30. Miley Cyrus — Psycho Killer (Talking Heads cover)
Many tracks off A24’s excellent Talking Heads tribute Everyone’s Getting Involved vied for space on this list (indeed, one more appears higher up). Cyrus got the nod for fully Miley-fying “Psycho Killer.” Her reworking of the “run run run away” melody invokes Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance,” before the “la la la”s move it closer to the pure-sugar of Aqua’s “Barbie Girl.” Two sonic reference points far removed from David Byrne and co, but Cyrus makes it work. “I love you, psycho killer / Gonna love you forever,” she sings in some new lyrics that turn the song on its head, before adding, “You know I’ll never run away.” — Ray Padgett
29. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit — Room at the Top (Tom Petty cover)
Jason Isbell covers his favorite Tom Petty song, at what must be his favorite venue, the Ryman Theater. (The track is from Volume 2 of the band’s Live from the Ryman set of releases.) You sense the undivided attention of the audience, and Isbell in relaxed command. The whole band is in the pocket, making a nice delayed entry and other well-oiled contributions throughout. Isbell’s not one to mess around with a song he loves, but even as he sticks to the original’s template, he makes it sound like a song from his own extensive catalog. It’s a tribute to Tom, all right, but it also feels like Isbell’s spent a night or two in that same room at the top. — Tom McDonald
28. Tebey — Blinding Lights (The Weeknd cover)
Why does this work so well? Did the Weeknd actually write a country song and we missed it? Canadian country-singer Tebey certainly didn’t miss with this driving, catchy pop-country cover of “Blinding Lights.” His voice is warm and has just a touch of twang, drawing the listener in immediately. The plucked banjo, clean electric guitar, and galloping beat support Tebey’s performance. As the song progresses, his solo vocals are joined by sweet backing harmonies, completing the song’s full transformation into country. The song structure is uncomplicated with a barely-there bridge rolling into the final chorus, so be ready to put this on repeat because the song feels shorter than its three-minute runtime. — Mike Misch
28. Rosanne Cash — Magician (Lou Reed cover)
Lou Reed’s death-haunted “Magician” may be from a later and overlooked stage of his career, but it makes a powerful closing track for The Power of the Heart, the Lou Reed tribute album released in April. Cash’s vocal track has some studio sheen around it, but the song’s overall vibe is earthy and gritty in way that honors Reed. The original hints at the reverb-soaked southwestern sound, and this cover takes that cue and runs with it. The addition of deep grooving drums and atmospheric hand-percussion elements beautifully supports Reed’s/Cash’s bewitching incantations. — Tom McDonald
27. Parlor Greens — My Sweet Lord (George Harrison cover)
Having just finished listening to Booker T. and the M.G.’s Christmas album while making holiday cookies with my wife and daughter, Parlor Greens’ organ-forward instrumental cover of George Harrison’s religious classic, “My Sweet Lord,” was a natural fit. It’s a great cover, funky but cool, hearkening back to the classic era of R&B, with hints of the Daptone sound (organist Adam Scone toured with that label’s Sugarman Three), and a little bit of gospel. Despite the fact that Harrison’s lyrics, which both praise Krishna, but argue for the underlying commonality of all religious practices, are unheard in the cover, there’s still an uplifting spirituality to the music that comes through. — Jordan Becker
25. Miranda Lambert — Living on the Run (David Allan Coe cover)
Lambert has always been comfortable with the outlaw persona, from the beginning of her career with “Gunpowder & Lead” through the Pistol Annies days. Taking on this cover feels like a natural continuation of that legacy. This is a fairly faithful cover, aside from the appreciated swap from killing a woman to loving one. She keeps the banjo twang but replaces the fiddle punctuation with the warmer sound of layered acoustic guitars. — Sara Stoudt
24. RVSHVD — Dear Mama (2Pac cover)
RVSHVD started out as a rapper, but hearing a Keith Urban song at a young age steered him in the direction of country. On “Dear Mama,” he marries those two genres. “There’s a thread that weaves through Tupac’s rhythms that’s found its way into the tapestry of my own life,” he said. “’Dear Mama’ is more than a song—it’s a lifeline that millions, myself included, have clung to, recognizing the tireless love of those who’ve shaped us. This piece… it’s a part of me. As I navigate the bends of my burgeoning career, I carry a torch ignited by Tupac’s spirit, yearning to illuminate paths as his has done for me.” Appropriately enough, he released the cover on Mother’s Day. — Ray Padgett
23. Joni Mitchell — I’m Still Standing (Elton John cover)
The return of Joni Mitchell thankfully continued in 2024. An appearance at the 66th Annual Grammy Awards in February and concerts at the Hollywood Bowl in October were her latest moments in the sun–along with this cover. In March of this year, Mitchell appeared at the Gershwin Prize for Popular Song concert, this time honoring Elton John and Bernie Taupin. (Joni herself received the award in 2023.)
In a performance that honors John as well as acknowledging her own resilience, she offered her take on “I’m Still Standing,” backed by Annie Lennox and Brandi Carlile. The version is certainly more jazzy than the original, and a clearly surprised and moved John basks in all the nuances Mitchell’s performance. — Luke Poling
22. David Byrne — Hard Times (Paramore cover)
Byrne repays the favor of Paramore covering “Burning Down the House” for the aforementioned Talking Heads tribute album. He doubles down on the tropical marimba and bongo percussion of the intro in this version. The overall effect is reminiscent of ’70s sitcom opening credits, swing, and disco all at once. Big-band horns get multiple moments to shine throughout. All the elements that were subtle in the original are delightfully more overt here, leading to a cheerful, whistle-while-you-work energy to get us through these hard times. — Sara Stoudt
21. “Weird Al” Yankovic — Polkamania! (Various Artists cover)
Weird Al’s polka medleys are a rite of passage for popular musicians, a sort of proof of success. This medley includes all the people you’d expect Al to take on from recent years (Billie Eilish, Adele, Bruno Mars). It also features a “how the heck can he do that song and still keep it clean?” version of Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s “W.A.P.,” all connected, reworked and wrapped up in a polka beat. And if Al’s take on “I want you to park that big Mack truck right in this little garage,” isn’t one of the best line readings of the year, I don’t know what we’re all doing here. — Luke Poling
Wow so many great versions Terrific work
Thanks for a fascinating year, gang!
Thanks for this incredible collection.
I would put Ethel Cain’s cover near the top of the list but otherwise great work! This is a wonderful site with fantastic writers. Thank you!