3 Pop Covers The Original Artist Hated

Usually, when someone covers your song, it’s a feather in your cap. It’s a bit of recognition that another musician not only likes your work, but they’re willing to tell the world that they find inspiration in what you do. They either record the song or play it live, and in the end, spread the good musical word about your style, lyrics, and sonic temperament.

Videos by American Songwriter

But occasionally, all that goes badly. Sometimes the original artist does not like the cover of their work, and they’re even willing to go out there and tell the world about that. That’s what we wanted to investigate below. Indeed, these are three pop covers that the original artist hated.

“Street Spirit” by Peter Gabriel from ‘Scratch My Back’

Originally released by Radiohead on their 1996 LP, The Bends, former Genesis frontman Peter Gabriel shared his own rendition in 2010 on his record, Scratch My Back. Gabriel has said that he hoped Radiohead would record a version of his 1982 song “Wallflower”, but after he sent his cover of “Street Spirit”, Radiohead ceased communication with him. Since then, Gabriel found out that the Thom Yorke-fronted group didn’t like his “Street Spirit” rendition. That’s the way the musical cookie crumbles, it would seem.

“You’re My Home” by Helen Reddy from ‘Love Song For Jeffrey’

Originally released on Billy Joel’s 1973 album, Piano Man, this song was later covered by Helen Reddy for her album a year later, the 1974 offering, Love Song for Jeffrey. It was not a cover that Joel liked, however, announcing at a concert as much. He explained, “Helen Reddy once cut something of mine, a song called ‘You’re My Home,’ which wasn’t great. I did it at a gig once and introduced it, sayin’, ‘This is a song of mine Helen Reddy cut… to pieces.’” Amazingly, Reddy’s husband was in the audience that night, and they threatened to sue Joel! In the end, Reddy told Joel she wouldn’t cover his work anymore. All’s well that ends well?

“Allison” by Linda Ronstadt from X

Released originally on Elvis Costello’s debut LP in 1977, My Aim Is True, Linda Ronstadt later covered the song, and Costello found it to be “sheer torture.” But later he said that he didn’t mind the money it made him. That’s always the risk, it would seem. If you don’t get glowing permission from the original artist, then you might hear them talk smack about your cover. But the last laugh for everyone is a nice fat check.

Photo by Steve Joester/Shutterstock