.xX{ Genre Busters }Xx.
There’s no reason why rock remakes have to keep rockin’ and rap remakes have to keep rappin’. These next cover tunes are what I call “Genre Busters”, songs that started out as one style of music and were remade into another.
.xX{ Genre Busters – Rap }Xx.
23. “Walk This Way” by Run DMC (originally by Aerosmith)
“Walk This Way” was originally released by Aerosmith in the mid-70s and was one of the band’s first hits. The song has become a staple of the band’s live perfomances, and in 2009 VH1 ranked it #8 on their list of “Top 100 Rock Songs of all Time.” In 1986, Run DMC re-recorded a rap version of “Walk This Way” under the urging of producer Rick Rubin and DJ Jam Master Jay (neither Run nor DMC knew who Aersosmith were). The song was a smash hit that brought rap to the masses (it was the first top 5 rap single), made Run DMC worldwide stars, and even revitalized Aerosmith’s career.
Aerosmith’s version
Run DMC’s version
24. “Goin’ Back to Cali” by Sevendust (originally by LL Cool J)
LL Cool J took the rap world by storm with singles like “Radio” and “I’m Bad”, but it was his (arguably the first) “rap ballad” “I Need Love” that made him a mega superstar and began changing his image from “tough street kid” to “buff lover”. Originally released on the “Less Than Zero” soundtrack, his next single, “Going Back to Cali”, proved to be another gigantic hit and was later included on his third album, 1988’s “Walking with a Panther”. In the winter of 2000, nu-metal rockers Sevendust released their metalized version of “Going Back to Cali” on the compilation album “Take a Bite Outta Rhyme: A Rock Tribute to Rap”. Sevendust’s version replaces LL’s horn blasts with guitars. It also has a lot more yelling.
LL Cool J’s version
Sevendust’s version
25. “It’s Tricky” by The Bloodhound Gang (originally by Run DMC)
After Run DMC had runaway success by taking a rock song and making it rap, it only made sense that eventually someone would take one of Run DMC’s raps and make it rock. The Bloodhound Gang did just that by covering Run DMC’s 1987 classic, “It’s Tricky” on their second album, “One Fierce Beer Coaster”. The Bloodhound Gang’s take is all metal, complete with tuned down guitars and a ferocious drum track. For a band known more for their comedic lyrics than their musical chops, Bloodhound’s version of “It’s Tricky” flat out rocks.
Run DMC’s version
Bloodhound Gang’s version
26. “Bring the Noise” by Anthrax/Public Enemy (originally by Public Enemy)
No list of rock/rap songs would be complete without this one. “Bring the Noise” made its debut on the Less than Zero soundtrack (alongside LL Cool J’s “Going Back to Cali and Slayer’s “In A Gadda Da Vida”). In the song, Chuck D name checks the metal band Anthrax (reportedly because Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian wore Public enemy shirts in concert). Returning the favor, Anthrax teamed up with PE to record a cover/remake of the original in 1991, with Anthrax providing the song’s music and lyrics traded between Scott Ian and Chuck D. The song appeared on both PE and Anthrax albums and was a smash hit in both rap and metal circles. “Bring the Noise” is widely credited as giving birth to the rap metal craze.
Public Enemy’s version
Public Enemy/Anthrax’s version
.xX{ Genre Busters – Metal }Xx.
27. “These Boots are Made for Walking” by Megadeth (originally by Nancy Sinatra)
Nancy Sinatra is best remembered for her 1966 hit “These Boots are Made for Walking”, but I’ll bet not even Nancy could have imagined someday Megadeth would be covering her song. Sped up and metaled out, chances are if you enjoy either one of these versions, you won’t care for the other. Most recently the song was covered by Jessica Simpson but, bleh.
Nancy Sinatra’s version
Megadeth’s version
28. “Paranoid” by Megadeth (originally by Black Sabbath)
Another classic Megadeth cover. For years, Black Sabbath was the epitome of heavy metal. Bands like Metallica and Megadeth took Sabbath’s heavy foundation and added speed. Megadeth’s take on Sabbath’s classic “Paranoid” is every bit as heavy as the original and is played in double time.
Black Sabbath’s version
Megadeth’s version
29. “Helter Skelter” by Motley Crue (originally by the Beatles)
I must shamefully admit that when I first heard this song by Motley Crue back in 1983, I had not yet heard the original. Motley Crue’s version is tighter, leaner, and a little bit meaner than the original. I’m sure karma would strike me down if I said Motley Crue’s version was better than the original, so let’s just say I enjoy both versions in their own right and leave it at that. If Charles Manson had heard the Crue’s version first, no one would have blamed him for going on a killing spree.
The Beatles’ version
Motley Crue’s version
For what it’s worth, this song has also been covered by Pat Benatar, Aerosmith, Oasis, Ian Gillan, Bon Jovi, and U2, but the most original rendition belongs to Siouxsie and the Banshees.
30. “Surfin’ USA” by M.O.D. (originally by the Beach Boys)
A spin-off of S.O.D. (Stormtroopers of Death), M.O.D.’s (Method of Destruction) second album “Surfin’ M.O.D.” was a concept album that took place at the beach. One of the band’s thrash metal tracks was a cover of The Beach Boys’ “Surfin’ USA”. For some reason I always liked M.O.D.’s version. It’s silly and fun, but still shreds, must like the rest of the album.
