The Top 10: unlikeliest cover versions

A selection of the best cross-genre music

Captain Kirk wants to live like the common people (Getty)

This list was suggested by Chris Deerin, commenting on the first one. Richard T Kelly said it was a fine idea: “Must be done sincerely, mind – no snide pisstakes of pop hits by less popular artists.” I hope we have avoided that trap.

1. Robert Palmer: “New Day Rising”, by Hüsker Dü. Palmer’s version, live at San Diego State University Amphitheatre, 1987, is actually good, unlike the original.

2. William Shatner: “Common People”, by Pulp. “It is difficult to be surprised by William Shatner doing covers in his unique style, as he is quite well known for this part of his oeuvre, but I do believe his rendition of ‘Common People’ has something,” said Alan Robertson. Also nominated by Peter Carbery and Rob Bancroft. Shatner’s “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds” is also much admired but breaks the “No Beatles” rule.

3. Richard Ace: “Stayin’ Alive”, by the Bee Gees. A reggae version from 1978, and “much, much, much better”, said Funkadelic Horse.

4. Jimi Hendrix: “God Save the Queen”, Live at the Isle of Wight, 1970. Thanks to David Lister, who was probably there.

5. Slade: “Nights in White Satin”, by the Moody Blues. “A cracker,” said Alwyn W Turner.

6. Deep Purple: “River Deep – Mountain High”, by Ike and Tina Turner (written by Phil Spector). Nominated by Haydn Webley.

7. The Fall: “Lost in Music”, by Sister Sledge. Thanks to Toby Barrett.

8. Senor Coconut: “Autobahn”, by Kraftwerk. “Adapted into a Latin American dance track: it’s fantastic!” said Paul T Horgan.

9. The Jesus and Mary Chain: “Surfin’ USA”, by the Beach Boys. Nominated by Mary Elwin.

10. Duran Duran: “911 Is a Joke”, by Public Enemy. “A song about the lack of response to emergency calls in black neighbourhoods in the US,” said Amanda Holt.

Honourable mentions for Robertson Barley, who nominated Paul Young’s version of “Love Will Tear Us Apart”, by Joy Division: “I’m not sure the tempo quite matched the sentiment of the lyric,” he said.

And for Paul Park, who nominated “My Way” by Sid Vicious, which is horrible, and “Stand by Your Man” by Wendy O Williams of the Plasmatics and Lemmy Kilmister of Motorhead, which is slightly less bad.

And for Funkadelic Horse, who suggested Fadoul’s Arabic version of James Brown’s “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag”. Not the sort of thing I’m used to, but it’s just a good cover in another language.

Next week: worst deals in history, after Nigel Farage described the Brexit deal thus.

Coming soon: songs with brackets in their titles, such as “(Get A) Grip (On Yourself)”, The Stranglers

Your suggestions please, and ideas for future Top 10s, to me on Twitter, or by email to top10@independent.co.uk