From The Beatles to Nirvana: Billie Eilish’s 10 Iconic Cover Performances

When it comes to modern pop culture, few artists have managed to captivate audiences across generations quite like Billie Eilish. Since her explosive rise with Bad Guy in 2019, Eilish has proven to be far more than a fleeting star. Beyond her own Grammy-winning catalog, one of the most fascinating aspects of her artistry lies in her reinterpretations of iconic songs by legends ranging from The Beatles and Nirvana to Alicia Keys and Michael Jackson.

Covers can be risky: go too far and you alienate fans of the original; play it too safe and you add nothing new. Billie Eilish strikes the perfect balance—she pays homage to the originals while weaving in her signature breathy vocals, dark tones, and stripped-back arrangements with her brother and producer, Finneas. The result? Performances that stand on their own and remind the world why she is one of the most influential artists of her generation.

Billie Eilish’s 10 Greatest Covers of All Time

1. “Yesterday” – The Beatles

Performed at the 2020 Oscars’ In Memoriam segment, Billie Eilish delivered a hauntingly fragile version of Paul McCartney’s timeless ballad. With Finneas on piano, her rendition honored late industry icons including Kobe Bryant and Doris Day. Critics praised her ability to make one of the world’s most recognizable songs feel fresh and deeply personal.

2. “Something” – The Beatles

Eilish has always expressed admiration for The Beatles, and George Harrison’s Something is one of her most heartfelt tributes. Performed during an Apple Music session, she called it “the greatest love song ever written”. Her delicate phrasing transforms the track into a bittersweet confession, reaffirming her emotional depth.

3. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” – Nirvana

Though never officially recorded, fan-shot videos of Billie performing Nirvana’s anthem with just her ukulele have become legendary. Her minimalistic delivery contrasts Kurt Cobain’s raw grunge power, but the vulnerability she brings makes it uniquely compelling. Even Dave Grohl compared her cultural impact to Nirvana in the early 1990s, calling her “proof that rock isn’t dead.”

4. “Can’t Help Falling in Love” – Elvis Presley

During a casual livestream, Eilish stripped down one of Elvis’s most famous ballads with just a ukulele and an iPhone camera. The intimacy of the performance resonated with fans worldwide, proving that her artistry thrives even outside massive stages.

5. “Fever” – Little Willie John (via Peggy Lee)

At the Hollywood Bowl’s Peggy Lee tribute, Eilish channeled old-school jazz glamour. Accompanied by the Count Basie Orchestra, her sultry version of Fever showcased a maturity beyond her years and earned widespread acclaim.

6. “Sunny” – Bobby Hebb

Performed during a Global Citizen livestream alongside Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones, Eilish’s warm cover of Sunny provided comfort during the pandemic. She called it “a song that makes me feel good”—and her rendition spread optimism when the world needed it most.

7. “Bad” – Michael Jackson

On Triple J’s Like A Version, Billie tackled Michael Jackson’s Bad. Stripped into an acoustic arrangement, the performance leaned into her own style rather than Jackson’s high-energy bravado. Fans loved how it almost felt like a spiritual cousin to her own hit, Bad Guy.

8. “You Don’t Get Me High Anymore” – Phantogram

Eilish isn’t only about honoring classics—she also covers modern alternative gems. On BBC Radio 1’s Live Lounge, she took on Phantogram’s hit, layering her signature whispery tone over Finneas’ guitar. It highlighted her versatility and love for experimental music.

9. “Fallin’” – Alicia Keys

In a memorable Late Late Show moment with Alicia Keys herself, Billie revealed a childhood home video of her singing Fallin’ at just 12 years old. Side by side, the two artists later performed it together, bridging generations of powerful female voices.

10. “Call Me Back” – The Strokes

Though born after The Strokes’ peak, Billie has cited Julian Casablancas as a genius. Her live version of Call Me Back transformed the laid-back indie tune into a ghostly ballad, emphasizing her ability to pull hidden emotions out of any song.

Why Billie Eilish’s Covers Stand Out

What makes Billie’s covers so special is not just her vocal ability but her interpretive storytelling. She doesn’t imitate—she reimagines. Whether she’s performing in front of millions at the Oscars or casually livestreaming from her bedroom, she always brings authenticity.

These performances also highlight her place in the lineage of great artists: she connects Elvis to Nirvana, The Beatles to Phantogram, showing that music is timeless and constantly reborn through new voices.