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Pet Shop Boys pip Johnny Cash in BBC cover version vote

27 October 2014, 18:41 | Written by Laurence Day

The BBC has crowned Pet Shop Boys' cover of Elvis Presley and Brenda Lee's "Always On My Mind" as the greatest cover of all time beating the likes of Sinead O'Connor, Johnny Cash, Soft Cell and Jimi Hendrix.

The cover went right in at number one upon its release in 1987.

The longlist of 50 was compiled by tastemakers at the corporation including Steve Lamacq and Fearne Cotton. BBC 6 Music's head of music Jeff Smith said:

"The Pet Shop Boys have an enviable catalogue of hits and there have been lots of great versions of this classic song. Whittling down the long list for the vote was tough but it's great to see that this track still resonates with people today."

The BBC's Top Ten cover versions, as voted by the public, are:

  1. Pet Shop Boys - "Always On My Mind"
  2. Johnny Cash - "Hurt"
  3. The Stranglers - "Walk On By"
  4. Jimi Hendrix - "All Along The Watchtower"
  5. Jeff Buckley - "Hallelujah"
  6. Soft Cell - "Tainted Love"
  7. Joe Cocker - "With A Little Help From My Friends"
  8. Sinead O'Connor - "Nothing Compares 2 U"
  9. Muse - "Feeling Good"
  10. Whitney Houston - "I Will Always Love You"

Watch the winner's video below.

Via the BBC

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