featuring Brian Eno and Phil Manzanera (Roxy Music) takes on the Beatles most experimental track. Junior Parker stripped away the psychedelia and made it a sparse, slow, meditative blues trap (here). Los Lobos version has a character all its own, and a sizzling lead from David Hidalgo (here). The dBs released a really great live version of this on their “I Thought You Wanted To Know: 1978-1981” CD. The only take of it on YT is this rough fan video (here), but she be enough to get you to seek out the record.
20. And I Love Him – Esther Phillips
The Beatles were quoted many times saying that this was their favorite cover of their songs. Phillips takes the true melody and gives it her spin. Kurt Cobain, a huge Beatles fan, also recorded a demo of this classic (here). And this would be incomplete if I didn’t note that a very young Bob Marley covered this as well, with the Wailers (here).
19. Dear Prudence – Siouxsie and the Banshees
Siouxsie also did a great cover of Helter Skelter, but this more unusual choice get’s faithful rendering while still bearing her recognizable mark. For a completely different, but equally satisfying take, try the one by the Jerry Garcia Band (here).
18. One After 909 – Willie Nelson
17. In My Life – Johnny Cash
Later career, Cash delivered one of his best covers. Slowed down, his voice sanded by cancer, he looks back on his life with a weight Lennon’s original couldn’t have because John hadn’t live his life yet.
16. Help – The Damned
The original UK punks give this Lennon track a motorized update, and it works. At the other end of the spectrum, Dolly Parton’s version is all Dolly (here).
15. Happiness Is a Warm Gun – The Breeders
Complicated elements in this Lennon song pose no problem for former Pixies Kim Deal, along with her sister Kelley. The Breeders punchy instrumentation, and Kim’s vocals, give it a starker feel than the original.
14. Wild Honey Pie – Pixies
A little remembered (or liked) track from the White Album gets the full Pixies treatment, and it doesn’t get much better than this.
13. Hey Jude – Wilson Pickett
Wicked Pickett sings this as well, if not better than the original. On top of that, it features guitar work from future Allman Bros founder, Duane Allman. His work here got him his first attention.
12. Taxman – Junior Parker
The writer of “Mystery Train”, delivers a spot on, perfectly original take on this Harrison classic. Beatle fan Paul Weller never covered it, but he repurposed the bass part for the Jam’s “Start” (here).
11. Savoy Truffle – Ella Fitzgerald
One of the all-time greatest jazz singers, Ella was turned on to the Beatles by her son, who was a huge fan. To her credit, Ella got the Beatles immediately. She covered several of their songs, but this funky take on George’s Clapton inspired White Album song is special..
10. All My Loving – Amy Winehouse
Amy took one of the Beatles signature melodic songs, and owned it. She gives it a souled-up vibe, while her vocal range gives it an extra texture
8. Lady Madonna – Fats Domino
Macca has made no secret about this song being an attempt to recreate Fat’s sound. Fats proves he did a pretty good job. And country legend Buck Owens took for completely different ride (here). Elvis always called Fats the true king of rock and roll, and his version of this, a rehearsal, sounds great (here).
7. Paperback Writer – B-52s
A bit of a surprise to hear the idiosyncratic B-52s do such a faithful cover of this great tune, but Kate Pierson’s vocals bring it to life. Rhodes scholar and country songwriter, Kris Kristofferson also delivered a great version (here).
6. She’s Leaving Home – Brad Mehldau Trio
One of the most influential jazz pianists of the last few decades, Mehldao is also a huge Beatles fan. He’s cover many of their songs, and this is one of my favorites.
4. Revolution – Nina Simone
Of course, Nina Simone would make this song her own. Lennon loved it because he thought it was an answer to his version. Nina also did a great cover of Here Comes the Sun (here).
3. Hello Goodbye – The Cure
What a perfect song for the Cure to cover. And to top it off, James McCartney helps out on keyboards which gets a big smile from Robert Smith.
2. I Want to Hold You Hand – Al Green
From the humorous opening to its end, this soul drenched recording could belong to no one but the good reverend. Lennon loved this song so much he considered re-recording it as a solo artist. Another strikingly original version was done by the Moving Sidewalks, featuring a young Billy Gibbons soon to form ZZ Top (here). And then the Melvins recorded another version that owed more to the Sidewalks than the Beatles (here).
1. Tell Me What You See – Teenage Fanclub
You get the sense that there are a few Beatles records in the Fannies collection. This is one of my personal favorite covers. The Fannies also did a loose version of “Ballad of John and Yoko” (here).
After all was written I came across another cover I really liked. It’s no surprise that Dwight Twilley would cover the Beatles, but his hard rocking version of “Yer Blues” did take me by surprise. Well done (here).