Nirvana edged out the competition to snag the top spot in a new listing of best grunge covers. The writers at Ultimate-Guitar.com rated the “Top 10 Grunge Covers That Beat The Originals,” with Nirvana’s 1989 cover of Shocking Blue‘s “Love Buzz” coming in at Number One. The Number Two spot was filled by Pearl Jam‘s take on Neil Young‘s “Rockin’ In The Free World,” and Number Three was the Melvins‘ rendition of the early-Kiss favorite “Goin’ Blind.”
Coming in at Number Four was Soundgarden‘s cover Devo‘s “Girl You Want,” with the Top Five rounded out by Smashing Pumpkins‘ version of David Bowie‘s “Space Oddity.”
The “Top 10 Grunge Covers That Beat The Originals” according to Ultimate-Guitar.com:
1. Nirvana – “Love Buzz” – by Shocking Blue
2. Pearl Jam – “Rockin’ In The Free World” – by Neil Young
3. Melvins – “Goin’ Blind” – by Kiss
4. Soundgarden – “Girl U Want” – by Devo
5. Smashing Pumpkins – “Space Oddity” – by David Bowie
6. Mad Season – “I Don’t Wanna Be A Soldier” – by John Lennon
7. Hole – “Gold Dust Woman” – by Fleetwood Mac
8. Mudhoney – “Editions Of You” – by Roxy Music
9. Screaming Trees – “What Goes On” – by The Velvet Underground
10. Stone Temple Pilots – “Andy Warhol” – by David Bowie
DID YOU KNOW???
- Nirvana‘s cover of Shocking Blue‘s “Love Buzz” was originally featured on the band’s 1989 debut album, Bleach. The track was the only song on the set not written by Kurt Cobain.
- Shocking Blue is best known for their 1970 chart-topper, “Venus.” The Dutch rockers scored no other Top 40 hits in America.
CHECK IT OUT: Nirvana on October 31st, 1991 performing “Love Buzz” live at The Paramount in Seattle: