WXPN is curating the 885 Greatest Cover Songs for our annual countdown, and we need your help to make it happen.

Our staff, from producers and engineers to the accounting, development, and IT teams, have submitted their personal top 10 cover songs. Their picks span timeless classics, deep cuts, covers that outshine the originals, and those that take songs in entirely new directions.

Check out their selections, then vote for your own top 10. Choose the covers that’ve stuck with you, and the ones you think deserve a spot on the list that we might have missed.

Voting is open through October 30, and the countdown begins December 4.

Plus, when you vote, you’ll be automatically entered to win two tickets to a WXPN WELCOMES concert every week in 2026.

Heidi Franz Accounts Payable Manager
So many great cover songs to chose from and I had to make sure I picked other musicians besides Phis…So many great cover songs to chose from and I had to make sure I picked other musicians besides Phish.less
1.
Hallelujah Jeff Buckley
2.
Hallelujah kd lang
3.
All Along the Watchtower Jimi Hendrix
4.
Hurt Johnny Cash
5.
Nothing Compares 2 U Sinead O’Connor
6.
With a Little Help From My Friends Joe Cocker
7.
Loving Cup Phish
8.
Boogie On Reggae Woman Phish
9.
Rock n Roll Phish
10.
Funky Bitch Phish
Kimberly Junod Senior Producer World Cafe
All of these are better than the original version in my (maybe controversial?) opinion and changed h…All of these are better than the original version in my (maybe controversial?) opinion and changed how I heard the original song in some way.less
1.
Respect Aretha Franklin
2.
Common People William Shatner
3.
Sorry Lydia Loveless
4.
Hurt Johnny Cash
5.
Woodstock Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
6.
Mad World Gary Jules
7.
Hallelujah Jeff Buckley
8.
Heartbeats José González
9.
Changes Charles Bradley
10.
All Along the Watchtower Jimi Hendrix
John Bartol IT Director
I love when a band plays a song as a cover that makes you think it's better than the original p…I love when a band plays a song as a cover that makes you think it's better than the original performer, or when you're shocked to find out that it IS a cover at all……less
1.
I Will Survive Cake
2.
Morning Dew Grateful Dead
3.
Nothing Compares 2 U Sinead O’Connor
4.
The Man who Sold the World Nirvana
5.
Changes Charles Bradley
6.
Valerie Amy Winehouse
7.
Hard to Handle Grateful Dead
8.
Hurt Johnny Cash
9.
Me and Bobby McGee Janis Joplin
10.
Mrs. Robinson Lemonheads
Suzy Swartz Senior Business Support Representative
I love all types of music and tried to cover a lot of bases here! I am so excited to see the mix/seg…I love all types of music and tried to cover a lot of bases here! I am so excited to see the mix/segues in our Countdown. I am a life-long Bruce Springsteen fan and his ability to connect and his innate & unique ability to story-tell is unparalled.less
1.
Nothing Compares 2U Chris Cornell
2.
Trapped Bruce Springsteen
3.
The Chain The Highwomen
4.
Free Fallin Stevie Nicks
5.
Hallejujah Jeff Buckley
6.
Killing Me Softly The Fugees
7.
White Rabbit Grace Potter
8.
Philadelphia Waxahatchee
9.
Oh Mary Don't You Weep Bruce Springsteen
10.
Simple Man Shinedown
Callum Leemkuil-Schuerman Development Associate
These are probably the 10 cover songs that are most meaningful to me. There are songs on here that m…These are probably the 10 cover songs that are most meaningful to me. There are songs on here that make me think of my dad (My Favorite Things), my mom (I Fought The Law), and many others, but there are also just songs that blew me away the first time I heard them. I didn't know how truly transformative a cover could be until I heard Devo's cover of (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction, and the Nina Simone version of Sinnerman is just earth shattering. All of these songs rule! That's a Callum Leemkuil-Schuerman guarantee.less
1.
Center of Gravity Sidney Gish
2.
You Can Have It All Yo La Tengo
3.
My Favorite Things John Coltrane
4.
I Fought The Law The Clash
5.
Sinnerman Nina Simone
6.
