Untouchables: Songs That Shouldn't Be Remade

Classic tunes that can't be touched.

Can't Touch This - Remakes and remixes are par for the course in music, but there are beloved, classic songs that should never, ever be remade. We've deemed those songs "untouchables" because the unforgettable artists who've recorded them performed the tracks best.In continued celebration of Black Music Month, read on for a look at BET.com's list of songs, including some by the King of Pop and The Queen of Soul, which should only exist in their classic versions.  (Photos from left: Epic Records,Warner Bros, RCA Records)

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Can't Touch This - Remakes and remixes are par for the course in music, but there are beloved, classic songs that should never, ever be remade. We've deemed those songs "untouchables" because the unforgettable artists who've recorded them performed the tracks best.In continued celebration of Black Music Month, read on for a look at BET.com's list of songs, including some by the King of Pop and The Queen of Soul, which should only exist in their classic versions. (Photos from left: Epic Records,Warner Bros, RCA Records)

"Between the Sheets," The Isley Brothers - The Isley Brothers kept their hit parade flowing into the '80s by beccoming official sultans of the slow jam. Despite being sampled by rap artists from Notorious B.I.G. to Drake, nobody can give a better performance than Ronald Isley's angelic falsetto and the brothers' feel-good rhythmic groove heard on this 1983 original.(Photo: Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty Images)

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"Between the Sheets," The Isley Brothers - The Isley Brothers kept their hit parade flowing into the '80s by beccoming official sultans of the slow jam. Despite being sampled by rap artists from Notorious B.I.G. to Drake, nobody can give a better performance than Ronald Isley's angelic falsetto and the brothers' feel-good rhythmic groove heard on this 1983 original.(Photo: Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Getty Images)

"Human Nature," Michael Jackson - Written by Toto's Jeff Bettis and Steve Porcaro and produced by mastermind Quincy Jones, "Human Nature" injected a softer and gentler sound into Michael Jackson's Thriller album and left an indelible imprint in our musical psyches. Artists like Stevie Wonder, SWV and Chris Brown loved MJ's original track so much, they went on to sample it in their own songs.  (Photo: KMazur/WireImage)

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"Human Nature," Michael Jackson - Written by Toto's Jeff Bettis and Steve Porcaro and produced by mastermind Quincy Jones, "Human Nature" injected a softer and gentler sound into Michael Jackson's Thriller album and left an indelible imprint in our musical psyches. Artists like Stevie Wonder, SWV and Chris Brown loved MJ's original track so much, they went on to sample it in their own songs. (Photo: KMazur/WireImage)

"Beautiful," Christina Aguilera - Christina Aguilera crossed over into the timeless ballad category when she recorded "Beautiful." As heard in Aguilera's heartbreaking perfromance, she poured her very essence into the track, which celebrates inner beauty and self-esteem over insecurity. Artists from Chaka Khan to Kelly Clarkson have covered it live, but Xtina's rendition represents the most stripped-down interpretation of the song ever recorded.  (Photo: RCA Records)

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"Beautiful," Christina Aguilera - Christina Aguilera crossed over into the timeless ballad category when she recorded "Beautiful." As heard in Aguilera's heartbreaking perfromance, she poured her very essence into the track, which celebrates inner beauty and self-esteem over insecurity. Artists from Chaka Khan to Kelly Clarkson have covered it live, but Xtina's rendition represents the most stripped-down interpretation of the song ever recorded. (Photo: RCA Records)

"Thriller," Michael Jackson - A horror epic film captured on wax, the title song from the biggest-selling album of all time remains the most cinematic track of Michael Jackson's entire musical catalogue. The infectious disco-funk dance track mixed with the King of Pop's early '80s melodic vocals and, of course, Vincent Price's haunt-rap makes this song, excuse the pun, an outstanding thriller.  (Photo: Epic Records)

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"Thriller," Michael Jackson - A horror epic film captured on wax, the title song from the biggest-selling album of all time remains the most cinematic track of Michael Jackson's entire musical catalogue. The infectious disco-funk dance track mixed with the King of Pop's early '80s melodic vocals and, of course, Vincent Price's haunt-rap makes this song, excuse the pun, an outstanding thriller. (Photo: Epic Records)

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"I Just Called to Say I Love You," Stevie Wonder - Stevie Wonder streamlined and simplfied his complex '70s sound to fit into the commerical grooves of the Big '80s. This infectious 1984 track was a Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning song and went on to spend time in the No. 1 slot on both the Billboard R&B and Pop charts. Stevie is the only voice music purists really want to hear serenading on this song.  (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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"I Just Called to Say I Love You," Stevie Wonder - Stevie Wonder streamlined and simplfied his complex '70s sound to fit into the commerical grooves of the Big '80s. This infectious 1984 track was a Golden Globe and Academy Award-winning song and went on to spend time in the No. 1 slot on both the Billboard R&B and Pop charts. Stevie is the only voice music purists really want to hear serenading on this song. (Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

