With the force of the pop punk, post-hardcore, and metalcore movements of the early 2000s, a wave of bands emerged that shaped a generation. We can attribute to this era the birth of bands like Bring Me The Horizon, Paramore , and Pierce The Veil , while older bands like Green Day and Blink-182 gained more media attention and won over new audiences.
It was in this context that the Punk Goes Pop , bringing together compilations of pop music hits reimagined by artists from various rock genres. The first volume was released in 2002 and continued until 2017, totaling seven editions. In today's list, Wikimetal has selected 11 of the biggest highlights of this movement that has captivated generations through their music. All versions can be found on Spotify.
11. Smooth – Escape The Fate
The catchy groove of the Latin band Santana takes on a hard rock feel in the sound of Escape The Fate, but without losing its danceable essence and Mexican identity. The classic is featured on Vol. 2 of Punk Goes Pop , released in 2009.
10. Careless Whisper – Seether
Seether's version of George Michael has no connection to Punk Goes Pop Shaun Morgan 's raspy vocals beautifully carrying the lyrics and shining brightly in the bridge.
09. Hot 'N Cold – Woe, Is Me
Katy Perry 's biggest hits has been given a screamo makeover by the metalcore band Woe, Is Me. With humor and plenty of imagination, the reinterpretation also incorporates electronic sounds and some additional elements that transform the hit into something completely new.
08. Right Now (Na Na Na) – Asking Alexandria
Akon 's hit song from the early 2000s gained unrecognizable sections in the sound of Asking Alexandria , blending the sound of unmistakable synthesizers with metalcore.
07. Just The Way You Are – Pierce The Veil
The single that launched Bruno Mars to fame maintained its integrity in Pierce The Veil , becoming a pop-punk anthem ready to get crowds jumping at a live show.
06. When I Grow Up – Mayday Parade
Mayday Parade delivered a fantastic cover of one of the Pussycat Dolls . They also chose to maintain the integrity of the original version, adding only a break for the guitar and drums after the bridge.
05. Payphone – Crown The Empire
Recalling one of the biggest hits of 2012, Crown The Empire paid homage to Maroon 5 with a hardcore version that further enriched the original song.
04. Call Me Maybe – Upon This Dawning
Carly Rae Jempsen 's debut single , which also went viral globally in 2012, is unrecognizable in this guttural version by Upon This Dawning. With plenty of screamo and metalcore, the band had fun giving the song their own signature sound.
03. F**k You – Sleeping With Sirens
Anyone who never sang “fuck you” or “forget you” at the top of their lungs with Cee Lo Green in 2010 has a new chance to enjoy the revenge hit through the instruments of Sleeping With Sirens. Maintaining the pop essence, the band took the hit to the emo level and nailed it.
02. Blank Space – I Prevail
If we're talking about pop hits, of course Taylor Swift . The guys at I Prevail did a great job transforming the 2014 pop single into a gift for audiences who also enjoy hardcore.
01. …Baby One More Time – August Burns Red
August Burns Red 's screamo version of the hit that introduced Britney Spears to the world. Bringing their own brand to the song, the band created a memorable reinterpretation of the track that has transcended generations to this day.
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