Sea of Love Cat Power
7.
Lake of Fire Nirvana
8.
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction Devo
9.
A Little Lost Sufjan Stevens
10.
Sloop John B The Beach Boys
Will Loftus Line Producer for World Cafe
I struggled to pick only 10 considering most popular music from the 50s and 60s falls into the cover…I struggled to pick only 10 considering most popular music from the 50s and 60s falls into the covers category, as well as basically all sampled music. But these are my favorite covers that I find myself revisiting more often than their original versions!less
1.
Valerie (feat. Amy Winehouse) Mark Ronson
2.
Twist and Shout The Beatles
3.
Jealous Guy Donny Hathaway
4.
I Fought The Law The Clash
5.
Tainted Love Soft Cell
6.
I Will Survive Cake
7.
If Not For You George Harrison
8.
Respect Aretha Franklin
9.
Jersey Girl Bruce Springsteen
10.
Try A Little Tenderness Otis Redding
Emily Pavie Membership Manager
I already regret this list.I already regret this list.less
1.
Nothing Compares 2 U Sinead O’Connor
2.
Wild Horses The Sundays
3.
Blue Monday Orgy
4.
I Will Always Love You Whitney Houston
5.
Walkin' After Midnight Patsy Cline
6.
Behind Blue Eyes Limp Bizkit
7.
Jolene Miley Cyrus
8.
Smooth Criminal Alien Ant Farm
9.
Better Off Alone Purity Ring
10.
The Boys of Summer The Ataris
Katie Retherford Development Coordinator
My initial list had over 30 songs and it really just came down to choosing MY personal favorites cov…My initial list had over 30 songs and it really just came down to choosing MY personal favorites covers. My Top 10 all hold a special place and are in my regular music rotation.less
1.
Hallelujah Jeff Buckley
2.
The Man Who Sold The World Nirvana
3.
Physical (You’re So) Nine Inch Nails
4.
The Chauffeur Deftones
5.
Valerie Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse
6.
Renegades of Funk Rage Against The Machine
7.
Hurt Johnny Cash
8.
Summer Breeze Type O Negative
9.
Don't Be Cruel Billy Swan
10.
Tainted Love Soft Cell
Emily Costello Digital Marketing Content Producer
I had a variety of my own criteria for my top 10 cover songs, number one being that they had to be s…I had a variety of my own criteria for my top 10 cover songs, number one being that they had to be songs that were played frequently in my library. Every song chosen was one that I've returned to time and again, and a couple that I didn't even know were covers until way after my first listen. My number one pick is one that I have listened to ad nauseam, and will continue to do so.less
1.
Hallelujah Jeff Buckley
2.
I Will Always Love You Whitney Houston
3.
Make You Feel My Love Adele
4.
Valerie Amy Whinehouse
5.
Burning Down the House Paramore
6.
Try A Little Tenderness Otis Reading
7.
Come Together Gary Clark Jr., Junkie XL
8.
Sea of Love Cat Power
9.
Godspeed James Blake
10.
I Remember Everything Brandi Carlile
Paul Severin Event's Producer
Sid Vicious and the Sex Pistols' "My Way" tops my list with a strong endorsement from…Sid Vicious and the Sex Pistols' "My Way" tops my list with a strong endorsement from none other than Leonard Cohen who said, "I never liked this song except when Sid Vicious did it." I didn't learn until recently that Amy Winehouse's "Valerie" is song by a band I never heard of called The Zutons. As a '90s punk rock teenager I first heard Joni's "Big Yellow Taxi" when Green Day's Billie Joe Armstrong's side project Pinhead Gunpowder covered the folk classic. And for as incendiary as the Bad Brains were as a furious punk rock band, I always loved them more when they threw in a few dub reggae songs and The Beatles' "Day Tripper" is in constant playlist rotation.less
1.
My Way Sex Pistols
2.
Day Tripper/She's a Rainbow Bad Brains
3.
LIfe on Mars? Seu Jorge
4.
Tainted Love Soft Cell
5.
Valerie Amy Winehouse
6.
Take Me Home, Country Roads Toots & The Maytals
7.
