The Beatles wrote some of the most covered songs in history, inspiring generations of artists to take their classics in wildly different directions. Some stayed faithful, others flipped them inside out, and a few made them their own entirely. Here are 10 of the greatest Beatles covers, each a testament to the band’s enduring genius.
1. Joe Cocker – “With a Little Help from My Friends” (1968)
If Ringo’s original was a friendly pint at the pub, Joe Cocker’s version was a full-blown gospel-tinged sermon, delivered with raw, aching passion. His bluesy, electrifying rendition was so powerful that even Paul McCartney admitted it brought new life to the track. Cocker’s version became an anthem, famously opening The Wonder Years and proving that a great song can be completely transformed without losing an ounce of its brilliance.
2. Jimi Hendrix – “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (1967)
Just three days after Sgt. Pepper was released, Jimi Hendrix opened his show with a mind-melting, fuzz-drenched take on the title track. McCartney and Harrison were in the audience, jaws on the floor. Hendrix didn’t just cover the song—he set it on fire, redefining it with wailing guitars and a swagger only he could pull off. It was a seismic moment in rock history and a perfect example of artists inspiring one another in real time.
3. Aretha Franklin – “Eleanor Rigby” (1970)
Leave it to the Queen of Soul to take one of The Beatles’ bleakest songs and infuse it with pure gospel fire. Aretha’s Eleanor Rigby was bigger, bolder, and bursting with emotion. Her vocal acrobatics turned the song’s lonely desperation into a defiant, powerful cry—one that sounded as if Eleanor wasn’t just a forgotten figure, but a force to be reckoned with.
4. Elton John – “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” (1974)
Elton didn’t just cover Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds—he took it on a full technicolor trip. Backed by none other than John Lennon himself on guitar and harmony vocals (under the alias “Dr. Winston O’Boogie”), Elton’s version was a dazzling, synth-heavy dreamscape that even topped the U.S. charts. If The Beatles’ original was a surreal painting, Elton’s was a full-blown psychedelic light show.
5. Stevie Wonder – “We Can Work It Out” (1970)
Stevie Wonder doesn’t do straight covers—he reinvents. His version of We Can Work It Out turned the Beatles’ folk-pop meditation into a full-on funk explosion. With blazing horns, a killer groove, and Wonder’s signature soul-infused delivery, he made the song dance in a way it never had before. It was both a tribute and a complete reimagining, proving just how adaptable The Beatles’ songwriting truly is.
6. The Rolling Stones – “I Wanna Be Your Man” (1963)
Technically, this one isn’t a cover—it was gifted to The Stones by Lennon and McCartney before The Beatles recorded their own version. But the difference is night and day. Where Ringo’s take was a cheerful bop, Mick Jagger snarled through the lyrics like he meant every word, while Keith Richards’ guitar licks added a level of danger. It was the first taste of the friendly rivalry between the two biggest bands in Britain, and it still packs a punch.
7. Richie Havens – “Here Comes the Sun” (1971)
George Harrison’s Here Comes the Sun was already a masterpiece of warmth and optimism, but Richie Havens’ stripped-down, acoustic cover gave it a whole new level of raw sincerity. With his deep, soulful voice and rhythmic strumming, Havens made the song sound less like a dreamy sunrise and more like a hard-earned moment of hope. A true folk classic in its own right.
8. Bananarama – “Help!” (1989)
The Beatles’ Help! was an urgent cry disguised as a pop song, but Bananarama gave it a slick ‘80s dance-pop makeover that somehow worked. Their version kept the melody intact but added synthesizers, harmonies, and a completely different kind of energy. If Lennon’s original was a distress signal, Bananarama’s was a neon-lit anthem for the club floor.
9. Siouxsie and the Banshees – “Dear Prudence” (1983)
Siouxsie Sioux took Dear Prudence—John Lennon’s delicate, hypnotic ode to meditation—and turned it into a gothic post-punk masterpiece. With eerie synths, swirling guitars, and her unmistakable vocals, she reimagined the song with an almost otherworldly beauty. So much so that it became one of the band’s biggest hits, introducing The Beatles to an entirely new wave of fans.
10. Johnny Cash – “In My Life” (2002)
Near the end of his career, Johnny Cash recorded In My Life as part of his American IV: The Man Comes Around album, and it’s nothing short of heartbreaking. His weathered voice, stripped-down acoustic arrangement, and slow, deliberate phrasing turned the song into a deeply personal reflection. It was no longer just a nostalgic look back—it was a lifetime’s worth of memories, sung by a man who knew he was running out of time.
The beauty of The Beatles’ music is that it continues to evolve, taking on new shapes with each artist who dares to put their own stamp on it. Whether it’s a soul reinvention, a hard rock transformation, or a synth-pop surprise, their songs remain timeless—ready for every generation to reinterpret and make their own.
