Heavy Metal Cover Songs

Next to the power ballad, the most surprising trend throughout the history of Heavy Metal is the cover song. In many cases, songs covered by Heavy Metal bands were unusual choices whether it was a soul classic such as The O’Jays “For the Love of Money” covered by Bulletboys or Motley Crue taking on Elvis Presley’s “Jailhouse Rock,” metal covers have always been interesting and sometimes rewarding. Van Halen hit it big with their biggest charting single to that point with Roy Orbison’s “(Oh) Pretty Woman” – which peaked at #12 on Billboard Charts. In addition, they hit the Top 40 two more times with covers of “Dancing in the Streets” and their first Top 40 hit of The Kinks “You Really Got Me.” And while Judas Priest never hit the top of the charts with their treatment of “Diamonds and Rust” by Joan Baez or Fleetwood Mac’s “The Green Manalishi,” they certainly get credit for turning unlikely songs into metal classics.

Motorhead – Beer Drinkers and Hell Raisers (ZZ Top)

Tygers of Pan Tang – Love Potion No. 9 (The Clovers)

Saxon – Ride Like the Wind (Christopher Cross)

Motley Crue – Jailhouse Rock (Elvis Presley)

Faith No More – Easy (Commodores)

Judas Priest – Diamonds and Rust (Joan Baez)

Poison – Your Mama Don’t Dance (Loggins and Messina)

Judas Priest – The Green Manalishi (Fleetwood Mac)

Van Halen – (Oh) Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison)

Van Halen – Dancing in the Street (Martha and the Vandellas)

Van Halen – You Really Got Me (The Kinks)

Van Halen – Where Have All the Good Times Gone (The Kinks)

Great White – Substitute (The Who)

Great White – Once Bitten Twice Shy (Ian Hunter)

Guns n Roses – Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door (Bob Dylan)

Bulletboys – For The Love of Money (O’ Jays)

White Lion – Radar Love (Golden Earring)

Metallica – Turn The Page (Bob Seger)