Other Notable Cover Versions
The song has been widely covered since its release, including renditions by Sandie Shaw, on her album Reviewing the Situation (1969); Blood, Sweat & Tears, whose version entitled "Symphony for the Devil" appeared on their third album (1970); Bryan Ferry, on his solo album These Foolish Things (1973); "Weird Al" Yankovic on his Rolling Stones polka medley "The Hot Rocks Polka" (1989); and Jane's Addiction, on their 1987 self-titled live debut album (1987). The Jane's Addiction version was also featured on the soundtrack to the 1988 film Alien Nation. In 1989, the Slovenian band Laibach released an EP of seven different versions of the song, interpreted as everything from a Wagnerian symphony to a light techno number.
Thrashing Doves released a live recording of the song on the B-side of their 1987 single "Jesus on the Payroll".
In 1991, Brazilian actress Cláudia Ohana recorded the song as the main theme for her character Natasha in soap opera Vamp. The song went on to become one of the biggest hits of the year in that country.
In 1996 Natalie Merchant released the song as a bonus track on the commercial CD single of her single "Jealousy". The song was later quietly re-released as a bonus track on Merchant's 1999 re-release of Tigerlily. The song is a fused version of two live recordings, one at the Meadows in Hartford, Connecticut and the Mid Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.
At their 2000 Halloween Concert at UNO arena in New Orleans, Louisiana, Widespread Panic covered "Sympathy for the Devil" as their show opener. While not the first time they played the song, it was the first time since 1989 and 1,497 shows since the last time played. A different version is found on their live album Jackassolantern.
Pearl Jam's concert renditions of "The Water Pouring Song" included an instrumental section of "Sympathy for the Devil". Bon Jovi often covers it during the piano break in their concert performances of "Keep the Faith". A snippet of the song is often sung by Bono along with "Ruby Tuesday" during performances of "Bad" at U2 concerts, for example at Live Aid in London and in the concert film Rattle and Hum. In 2005, Ozzy Osbourne released a cover on his box set Prince of Darkness and the related Under Cover release.
The Swedish metal band Tiamat covered the song on their album Skeleton Skeletron, released in 1999. Indie rock bands Band of Skulls and John & Jehn covered the song for the French TV show Taratata broadcasted in March 2010.
In 2005, Cuban drummer and percussionist Horacio Hernandez ("El Negro") recorded a Latin Jazz version of the song, sung by Latin great Rubén Blades.
Freedom Dub recorded a "Bossa 'n' Stones" version of "Sympathy for the Devil" that enjoyed much success in Italy thanks to airplay on Radio Monte Carlo's Nick the Nightfly program in the late 2000s.
The song was also sampled by My Life with the Thrill Kill Kult in the track "The Devil Does Drugs" on their WaxTrax! EP release Some Have to Dance, Some Have to Kill (Wax 055).
In 1984, Marius Percali, Piero Fidelfatti, Raff Todesco, Sergio Bonzanni and George Aaron recorded italo version and released in Italy with their own songs as Time project (title: Prime Time, label: Fly Music – TPF 005/84).
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