KISS – “Shout It Out Loud”
[youtube]https://youtu.be/LIhT7PqPrZ4[/youtube]
On the surface it might seem that KISS and Motorhead exist on opposite ends of the musical spectrum, but at their core, both bands are all about having a good time and doing whatever the hell you want. Nothing speaks to this better than Lemmy shouting out lyrics, to “Shout It Out Loud.”
Judas Priest – “Breaking The Law”
[youtube]https://youtu.be/Zeh7d53EX_Q[/youtube]
We all know the story of Lemmy starting Motorhead after getting ousted from Hawkwind. One might even say young Lemmy was completely wasting…out of work and down? Sorry but that was too good of a meta Priest reference to pass up.
Iron Maiden – “The Trooper”
[youtube]https://youtu.be/i4loLMyYc1c[/youtube]
Lemmy’s iconic distorted bass, paying homage to that other legendary galloping British four stringer, Steve Harris, is a thing of beauty. Motorhead + Maiden = match made in heaven. Lemmy was also big history/war paraphernalia collector, so doing his own take on Bruce Dickinson's ode to the Charge of the Light Brigade must have been extra rad for him.
Black Flag – “Thirsty and Miserable”
[youtube]https://youtu.be/mvR3BJVneSQ[/youtube]
How great is it hearing Lemmy, drink God under the table, Kilmeister; sing some good ol’ Henry “no fan of drugs or alcohol” Rollins? Black Flag were dirty and wild just like Motorhead, so having Lemmy sit in with Rollins Band for this West Memphis Three fundraiser album was not only genius musically, but helped a good cause as well.
Metallica – “Whiplash”
[youtube]https://youtu.be/X3FW5e3xYRs[/youtube]
We’ve already ranted and raved about Metallica’s undying love for and amazing tribute to Lemmy in a previous Metal Injection rundown [Metallica’s funniest moments: check it HERE], so now it’s time for Lemmy to return the favor. This is one of those cool circle of life moments, where the student becomes the master, where metal’s history and ongoing continuity comes into play and should remind us all that as long as kids like distortion in their bass/guitars, Lemmy ain’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Ben E. King – “Stand By Me”
[youtube]https://youtu.be/YZrntE3vNe8[/youtube]
We're going to end it here with this, because it's gruff and heartfelt and kind of ridiculous but rules anyway, just like Lemmy. R.I.P. sir!
Do you want to see MORE Lemmy covers? Should we have included Lemmy's team up w/ Wendy O. Williams, the infamous "Stand By Your Man" that kind of, sort of tore Motorhead apart? What about Lemmy doing Christmas songs w/ Dave Grohl? Do we all agree that Lemmy just makes everything infinitely cooler? Let us know!