Memories Can't Wait Living Colour
8.
99 Red Balloons 7 Seconds
9.
Big Yellow Taxi Pinhead Gunpowder
10.
I Will Survive Cake
Erica Zito Traffic Manager
Most of these songs feel more impactful and powerful than the originals for me.Most of these songs feel more impactful and powerful than the originals for me.less
1.
Romeo and Juliet Indigo Girls
2.
Angel From Montgomery Bonnie Raitt
3.
When You Were Mine Ani Difranco
4.
Nothing Compares To You Sinead O’Connor
5.
American Woman Lenny Kravitz
6.
Sweet Jane Cowboy Junkies
7.
Space Oddity Brandi Carlile
8.
Thank You Tori Amos
9.
No More I Love You's Annie Lennox
10.
No Woman No Cry Fugees
Carol Lerner Director of Finance and Accounting
I selected covers that transform the song while honoring the original and covers that made me go…I selected covers that transform the song while honoring the original and covers that made me go "wait, that's a cover?!" years after falling in love with the song.less
1.
Respect Aretha Franklin
2.
All Along the Watchtower Jimi Hendrix
3.
2001 Phish
4.
Changes Charles Bradley
5.
Trouble No More The Allman Brothers
6.
Angel from Montgomery Bonnie Rait
7.
Piece of My Heart Big Brother and the Holding Company
8.
Hallelujah Jeff Buckley
9.
Take Me To The River The Talking Heads
10.
It's Oh So Quiet Bjork
Christiane Johnston Business Support
I love these cover songs because they take the original versions in vastly different directions, mak…I love these cover songs because they take the original versions in vastly different directions, making them something new entirely. The Meters add so much soul and groove to Wichita Lineman. Sonic Youth take The Carpenter's Superstar and make it icey cool. Dillard & Clark's country rendition of Don't Let Me Down is soothing & spine tingling – and somehow came out 9 months before Let It Be was even released! Devo takes The Stone's Satisfaction and turns it upside down, it's crazy in the best way. Yo La Tengo are masters of the cover song and they bring so much joy and bounciness to George McCrae's You Can Have It All. With Lee "Scratch" Perry (!) producing the backing track with some of Jamaica's finest, Linda McCartney's Mister Sandman is as cool as it gets. Sonya Spence brings some reggae sweetness to John Denver's Leaving, On A Jet Plane. Miriam Makeba's soulful sass on For What It's Worth is electrifying! Kurt Vile stays true to Charlie Rich's Rollin' With the Flow, it's easy breezy. The Cardigan's slow, spaced out, and loungey take on Black Sabbath's Iron Man is far out. Apparently the whole band were metalheads, who knew! Thanks for reading! Music is awesome 🙂less
1.
Wichita Lineman The Meters
2.
Superstar Sonic Youth
3.
Don't Let Me Down Dillard & Clark
4.
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction Devo
5.
You Can Have It All Yo La Tengo
6.
Jet Plane Sonya Spence
7.
For What It's Worth Miriam Makeba
8.
Rollin' With The Flow Kurt Vile
9.
Iron Man The Cardigans
10.
Mister Sandman Linda McCartney
Paige Walter Digital Editor
This is tough one! Is it a good cover because the song is really strong, and therefore could suit a…This is tough one! Is it a good cover because the song is really strong, and therefore could suit a number of artists? Or because the artist who covered the song reinterpreted it better than it had been attempted before? I tried to pick songs that are iconic in their first iteration and are only made richer by a more modern voice. And I think all the songs I picked work well on a playlist together! bonus!less
1.
These Days Nico
2.
I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry Yo La Tengo
3.
Isn't It A Pity Nina Simone
4.
Sea of Love Cat Power
5.
Candy Says Samuel Nobles
6.
Hotline Bling Sufjan Stevens
7.
Just Like Heaven Christian Lee Hutson, Shamir
8.
Such Great Heights Iron & Wine
9.
Dreams Japanese Breakfast
10.
