3 of the Best Covers From David Bowie – Featuring Songs by the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and More

David Bowie nodded to other musicians a fair few times throughout his career. He wasn’t shy about extending praise to the artists who inspired him. One of the main ways he did that was by delivering rendition of their songs. Check out three of Bowie’s best covers–featuring songs by the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and more–below.

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3 of the Best Covers From David Bowie – Featuring Songs by the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and More

1. “See Emily Play” (Pink Floyd)

The original version of “See Emily Play” was hypnotizing and a little off-kilter, but Bowie somehow blew that out of the water with his cover. Like much of Bowie’s early work, there is an outlandish tinge to his rendition that feels taken straight out of a space-age soundtrack.

Emily tries, but misunderstands (Ah-ooh)
She’s often inclined to borrow
Somebody’s dreams till tomorrow

There is no other day
Let’s try it another way
You’ll lose your mind and play
Free games for May
See Emily play

2. “Across the Universe” (The Beatles)

On the same album that Bowie worked with John Lennon to create “Fame,” he covered a Beatles classic: “Across the Universe.” He nodded to Lennon and his efforts twice over with this cover, paying homage to a musician who inspired his own trek into music.

Words are flowing out like endless rain into a paper cup
They slither wildly as they slip away across the universe
Pools of sorrow, waves of joy are drifting through my opened mind
Possessing and caressing me

Jai guru deva, om
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world
Nothing’s gonna change my world

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3. “I Can’t Explain” (The Who)

Bowie dared to integrate some jazzy tones in his cover of “I Can’t Explain.” There is a texture to his rendition of this song that makes it more robust than the original. Bowie had a way of making songs he didn’t write still seem like original compositions. His style was deeply unique and unmissable.

Got a feeling inside (can’t explain)
It’s a certain kind (can’t explain)
I feel hot and cold (can’t explain)
Yeah, down in my soul, yeah (can’t explain)

I said (can’t explain)
I’m feeling good now, yeah, but (can’t explain)

(Photo by Dick Barnatt/Redferns)