This list was compiled by Nationally acclaimed NYC based singer-songwriter Leslie DiNicola. From time to time Leslie records cover songs and she noticed that there are a LOT of songs that were originally recorded by men however these women did a much better version.


There’s been a lot of talk in the media, lately, about women’s voices not being heard. It’s not a new story, but rather one that has been a topic of debate since the late 19th century. While times have, certainly, changed and undeniable progress has been made- it seems one indisputable factor has remained the same: women’s voices seem to be heard loudest when they echo a man’s. With that in mind, I decided to put together this list.

Do you agree?

BONUS 11. Pixie Lott - "Use Somebody" (Kings Of Leon)

Pixie Lott sends chills up your spine with her effortless crooning. Her acoustic approach to Use Somebody pulls the listener into an intimate space with the song- giving them a chance to actually hear and relate to the heartbreaking lyric.

image courtesy of INFPhoto.com
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10. Dolly Parton - "Shine" (Collective Soul)

When Dolly Parton recorded a cover of Collective Soul’s "Shine," the world responded by giving her a Grammy for it. As it should have.

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9. No Doubt - It's My Life (Talk Talk)
Gwen Stefani covered it while she was a member of No Doubt: an, otherwise, all male band. But she kicked its butt!

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8. K.D. Lang - "Helpless" (Neil Young)

In 2005, Neil Young was forced to miss the Juno Awards because he was recovering in the hospital. K.D. Lang was asked to stand in for him. She did so by taking one of the most heartbreaking songs ever written, "Helpless," and completely crushing it.

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7. Ellie Goulding - "Your Song" (Elton John)

When a song is as bulletproof as Elton John's "Your Song," the fun part of covering it is dressing it up in a totally different outfit. Goulding does just that, thus, making it her own with her unique breathy voice.

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6. Sara Bareilles - "In Your Eyes" (Peter Gabriel)

It's no easy feat to take a staple like Peter Gabriel's, "In Your Eyes," and make it unique. But, Bareilles conjures up a huskier side of her, normally, crystalline voice and offers up her own sincere and beautiful rendition.

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5. Chaka Khan - "Little Wing" (Jimi Hendrix)

Chaka Khan, and the rest of the world, have nothing on Jimi Hendrix's guitar playing. But Jimi Hendrix, and rest of the world, have nothing on Chaka Khan's powerhouse vocals. In a perfect world, the two would have performed this song together, at least once.

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4. Amy Winehouse - "Cupid" (Sam Cooke)

It's hard for me to say that anyone can do anything better than Sam Cooke. But, darn it if I don't turn on Amy Winehouse's version of Cupid more often than Cooke's. Her reggae-style approach to this classic makes you wonder what other works of her art the world will never get to hear.

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3. Birdy - "Skinny Love" (Bon Iver)

Hipsters beware: you don't need a smelly beard to dominate an indie folk single. This lady does it better!


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2. Dar Williams & Ani DiFranco - "Comfortably Numb" (Pink Floyd)

DiFranco joins Williams for a haunting rendition of one the best songs on Pink Floyd's epic concept album, The Wall. The harmonies and voices of these two women combine to create a deep, emotive, and sensual masterpiece.

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1. Sinead O'Connor - "Nothing Compares 2 U" (Prince)

I don't think anyone ever remembers (or cares) that Prince wrote this song for his side project, The Family. Because O'Connor hits it out of the park and OWNS it. Enough said.