Best One-Hit Wonders That Were Really Cover Songs
As part of our serious on great one-hit wonders, Audio Ink Radio names some of the greatest one-hit wonders that were actually cover songs. – Author: Anne Erickson, Alien Ant Farm photo via K. Baldes and Big Picture Media
Sometimes, a really well-crafted cover song sounds better than the original. Some of those remarkable cover songs have turned out to be some of the greatest one-hit wonders in the world. It’s not hyperbole to say that for some one-hit wonders that were really cover songs, many people didn’t even know were songs originally written and performed by a different artist. But, there’s no shame in scoring big with a cover, especially if it becomes so beloved that it becomes part of the fabric of a generation. As part of our serious on great one-hit wonders, Audio Ink Radio names some of the greatest one-hit wonders that were actually cover songs.
Great One-Hit Wonders That Were Actually Covers
Alien Ant Farm, “Smooth Criminal”
Nobody does Michael Jackson like Michael Jackson, but Alien Ant Farm came close. In 2001, Alien Ant Farm, pictured above, resurrected this classic, and the song played like a totally amped up, rocked out version of the celebrated tune. “Smooth Criminal” originally appeared on Jackson’s 1987 album “Bad” as the seventh single off the set. Alien Ant Farm had success with their originals, too, but nothing topped “Smooth Criminal.”
INOJ, “Time After Time”
In 1999, INOJ released a cover of “Time After Time” off her album, “Ready for the World.” Well, the word was certainly ready for this song. The track was a top 10 hit in the United State, Canada and beyond, and it did the original Cyndi Lauper song more than justice.
Soft Cell, “Tainted Love”
So many fans of Soft Cell likely didn’t even know that “Tainted Love” was a cover song, but that doesn’t make it any worse. Soft Cell really took this famed song from the group the Electric Youth and made it their own, and in the end, this emotive and pop-fueled track became Soft Cell’s greatest hit. In 1981, Phonogram Records, the band’s label at the time, decided to release “Tainted Love” as the band’s second single, and it did way better than the first, which was “Memorabilia.”
Los Lobos, “La Bamba”
Los Lobos scored a chart-topper in 1987 with their catchy, dance-happy version of “La Bamba,” a cover of the popular Mexican folk song. This song should make anyone want to shake their hips and dance like nobody is watching. It event reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It’s certainly one of the best one-hit wonders that was actually a cover song.
Sinead O’Connor, “Nothing Compares 2 U”
Covering Prince is not an easy task, and really, not many should even try to emulate this multi-talented musician. But, in XXX, Sinead O’Connor covered the Prince song “Nothing Compares 2 U,” and it easily became one of her most beloved and popular songs. “Nothing Compares 2 U” was written by Prince for his band the Family and debuted on their only studio album, 1985’s “The Family.”
While most of these one-hit wonders are fairly classic, the past few decades have also given us plenty of one-hit wonders to celebrate. Chck out Audio Ink Radio’s feature on these songs from the early 2000s.
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