Farewell Transmission Kevin Morby, Waxahatchee
Jared Styles Director of Engineering
I love music. I hate making lists. I really hate making lists about my favorite songs. This one was…I love music. I hate making lists. I really hate making lists about my favorite songs. This one was no different. It's impossible, stresses me out, and changes daily. I hope my pain leads to your enjoyment in putting together your top 10 favorite covers!less
1.
These Days Nico
2.
Different Drum The Stone Ponys
3.
Valerie Mark Ronson ft. Amy Winehouse
4.
Only Love Can Break Your Heart Saint Etienne
5.
Without You Harry Nilsson
6.
We Can Work It Out Stevie Wonder
7.
When Will I Be Loved Linda Ronstadt
8.
Crimson and Clover Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
9.
Stop Your Sobbing The Pretenders
10.
Wild Horses The Sundays
Wes Bower Corporate Underwriting
Definitely a classic rock bent to my list. You could probably do a list of 885 Dylan covers, lots of…Definitely a classic rock bent to my list. You could probably do a list of 885 Dylan covers, lots of great ones – but this Johnny Rivers cover always stayed with me (and one of my favorite Bob songs) – and The Byrds made their bones covering Bob. Also love Greg Kihn's cover of Bruce's "For You". Bruce liked it so much he gave Greg Kihn the song Rendezvous, which also could have made the list – maybe not actually a cover though. I guess Detroit or Buffalo by Barbara Keith is a bit obscure. It's a great song though and Amada Shire delivers a great version of it. Tougher Than The Rest has always held special meaning to me, and I thought this was a really well done version. A couple of Richard Thompson songs. 1952 Vincent an XPN listener favorite, but Del McCoury puts a great bluegrass spin on it (and he's a York native to boot). Eddie Vedder took Last Kiss and just nails it with an epic vocal. Kurt Vile and John Prine – I'm all in! And lastly, The Beatles Twist and Shout. John's great vocal and the Fab Four's energetic playing make this an all time classic – and #1 on my list.less
1.
Twist and Shot The Beatles
2.
Mr. Tamborine Man The Byrds
3.
Last Kiss Pearl Jam
4.
Positively 4th Street Johnny Rivers
5.
For You Greg Kihn
6.
Keep Your Distance Buddy and Julie Miller
7.
1952 Vincent Black Lightning Del McCoury Band
8.
Speed at the Sound of Loneliness Kurt Vile
9.
Detroit or Buffalo Amanda Shires
10.
Tougher Than the Rest Everything But The Girl
Chris Kirchner Sponsorship Director
Covers lists upon lists from my past could have taken a week to comb through, so I forced myself to…Covers lists upon lists from my past could have taken a week to comb through, so I forced myself to do this in 10 minutes so I could keep on workin' @ XPN!less
1.
I Heard it through the Grapevine The Slits
2.
Midnight Rider Sharon Jones
3.
Eleanor Rigby Aretha Franklin
4.
The Pusher Nina Simone
5.
These Boots Were Made For Walkin' Parquet Courts
6.
We Can Work It Out Stevie Wonder
7.
Graceland Justin Townes Earle
8.
You Got the Silver Susan Tedeschi
9.
Golden Years Car Seat Headrest
10.
Young Americans Durand Jones & The Indications
Nick Bisaccia Business Support
I gravitate to cover songs that bring a lot of energy and new personality to the originals. All thes…I gravitate to cover songs that bring a lot of energy and new personality to the originals. All these versions take the songs on a journey across genres from funk/soul, punk, rock, blues, and country. So many new doors can be opened through this exploration of music!less
1.
Changes Charles Bradley
2.
Death Letter The White Stripes
3.
Me and Bobby McGee Janis Joplin
4.
Atlantic City The Band
5.
I Heard It Through The Grapevine The Slits
6.
To Love Somebody The Chambers Brothers
7.
Every 1's a Winner Ty Segall
8.
I Am Trying to Break Your Heart JC Brooks & the Uptown Sound
9.
Proud Mary Ike & Tina Turner
10.
Maggie's Farm Rage Against The Machine
Kate Brett Director of Development
While I wanted to seem super cool and musically impressive, I decided to give it up and just choose…While I wanted to seem super cool and musically impressive, I decided to give it up and just choose 10 cover songs that I personally love. I'll leave the cool lists for the programming staff 😉less
1.
