Nate

Nate

Nate

I Prevail at the Fillmore back in 2021.

In my opinion, Rock Covers shreds. In today’s world, countless examples of sequels, spin-off TV shows, and every Disney movie get a live-action remake. It seems like it’s super trendy to remake someone else’s work and give it your spin. In the realm of rock there are some incredible examples of cover songs that have been really well done. There’s nothing quite like a popular song turned into a rock song.

Rock covers are better than country or pop covers for a few reasons. For one, when a pop song is turned into a country cover, it hasn’t as much complexity as a rock cover. What makes it so special when “Rock Goes Pop” is that these talented artists take something so vastly different from the rock genre and carefully deliver it in a way that both pop and rock fans can enjoy.

Lizzy Hale has some Rock covers in her day.
Photo: Jason Anthony
Lzzy started the band Halestorm at age 14 with her brother Arejay. If you’ve ever met her or have seen the band live, you can feel the Rock and Roll coursing through her veins.

Rock Covers and Why They’re So Cool

Another reason Rock covers are superior is that they can satisfy a broader range. What I mean by that is there’s classic rock, Alternative Rock, soft rock and even heavy metal. All these different types of rock deliver a unique feeling to their listeners. It’s tough to, for example, make “Eye of the Tiger by Survivor” a Country cover with four different styles and sounds.

 Rock’ n’ roll has existed in some form since the early 1950s and derived from the early rhythm and blues of the 1940s. Some of the earliest Rock ‘n’ roll artists included Little Richard, Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis, Buddy Holly, Elvis Presley, and several others.

Fast forwarding to today, we have such a vast array of artistic talent that fans are able to enjoy continuously evolving music. Technology has undoubtedly made things easier for producing, mixing, and editing, but artists never lack creativity. Rock covers are so creative, which is why artists do what they do. Find out which 7 Rock covers you should be listening to! For some extra rock, check out some songs our 2024 Riff Fest lineup has covered.

  • Nonpoint - In The Air Tonight

    Nonpoint did an electric cover of Phil Collins “In the air tonight”.

  • Careless Whisper - Seether

    Seether and their rendition of George Michaels’ original track “Careless Whisper.”

  • I Prevail - Blank Space

    I Prevail really made a statement by putting a killer rock spin on Taylor Swift’s “Blank Space”.

  • Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal

    Alien Ant Farm and their incredibly smooth version of the King of Pops track “Smooth Criminal.”

  • 40 Below Summer - Cry Me a River

    40 Below Summer took a stab at turning Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River” into a heavier rock version.

  • 3 Teeth - Pumped Up Kicks

    3 Teeth and their cover of the Foster’s “Pumped Up Kicks.”

  • Limp Bizkit - Faith

    At this point, Limp Bizkit can do anything they put their mind to. Including this awesome Rock cover of George Michaels “Faith”.

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