“The 885 Greatest Cover Songs”

Well, it’s December, and WXPN is at it again. This year they’re counting down “The 885 Greatest Cover Songs,” determined as usual by listener votes. My favorites are below. [Updated 12/17/2025 to add countdown positions in parens]

 

1.      Over The Rainbow – Eva Cassidy (#286)

2.      Hazy Shade of Winter – The Bangles (#23)

3.      Try A Little Tenderness – Otis Redding (#190)

4.      The Ghost Of Tom Joad – Rage Against the Machine (#259)

5.      Jersey Girls – Bruce Springsteen (#26)

6.      Georgia On My Mind – Ray Charles (#287)

7.      The Letter – Joe Cocker (#90)

8.      Barbara Ann – The Beach Boys

9.      Am I The Same Girl – Swing Out Sister

10.   You’ll Never Walk Alone – Gerry & the Pacemakers

 

The one I forgot: Passionate Kisses – Mary Chapin Carpenter (#241)

 

And two odd ones that I hope make it to the countdown:

Money – The Flying Lizards (#168)

Feelings – The Offspring

Shuffle #184 (October 30, 2025)

Love Ain't For Keeping – The Who

Dance The Night Away – The Mavericks

Not On The Outside – The Moments

Which Way Does That Old Pony Run – Lyle Lovett

New Kid In Town – Eagles

Wild & Free – Fantastic Cat

Junk Food Junkie – Larry Groce

My Lover's Prayer – Otis Redding

Old Habits Die Hard – The Neville Brothers

Keep On Climbing – The Magnificent Men

Believe In Humanity – Carole King

I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – The Four Tops

Tender Is The Night – Jackson Browne

California Nights – Lesley Gore

Southland In The Springtime – Indigo Girls

Bobby Jean – Bruce Springsteen

Feelin' The Same Way – Norah Jones

This Train Revised – Indigo Girls

Gone With The Wind – The Duprees

Me And Baby Brother – War

Rocketeer – Far East Movement

Fall Down – Toad the Wet Sprocket

Anyone Who Had A Heart – Dionne Warwick

Nightshift – Bruce Springsteen

Enchanted – The Platters

Mr. Blue – The Fleetwoods

I Just Want To Make Love To You – Cold Blood

Fastlove – George Michael

The One Thing – INXS

Atomic Dog – George Clinton

Big Me – Foo Fighters