Not all new music is really new, as many artists cover songs. Sometimes these are songs by their favorite artists, eg as a tribute to such a musical hero for a special reason, or they simply feel that a song deserves to be dusted and polished to reacquaint fans with great songs from the past. Other times, bands cover songs as a parody. Regardless of intent, some of those cover versions are so good or so much fun, we’d like to put a spotlight on them. Chosen from a wide range, here are—in random order—ten of our favorite covers from last month—links to the pages where you can add them to your wantlist included.
In October, we enjoyed the Duets Special LP by Chrissie Hynde & Pals, and the compilation Killed by Deaf: A Punk Rock Tribute to Motörhead by various artists, but there were also about 60 other nice cover releases from slightly lesser-known names to choose from…
You Don’t Own Me || Cover: The Dollyrots || Original: Lesley Gore
Californian punk rock trio The Dollyrots have shared successful covers more often, and continue that streak with a stirring version of Lesley Gore’s feminist single You Don’t Own Me (1963). It’s the flipside of original track Get On This Ride, out on vinyl 7″ through Wicked Cool Records. “The song is an anthem for female empowerment, about willing to be defiant in the face of something that’s just plain wrong. Sadly, it’s still just as timely as when Lesley sang it over 60 years ago,” said singer/bassist Kelly Ogden.
Once In A Lifetime || Cover: W.I.T.C.H. || Original: Talking Heads
“How did I get here?” is a relevant question here. In January 2026, BBE Music will release Naive Melodies, a 20-track tribute through which curator Drew McFadden dives into the rhythmic foundations of Afro-diasporic traditions that influenced Talking Heads’ sonic explorations. As a foretaste, we can already listen to a double single featuring Psycho Killer by Astrønne, and Once In A Lifetime by W.I.T.C.H. (We Intend To Cause Havoc). The acclaimed Zamrock outfit—a few months ago we raved about their latest album, Sogolo—does a good job at transforming David Byrne’s brilliance into five minutes of grooving energy with a sense of urgency.
Rocket 69 || Cover: Supersuckers || Original: Lee Harvey Oswald Band
Living punk ‘n’ roll legends Supersuckers are back with their umpteenth record, Liquor, Women, Drugs & Killing (Hardcharger Records / Blue Élan Records). Among the eleven new songs—raw and energetic as ever—is a raucous version of Rocket 69, found on the 1996 Blastronaut LP by The Lee Harvey Oswald Band, which is a great discovery in itself for those who didn’t know that band yet (or didn’t remember them).
Riot Squad || Cover: The Hellflowers || Original: Cock Sparrer
Obviously, the bands covered by The Hellflowers on their aptly titled Teenage Radio EP are also worth (re)playing: from The Clash, Little Richard, and Ramones, to Elastica, Zero Boys, and Cock Sparrer. A solid foundation for Christina (vocals, guitar) and Matt Eskew (bass)—along with Patrick Kropkowski (backing vocals), Matt Britton (guitar), Kris Rodgers (keyboards), and Richie Mendez (drums, percussion)—to throw a steaming rock ‘n’ roll party. Opening track Riot Squad stands out for me, not least because of the catchy “whoo-hoo” harmonies. Out digitally and on CD via Rum Bar Records, and on vinyl LP through Missing Fink Records.
Come Together || Cover: Snooper || Original: The Beatles
Nashville, Tennessee’s post-punk band Snooper returns with a strong new album, Worldwide, out on Third Man Records. Among the twelve dynamic songs is a restless cover of The Beatles’ Come Together (from Abbey Road, 1969), sped up to fit into a minute and a half, peculiar but electrifying. Guitarist Connor Cummins: “The whole idea behind this record was experimentation and change”—mission accomplished.
Jolene || Cover: Parlor Greens || Original: Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton confirmed she’s alive and well, a good reason to share a refreshed version of her most popular song. Loveland, Ohio-based funk trio Parlor Greens—Adam Scone (Hammond organ), Jimmy James (guitar), and Tim Carmen (drums)—give Jolene an irresistible groove, proving it’s also indestructible as an instrumental. Out digitally via Colemine Records.
Don’t Let It Bring You Down || Cover: Samantha Fish || Original: Neil Young
Kansas City’s songwriter/singer/guitarist Samantha Fish gives last April’s Paper Doll LP a deluxe treatment (out digitally via Rounder Records), which means she’s added two extra songs, including a soaring rendition of Neil Young’s Don’t Let It Bring You Down (from After The Gold Rush, 1970). She explains: “I started performing the song during the pandemic. The lyrics have a dark and bleak quality, but they also hint at the possibility of change. Even if Neil intended it to be sarcastic, it resonated with us at that time, and people seemed to enjoy our version, so we decided to record it.”
