A great song can travel: from one legend’s pen to another’s voice, taking on new life. These 20 all-time tracks prove that the right pairing of writer and interpreter can etch a song into history.
“A World Without Love” — Written by Paul McCartney; made iconic by Peter & Gordon.
A Beatles tune handed off, it became a British Invasion #1 for the duo.
“All Along the Watchtower” — Written by Bob Dylan; made iconic by Jimi Hendrix.
Dylan’s stark ballad turned into a psychedelic storm with Hendrix at the helm.
“All the Young Dudes” — Written by David Bowie; made iconic by Mott the Hoople.
Bowie gifted them a glam-rock anthem that saved the band from breakup.
“Because the Night” — Written by Bruce Springsteen; made iconic by Patti Smith.
Springsteen’s unfinished draft became a blazing love song through Smith’s rewrite.
“Black Magic Woman” — Written by Peter Green; made iconic by Santana.
Fleetwood Mac’s blues roots became Latin-rock fire in Santana’s hands.
“Both Sides Now” — Written by Joni Mitchell; made iconic by Judy Collins.
Collins gave Mitchell’s reflection on clouds and life its first hit wings.
“City of New Orleans” — Written by Steve Goodman; made iconic by Arlo Guthrie.
Goodman’s rail ode became a folk classic in Guthrie’s warm delivery.
“Crazy” — Written by Willie Nelson; made iconic by Patsy Cline.
Heartbreak immortalized in Cline’s velvet phrasing.
“Girls Just Want to Have Fun” — Written by Robert Hazard; made iconic by Cyndi Lauper.
Hazard’s rough demo became Lauper’s neon-bright feminist anthem.
“Hallelujah” — Written by Leonard Cohen; made iconic by Jeff Buckley.
Cohen’s hymn of doubt soared into eternity with Buckley’s fragile voice.
“I Will Always Love You” — Written by Dolly Parton; made iconic by Whitney Houston.
Parton’s tender farewell became Houston’s blockbuster torch song.
“I’m a Believer” — Written by Neil Diamond; made iconic by The Monkees.
Diamond’s knack for melody exploded into Monkeemania.
“Killing Me Softly with His Song” — Written by Charles Fox & Norman Gimbel; made iconic by Roberta Flack.
A delicate ballad reborn with Flack’s soulful intimacy.
“Mama Told Me Not to Come” — Written by Randy Newman; made iconic by Three Dog Night.
Newman’s wry party satire became a funky hit machine.
“Me and Bobby McGee” — Written by Kris Kristofferson; made iconic by Janis Joplin.
Kristofferson’s road ballad became Joplin’s posthumous anthem.
“Nothing Compares 2 U” — Written by Prince; made iconic by Sinéad O’Connor.
Prince’s words of loss reached raw perfection through O’Connor’s delivery.
“Respect” — Written by Otis Redding; made iconic by Aretha Franklin.
Aretha turned a plea into a demand and an anthem of empowerment.
“Take It Easy” — Written by Jackson Browne & Glenn Frey; made iconic by Eagles.
A breezy collaboration that opened the Eagles’ career and defined SoCal rock.
“The First Cut Is the Deepest” — Written by Cat Stevens; made iconic by Rod Stewart.
Stevens’ melancholy melody became Stewart’s soulful lament.
“Without You” — Written by Pete Ham & Tom Evans (Badfinger); made iconic by Harry Nilsson.
A power ballad perfected with Nilsson’s aching vocal.