I Just Called To Say I Love You John Prine
2.
The Parting Glass Boygenius, Ye Vagabonds
3.
Hey Jude Wilson Pickett
4.
Stand By Me Florence & the Machine
5.
I Fought the Law The Clash
6.
Me and Bobby McGee Janis Joplin
7.
Whole Wide World Cage the Elephant
8.
Can't Let Go Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
9.
Heartbeats, Jose Gonzalez
10.
A Lesson In Leavin' Sierra Farrell & Nikki Lane
Brian Divver Web Content Developer
This was a difficult process picking my top 10 all time cover songs. I feel this list could change o…This was a difficult process picking my top 10 all time cover songs. I feel this list could change on any given day, my mood or the direction the wind blows. However, my top 10 fought it out with these honorable mentions! Brothers of a Feather – Over the Hill, Testament – Nobody’s Fault, Devo – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction, Pantera – Planet Caravan, The Black Crowes – Oh Sweet Nuthin’, Judas Priest – Green Manalishi and War Pigs, Santana – Black Magic Woman, Cream – Crossroads, Aerosmith – Train Kept A Rollin’.less
1.
All Along The Watchtower Jimi Hendrix
2.
You Really Got Me Van Halen
3.
Hard To Handle The Black Crowes
4.
With A Little Help From My Friends Joe Cocker
5.
Summertime Blues Blue Cheer
6.
Come Together Aerosmith
7.
Cum On Feel the Noize Quiet Riot
8.
Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door Guns n Roses
9.
With A Little Help From My Friends Joe Cocker
10.
One Bourbon, One Scotch, One Beer George Thorogood
Lauren Scott Development Assistant
I love a good cover so narrowing down to 10 was a challenge and resulted in this chaotic list! Elton…I love a good cover so narrowing down to 10 was a challenge and resulted in this chaotic list! Elton John is one of my all-time favorites, so of course he’s well represented. His “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is iconic and I’m obsessed with the way Jeff Buckley and Brandi Carlile re-imagined his songs. Then you’ve got the millennial classics “Valerie” and “Feeling Good.” I WILL start vibing whenever I hear these. I’m a huge Mumford & Sons fan and they’ve done a ton of great covers but “Blood” wrecks me in the best way every single time. The same goes for Ingrid Michaelson’s “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” which was my wedding processional song. Jake Wesley Rogers is a newer discovery and his version of “I’ll Stand By You” gives me chills. And because I’m a Eurovision nut, I had to include songs by Daði Freyr (Iceland 2020 and 2021) and Annalisa (a vocal powerhouse who will hopefully represent Italy soon!) Basically, this list is equal parts nostalgia, new loves, and nerdy obsessions…all of which have been a big part of the soundtrack of my life. less
1.
We All Fall In Love Sometimes Jeff Buckley
2.
Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds Elton John
3.
Blood Mumford & Sons and Gang of Youths
4.
Whole Again Daði Freyr
5.
Can't Help Falling In Love Ingrid Michaelson
6.
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) Annalisa feat. La Rappresentante di Lista
7.
Feeling Good Muse
8.
Valerie Amy Winehouse
9.
Madman Across The Water Brandi Carlile
10.
I'll Stand By You Jake Wesley Rogers
Abby Nixon Assistant to the General Manager
Don't get me wrong – I love a good cover and they are always a solid energy boost at a live sho…Don't get me wrong – I love a good cover and they are always a solid energy boost at a live show – but they can occasionally feel like low hanging fruit. To me, the best covers help you understand something true, either in the artist's self expression or something true in the source material. Sometimes that means the origin is almost remade into something new (or something better!), and sometimes it means that you find yourself awestruck anew at the original work's brilliance of mood or message. My choices are in no particular order but I think they are just great examples of covers that fit this criteria, in big ways or small!less
1.
Where did you sleep last night? Nirvana (Lead Belly)
2.
Great Heights Iron and Wine (The Postal Service)
3.
Hurt Johnny Cash (Nine Inch Nails)
4.
Mad World Gary Jules (Tears for Fears)
5.
Sad But True St. Vincent (Metallica)
6.
