16 Artists Who Nailed Rolling Stones Songs Their Own Way
When rock legends create a song, it becomes part of history.
But what happens when other artists take those same tunes and make them their own?
The Rolling Stones have written some of the most iconic tracks in music, and countless musicians have reimagined them with fresh energy, new styles, and bold creativity that sometimes rivals the originals.
1. Aretha Franklin – Jumpin’ Jack Flash
Back in 1986, the Queen of Soul grabbed hold of this rock classic and transformed it into something completely different. Her powerhouse voice brought gospel-infused energy that turned heads everywhere.
Though the original had gritty guitar riffs, Franklin added layers of soul and rhythm that made listeners forget they were hearing a cover.
2. Ike & Tina Turner – Honky Tonk Women
If you thought the Stones’ version was energetic, wait until you hear what this dynamic duo did to it. Tina Turner’s electrifying vocals turned the song into a funk-rock explosion that could shake the walls.
Ike’s guitar work added a raw edge while Tina’s commanding presence made every note unforgettable.
Their 1970 rendition proved that country-tinged rock could become a soul-powered juggernaut when the right artists take control of it.
3. Devo – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
How do you make a legendary rock song even more rebellious? Add robotic rhythms and quirky new wave energy, just like Devo did in 1978.
Their version stripped away the blues-rock feel and replaced it with mechanical beats and jerky movements that perfectly captured their avant-garde style.
4. David Bowie – Let’s Spend the Night Together
When Bowie performed this on a 1973 television special, he brought theatrical flair that the original never had. His androgynous Ziggy Stardust persona added layers of drama and glam rock glitter.
Bowie’s version emphasized the song’s provocative lyrics with exaggerated vocal delivery and stage presence that made audiences gasp.
5. Johnny Cash – No Expectations
Leave it to the Man in Black to find the heartbreak hidden in a Rolling Stones deep cut. Cash’s gravelly voice turned this melancholic tune into an even more haunting meditation on loss.
His stripped-down acoustic arrangement removed all rock elements, leaving only raw emotion and country simplicity.
6. The Who – Under My Thumb
Pete Townshend and company took this controversial song and cranked up the aggression to eleven. Their version features explosive guitar work and Roger Daltrey’s powerful vocals that change the entire mood.
Where the Stones’ version had a swaggering confidence, The Who brought furious energy that made it feel more like a confrontation than a boast.
7. Guns N’ Roses – Sympathy for the Devil
Axl Rose’s trademark wail combined with Slash’s blistering guitar solos created a harder, heavier version of this devil’s tale. Their 1994 rendition appeared on the Interview with the Vampire soundtrack.
Though controversy surrounded the recording sessions, the final product showcased how hard rock bands could honor classic songs while making them unmistakably their own.
8. Linda Ronstadt – Tumbling Dice
Country-rock royalty Linda Ronstadt brought her signature smooth vocals to this gambling metaphor in 1977.
Her version swapped the Stones’ rough edges for polished harmonies and a more radio-friendly arrangement.
Ronstadt’s interpretation emphasized the melody over the grit, making it accessible to audiences who might not typically listen to rock music.
9. The Sisters of Mercy – Gimme Shelter
Gothic rock legends transformed this apocalyptic anthem into something even darker in their 1990 version. Andrew Eldritch’s deep, brooding vocals and the band’s drum machine beats created an industrial atmosphere.
Their interpretation emphasized the song’s themes of war and destruction with relentless, pounding rhythms that felt like marching toward doom.
10. Bette Midler – Beast of Burden
The Divine Miss M took this plea for understanding and infused it with show-stopping vocal power. Her 1983 rendition added theatrical drama and emotional depth that made the lyrics hit even harder.
Midler’s background in musical theater brought a different kind of storytelling to the song, turning it into a performance piece rather than just a rock tune.
11. Rod Stewart – Street Fighting Man
Rod Stewart’s raspy vocals brought a working-class authenticity to this protest anthem.
His version emphasized the song’s rebellious spirit with a straightforward rock arrangement that let the lyrics speak for themselves.
Stewart’s interpretation felt less like a political statement and more like a pub singalong, making the revolutionary message accessible to everyday people.
12. Chris Farlowe – Out of Time
Before the Stones even released their own version, Chris Farlowe scored a number one hit with this song in 1966.
His soulful interpretation, produced by Mick Jagger himself, became the definitive version for many fans.
Farlowe’s powerful voice and the orchestral arrangement created a dramatic emotional landscape that the Stones’ later version couldn’t quite match.
This unusual situation where the cover preceded the original artist’s release proved that sometimes the first interpretation isn’t always from the songwriter themselves.
13. Eric Burdon and War – Paint It, Black
Funk meets psychedelic rock in this explosive 1970 collaboration that stretched the song to over seven minutes.
Eric Burdon’s gritty vocals combined with War’s tight rhythm section created a groove-heavy monster.
Their version added Latin percussion, funky bass lines, and extended instrumental jams that took the song to completely new territory.
14. Tori Amos – Angie
Piano virtuoso Tori Amos stripped away all the rock instrumentation and rebuilt this love song around her haunting vocals and delicate piano work.
Amos has a gift for finding hidden emotional layers in classic rock songs, and her interpretation of Angie revealed vulnerability that the original hinted at but never fully exposed.
15. KISS – 2000 Man
Glam rock meets hard rock in KISS’s electrifying take on this futuristic deep cut. Their version cranked up the volume and added their signature larger-than-life energy to the Stones’ more subtle original.
Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley transformed the song into an arena-ready anthem with heavy guitar riffs and pounding drums.
16. Townes Van Zandt – Dead Flowers
Country music legend Townes Van Zandt brought this honky-tonk tune back to its roots with his weathered voice and sparse acoustic guitar.
Van Zandt’s version emphasized the heartbreak and desperation in the lyrics, stripping away any rock polish to reveal the raw emotions underneath.