The Beach Boys version
M.O.D.’s version
For what it’s worth, the same album also contains cover versions of “Shout” and “Color My World”.
31. “Stone Cold Crazy” by Metallica (originally by Queen)
I love Queen and was raised on Queen, but I’ll be damned if Metallica’s version doesn’t take this song to the next level. Hetfield’s growls and Ulrich’s double-bass lift this song up, and Hammet’s guitar solos push it even higher. The track originally appeared as the B-side to the single “Enter Sandman”, but didn’t appear on a Metallica album until 1988’s “Garage Inc.” This is a classic case of taking a 10/10 song and cranking it up to 11. (Metallica’s version starts at 4 minutes into the clip.)
Queen’s version
Metallica’s version
At the Freddy mercury Tribute Concert, James Hetfield of Metallica and Tommy Iommi of Black Sabbath joined the surviving members of Queen to perform the song. So this is really Queen covering Metallica’s version of a Queen song.
.xX{ Genre Busters – Punk }Xx.
32. “Come on Eileen” by Save Ferris (originally by Dexy’s Midnight Runners)
Save Ferris is ska (not punk) but their rendition of the 80s classic “Come on Eileen” is so full of energy that I had to put it here. Dexy’s original version was upbeat, a little hokey, and has appeared on every 80s compilation released over the past 20 years. Save Ferris replaces the original’s banjos with a horn section and turns the intensity up to high. I dare you not to hop around while this song is playing. I SAID I DARE YOU!
Dexy’s Midnight Runners’ version
Save Ferris’ version
33. “Kids in America” by The Bloodhound Gang (originally by Kim Wilde)
The Bloodhound Gang’s second appearance on the list comes with a cover of Kim Wilde’s “Kids in America”. Released in 1981 when Kim was just 21 years old, “Kids in America” was a new wave song that became an anthem for teens around the world. The song has been covered by everyone from Nirvana and the Donnas to Tiffany, but my favorite version is the Bloodhound Gang’s punk version. (“Make it sloppy, like child birth.”) Say what you will about the Bloodhound Gang (personally I think they’re idiots), but this song was born to be a punk anthem.
Kim Wilde’s version
The Bloodhound Gang’s version
34. “Time after Time” by Clubber Lang and the Heavyweights (originally by Cyndi Lauper)
After storming across America with her hit single “Girls Just Want to have Fun”, crazy-mopped Lauper showed the world her softer side with the 1984 ballad “Time After Time”. The song hit number one on the charts, still gets radio play to this day, and according to Wikipedia has been covered by more than 120 different artists. One of those artists, Clubber Lang and the Heavyweights, recording a stellar punkified version of the 80s classic, a’la punk.
Cyndi Lauper’s version
Clubber Lang’s version (Removed from YouTube)
35. “Summer Nights” by Less than Jake (originally from the Grease Soundtrack)
“Tell me more, tell me more, did you get very far?” Grease was one of the first movies we owned on VHS, and I watched that movie so many times as a kid that to this day I still know every song (and every line for that matter) by heart. In 1997, punk rockers Less Than Jake released “Greased”, an 8 track, 15 minute romp through the Grease soundtrack. If you just did the math, you can probably guess that the songs have been sped up to a frantic pace. “TellMeMoreTellMeMoreLikeDoesHeHaveACar?”
Grease version
Less Than Jake’s version
36. “Smooth Criminal” by Alien Ant Farm (original by Michael Jackson)
When most people reminisce about Michael Jackson they talk about “Thriller”, but the gloved-one had several post-Thriller mega-hits, including “Black or White”, “Dirty Diana”, and this classic, “Smooth Criminal”. Fans of Jackson should get a kick out of Alien Ant Farm’s updated version and particularly the video, which contains references to Thriller, Billie Jean, and several other Michael Jackson songs. They even managed to squeeze the “crotch grabbing/exploding car” bit in there.
“The song was a smash hit that brought rap to the masses (it was the first top 5 rap single), made Run DMC worldwide stars, and even revitalized Aerosmith’s career.”
A guy I knew in the Marines used to make reference to “pulling an Aerosmith/Run-DMC”, which meant sleeping with an ugly or unattractive girl for the sake of re-establishing one’s confidence in pursuit of regular dating aspirations. “Look at Aerosmith. They slept with the ugly chick, and now they’re popular again. Sometimes you’ve just got to do the ugly chick.”
I’ve since adopted the term as a general description of anyone who goes against expressed public convictions in the name of personal advancement.
I like both versions of the song by the way. But I still think it’s a fitting metaphor.
A few honorable mentions from me:
“Bring the Pain” by Mindless Self Indulgence (original by Method Man)
“Boots” by KMFDM (original ‘These Boots are Made for Walking’ by Nancy Sinatra)
Glad you included the Siouxsie and the Banshees version of Helter Skelter I think it is my favorite of all the versions/remakes of this song.
I also enjoy:
“Boots” by KMFDM (original “These Boots are Made For Walking” By Nancy Sinatra)
“Bring the Pain” By Mindless Self Indulgence (original by Method Man)