13 Grunge-Era Bands' Best Cover Songs Deserve More Appreciation

From Nirvana to Soundgarden, these '90s rock acts put their own spin on classics.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 8:08pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of shattered, glittering disco glass reflecting dramatic studio lighting, conceptually representing the gritty energy and raw textures of 1990s grunge rock music.The grunge era's iconic cover songs showcase the incredible range and creativity of 1990s rock bands beyond their biggest original hits.Chicago Today

The grunge era of the 1990s was filled with massive rock hits, but many bands from that period also released fantastic cover songs that deserve more recognition. This article looks back at some of the best cover songs from acts like Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Stone Temple Pilots, explaining why their unique interpretations of classics by The Beatles, Fleetwood Mac, and others work so well.

Why it matters

The grunge era produced so many iconic original songs, but the cover songs from that period also showcase the incredible musicianship and creativity of these bands. Revisiting these covers provides a deeper appreciation for how these groups could take classic tracks and make them their own through their distinct styles and approaches.

The details

The article highlights 13 cover songs from major grunge-era bands, analyzing what makes each interpretation successful. For example, it examines how Bush's heavy take on The Beatles' "Come Together" pays homage to the original while putting their own spin on it, or how Hole transformed the obscure Young Marble Giants song "Credit in the Straight World" into an explosive punk track. Other covers spotlighted include Faith No More's soulful cover of the Commodores' "Easy" and Soundgarden's reworking of Black Sabbath's "Into the Void" with lyrics from Chief Sealth's speech.

  • The grunge era spanned the early to mid-1990s.
  • Many of these cover songs were released in the early-to-mid 1990s, around the same time as the bands' biggest original hits.

The players

Nirvana

One of the most influential grunge bands of the 1990s, known for hits like "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and their cover of Shocking Blue's "Love Buzz".

Soundgarden

A pioneering grunge band that blended heavy metal and psychedelic rock, acclaimed for songs like "Black Hole Sun" and their cover of Black Sabbath's "Into the Void (Sealth)".

Stone Temple Pilots

A popular grunge/alternative rock band in the 1990s, praised for their cover of Led Zeppelin's "Dancing Days" on the Encomium tribute album.

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The takeaway

The grunge era is rightly celebrated for its iconic original songs, but these cover tracks show the incredible range and creativity of the top bands from that period. Revisiting these unique interpretations of classic songs provides a deeper appreciation for the musical talents of groups like Nirvana, Soundgarden, and Stone Temple Pilots.