They didn’t write that?: Hits you (probably) didn’t realize were cover songs (Part Five)

09.24.2015
12:10 pm
Topics:
Music
One-hit wonders
Tags:
cover songs

This is the final installment of a five part series. Part One can be found HERE, Part Two can be found HERE, Part Three can be found HERE, and Part Four can be found HERE.

Recently a friend hipped me to a song that I had NO IDEA existed, having thought for decades that the COVER of it by an ‘80s one-hit-wonder band was the original and only version that was ever recorded. This led to a conversation about hit songs that we didn’t at first realize were covers—sometimes not discovering the original versions until many years after the fact. A few friends joined in and at the end of the conversation I had a list of over 50 songs that were “surprise” cover versions.

As a public service to Dangerous Minds readers, I’m sharing this list so that you can wow your friends at parties with your vast musical knowledge. Granted, our readership is a smart and savvy bunch, so undoubtedly you’ll come across songs on this list and say “I already knew about that.” Of course you did, but indulge the rest of us. Hopefully, though, something here will surprise you.

We’ve rolled this list out in parts over the past few weeks. In no particular order, this is Part Five of Dangerous Minds’ list of hits you (probably) didn’t realize were cover songs.

The song: “Do Wah Diddy Diddy”

You know it from: Manfred Mann

But it was done first by: The Exciters

“Do Wah Diddy Diddy” was written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich and originally recorded in 1963, as “Do-Wah-Diddy”, by the the Exciters. Manfred Mann’s version was recorded the following year and went to number one on both the UK and US singles charts. The Exciters’ original has that classic ‘60s girl group sound.

The song: “The First Cut is the Deepest”

You know it from: Rod Stewart (or Sheryl Crow)

But it was done first by: P. P. Arnold

“The First Cut is the Deepest” was written by Cat Stevens, but originally recorded and released by P. P. Arnold in May 1967. Stevens’ own version appeared on his New Masters album in December 1967. Rod Stewart had a huge hit with it in 1977 and Sheryl Crow had a smash with it in 2003.

The song: “When the Levee Breaks’”

You know it from: Led Zeppelin

But it was done first by: Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie

We could probably do an entire post on songs that Led Zeppelin “borrowed” from. In Part Three of this series we talked about “Dazed and Confused.” Here’s another: “When the Levee Breaks” was originally recorded back in 1927 by Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie. Zeppelin at least gave Memphis Minnie partial lyrical credit on this one.

The song: “Putting on the Ritz”

You know it from: Taco

But it was done first by: Harry Richman

“Puttin on the Ritz” was an improbable new wave hit in 1983 for Indonesian-born Dutch singer, Taco. The song dates all the way back to a 1927 Irving Berlin composition. Its first recorded appearance is in the 1930 musical film Puttin’ On the Ritz, as sung by Harry Richman. Perhaps the best version of the song is the duet performed between Dr. Frederick (Von) Frankenstein and his creation in the 1974 Mel Brooks’ film Young Frankenstein.

The song: “Piece of My Heart”

You know it from: Big Brother and the Holding Company (Janis Joplin)

But it was done first by: Erma Franklin

“Piece of My Heart” was recorded in 1968 by Janis Joplin, fronting Big Brother and the Holding Company. It became one of her signature songs. But it was recorded first a year earlier by Aretha Franklin’s older sister Erma.

The song: “Money Changes Everything”

You know it from: Cyndi Lauper

But it was done first by: The Brains

Cyndi Lauper’s 1984 hit was originally written and recorded in 1978 by power-pop group The Brains.

The song: “House of the Rising Sun “

You know it from: The Animals

But it was done first by: Tom Clarence Ashley and Gwen Foster

“House of the Rising Sun” is one of those tunes like “Black Betty” which has roots that go so far back that it’s hard to pinpoint its exact origins. The first recorded version dates back to 1934 on a Vocalion side. The Animals 1964 take on the number went to the top of the charts in the US and UK.

The song: “Always Something There To Remind Me”

You know it from: Naked Eyes

But it was done first by: Lou Johnson

“Always Something There To Remind Me” was a new wave hit for Naked Eyes in 1983 and remains a pop radio staple. The song was originally written in the early ‘60s by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. Dionne Warwick first recorded the song as a demo. In 1964 Lou Johnson had the first charting recording of the tune.

The song: “Good Lovin’”

You know it from: The Young Rascals

But it was done first by: Lemme B. Good

The Young Rascals’ 1967 hit was first recorded in early 1965 by Canton, Ohio, R&B singer Limmie Snell under the name “Lemme B. Good.” It was also recorded later that same year by The Olympics.

The song: “Love Buzz”

You know it from: Nirvana

But it was done first by: Shocking Blue

“Love Buzz” was the A side of Nirvana’s 1988 debut single on the Sub Pop label. That song was a cover of a 1969 single by Dutch psychedelic rock group Shocking Blue. Shocking Blue are seriously one of the best bands of all time, as their entire output is worth exploring.

The song: “Call Me the Breeze”

You know it from: Lynyrd Skynyrd

But it was done first by: JJ Cale

Lynyrd Skynyrd’s 1974 recording of “Call Me the Breeze” on their Second Helping album remains a classic rock radio staple to this day. It was orginally recorded by JJ Cale on his 1972 debut album, Naturally, consisting of a 12-bar blues guitar shuffle over the beat of an early drum machine.