The Beatles' songs have inspired countless reinterpretations over the decades, and some covers have become legendary in their own right. Each artist brings a distinct style and emotional twist, from bluesy rock to soul and synth-pop.
There are six covers amidst the rest that I think outshine the originals, and many fans and critics would probably agree. If you haven't heard the covers, you certainly should.
These covers specifically build upon and highlight nuances or energy absent in the Beatles' originals, rather than being rehashed compositions.
6 covers that surpassed the Beatles
1. Joe Cocker - "With a Little Help from My Friends"
From his debut album titled after the track, Cocker turns the playful Sgt. Pepper's track into a raw, blues-rock anthem. His reinvention utilizes a gravelly growl and gospel-infused backing vocals, giving it grit and depth.
In contrast to the Beatles' upbeat pop arrangement, Cocker slows the tempo and ramps up the emotion. The buildup in his version makes the chorus feel like an almost spiritual release, a quality much more compelling than the original.
2. Stevie Wonder - "We Can Work It Out"
Updating the song to match the '70s scene, Wonder transformed "We Can Work It Out" into an infectious soul-disco number. Appearing on his album Signed, Sealed & Delivered, the cover beamed with danceable energy and a catchy harmonica solo.
Where the Beatles' song is a jaunty folk-rock tune, Wonder adds bouncy clavinet and buoyant backing vocals over a funk groove. The result is a jubilant, feel-good rendition whose rhythm and soulful punch beat out the original.
3. Earth, Wind & Fire - "Got to Get You into My Life"
Recorded for the Sgt. Pepper's movie soundtrack, Earth, Wind & Fire's cover, likewise amplifies the song’s excitement. The cover’s cinematic horn flourishes and polished production make it feel larger-than-life, a deliberate departure from the more restrained arrangement on Revolver.
It reworked the Beatles’ horn-laden pop track into a blazing disco-funk party jam, which deservingly became a top ten single in the US. Its soaring brass, a driving backbeat, and Philip Bailey’s falsetto all kick in with an urgency that the original lacked.
4. Nina Simone - "Here Comes the Sun"
Following Cocker with titling an album after a Beatles cover, Simone turned George Harrison’s breezy, optimistic melody into a haunting, introspective ballad. While the original sounds sun-dappled and relaxed, Simone’s cover feels tense and searching.
She strips away the folk-rock arrangement in favor of a piano focus, allowing her expressive vocals to explore the lyric’s emotional undercurrents. Her dramatic phrasing and the swelling orchestration turn what was a simple good-vibes track into a powerful statement, highlighting melancholy lines previously glossed over.
5. Lemon Demon - "While My Keytar Gently Weeps"
Lemon Demon's deep electro-pop take on "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is immediately striking in that it swaps the guitar for a synth-driven keytar. Where Harrison’s song is a somber, slow-rock lament, this upbeat rendition pulses with electronic arrangements, layered vocals, and a dance beat.
The memorable melody is kept intact while framing it in a bright, 1980s-inspired soundscape with shimmering synth chords. This quirky but musically compelling reinterpretation is the most modern addition to this list, being a bonus track of View-Monster's 2020 reissue by Needlejuice.
6. Marvin Gaye - "Yesterday"
Marvin Gaye’s smooth soul rendition of “Yesterday” appears on his 1970 album That’s the Way Love Is. He slows the tempo and dresses McCartney’s acoustic ballad with lush strings and gentle horns, underpinned by his tender, emotive vocals.
The warmth and soul in his voice give the simple melody extra poignancy. Its gospel-inflected backing vocals and minor-key inflections add a level of emotional gravity that makes the song feel even more profound than the Beatles’ gentle original.
Each of these six covers demonstrates how reimagining a Beatles classic can surface new qualities in the songwriting. By giving these songs renewed life, aspects of the composition are brought out in ways that make the covers stand as compelling on their own terms.