20 Best Acoustic Versions of Rock Songs

Times of discover News: Nirvana's full concert from 1993 on MTV Unplugged is pretty special, including a cover of David Bowie's The Man Who Sold The World and a devastating take on Nevermind closer Something In The Way. Just five months before his death they gave the world one last, memorable impression of Kurt Cobain. However, the performance of All Apologies struck a special chord with people, bringing out the song's delicate intricacies.

Nirvana - All Apologies (MTV Disconnected)

In September 2013, the Sheffield quartet released their game-changing fifth AM record, which found commercial and critical success and a hit single on radio. So when they introduced us to this acoustic version of the opening track at a weekend show at Finsbury Park in May 2014, we knew we had something special.

Arctic Monkeys - I Wanna Know (Radio X Sessions)

In 2006, Foo Fighters released Skin and Bones, an acoustic live album recorded in LA. For a band that specializes in stadium-filling rock songs, this collection of back-to-basics tracks is a truly great listen. The acoustic album is a statement of intent from Dave Grohl, showing how far he's come since the Nirvana days.

Foo Fighters - Better Than You (from Skin and Bones, Live in Hollywood, 2006)

When Damon Albarn went solo at the end of 2013, it felt like the halcyon days of Britpop were left far behind him. However, on his tour the Blur frontman played tracks from across his entire record label. His solo piano performance on Out of Time in Paris perfectly combines his classic Blur sound with the bold and thoughtful style of his solo album. Just look at his smiling face!

Damon Albarn - Out Of Time - Alhambra Paris

Bold, daring and inspiring. The Verve frontman performed the 1997 classic in a performance for Radio X in 2018. An anthem to the healing power of music, it sounds as relevant today as it ever did.

Richard Ashcroft performs Bitter Sweet Symphony live for Radio

Radiohead's No Surprises is one of the band's most tender moments. However, at their acoustic concert in Paris in 2003, the song was made even more popular. At the event, Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood played some iconic Radiohead tracks (including Everything In Its Right Place, There There, Karma Police and more), but their version of No Surprises captured the audience's attention so deeply that you could hear the sound of a pin dropping.

Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood (Radiohead) - No Surprises | Live at Music Planet 2 night, 2003

Taken from the Oasis There and Then DVD, this acoustic version of Morning Glory was recorded live at Earls Court in 1995. It showcases not only a band at the most exciting point in their career, but also Noel's future potential as a frontman. Armed only with his guitar, Gallagher Sr. held the crowd in his hands, the roar of the audience nearly drowning him out.

Oasis - Morning Glory (Noel, acoustic at Earls Court)

Weller was never sure about the song during his time with The Jam - he removed the title from the cover of the band's 1978 All Mod Cons album because he felt the lyrics were meaningless without the music. Nowadays. However, the Modfather is proud of this delicate song.

Paul Weller-Rose (acoustic).

Middleton, at his best, stands out on the radio with pure class - and a poignant new level for indie favourites.

Liam Frey - Not Nineteen Forever

Florence Welch showcases her beautiful voice by playing romantic ballad The Machine for KEXP Nice.

Florence and the Machine - Cosmic Love (Live on KEXP)

The boys from Stockport got their act together in the Radio X studios earlier this year to play some of their best pop songs. The steel guitar is beautiful.

Flowers Your Girlfriend Radio X Session

Let's show some love to classic noughties indie bangers - it was a great performance from the Brighton band in the Radio X studios.

The Kooks - Naive (Radio X Live Session).

It's an unusual location for an acoustic session - a pod in the London Eye, overlooking the capital as a special scene for Chris Moyles' birthday show.