Fade Into You American Football (Mazzy Star)
7.
Landslide Smashing Pumpkins (Stevie Nicks)
8.
Smells Like Teen Spirit Tori Amos (Nirvana)
9.
Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) Nancy Sinatra (Sonny and Cher)
10.
Ian Sweet (Coldplay) Yellow
Miguel Perez World Cafe producer
A good cover song is a paradox: it honors the past by betraying it. My favorite covers don’t just ec…A good cover song is a paradox: it honors the past by betraying it. My favorite covers don’t just echo what was said; they uncover a hidden voice within. Sometimes the change is subtle, like a vocal delivered with more ache. Other times, it’s a leap into a new language or genre. Each is an act of alchemy.less
1.
Lady Marmalade Missy Elliott, Lil' Kim, Christina Aguilera, Mya and P!nk
2.
Fotos y recuerdos Selena
3.
Ray of Light Madonna
4.
I'll Take Care Of U Gil Scott-Heron and Jamie xx
5.
MacArthur Park Donna Summer
6.
Heaven DJ Sammy and Yanou feat. Do
7.
What Hurts The Most Rascal Flatts
8.
Spring Is Coming With A Strawberry In Its Mouth Caroline Polachek
9.
We Love You Ryuichi Sakamoto
10.
xXXi_wud_nvrst√∏p_UÃàXXx (Remix) 100 gecs feat. Hannah Diamond and Tommy Cash
Noreen Scott Garrity Grants Manager
Thes are songs that resonate with me emotionally or nostalgically, or both. They are all great songs…Thes are songs that resonate with me emotionally or nostalgically, or both. They are all great songs that are reinterpreted by these artists, in their voice and style, adding depth to the originals.less
1.
Baby, Now That I've Found You Allison Krauss
2.
Take Me to the River Talking Heads
3.
Changes Charles Bradley
4.
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding Elvis Costello
5.
Always Something There to Remind Me Naked Eyes
6.
Sunday Mornin' Comin' Down Johnny Cash
7.
Run On Moby
8.
Love has No Pride Linda Ronstadt
9.
All Through the Night Cyndi Lauper
10.
The Ghost in You Counting Crows
Sean Breslin Individual Giving Officer
There are some truly epic covers that I left off (Hendrix's Watchtower, Buckley's Halleluj…There are some truly epic covers that I left off (Hendrix's Watchtower, Buckley's Hallelujah, etc) in favor of some of my favorite original artists taking on others' material. I think both the Nirvana & 10,000 Maniacs covers were instructive on how to structure a live set. And, while I think Roberta Flack's version of "First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" is better, Cash's version was the song that played my wife down the aisle on our wedding day.less
1.
Funeral Spanish Love Songs
2.
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love & Understanding? Elvis Costello
3.
Where Did You Sleep Last Night? Nirvana
4.
Christmas Card from a Hooker in Minneapolis Neko Case
5.
Don't Go Breaking My Heart Frightened Rabbit & Craig Finn
6.
Raspberry Beret Hindu Love Gods
7.
Because the Night 10,000 Maniacs
8.
Wildflowers Wailin' Jennys
9.
I Don't Wanna Grow Up The Ramones
10.
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face Johnny Cash
Roger LaMay General Manager
Didn’t want to overthink it. Emphasized “favorite” over best.” Just picked songs that I am always happy to hear and that the cover brought another dimension to. A great example is how Patti Smith incorporated Gloria into a wider story poem. Didn’t want to overthink it. Emphasized “favorite” over best.” Just picked songs that I am always happy to hear and that the cover brought another dimension to. A great example is how Patti Smith incorporated Gloria into a wider story poem.less
1.
All Along the Watchtower Jimi Hendrix
2.
Nothing Compares 2U Sinead O’Connor
3.
Gloria Patti Smith
4.
Me and Bobby McGee Janis Joplin
5.
A Little Help From My Friends Joe Cocker
6.
Changes Charles Bradley
7.
City of New Orleans Arlo Guthrie
8.
Georgia Willie Nelson
9.
El Paso Grateful Dead
10.
High Hopes Harry Kalas