12 Rock Covers From the 2000s That Changed the Way We Hear the Originals

12 Rock Covers From the 2000s That Changed the Way We Hear the Originals

The 2000s weren’t just about pop-punk anthems, nu-metal riffs, or emo heartbreak. It was also a golden era for rock bands putting their own spin on classic songs. Some covers stayed true to the original, while others completely reinvented them—sometimes so powerfully that fans forgot who sang it first.

1. Alien Ant Farm – “Smooth Criminal” (2001)

Back in the early 2000s, nu-metal bands were everywhere, but Alien Ant Farm managed to stand out with their playful, high-energy cover of Michael Jackson’s “Smooth Criminal.” The band transformed the King of Pop’s slick dance-floor hit into a crunchy, guitar-driven rock anthem that quickly climbed the charts.

The cover wasn’t just a novelty—it became a legitimate radio staple. The music video, full of MJ references, helped cement its popularity on MTV. For many listeners, this version was their first introduction to Alien Ant Farm, and it remains their biggest hit to date.

It’s proof that sometimes a bold reimagining can breathe new life into an already iconic track.

2. The White Stripes – “Jolene” (2000s live performances, released in 2004/2010)

Dolly Parton’s classic “Jolene” has been covered countless times, but The White Stripes managed to make it feel brand new. Jack White’s desperate, almost unhinged vocal delivery turned the pleading lyrics into something raw and haunting.

Instead of soft country twang, listeners got urgent guitar riffs and pounding drums. The live performances of the song became fan favorites, showcasing the band’s minimalist yet explosive energy.

Parton herself praised their version, saying she loved hearing the song through a rock lens. Few covers manage to balance respect for the original with such a distinct reinvention, but The White Stripes nailed it.

3. Foo Fighters – “Band on the Run” (2007)

Paul McCartney’s “Band on the Run” is already a masterpiece, but Foo Fighters brought their own stadium-rock swagger to it in 2007. Recorded for a McCartney tribute album, their version injected heavier guitars and Dave Grohl’s signature growl, while still honoring the playful shifts in tone that make the song special.

Grohl has never hidden his admiration for McCartney, and that passion shines through in this cover. It feels less like an attempt to outdo the original and more like a heartfelt celebration of it.

Fans of both Wings and Foo Fighters agreed—it was the perfect marriage of classic rock and modern rock energy.

4. Shinedown – “Simple Man” (2003)

Few songs embody Southern rock like Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Simple Man.” When Shinedown released their version, they didn’t just copy it—they infused it with raw emotion and powerful vocals. Brent Smith’s delivery is soaring and heartfelt, giving the track a fresh intensity.

The cover resonated with fans, quickly becoming one of Shinedown’s most beloved songs. In fact, many younger listeners first discovered “Simple Man” through this version before exploring the Skynyrd original.

It’s one of those rare covers that feels like both a tribute and a personal statement. Shinedown managed to honor Skynyrd while carving out their own place in rock history.

5. Johnny Cash – “Hurt” (2002)

When Johnny Cash released his stripped-down version of “Hurt,” originally by Nine Inch Nails, the world stopped to listen. Cash’s gravelly voice, filled with age and experience, brought a depth that made listeners rethink the song entirely.

The stark piano and acoustic arrangement stripped away the industrial angst of the original, replacing it with raw, human vulnerability. The accompanying music video, filmed shortly before Cash’s death, only intensified the emotional impact—it’s often considered one of the greatest music videos of all time.

Trent Reznor himself admitted that the song “wasn’t his anymore” after hearing Cash’s version. Few covers ever eclipse their originals, but this one did in unforgettable fashion.

6. Disturbed – “Land of Confusion” (2005)

Genesis’s 1986 hit “Land of Confusion” was already politically charged, but Disturbed took it into even darker territory. With crunching guitars, pounding drums, and David Draiman’s menacing vocals, the song gained a new level of urgency for the mid-2000s.

The animated music video, featuring caricatures of world leaders and military chaos, was just as bold as the cover itself. It became a fan favorite and a staple of Disturbed’s live shows.

By reimagining the song for a heavier era, Disturbed reminded listeners that some lyrics—especially about power and corruption—never lose their relevance.

7. Chris Cornell – “Billie Jean” (2007)

When Chris Cornell slowed down Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean” into an acoustic ballad, he completely flipped the song’s mood. The danceable groove was gone, replaced with melancholy and haunting vocals that revealed a different kind of darkness in the lyrics.

Fans were stunned by how naturally Cornell’s soulful voice fit the track. It showcased his ability to take any song, strip it bare, and make it emotionally devastating.

Many critics consider this one of Cornell’s greatest live performances. It’s a prime example of how a cover doesn’t need flashy production—just the right voice and raw honesty.

8. Evanescence – “Heart-Shaped Box” (2003, live)

Nirvana’s “Heart-Shaped Box” is already eerie, but when Evanescence covered it, they pushed it into gothic territory. Amy Lee’s soaring, ethereal vocals brought a haunting beauty to the grunge classic.

Though it was primarily performed live, fans still rave about the band’s take on the song. It highlighted Evanescence’s ability to combine heaviness with elegance, making the track feel both familiar and otherworldly.

This wasn’t about outshining Nirvana—it was about interpreting the song through a completely different lens. For fans of both bands, it’s a mesmerizing blend of grunge angst and gothic drama.

9. Seether – “Careless Whisper” (2009)

George Michael’s “Careless Whisper” is smooth, sultry, and iconic—but Seether decided to throw out the saxophone and bring in distortion. The result was a gritty, hard rock cover that gave the ballad a completely new personality.

Shaun Morgan’s raw, anguished vocals turned the lyrics into something more tortured than seductive. Surprisingly, the heavy reimagining worked, and it became a fan favorite.

It’s one of those covers that you wouldn’t think could work until you hear it. Once you do, it’s hard to imagine the song any other way.

10. The Ataris – “Boys of Summer” (2003)

Pop-punk ruled the early 2000s, and The Ataris’ cover of Don Henley’s “Boys of Summer” was a defining moment. They turned the laid-back ’80s classic into a fast-paced anthem for a new generation.

The lyrics about nostalgia and fleeting youth fit perfectly with the pop-punk vibe. Teenagers blasting the song in their cars related to its bittersweet themes just as much as Henley’s original fans did in the ’80s.

For many, this version became just as iconic as the original, proving that a great song can transcend decades and genres.

11. Paramore – “My Hero” (2006 live, Foo Fighters cover)

Foo Fighters’ “My Hero” was already an alt-rock staple, but when Paramore covered it live, they made it their own. Hayley Williams’ fiery vocals gave the song a youthful urgency that resonated with fans.

Though it was never released as a studio recording, their live version became a fan favorite and showed off the band’s ability to honor their influences while showcasing their talent.

For fans who grew up in the mid-2000s, hearing Paramore tackle Foo Fighters felt like a passing of the torch between generations of rock bands.

12. My Chemical Romance & The Used – “Under Pressure” (2005)

When two of the biggest emo-rock bands of the 2000s teamed up to cover Queen and David Bowie’s “Under Pressure,” expectations were high—and they delivered. Gerard Way and Bert McCracken’s vocals meshed surprisingly well, giving the classic duet a new edge.

The cover was released as a benefit single, which made fans love it even more. It felt like a collaboration that defined the era, bringing together two bands at the height of their popularity.

While no one can outdo Freddie Mercury and David Bowie, this emo-rock version carved out its own space in 2000s rock history.