It’s always cool to see your favorite artists covering classic country songs, but sometimes it’s even more special when they cover songs from a different genre.
Johnny Cash’s cover of the Nine Inch Nails song “Hurt” is probably one of the most popular examples of this, so much so that Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor said the song “wasn’t even mine anymore,” but there are plenty of other incredible genre-crossing covers out there as well.
Of course, there have been dozens and dozens throughout the years, but here are 14 of my favorites from recent memory.
Cody Jinks – “Wish You Were Here” (Pink Floyd)
Jinks released this cover of the classic Pink Floyd song and title track from their 1975 album Wish You Were Here as a single on Spotify in 2017.
Luke Combs – “Fast Car” (Tracy Chapman)
Luke Combs has had some of the best quarantine live streams of anybody over the past six or so months, and his rendition of Tracy Chapman’s 1988 hit was spot on.
Townes Van Zandt – “Dead Flowers” (The Rolling Stones)
Originally recorded by The Rolling Stones for their 1971 album Sticky Fingers, “Dead Flowers” was covered by Townes Van Zandt on his 1994 release Roadsongs. Steve Earle also released a cover of the song in 1996 on Ain’t Ever Satisfied: The Steve Earle Collection.
Tennessee Jet – “She Talks To Angels” (The Black Crowes)
Tennessee Jet included this cover as one of the tracks on his newest album The Country, released on September 7th. The Black Crowes originally released the song on their debut album Shake Your Money Maker in 1990.
The Highwomen – “The Chain” (Fleetwood Mac)
The country supergroup comprised of Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris, Amanda Shires and Natalie Hemby covered “The Chain” for the 2019 motion picture The Kitchen. Fleetwood Mac released the song back in 1977 as part of their Rumours record.
Trampled by Turtles – “Wildflowers” (Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers)
Trampled by Turtles released a bluegrass cover of “Wildflowers” as a single in 2018. Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers originally released the song in 1994 on their album by the same name.
Dixie Chicks – “Landslide” (Fleetwood Mac)
Arguably one of the most prominent country crossover covers of all time, the Dixie Chicks cover of “Landslide” went on to become one of the biggest hits of their entire career.
Billy Strings with Sierra Hull – “Circles” (Post Malone)
It’s not very often that country artists release covers of rap songs, but Billy Strings and Sierra Hull nailed this popular Post Malone song.
Cody Jinks and Paul Cauthen – “Black Hole Sun” (Soundgarden)
Jinks and Cauthen teamed up for this cover in a tribute to Soundgarden’s late front man Chris Cornell. Cornell wrote the song and it was included on Soundgarden’s 1994 release Superunknown.
Tenille Townes – “Hallelujah” (Leonard Cohen)
Tenille recently released a cover of Leonard Cohen’s 1984 hit “Hallelujah.” It’s been covered by everybody from Eric Church to Brandi Carlile and Keith Urban, not to mention other musical legends like Bob Dylan and Willie Nelson.
Sturgill Simpson – “In Bloom” (Nirvana)
Simpson included this cover on A Sailor’s Guide To Earth, which he released in 2016. Before Sturgill, though, Kurt Cobain wrote this song and released it on Nirvana’s 1991 breakout album Nevermind.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – “Whipping Post” (Allman Brothers Band)
“Whipping Post” was originally released by the Allman Brothers Band in 1969, but more recently has been covered by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit in some of their live shows.
Whitey Morgan – “I’m On Fire” (Bruce Springsteen)
A cut from Whitey Morgan and the 78’s debut album Honky Tonks and Cheap Motels, this might be one of the best Springsteen covers ever performed.
Tyler Childers – “Time” (Pink Floyd)
It’s impossible to find a bad song Tyler Childers has ever put out, and this is no exception. He kills this cover of Pink Floyd’s “Time” from their iconic 1973 The Dark Side of the Moon album.
