Metallica’s History of Live Cover Songs and Their Most Played Tracks
- Metallica's extensive catalog of live cover songs holds a few surprises for fans tracking their setlist history, most notably that their most frequently played cover is not "Whiskey...
- For many rock and metal acts, covering existing tracks served as a vital gateway to early career success.
- According to Loudwire, countless acts from the 1960s and 1970s built their foundational early careers on the back of other artists' music.
Metallica’s extensive catalog of live cover songs holds a few surprises for fans tracking their setlist history, most notably that their most frequently played cover is not “Whiskey in the Jar.” Since their very first show, Metallica frequently play cover songs, drawing from a wide range of artists and influences to pay homage or offer their own interpretations.
Metallica’s Live Setlist Surprises
The Strategic Roots of Early Career Covers
For many rock and metal acts, covering existing tracks served as a vital gateway to early career success.
According to Loudwire, countless acts from the 1960s and 1970s built their foundational early careers on the back of other artists’ music. Earning radio play through an established hit song gave bands a necessary platform to introduce fans to their own original material.
Fan Tribute and Creative Reinterpretation
Beyond early radio strategy, bands continue to cover songs simply as fans who want to honor their biggest inspirations.
According to Loudwire, artists approach these tracks either with spot-on renditions or by putting their own imaginative interpretations on the material. Setlist.fm data shows that tracking these live rotations reveals unexpected trends across the rock and metal landscape.
Depeche Mode and Diverse Setlist Strategies
Data compiled across 65 big rock and metal bands highlights varied approaches to live covers.
According to Loudwire, multiple bands feature Depeche Mode songs as their most frequently played live covers. The scale of these performances varies wildly depending on the artist and their setlist routines.
From One Thousand Shows to Just Two
Performance counts stretch from the thousands to the bare minimums.
According to Loudwire, Judas Priest’s most played cover has been performed on stage more than 1,000 times. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Mudvayne holds the distinction of playing their top cover the fewest times on the list, having executed it only twice during live shows.