Miley Cyrus Cover Songs: Dolly Parton's"Jolene" Isn't the Only One

Former Hannah Montana star has covered everyone from the country queen to Nirvana

By Marc Malkin Dec 27, 2012 8:09 PMTags
E! Placeholder Image

Miley Cyrus has wowed us once again with her powerful voice in the just-released video of her cover of Dolly Parton's 1973 hit "Jolene."

The former Disney star gives her godmother's tune a twist that's both youthful and packed with soul.

But this isn't Cyrus' first time singing other artists' songs. Here, we take a look at some of her more memorable covers.

Melanie Safka's "Look What They've Done to My Song"

As with "Jolene," Cyrus performed this tune during Backyard Sessions, a collection of covers she recorded last summer (before she cut off most of her hair) in her own backyard and posted on her official website. (PS: We would have included her much-praised rendition of James Shelton's "Lilac Wine," but the clip is no longer embeddable.)

Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

Talk about courage. Cyrus surprised many when she dared to cover the unofficial anthem of grunge. Kurt Cobain loyalists may have disapproved, but does that really matter? Miley fans went wild when she performed it during her Gypsy Heart Tour in 2011.

Poison's "Every Rose Has Its Thorn"

It's the tune that should have been...a hit! Cyrus and longtime family friend Bret Michaels were counting on their duet of his band's 1988 ballad to be a huge single, but plans for its big release went south when a celebrity magazine falsely accused Michaels of having an affair with Miley's mom, Tish. Stupid tabloids!

Billy Idol's "Rebel Yell"

Is it any wonder that Cyrus would eventually get around to covering this hard-rock hit from 1983? If anyone knows what it's like to be a rebel right now, it's 20-year-old Miley.

Need proof? Just look at her performance during VH1 Divas. Her platinum hair was cropped and shaved, she showed off her tummy in a barely-there ensemable of black leather and spikes, and she certainly wasn't shy about grabbing and running her hands over her naughty bits.

Dolly Parton's "Jolene"

Parton and Cyrus actually sang the song together during a TV special back in 2010, but here Cyrus is on her own.

Now it's your turn. Does Cyrus do Parton justice? What's your favorite Cyrus cover? Chime in below.