Top 10 on the 10th: Worst Cover Songs

10. Jessica Simpson - Take My Breath Away

Original Artist: Berlin
Why It Worked: Intense keyboard percussion and a powerful voice make this song tough to ignore. The association with an 80's Tom Cruise couldn't have hurt either.
What Went Wrong: I bet the producers of this masterpiece thought something like this...

"Let's re-make that song from the Top Gun soundtrack. The video will feature a hot chick driving a classic Vette"

"Ok...who can we get that's hot?"

"Um...How bout Jessica Simpson"

"Can she sing?"

"Pshhh. Like it even matters! They have computers to fix that kinda thing"

Oh, how wrong they were. If only they remembered that Jessica Simpson has the same effect on 80's remakes as sugar has on a gas tank. Proof here. Have you ever blown up a balloon, then at the opening, stretched it apart so only a tiny bit of air can escape? That's what her voice sounds like in this version of "Take My Breath Away". The joke here is just too obvious.

9. Uncle Kracker - Drift Away

Original Artist: Doby Gray
Why It Worked: Soul. Strong vocals carry this tune
What Went Wrong: A lack of soul. Uncle Kracker's vanilla version brings nothing new to the table. The song feels rushed, but yet not enough to endure.

8. The Atari's - Boys of Summer

Original Artist: Don Henley
Why It Worked: The Eagles' lead singer's voice over a mellow bass guitar gives the song a rich feel. A truly solid track but not the kind you rock out to. Sort of the same feel Sting's Fields of Gold has.
What Went Wrong: The Atari's give this song the all too familiar Yellowcard/My Chemical Romance/Amber Pacific/Fall Out Boy/Sugarcult noisy electric sound we've heard before.

7. Disturbed - Shout

Original Artist: Tears For Fears
Why It Worked: Angry at a situation
What Went Wrong: Angry at the world (Warning: PG-13 profanity)

6. Alien Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal

Orginal Artist: Michael Jackson
Why It Worked: The king of pop isn't very smooth when it comes to talking his way out of what goes down at Neverland, but he sure makes a good criminal. I dare you to find a video with superior dancing.
What Went Wrong: This just wasn't a song meant to be played on the guitar. Like a desperately eager salesman, it's just too much too soon. It renders you speechless before you can even protest. Wait for the falsetto chorus.

5. Limp Bizkit - Behind Blue Eyes

Original Artist: The Who
Why It Worked: Pete Townshends lyrics convice us that we really don't know what it's like to be him
What Went Wrong: Fred Durst, on the other hand, isn't as convincing. Will Sasso of MadTV seems to have a pretty good idea of what it's like. Also, the robot repeating "Discover L.I.M.P." at the songs midpoint is just confusing.

4. Madonna - American Pie

Original Artist: Don McLean
Why It Worked: This song has more symbols than a Prince gift shop. Seriously, there are entire websites devoted to interpreting it.
What Went Wrong: This song is the equivalent of Paris Hilton telling Helen Keller "I know what you're going through."

3. Hilary Duff - My Generation

Original Artist: The Who
Why It Worked: Youngsters with a Peter Pan complex asserting they would rather die than grow old.
What Went Wrong: A sellout with a Disney contract is forced to modify the lyrics to read: I hope I don't die before I get old. The watered down Trent Reznor beat doesn't mesh well, either. Even Danny Tanner rocks harder. At least he commits to the stutter.

2. Seether - Careless Whisper

Original Artist: Wham!
Why It Worked: A blaring sax, a breathy, emotional George Michael
What Went Wrong: Although it's refreshing to hear a Nickelback/Staind sounding artist to sing about something besides paternal resentment, go ahead and try to picture one of those guys dancing rhythmically with feet that have a clear conscience.

1. Sheryl Crow - Sweet Child 'O Mine

Original Artist: Guns 'N Roses
Why It Worked: This song may be the reason air guitar was invented. Licks just don't come any tastier. Slash's guitar accompanies Axl's effed up voice in a miraculously beautiful way.
What Went Wrong: It's like your grandma wanting to friend you on facebook. It doesn't violate any written rules, but you just wish she would know better. Like when you were in middle school and your mom tried to employ your teenage vernacular. When something is just so wrong, you are unwilling to speak up because you know any attempts to explain how far the line has been crossed would be in vain.