Pop Rocks !!

It has occurred to me that over my years of listening to music I have found many pop songs that I enjoyed. Then I realized how can one make that pop song better? ... its actually quite simple create a rock/metal cover version of the song. Im not saying that some pop songs aren't good already but after a while hearing the same beats and electronic sounds over and over just makes me a little nauseous!!

I have created a list of songs covered by various active rock/metal artists that change the game for you. Some of these I would say are better than their original versions. This is not a top ten list they are in no particular order. Also I went a little old school and I'm using the "Spinal Tap" use of the number 11. Usually people go to 10 in their listings BUT!! why go to ten when you can you can just go to 11. So here are my 11 picks for great rock covers to pop songs. ENJOY!!

* "11" if you see this that means it is the max loudness of your listening device !!!!!!

1. Quietdrive-"Time After Time"        

Original Artis-Cyndi Lauper (1983)

   Starting the song of gentle and slow just as Cyndi Lauper whould have wanted it then the chorus hits hard with overdrive guitars and drum beats of a real drumset!! you certainly will enjoy this one and may find yourself singing along as I did. This is one to jam to when driving at night ...but be safe!!

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 2. Rage Against the Machine-"Renegades of Funk"      

Original Artist-Afrika Bambaataa (1983) 

Yupp thats right for those who did not know, as I did not at first, this i a cover of early hip hop rap artist group Afrika Bambaataa. This is one i would consider the cover better than the original. I'm not real attentive or involved in hip hop or rap which swayed my opinion toward the rock style. This song is not only one of Afrika Bambaataa's greats but also one of Rage's too . So get with your friends crack some adult beverages and "SAY JAM SUCKA" as your live free and rage to Rage.

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3.  Alien Ant Farm-"Smooth Criminal"                                       Original Artist- Michael Jackson (1988)

WHOA!! what the hell is that? Yes that was my initial reaction the first time I heard this too.I myself am a HUGE MJ fan and to hear a cover this good you just cant hate it. Of course I believe no one performs better Than Michael Jackson but when you hear this you'll find yourself singing, screaming, dancing and rocking out all at the same time. the powerful heavy riff of the guitar forces the listener in and the mind cant get away from it. So turn your radio, stereo, ipod, computer, whatever your listening to up to "11" and moonwalk while you play some air guitar to one of the greatest covers of all time.

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4. H-Blockx-"The power"                                                

  original artist-Snap! (1990)

Friggen Saweet!! Yes its that song from the early 90s pringle commercial. Snap!'s The power released in January of 1990 was a huge hit in the hip hop pop and rap community topping a #2 for billboards top 100. Now heavy riffing H-Blockx will have you head head banging and singing that famous line "I've got the power!!" over and over. So listen and tell your friends family or whoevers close to you at the time about your "POWER". 

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 5. Yellowcard-"Everywhere"                                      

 original artist-Michelle Branch (2001)

"Hey I haven't heard this song in forever and I love it!" well now you have heard it again and Yellowcard does it right. This band is one of the great punk bands of theirs era and their songs are timeless reminding you of your loser high school LOOOL ...jk. but really the natural punk sound over the pop sound of the same era tkes you back and you can just enjoy the song and the memories. This is another with some catchy easy to learn lyrics. Ill say this Yellowcard =guy version Michelle Branch = girl version both did it good great cover enjoy!! 

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6.   Silverstein-"Apologize"                                                  Original artist-One Republic (2006)

"I'm not a vampire I'm Goth, I'm not Goth I'm Emo, I'm not Emo i just love wearing makeup." Thank you Silverstein for your time. Another I would say better than the original but you be the judge of that and listen to it. This cover has everything One Republic didn't have that they needed. Silverstein adds the high pitch harmonic original riff but that's not all!! In a section there's a hardcore style screaming verse and even a guitar solo!! so if your feeling down because your girlfriend or Boyfriend broke up with you and need a good song to set the mood here it is.

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 7. Fall Out Boy-"Beat It"                               

   Original Artist- Michael Jackson (1982)

YES another from the great Michael Jackson. Fall Out Boy tries to match up with two greats Micheal Jackson aka the greatest of all time and The king of harmonics and riffs, guitar King Eddie Van Halen. Though I think the original is much better Fall Out Boy does a nice job putting their own twist on a song they and I love. The cover features a heavier riff sound with a little more alternative punk singing sound. Good if your want to get way from the original for a moment.

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 8. A Day To Remember-"Over My Head"                                           Original artist- The Fray 

Kool This song reminds me of every moment of my life and it rocks!!. This is just a great cover the fray does it great with their soft catchy sound. For some its not enough. A Day To Remember does a great job mixing their heavy riffing metal sound, acoustic sound like in "You Had Me At Hello" This version will have you singing and rockin to the heavy breakdown style of A day to remember and the catchy lyrics of The Fray. So go ahead and do it .. rock ur socks off ... if that's what your into. 

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9. All Time Low- "Umbrella"                                          Original artist- Rihanna

GeT A HAirCut and grow up FreAK !! Not one of my favorite bands nor one of my favorite songs but if you want to to hear a popular hip hop artist, Rihanna, and a modern alternative pop-punk then this is you hitting the nail in the face ... or wait on the head ..or somthing like that. the high pitch singing gives the song its original singing sound but the drum and guitar combo of overdrive chugging  fast punk beats change the game. I guess try to enjoy it but you don't gotta like it.

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 10. Marilyn Manson-"Sweet Dreams"                                           original artist-Eurythmics (1983)

Scary? nahhh Awesome? yeaaaa. Prince of darkness Marilyn Manson knows what he's doing when it comes to musical talent. This is one version I consider better that original. Its everything your expecting and not expecting of Manson. he puts his extra eerie spine chilling over distorted guitar on heavy drums and a uncanny or supernatural voice. Then there's an unexpected high pitch and tone guitar solo. Everything about this song is intense!! So your Moms this one ladies and gentlemen this round goes to the cover. 

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11. Metallica-"Whiskey In The Jar"                                             Original artist- The Dubliners

Oh Hell Yea they did!! only the great Metallica could take an old Irish Folk song recorded by The Dubliners and turn it into an awesomazing metal song. yes Awesomazing is a combination of awesome and amazing making it twice as metal!! the song features original lyrics new shredding riffs and guitar solos of Kirk Hammet, deep metal voice and rhythm riffs of James Hetfield, poping crashing leading heavy drums of Lars Ulrich. heavy rhythm bassist Jason Newsted. This is the ultimate cover you would never recongnize the song as a cover unless you heard the cover right before Metallica Makes it their own. GREAT JOB!!

 
created by Eric Stevens