Wagon wheel is the one no appalachian musician can oblige ever again. Its become the new cry of Freebird!

Yesterday, knockin on heavens door. I still love Jeff Buckleys Hallelujah but Rufus Wainwright began its descent into tiresome and any version past that probably shouldnt have been done. I mean Buckley held a 35 second note, dropped the mic and drowned in the Mississippi. Like his body, that song should never be recovered.

I don't believe in songs being too sacred to cover but some of em sure have been done to death and plenty just don't need to be revived because they werent that great to begin with. if its a slow ubiquitous ballad especially theres not much reason to cover em again. Let it be, hey jude, imagine, that sorta anthem that everyone knows should only ever be covered if youre hoping to start a sing along. No one should seriously be listening to a band cover it unless its a virtuoso thats done something insanely original with his arrangement.

These are on my fear of getting stuck in permanent eye-roll list...

Long Train Running
Man in the Box
Enter Sandman
Little Wing
House of the Rising Sun
Mustang Sally
Fortunate Son
Hard to Handle

"Walk This Way." The original was good. Way over-covered.
"Proud Mary"
"Hallelujah" - it seems some artists want to torture that song unnecessarily
"Knockin on Heaven's Door" - GnR did a good cover. Everyone else - stop.
"Ring of Fire" - it's Johnny's. Leave it alone.
"Take it Easy"
"After the Gold Rush" - Dolly, Emmy Lou, and Linda did the best cover, and no one else should try.
"Bridge Over Troubled Waters"
"Sweet Caroline"
"Satisfaction."

Sweet home alabama
Mustang sally
Knockin on heavens door
Keep your hands to yourself
Takin care of business

Black Sabbath's song Paranoid
[google.com]

Immigrant song Led Zeppelin

I'd also add Kidd Rock's ripping off Warren Zevon's Werewolves of London to make All Summer Long.

Sweet Home Alabama
Smoke o The Water
Old Time Rock and Roll
Hotel California
Moon Dance
White Christmas
Get Back
Billy Jean
Roll over Beethoven
Feelings

These are more to add to Sticks 48's list. Some I don't mind playing some I do. I don't play out at all these days.

I don't like most covers. I feel about them much the same way as I do
reboots of movies and tv shows.
Come up with your own original ideas, for fuck's sakes!
Quit copying your neighbor's paper.

In the jazz area, if I'm listening to a jazz station and I hear either "A Night in Tunisia" or "My Favorite Things" I change to another station. They have been beaten to death by everyone.

I was going to say Hallelujah myself. To the point I even made up some Weird Al lyrics "I was in this bar and I met this girl. She asked if I like war of the worlds. Especially that bit that just goes oo ya"
Anyway
Wonderwall - by any busker
Stairway to heaven - in any guitar shop
Rumours - any song off that album by anyone

Hendrix "All Along the Watchtower", never knew Dylan did it originally.

Mad World by Tears for Fears
Hurt by NiN - only because I'm the only person in the world that hates the Johnny Cash version with a passion

Just heard Weird Al covering "Africa" by Toto and can't tell the difference from the original.

Feelin' All Right
Gimme Shelter

Turn the page. Seger

The song "I'm not in love" , from 10CC. has been covered by, and sampled by over 50 artists.
There was an article about that, but I don't remember what it was called.
I'll keep looking, and put the link up if I find it.

But I think the most covered song of all time is "Happy birthday to you".

Most musicians in their 60's and 70's would have these songs on their list.
Cocaine
Mary Jane's Last Dance
Johnny Be Good
Proud Mary
Mustang Sally
Freebird
La Grange
House of the Rising Sun
Honky Tonk Women
Old Time Rock and Roll