The Beatles are generally considered to be the most influential band of all time. They first came together in Liverpool, in 1960. The members, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison and Ringo Starr (Richard Starkey) are household names and are recognised by most. The Lennon-McCartney songwriting team is considered one of the greatest to exist, Harrison is very respected for his guitar style and his experimental nature and Ringo Starr is considered by many to be one of the best drummers in rock music. They produced album after album of brilliant music. They experimented with rock, pop, blues, psychedelia, Indian classical music and innumerable other styles. They have left an indelible mark on popular culture.
Though they disbanded in 1970 after a short ten-year career as a band, they had had left behind them over ten albums and too many hits to count. Their music is so ubiquitous- it has been covered by so many amazing artists. The Beatles the most covered band of all time. There are many great covers out there, but these are my favourites.
1) Yesterday, by Frank Sinatra-
Yesterday is the most covered song of all time, according to the Guiness Book of World Records. The original Beatles song is a beautiful one, lilting with emotion and embellished with strings and the soft strums of a guitar. Frank Sinatra, a big fan of the Beatles, took the song and made it his own- his legendary voice filled the song with melancholic, deep sadness. The song is enhanced with Sinatra’s classic orchestral backing music and a soft beat. His version of ‘Something’ is also not to be missed!
Frank Sinatra’s version of the song!
2) Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, by Jimi Hendrix-
Jimi Hendrix is considered to be the greatest guitarist if all time. This rocked up version of the iconic Beatles song is exactly how you would expect someone like Hendrix to interpret it. This one was a live cover. It is exactly as a cover should be- the same lyrics and general tune used, but the song is completely Hendrix’s. It is an amazing version-under a minute in length yet displaying Hendrix’s talent for the guitar.
3) Something, by Joe Cocker-
Joe Cocker’s rendition of ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’ is better known and has been famously used as the theme song of the sitcom ‘The Wonder Years.’ However, my favourite is his version of ‘Something.’ This song has beautiful lyrics and Cocker’s deep, somewhat throaty voice fills the song with emotion and feeling. The music in the background is quite similar to the Beatles song. The backup singers harmonise, adding magic to this song.
4) We Can Work It Out, by Dionne Warwick-
This is a classic Beatles song, and Dionne Warwick truly does it justice. It does not sound much like the Beatles version- it is heavily influenced by her blues and soul background. However, her emotional voice, for some reason, is perfect for this song. She adds her own twist to the chorus, which is what, for me, adds another feeling to it. It is only fitting that a song by one ‘60s icon is covered by another ‘60s icon.
5) Come Together, by Ike and Tina Turner-
The music in the background of this cover is quite similar to the original Beatles song, but the vocals are Tina Turner’s, and are therefore only hers- she is truly unique. Her throaty and explosive voice fits this song very well. The lyrics seem to mould to her voice, not the other way around. Overall, the duo’s version of the celebrated Beatles song is definitely worth a listen!
6) Dear Prudence, by Siouxsie and the Banshees-
This sweet Beatles song is said to be inspired by Prudence, Mia Farrow’s sister, while they were on their trip to Hrishikesh in India. This version is very different from the Beatles one, but is just as surreal. The slight echo of the vocals adds to the dreamlike effect of the song. This interpretation of the song is not exactly rocked up, it drifts more towards the alternative side, and I’m sure the Beatles would have approved of such experimentation. It is one of my favourite Beatles covers of all time!
7) I Will, by Alison Krauss and Tony Furtado-
This is my favourite Beatles love song- the lyrics are beautiful and sweet. This rendition starts with an entirely instrumental version of the song played on a banjo or a ukelele. The second part of the song starts with Alison Krauss’ delightful and soft vocals, which fit this heartfelt love song very well. This was one of the first Beatles covers I discovered, and it remains one of my favourites.
These are only a few of the large number of Beatles covers out there. Artists like Bob Dylan, Bryan Adams and Judy Collins have also sung some iconic Beatles songs. I would love to hear about any other covers you thought of while reading this, so please feel free to comment your favourites below!
Thank you for reading!
I am not too much into the Beatles, but the performance of ‘While my guitar gently weeps’ when George Harrison was inducted into the Hall of Fame is legendary, with Prince’s epic solo taking center stage!!
An album of “covers” I love is GN’Rs Spaghetti Incident!