"End of the Road," Boyz II Men - This popular radio favorite was crafted by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and L.A. Reid for Boyz II Men,who turned this track into the soul ballad of the '90s. Featured on the soundtrack for the Eddie Murphy film Boomerang, the single ranks as Motown's most successful single and spent 13 weeks in Billboard's top slot. Buoyed by the Boyz's fabulous four-part harmony, this track goes down in music history as one of the most beloved.  (Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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"End of the Road," Boyz II Men - This popular radio favorite was crafted by Kenneth "Babyface" Edmonds and L.A. Reid for Boyz II Men,who turned this track into the soul ballad of the '90s. Featured on the soundtrack for the Eddie Murphy film Boomerang, the single ranks as Motown's most successful single and spent 13 weeks in Billboard's top slot. Buoyed by the Boyz's fabulous four-part harmony, this track goes down in music history as one of the most beloved. (Photo: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

"Let's Get It On," Marvin Gaye - A trailblazer in R&B's many movements, Marvin Gaye is also the originator of bedroom soul. This sexy single could be dubbed your momma's music, but the original track as recorded by Gaye –– filled with passionate, woe-filled vocals and sultry instrumentation –– eternally sizzles. Imitators needn't apply, Gaye's 1973 ode to sexual liberation is still the crystal clear standard today.  (Photo: Jim Britt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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"Let's Get It On," Marvin Gaye - A trailblazer in R&B's many movements, Marvin Gaye is also the originator of bedroom soul. This sexy single could be dubbed your momma's music, but the original track as recorded by Gaye –– filled with passionate, woe-filled vocals and sultry instrumentation –– eternally sizzles. Imitators needn't apply, Gaye's 1973 ode to sexual liberation is still the crystal clear standard today. (Photo: Jim Britt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

Photo By Jim Britt/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images

All Sade Songs - Can you imagine somebody trying to warble Sade classics "Your Love Is King," "Smooth Operator" or "Sweetest Taboo?" Neither can we. That's why all of the British Nigerian songtress's catalogue is "untouchable." Sade's music is a unique experience for listeners, a combo of earthy, silky and smoky vocals mixed with internationally-influenced jazz instrumentation that takes music lovers to a higher plane.(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

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All Sade Songs - Can you imagine somebody trying to warble Sade classics "Your Love Is King," "Smooth Operator" or "Sweetest Taboo?" Neither can we. That's why all of the British Nigerian songtress's catalogue is "untouchable." Sade's music is a unique experience for listeners, a combo of earthy, silky and smoky vocals mixed with internationally-influenced jazz instrumentation that takes music lovers to a higher plane.(Photo: Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

"(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman," Aretha Franklin - Aretha Franklin's songs created movements that defined a generation and championed feminist causes. If "Respect" was the battle cry for women to be seen and heard, the gutsy and soulful ballad "Natural Woman" was its flipside. A heartfelt ode about how a man's love can bolster a woman's power and heart, it's underlying message vividly and only embodies the Queen of Soul.(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

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"(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman," Aretha Franklin - Aretha Franklin's songs created movements that defined a generation and championed feminist causes. If "Respect" was the battle cry for women to be seen and heard, the gutsy and soulful ballad "Natural Woman" was its flipside. A heartfelt ode about how a man's love can bolster a woman's power and heart, it's underlying message vividly and only embodies the Queen of Soul.(Photo: Kris Connor/BET/Getty Images for BET)

"The Greatest Love of All," Whitney Houston - Although originally sung by George Benson, once Whitney Houston recorded this track, she owned the song hook, line and legacy, as she did with Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You." Anchored by the late legend's soaring vocals, Houston transformed a quiet and gentle ditty into an inspiring power ballad. Whitney's rendition is the standard by which all aspiring singers test their skills, because, as heard here, no one does it better.(Photo: RCA Records)

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"The Greatest Love of All," Whitney Houston - Although originally sung by George Benson, once Whitney Houston recorded this track, she owned the song hook, line and legacy, as she did with Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You." Anchored by the late legend's soaring vocals, Houston transformed a quiet and gentle ditty into an inspiring power ballad. Whitney's rendition is the standard by which all aspiring singers test their skills, because, as heard here, no one does it better.(Photo: RCA Records)