Eddie writesTop Five Tina Turner Cover Songs

by Eddie Sayago

The mesmerizing lead of a fascinating documentary now airing on HBO, Tina Turner has been captivating audiences for over six decades, performing and recording numerous songs ranging from country and rock to R&B and EDM.

In 2020, Turner collaborated with DJ/producer Kygo on a remix of “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” and has performed covers from many artists including Elton John, Sam Cooke and Al Green.

Here are five artists who pay tribute to the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll with these eclectic covers.

“Don’t Turn Around” by Ace of Base
From the album The Sign (1993, Mega Records)

Yes, this was originally a Tina Turner song. "Don’t Turn Around” was a B-side for the 1986 single “Typical Male,” written by Albert Hammond and perennial Oscar nominee Diane Warren. Ace of Base’s rendition was the second single from their debut album and peaked at #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Turner’s “Don’t Turn Around” would appear in the 2018 jukebox musical Tina.

“I Don’t Wanna Lose You” by Graham Lyle
From the album Something Beautiful Remains (2003, Hypertension)

Graham Lyle is a longtime collaborator of Tina Turner, writing numerous songs for her, including this love song from 1989’s Foreign Affair. Lyle’s alt-country rendition highlights the story of a woman who no longer wishes to miss out on her next love. “I know I’ve only just met you/Maybe I should know better/But when you look at me that way/There’s something inside that’s so right”

Shemekia Copeland “Steamy Windows”
From the album Wicked (2000, Alligator Records)

The sparks fly in Shemekia Copeland’s cover of “Steamy Windows”, an electric blues rendition from her sophomore album Wicked. “Steamy Windows” is one of six hit singles from Foreign Affair that Turner had in Europe, as her fan base rapidly on the continent grew, resulting in her moving to Switzerland in the early 1990s. “I’m as big as Madonna in Europe, and in some places as big as the Rolling Stones,” Turner said in an interview with Larry King in 1997.

Meshell Ndegeocello “Private Dancer”
From the album Ventriloquism (2018, Naive)

Meshell Ndegeocello strips away the high-energy, badass attitude from Tina’s “Private Dancer” and transforms the dancer into a seductive mystery, preferring to keep their distance while in the company of complete strangers. “You don’t look at their faces, and you don’t ask their names.”

Fun fact: The 30th anniversary of Private Dancer includes four covers: "Let’s Stay Together" (Al Green), "Help!" (The Beatles), "I Can’t Stand The Rain" (Ann Peebles), and "1984" (David Bowie)

Erasure “River Deep - Mountain High (Private Dance Mix)”
From the album The Innocents (1988, Sire/Warner)

Prior to the streaming of music, this 7-minute long rendition of “River Deep - Mountain High” by Erasure would have been tough to find, let alone enjoy in the comfort of your home (or club, if you’re slowly re-entering society). It appeared as a bonus track on later versions of their 1988 breakthrough album The Innocents, and was the b-side to their single “Ship of Fools.” The sight of Andy Bell singing about a rag doll would make a great show-stopper or music video.