Some songs are so powerful that one artist just is not enough to do them justice. Over the decades, many iconic tracks have been recorded by completely different musicians, and both versions shot straight to the top of the charts.
It is pretty amazing when a song can sound totally fresh in the hands of a new performer, sometimes decades later. Get ready to discover 18 unforgettable songs that made music history more than once.
1. I Will Always Love You
Dolly Parton wrote this heartfelt ballad in 1974, and it reached number one twice for her. But when Whitney Houston recorded it for the 1992 film “The Bodyguard,” she turned it into one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Whitney’s powerful vocal performance gave the song a completely new life. It stayed at the top of the charts for 14 weeks, proving that a truly great song never loses its magic no matter who sings it.
2. All Along the Watchtower
Bob Dylan wrote and recorded this mysterious, poetic song in 1967, but Jimi Hendrix flipped the script just one year later. Hendrix’s electrifying guitar work transformed it into something completely different and jaw-dropping.
Interestingly, Dylan himself loved Hendrix’s version so much that he started performing it that way in his own concerts. It is a rare case where the cover version actually outshined the original in terms of raw energy and cultural impact.
3. Always on My Mind
Few songs have been claimed by so many legends. Brenda Lee and Elvis Presley both recorded it in 1972, with Elvis turning it into a soulful country hit.
Willie Nelson then took it to number one in 1982 with his own tender, stripped-back version.
The Pet Shop Boys later gave it a synth-pop makeover in 1987, landing at the top of the UK charts. Four major hits from one song is practically unheard of in pop music history.
4. Hallelujah
Leonard Cohen originally released this deeply moving song in 1984, but it took years before the world truly caught on. Jeff Buckley recorded his version in 1994, and his haunting, fragile vocal delivery turned it into something almost sacred.
Buckley’s version is now widely considered one of the greatest vocal performances ever captured on tape. The song has since been covered hundreds of times, but these two versions remain the ones that stop people in their tracks every single time.
5. Proud Mary
Creedence Clearwater Revival launched this rolling rock anthem in 1969, and it became one of their signature songs almost immediately. Two years later, Ike and Tina Turner grabbed hold of it and made it their own fiery masterpiece.
Tina Turner’s explosive stage energy turned “Proud Mary” into a soul-funk celebration that felt brand new. Her famous line, “We never do nothing nice and easy,” became one of the most memorable introductions in live music history.
6. The Loco-Motion
Little Eva made everyone want to get up and move when she released this bubbly dance hit in 1962. Grand Funk Railroad then rocked it out in 1974 with a heavier, guitar-driven sound that hit number one in the US.
Kylie Minogue brought it back with a bright, bouncy pop version in 1988 that became her first international hit. Three generations of fans, three totally different sounds, and every single version made people want to dance.
7. Can’t Help Falling in Love
Elvis Presley made this gentle, romantic melody feel like a warm hug when he released it in 1961. Inspired by a French folk melody, the song became one of his most beloved ballads and a staple at weddings for decades.
UB40 reimagined it with a reggae groove in 1993, and their version hit number one in both the US and the UK. Sometimes slowing a song down and adding a new rhythm is all it takes to make magic all over again.
8. You Keep Me Hangin’ On
The Supremes delivered this sharp, emotionally charged Motown hit in 1966, making it one of Diana Ross’s standout performances. Vanilla Fudge then slowed it way down in 1967, turning it into a psychedelic rock experience that felt completely unrecognizable.
Kim Wilde brought it roaring back in 1986 with a punchy synth-pop version that hit number one in the US. Three wildly different genres, three chart-topping hits, and one unstoppable song that refused to be forgotten.
9. I’ll Be There
When the Jackson 5 released this song in 1970, a young Michael Jackson’s voice melted hearts around the world. It became the group’s fourth consecutive number-one single, which is a record-breaking achievement for any debut act.
Mariah Carey recorded a live MTV Unplugged version in 1992 with Trey Lorenz, and it shot straight to number one. Her effortless vocal runs added a fresh sparkle to a song that already felt timeless, introducing it to a whole new generation of fans.
