What’s better than a classic rock song? Well, while there are few answers that will satisfy the most ardent of classic rock fans, there may just be one thing that will get them to nod their heads. And that’s a soul cover of a classic rock song. When passionate, soulful artists perform classic rock songs, it’s a match made in music heaven.
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Here below, we wanted to explore three examples of just that. Let’s take a look at a trio of soul songs that are covers of iconic classic rock tracks. Indeed, these are three soulful covers of the vibrant, rocking tunes that may be better than the original.
“Changes” by Charles Bradley from ‘Changes’ (2016)
A soul cover of the hard rock 1972 song by the British-born band Black Sabbath, soul singer Charles Bradley lent his vocals to this offering in 2016 when he released an album of the same name. Black Sabbath’s Ozzy Osbourne sings the lyrics with an almost siren-like quality. Bradley sings it with a thick, almost woodgrain sound. The result is the feeling of being felled like a tree thanks to his soulful, heavy vocals. Changes are hard, but listening to Bradley is anything but.
“I Wanna Hold Your Hand” by Al Green from ‘Green Is Blues’ (1969)
Released in 1969 on Al Green’s album, Green Is Blues, this is a soul cover of the famed single by the Beatles from 1963. Green turns a cutesy pop hit into a soulful ballad. But what’s perhaps best about this song is the very beginning when a passionate Green tries to set the mood and someone in the studio with him tells him jokingly to shut up. It’s a brief moment in music history that continues to put smiles on the faces of fans who catch it on the recording. But even more than that, the song just plain rocks. It never disappoints.
“The Weight” by Aretha Franklin from ‘This Girl’s In Love With You‘ (1970)
In 1970, perhaps the greatest singer of all time, Aretha Franklin, released a soul cover of the song “The Weight”, on her LP This Girl’s In Love With You. The tune, which was originally recorded by The Band in 1968, showcases Franklin’s fantastic voice. This track proves that the artist can make even the best songs in music history that much better. With force and fortitude, Franklin rises up and claps like a thundercloud as she performs the classic first released by the Canadian-born group.
Photo by Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images
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