Scowling Smackhead Ian || Cover: En Heat || Original: Jeffrey Lewis
To celebrate 20 years of defiantly DIY spirit, Blang Records drops Blang on Blang: Star-Crossed Covers, a 12-track compilation where label artists reimagine songs from their own back catalog. It’s a chaotic and charming mix of punk, anti-folk, country trash, and crooked pop, with each cover sounding perfectly at home in the hands of its interpreter. How Brighton’s avant-gardists En Heat perform the opening track—misspelt as Scowling Smackhead Iwan—from Jeffrey Lewis & Los Bolts’ 2015 Manhattan LP is telling in this respect. En Heat’s Filthy Pedro: “The original paints a vivid portrait of a dodgy character from Manhattan. I grew up on a very different island—Anglesey. Though far more sparsely populated, it had its fair share of similar figures. The contrast felt like a natural parallel that reshapes the song’s urban grit through a rural British lens.”
Mama Don’t || Cover: Ruen Brothers || Original: J.J. Cale*
With their fourth album, Awooo, the Ruen Brothers—siblings Henry and Rupert Stansall, from Scunthorpe, UK—craft an Americana-tinged journey through isolation and intimacy, with vintage-sounding vocals and melancholic arrangements. Having played J.J. Cale’s version of Mama Don’t live for years, they now responded to fan requests to record the classic (*written and first recorded by Cow Cow Davenport in 1929), a valuable addition to their self-penned songs. Released digitally on cassette, CD, and vinyl LP through Yep Roc Records.
Ghost Town || Cover: Lankum || Original: The Specials
Irish folk quartet Lankum covered The Specials’ 1981 hit Ghost Town for a Halloween scene in Oona Doherty’s dance show Specky Clark. It became a haunting version of over 8 minutes—unexpected in every way—that will be released on 12” vinyl through Rough Trade Records in January 2026. The band explains: “At first we were slightly reticent, since a cover of a ska tune wasn’t something we’d usually ever consider, but after a bit of deliberation we decided we’d give it a shot, and the result took us on an incredibly enjoyable journey that had us gleefully playing with synthesizers and drums.” machines, trying to come up with the scaldiest 90s sounding techno for the outro section of the track.”
Also worth mentioning:
Between Planets (The Jesus and Mary Chain) by Brad Marino [from Voodoo 7″]
California Sun (Ramones) by The Chains
Cherub Rock (Smashing Pumpkins) by Silktail
Crazy Feeling (Lou Reed) by Cinnamon Teals [from Cut ‘n Paste LP]
Date with IKEA (Pavement) by Richard Turgeon
Don’t Let Me Down (The Beatles) by P.O.D.
Everybody Hurts (R.E.M.) by Lucius [SiriusXMU Session]
Hanging On The Telephone (The Nerves) by Christina Jean & Her All Stars
I Fought the Law (first recorded by The Crickets, popularized by the Bobby Fuller Four) by Duff McKagan [from Lighthouse: Live From London LP]
I’m On Fire (Bruce Springsteen) by Keli Holiday [for triple j’s Like A Version]
It’s All Over Now, Baby Blue (Bob Dylan) by Magon [from Zoe Rainbow Days LP]
Jane (The Loved Ones) by Vampire Slumber Party [from Vampire Cover Party EP]
The Longest Line (NOFX) by El Tuerto Willy [from La Noche de los Tuerto Vivos II EP]
Maggie’s Farm (Bob Dylan) by Margo Price
My Valüable Hünting Knife (Guided By Voices) by HEDGE
No Cigar (Millencolin) by Gab De La Vega
Laura Palmer (The Luxembourg Signal) by The BV’s [from KUS’ Stadtbibliothek compilation]
Pet Sematary (Ramones) by Field Hospitals
Poor Mum (Molly Drake) by Nadia Reid
Road Runner (Bo Diddley) by The Chesterfield Kings [from Loose Ends: 1989–2004 Rare, B-Sides & Unreleased compilation]
Sabotage (Beastie Boys) by Show Me The Body
Sex on Fire (Kings of Leon) by Folk Bitch Trio [for triple j’s Like A Version]
Supergirl (original: Superman) (The Clique) by Shapes Like People [from upcoming Under the Rainbow LP]
Walking On A Dream (Empire Of The Sun) by Wet Leg [for BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge]
Werewolves of London (Warren Zevon) by Jesika Von Rabbit
Check out our Dusted playlist on Spotify for more worthy cover songs.