10. Go Away Little Girl
Steve Lawrence took this catchy Carole King and Gerry Goffin tune to number one in 1963, making it one of the first major hits written by the legendary songwriting duo. The song had a sweet, innocent charm that fit perfectly with early 1960s pop music.
Donny Osmond then recorded it in 1971 and topped the charts again, becoming one of the youngest artists to score a number-one hit at just 13 years old. Same song, same magic, totally different era.
11. Mr. Tambourine Man
Bob Dylan released this poetic, dreamy folk song in 1965, showcasing his gift for painting vivid pictures with words. His original version was long and layered, full of the kind of imagery that made him a literary icon.
The Byrds took the song and trimmed it down, adding shimmering electric guitars and lush harmonies that created the sound known as folk rock. Their version hit number one in both the US and UK, launching an entirely new genre and proving Dylan’s words could thrive in any musical style.
12. A Hazy Shade of Winter
Simon and Garfunkel gave this moody, poetic track a folk-pop sound when they released it in 1966. Paul Simon’s lyrics painted a bleak but beautiful picture of time passing and dreams fading, wrapped in a surprisingly upbeat melody.
The Bangles covered it in 1987 for the “Less Than Zero” soundtrack, cranking up the tempo and adding rock guitar that made it feel urgent and intense. Their version became a top-five hit, showing that a great melody never goes out of style.
13. A Moment Like This
Kelly Clarkson sang this powerful ballad as her winning single on the very first season of American Idol in 2002. It broke a record by jumping from number 52 to number one in a single week, the biggest chart leap in Billboard history at that time.
Leona Lewis then performed it as her winner’s single on The X Factor UK in 2006, also shooting straight to number one. Two talent show champions, one incredible song, and two record-shattering debuts that neither singer ever forgot.
14. Respect
Otis Redding wrote and recorded “Respect” in 1965, singing about wanting appreciation when he came home. His version had a pleading, vulnerable quality that made it a solid R&B hit at the time.
Aretha Franklin completely reinvented it in 1967, spelling out R-E-S-P-E-C-T and turning it into a powerful anthem for women and civil rights. Her version won two Grammy Awards and became one of the most recognized songs in American music history, proving ownership of a song has nothing to do with who wrote it.
15. I Heard It Through the Grapevine
Gladys Knight and the Pips released this Motown gem in 1967 and took it to number two on the charts. Her version had a punchy, upbeat energy that made the story of betrayal feel almost danceable, which is a tricky balance to pull off.
Marvin Gaye’s slower, grittier version came out in 1968 and became Motown’s biggest-selling single at that point in time. His raw, aching delivery turned the song into something much darker and more emotional, making it one of the defining recordings of his career.
16. Killing Me Softly with His Song
Roberta Flack recorded this breathtaking ballad in 1973 after hearing Don McLean perform live and feeling like the song described her own inner world. Her version won the Grammy for Record of the Year and became one of the most emotional performances of the decade.
The Fugees flipped it into a hip-hop masterpiece in 1996, with Lauryn Hill’s vocals adding a completely fresh layer of soul. Their version sold millions worldwide and introduced the song to a generation that had never heard Roberta Flack.
17. Lady Marmalade
Labelle brought this sassy, funky anthem to life in 1975, and it became a bold statement about femininity and confidence. The French-laced chorus made it instantly memorable, even for listeners who did not speak a word of French.
In 2001, Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mya, and Pink joined forces for the “Moulin Rouge!” soundtrack and created one of the most star-powered collaborations in pop history. Their version won a Grammy for Best Pop Collaboration and reminded everyone why some songs just never get old.
18. Lean on Me
Bill Withers wrote and recorded this warm, community-spirited song in 1972, drawing from his own childhood experiences in a small West Virginia town. Its simple message about leaning on friends during tough times hit a universal nerve that crossed every boundary imaginable.
Club Nouveau gave it a funky, new-wave makeover in 1987 and took it all the way to number one again. Both versions remind listeners that no matter how much music changes, the need for human connection stays exactly the same.