Top 10 Todd Rundgren Cover Songs

Photo: Jean-Luc Ourlin, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Our Top 10 Todd Rundgren covers songs list looks at some of the best cover versions Todd Rundgren has released of other artists’ songs. Todd Rundgren is one of our favorite artists here at ClassicRockHistory.com. How could he not be? He is one of the most critical voices in classic rock history from the angles of a songwriter, musician, and record producer. He’s been involved in many of the greatest rock albums of all time, from Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell to Grand Funk’s We’re an American Band to his work with his band Utopia and all his magnificent solo albums. If we were to list the top 10 geniuses of rock ‘n’ roll history, Todd Rundgren would undoubtedly be in there.

We have published many articles on Todd Rundgren’s work on ClassicRockHistory.com. Our most recent article on Todd Rundgren looked at Todd Rundgren songs that other artists covered. This article will turn the tables on our last article and look at other artists’ songs covered by Todd Rundgren. Did you get all that? Well, the list below will clear it all up. We hope you enjoy checking out these great Todd Rundgren cover songs. It was great fun putting this one together, as there were so many great Todd Rundgren cover songs to choose from.

This list will also include cover songs Todd Rundgren recorded with his bands Nazz and Utopia.

# 10 – Rain – The Beatles

We open our top 10 Todd Rundgren Cover Songs list with a classic cover of The Beatles song “Rain.” Everyone has to cover a Beatles song at least once in their career. The Beatles are the most covered band in the story of classic rock. Todd Rundgren recorded a nice, straightforward, organic-sounding cover version of “Rain” on his album Faithful. Todd Rundgren’s Faithful album was released in 1976. The entire opening side was dedicated to what Todd Rundgren called Faithful renditions of legendary classic rock songs from The Beatles, The Beach Boys, The Yardbirds, Jimi Hendrix, and Bob Dylan. Side two of the album was dedicated to Todd Rundgren originals.

# 9 -What’s Going On / Mercy Mercy Me / I Want You

Continuing with our top 10 Todd Rundgren Cover Songs list, we take a listen to the great Marvin Gaye medley called What’s Going On / Mercy Mercy Me / I Want You. The man has so much soul in his heart and voice. Just listen to Todd sing these legendary songs. It cuts right through you. If you want proof of what a genuine musical artist Todd Rundgren is, listen to this baby. This medley has been released multiple times on various Todd Rundgren live albums. The video below is from Live at Riviera Theater, Chicago, 1991.

# 8 – Kicks

In the number eight spot on our top 10 Todd Rundgren Cover Songs list, we present the song “Kicks.” This excellent cover version was done when Todd Rundgren was with his fantastic band called Nazz. The song “Kicks” was a cover of the classic Paul Revere & The Raiders song. Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil wrote the song) The Nazz cover song was released on the band’s third album, Nazz III. Todd left the group just before the album was released. We love how they sing “Sock It to Me” at the song’s end. Goldie Hawn would be proud.

# 7 – Hello, I Love You

In the seventh position on our top 10 Todd Rundgren Cover Songs list is the song “Hello, I Love You.” This one is pretty rare. The song was released on an album by ex-Utopia member Jean Yves “M. Frog” Labat. This is a stunning, raw, and intense version. It’s a shame this one has gotten lost over the years. The Doors initially recorded and released The song in 1968 on the Waiting for the Sun album.

# 6 -Tin Soldier

Landing in the number six spot on our top 10 Todd Rundgren Cover Songs list we present the song Tin Soldier. The song was released on the great Todd Rundgren album entitled The Ever Popular Tortured Artist Effect. It was a highly successful album for Todd as it spawned one of the biggest hits of his career with “Bang The Drum All Day.” Nonetheless, the song here is a great rocking cover version of the Small Faces song “Tin Soldier.” Ronnie Lane and Steve Marriott wrote the song. It was initially released in 1967. Todd’s version was issued in 1982.

# 5 – Prime Time

The song “Prime Time” is at the halfway point on our top 10 Todd Rundgren Cover Songs list. One of classic Rock’s most underrated bands was the Tubes. Todd Rundgren produced the band and did an electronic cover version of one of the group’s most popular songs, “Prime Time.” The cover version was issued on the album entitled (re)Production. The album was released in 2011. The entire album was filled with cover versions of songs that Todd Rundgren had produced with various artists. All the cover versions are done electronically.

# 4 – For The Love Of Money

At number four on our top 10 Todd Rundgren Cover Songs list, we present the song “For The Love Of Money.” The song was recorded by Todd Rundgren’s superb band Utopia. The cover version done by Utopia was released on the Utopia album entitled Swing To The Right. “For The Love Of Money” was composed by Kenneth Gamble, Leon Huff, and Anthony Jackson. The O’Jays initially did the classic version of the song.

# 3 – Anyway Anyhow Anywhere

Rocking along on our top 10 Todd Rundgren Cover Songs list, we present the song ” Anyway Anyhow Anywhere. Todd Rundgren does a scorching version of this legendary rocker by The Who. Todd Rundgren sings this one with a ferocious intensity that pays great tribute to the music of The Who which was the main reason behind the recording as it was released on a Who tribute album.

# 2 – Good Vibrations

Just off the top spot on our top 10 Todd Rundgren Cover Songs list, we return one more time to the classic Faithful album. It was tough to choose which song from this memorable record to include on our list since the entire A side is just so good. We always loved what Todd Rundgren did with the vocals on his cover of The Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations.” It was pretty daring to cover what is considered The Beach Boys’ greatest recording. Todd Rundgren and his out-of-this-world voice pulled it off in stunning fashion.

# 1 – I’m so Proud / Ooh Baby Baby / La La Means I Love You / I Saw the Light

We wrap up our top 10 Todd Rundgren Cover Songs list with a fantastic medley of songs that further presents Todd Rundgren’s gift for singing R&B music. At the heart of all great rock and roll is soul and blues, and Todd Rundgren understands that as well as anyone. This amazing medley was released on one of our favorite Todd Rundgren albums, Back To The Bars, a two-record set released in 1978.