Covers of the song include versions by Michael Morales in 1989, by Lillix in 2003 on the Freaky Friday soundtrack as well as in The WB comedy series What I Like About You,[citation needed] and by 5 Seconds of Summer for their 2014 self-titled debut album.

However, in terms of record sales and radio airplay, the song was only a moderate success at the time of its release, reaching number 49 on the Billboard Hot 100.

[6] It was only towards the end of the 1980s, after the song had been licensed for use in television commercials for Budweiser beer,[citation needed] that "What I Like About You" grew to become one of the most popular rock anthems of all time.

The song was covered by Australian pop rock band 5 Seconds of Summer for their 2014 She Looks So Perfect EP, reaching number 137 on the UK Singles Chart.

The studio mix of the song is included on the group's 2014 live album LiveSOS, and was serviced to American mainstream radio on December 2, 2014, as its lead single.

[22] It uses the live audio rather than the studio mix and features concert footage from the group's performance at The Forum near Los Angeles, as well behind-the-scenes clips and shots of the audience.