Entertainment

Best R&B Versions of Rock/Pop Songs

The Best Cover Versions

From Mark Edward Nero, former About.com Guide

R&B and soul songs have frequently been covered by pop and rock acts. And while it's not as prevalent, R&B and soul acts do sometimes borrow songs from the rock & pop genres. With that said, here are our top pop and rock songs covered by R&B and soul artists.

1. "Proud Mary," Covered by Ike & Tina Turner.

Originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival, this is another one of those cover songs that is just as strongly identified with the artists who remade it as it is with the original.

2. "Bringin' on the Heartbreak," Covered by Mariah Carey.

Mariah Carey co-produced her cover of the song with Randy Jackson for her twelfth album, Charmbracelet. Originally by Def Leppard, Mariah totally reworked the song and made it superior to the original.

3. "We Can Work It Out," Covered by Stevie Wonder.

Originally by The Beatles, Stevie Wonder covered the song on his 1970 album Signed, Sealed and Delivered. One of the funkiest Beatles covers of all time.

4. "Closer," by Maxwell.

"Closer," originally by Nine Inch Nails, was reimagined to great effect on Maxwell's MTV Unplugged disc in 1997.

5. "Fire," Covered by The Pointer Sisters.

Originally by Bruce Springsteen, the sisters managed to add a sheen and layer of sultriness to the song that was lacking in the original.

6. "This Woman's Work," by Maxwell

Maxwell's sweet, seductive version Kate Bush's "This Woman's Work" is on Maxwell's 1997 live album, MTV Unplugged.