Let’s face it. We all love a good cover song. Hell, there are even some cover songs that are better, if not more popular, than the original versions of the songs they’re covering! I mean, have you heard that cover of “Because the Night” by Garbage and the Screaming Females? It’s great!
However, there is one thing better than a good cover song; a good HEAVY METAL cover song. With that, I give you this list of the twelve strangest, most metal covers of non-metal songs to date. You’re welcome.
1. Children of Bodom – Oops I Did It Again
Right off the bat, you know that this cover is going to be weird. Granted, funny as hell. But still really, really weird. Actually, I think the weirdest part about this track is imagining the guys in Children of Bodom sitting around the recording room discussing good songs to cover and then all coming to the revelation that they secretly adore Britney Spears.
2. Arsis – Sunglasses At Night
Released only three months ago via Nuclear Blast Records, Arsis’ 5th studio album “Unwelcome” features a very loud, very fast cover of Corey Hart’s “Sunglasses At Night.” What’s funny about this cover is that it’s placed right in the middle of the album, sandwiched between regular death metal songs like “Choking on Sand” and “No One Lies to the Dead.”
3. Slayer – In A Gadda Da Vida
There’s just something not quite right with this cover that I can’t place my finger on. Perhaps, it’s the fact that Slayer, the Satan-worshipping thrash metallers from Huntington Park, are singing a song about loving people in the Garden of Eden. Wait, yeah. Yeah, that’s definitely it. Carry on.
4. Ensiferum – Bamboleo
According to Wikipedia, “Bamboleo” is an internationally famous Spanish song made popular by a band called the Gipsy Kings in 1987. Ensiferum, on the other hand, is a folk metal band from Finnland that don’t speak any Spanish what-so-ever. Do you see what I’m getting at here? I bet they don’t even know what “Bamboleo” even means! I know I don’t!
(UPDATE: I googled it. It means “swaying.”)
5. Ghost – I’m a Marionette
Yeah, I guess marionettes are kind of metal. You know, in a creepy “Master of Puppets” kinda way. Do you know what’s not metal? ABBA. I mean, it’s strange enough that Sweden’s Ghost, now Ghost B.C., decided to cover an ABBA song in the first place, but what’s stranger is that it’s not even one of their biggest hits. Can you imagine if they covered “Dancing Queen” instead?
6. Sodom – Surfin’ Bird
The original version of this song, made popular by a band called the Trashmen in the early 60’s, is bizarre enough on its own. But throw German thrash metallers Sodom into the mix and the result is something that can only be described as a surf rock song from the furthest depths of Hell.
7. Exodus – Low Rider
All my friends know the Low Rider. Come to think of it, practically everyone knows the Low Rider at this point! After all, the song, made popular by War in 1975, was featured as the theme-song for the best sitcom of this or any other generation: “George Lopez.” That’s sarcasm by the way. Nobody watches that show.
8. Within the Ruins – Carry On My Wayward Sun
If your wayward son heard this metal cover of the Kansas hit single, he’d probably carry on as quickly as possible. My favorite thing about this cover is imagining a really angry father trying to give his son advice and all the son can do is tear up and try not to wet himself. Dads, please don’t yell at your children.
9. Graveworm – Message in a Bottle
What better way to send out an S.O.S. than by screaming The Police’s “Message in a Bottle” at the top of your lungs? Graveworm, a symphonic black metal band from Italy, has actually covered a number of non-metal songs to date, including R.E.M.’s “Losing My Religion,” “It’s a Sin” by the Pet Shop Boys, and Bonnie Tyler’s “I Need a Hero.”
10. Celtic Frost – Mexican Radio
Is it just me or is Mexico the exact opposite of anything celtic or frosty? Hailing from Switzerland, Celtic Frost was quite popular in the late 80’s; which would probably explain why the band decided to cover this one-hit wonder from 1983, made popular by a band called Wall of Voodoo.
11. Between the Buried and Me – Bicycle Race
Alright, I know what you’re thinking. This cover isn’t all that metal. In fact, it’s pretty much a straight cover. Well, guess what. Between the Buried and Me is so metal that they can get away with doing regular covers. Don’t believe me? Check out their cover album “The Anatomy Of,” which includes tributes to bands ranging everywhere from Pantera to the Counting Crows.
12. Ozzy Osbourne – Stayin’ Alive
Commonly referred to as Rock’s Ultimate Survivor, Ozzy Osbourne is still alive and kicking despite the decades worth of drugs and alcohol abuse; not to mention that one time that he snorted live fire ants. Kind of makes this Bee Gees cover all the more ironic, doesn’t it? There’s no denying that Ozzy is a medical miracle, but odds are we have Satan to thank for the Black Sabbath frontman’s continued success.
