Celebrate the Heart of Country, Americana, and Roots Music!

Drop Us A Line, Y'all

Y'all interested in advertising, partnering up, contributing stories, joining our team, or just got a question? Well, don't be shy, drop us a line!

Follow Us

Kid Rock Re-Invented The Classic Track “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch,” Adding A Dark Spin To It

kid rock - sugar pie honey bunch
by
  • Arden is a Senior Country Music Journalist for Country Thang Daily, specializing in classic hits and contemporary chart-toppers.
  • Prior to joining Country Thang Daily, Arden wrote for Billboard and People magazine, covering country music legends and emerging artists.
  • Arden holds a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Tennessee, with a minor in Music Studies.

Did it ever cross your mind that Kid Rock would cover Four Tops’ “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)? Well, Rock continues to do what he does best – and that’s crossing musical genres like bridges and pushing the boundaries. 

In 2017, he released his eleventh studio album, Sweet Southern Sugar, which he jokingly described as “creatively confused.” The album was the first record he made in Nashville, which was made possible by his record deal with Broken Bow Records – the home to Jason Aldean, Craig Morgan, Lainey Wilson, and more.

Like most of Kid Rock‘s catalogs, the ten tracks on Sweet Southern Sugar touch on a little bit of everything. There are rock anthems, a bluesy homage to hillbilly living, a soul-baring rap, as well as a gritty 1960s Motown cover – which stands out to us.

Kid Rock’s Version Of The Motown Classic 

Written by Motown’s main production team Holland–Dozier–Holland, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)” was first recorded in 1965 by the Detroit vocal quartet Four Tops for the Motown label. The song about a man pleadingly professing his love to a woman turned out to be one of the decade’s biggest hits – reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 for two non-consecutive weeks.

RELATED: Fast Facts About Kid Rock

While you might think it’s not Kid Rock’s cup of tea, the Detroit native proves that you could never judge a book by its cover. He put a dark spin on the classic track, re-inventing it into a slow drug jam.

“When I did it, I was envisioning it being very dark, like with everything going on with the opioid and heroin problems,” he said, which reminded him of a dark period of his time. 

You can listen to Kid Rock’s “Sugar Pie Honey Bunch” in the video below and get yourself ready to sing along and tap your toes as he made this popular tune completely his own.

Latest Stories

Lukas Nelson Honors His Dad with a Heartfelt "Always On My Mind" Cover

Lukas Nelson Honors His Dad with a Heartfelt “Always On My Mind” Cover

In 2013, Lukas Nelson proved that talent truly runs in the family when he delivered a moving rendition of his father Willie Nelson’s classic hit, “Always On My Mind.” Performed ...

Alan Jackson and George Strait's "Murder on Music Row" Honors True Country

Alan Jackson and George Strait’s “Murder on Music Row” Honors True Country

When George Strait and Alan Jackson came together to perform “Murder on Music Row,” it wasn’t just another duet—it was a moment that sent ripples through country music history. These ...

Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban Unite for "He Stopped Loving Her Today"

Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban Unite for “He Stopped Loving Her Today”

In October 2010, the Country Music Hall of Fame became the setting for a moment of country music magic. Three legendary artists—Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, and Keith Urban—joined forces for ...

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson's "Always on My Mind"

8-Year-Old Annafaith Wows with Cover of Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind”

Willie Nelson’s “Always on My Mind” is one of those rare songs that seems to transcend time, weaving its way into the hearts of listeners for decades. Covering such an ...

Garth Brooks' Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

Garth Brooks’ Daughter Allie Colleen Scores Her First Top-40 Country Hit

In 2021, Allie Colleen, the youngest daughter of country legend Garth Brooks, proved that musical talent runs in the family. With her single “Ain’t the Only Hell (My Momma Raised),” ...

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton's "Does He Love You" Is the Collaboration We've Been Waiting For

Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton’s “Does He Love You” Is the Collaboration We’ve Been Waiting For

When Reba McEntire and Dolly Parton team up, it feels like the stars have aligned over Nashville. These two queens of country music, with careers that have shaped the genre ...

Ben Haggard's "As Haggard as They Come" Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

Ben Haggard’s “As Haggard as They Come” Honors His Father While Defining His Own Path

In 2019, Ben Haggard delivered a performance at the Grand Ole Opry that felt like a love letter to his roots and a bold step toward his future. His song, ...

Mo Pitney's "Borrowed Angel" Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

Mo Pitney’s “Borrowed Angel” Is a Love Letter to Traditional Country

In a time when country-pop dominates the charts, Mo Pitney stands out as a refreshing reminder of what makes traditional country music timeless. In an episode of Country Road TV ...

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful "Coal Miner's Daughter" Performance

Hannah Kay Honors Loretta Lynn in Powerful “Coal Miner’s Daughter” Performance

In a world where country music continually evolves, some voices remind us of its timeless roots. In 2019, then-18-year-old Texas singer Hannah Kay did just that with her moving rendition ...

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top’s Journey from Farm Life in WA to Breakout Country Music Star

Zach Top didn’t just stumble into country music fame; he built his way there from the ground up, starting on a modest farm in Sunnyside, Washington. Far removed from Nashville’s ...