Entertainment

Ever Heard Britney's Cover Of This Journey Hit?

by Kristie Rohwedder

Since her debut single "...Baby One More Time" roundoff back handspring'd onto the charts in 1998, Britney Jean Spears has released approximately 75 billion original hit songs (eh, that might be a slight exaggeration) and— Oh, hold up. We are not here to discuss Spears originals like "I'm A Slave 4 U" or "Toxic", are we? We are here to dig into the ex-Mousekteer's vast catalog of cover songs. The pop goddess has put her spin on a ton of iconic tunes throughout her career. And yes, I've rounded up as many as I could find.

Would I go so far as to say Godney's versions are better than the originals? *Starts sweating* Look, we're talking about deities like The Rolling Stones and Janet Jackson. No one does a Stones song better than the Stones, no does a Janet song better than Janet, et cetera. However, I will say that the covers are objectively excellent (always and forever a diehard Britney fan) and show off how versatile an artist Britney is. Rock 'n' roll? She welcomes it with open arms. R&B? She's got it all and she'll never stop loving it. New Jack Swing? It's her prerogativ— I could do this all day, but I oughta know when it's time to move on.

Wait, where was I? Oh, right. It's covers time.

“The Beat Goes On” By Sonny & Cher

Spears's cover of the Sonny & Cher classic is the final track on ...Baby One More Time.

“My Prerogative” By Bobby Brown

A Spearsified version of Bobby Brown's 1988 jam "My Prerogative" appears on her greatest hits album.

“You Got It All” By The Jets

If you purchased your copy of Oops!...I Did It Againin the U.S., there's a chance this version of the ’86 R&B hit is news to you. However, if you bought Spears's sophomore album in Japan, Mexico, or the UK, you probably know all about the impressive vocal gymnastics that happen in this cover.

“(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” By The Rolling Stones

35 years after The Rolling Stones’ released this iconic song, Spears recorded her rendition for sophomore album Oops!…I Did It Again. Oh, and! She performed it at a little event called the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. Maybe you saw it?

“I’ll Never Stop Loving You” By J’Son

In 1996, R&B singer J’Son dropped “I’ll Never Stop Loving You”. Three years later, Spears’s cover was released as the B-side to the “(You Drive Me) Crazy” single.

“I Love Rock ’N’ Roll” By Arrows

A few decades before Spears recorded her rendition of the ode to rock 'n' roll, the song was written and recorded by British band Arrows in 1975...

...and then, Joan Jett & The Blackhearts recorded a cover in 1982. This version is sort of a big deal. (And by "sort of a big deal" I mean "only the hugest deal.")

“Tom’s Diner” By Suzanne Vega

In 2015, Giorgio Moroder and Spears shared their take on this ‘80s favorite.

"Open Arms" By Journey

17-year-old Spears tackled Journey's power ballad from 1982 on her very first headlining tour.

"You Oughta Know" By Alanis Morissette

The Circus Tour setlist included a cover of Alanis Morissette's 1995 smash.

"Vogue" & "Material Girl" By Madonna, "Black Cat" & "Nasty" By Janet Jackson

On The ...Baby One More Time Tour, Spears paid tribute to two legendary pop icons with a medley of four legendary pop songs.

It was the medley to end all medleys.