This is the second part of a continuing series. Part One 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 nearly 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’ll be rolling this list out in parts over the next few weeks. In no particular order, this is Part Two of Dangerous Minds’ list of hits you (probably) didn’t realize were cover songs.
 

 
The song: “Cum On Feel The Noize”

You know it from: Quiet Riot

But it was done first by: Slade

Quiet Riot’s massive 1983 hit was a cover of a 1973 number one UK single by Slade. Quiet Riot’s cover took their Metal Health LP to the top of Billboard album chart, making it the first American heavy metal debut album to ever reach number one in the United States. It also helped to belatedly “break” Slade in the U.S. where they had some minor success with their single “Run Runaway.” Quiet Riot’s good fortune with “Cum on Feel the Noize” led to them doing a second Slade cover, “Mama Weer All Crazee Now,” on their follow-up album. The second dip into the Slade song-pool did not prove as successful.
 

 

 

 
The song: “Bette Davis Eyes”

You know it from: Kim Carnes

But it was done first by: Jackie DeShannon

Kim Carnes’ 1981 recording of “Bette Davis Eyes” spent nine weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and was Billboard‍ ’​s biggest hit of that year. It was originally recorded in 1974 on Jackie DeShannon’s album New Arrangement. The original version is drastically different from Carnes’ new-wavey cover. DeShannon’s recording is straight up honky-tonk.
 

 

 

 
The song: “Tainted Love”

You know it from: Soft Cell

But it was done first by: Gloria Jones
 
“Tainted Love” is Soft Cell’s signature 1981 hit, but it was originally recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964. The tune was written by Ed Cobb of The Four Preps who originally offered it to The Standells, who turned it down. Jones’ recording was a commercial flop that later achieved some notoriety in the UK due to play by Northern Soul DJs.

 

 

 
The song: “Goin’ Up the Country”

You know it from: Canned Heat

But it was done first by: Henry Thomas

Canned Heat’s “rural hippie anthem” is not a straight-up cover, but it was “adapted” from a 1920s blues side. Canned Heat rewrote the lyrics but used the melody line from Henry Thomas’ “Bulldoze Blues” which was played on the “quills,” an early rural instrument predecessor to the harmonica.
 

 

 

 
The song: “Mickey”

You know it from: Toni Basil

But it was done first by: Racey

Toni Basil’s 1982 number one hit was penned as “Kitty” by songwriting duo Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn, and first recorded in 1979 by Racey. Basil not only changed the subject of the song from a female to a male, she altered a few lyrics: “Any time you wanna do it, I’ll take it like a man,” became “Any way you wanna do it, I’ll take it like a man,” which many listeners imagined was an allusion to anal-sex. Commenting on the line change, Basil has stated in interview: “When it’s a guy singing about a girl, it’s a sweet line. But when a girl sings it, it must mean butt-fucking!” Basil’s cover also added the famous “you’re so fine you blow my mind” “cheer-leader chant” section. Despite these significant alterations, the core of Basil’s version is remarkably similar to Racey’s original recording.
 

 

 

 
The song: “Cocaine”

You know it from: Eric Clapton

But it was done first by: J.J. Cale

Eric Clapton’s 1977 recording was a top 100 hit in the US and is a classic rock radio staple. It was recorded a year earlier in 1976 by J.J. Cale. Cale’s recording was actually a relatively big hit in Australia, Austria, and Germany, eclipsing Clapton’s version.
 

 

 

 
The song: “Got my Mind Set On You”

You know it from: George Harrison

But it was done first by: James Ray

George Harrison’s number one 1988 hit was written by Rudy Clark and originally recorded by James Ray in 1962. Harrison reportedly purchased a copy of Ray’s album in 1963 when he went to the United States to visit his sister.
 

 

 

 
The song: “I Write the Songs”

You know it from: Barry Manilow

But it was done first by: Captain and Tennille

Barry Manilow’s 1976 signature song “I Write the Songs,” was ironically not written by him at all, but by Bruce Johnston. Manilow’s recording came after Captain and Tennille had the first release of the song on an album in 1975 (on their Love Will Keep Us Together LP) and after David Cassidy had the first release of the song as a single. Songwriter Johnston has stated that the “I” in the song is God.
 

 
And here’s David Cassidy’s version, also pre-dating Manilow:

 

 
The song: “Blinded By the Light”

You know it from: Manfred Mann’s Earth Band

But it was done first by: Bruce Springsteen

Everyone knows “Blinded By the Light” as the “wrapped up like a douche” song by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. Apparently “wrapped up like a douche” is supposed to be “revved up like a deuce”—which is a rewrite of Springsteen’s original “cut loose like a deuce.” To me, that isn’t even the most egregious thing about Manfred Mann’s cover. There’s also the line that sounds a lot like “little early burly gave my anus curly whirly” and the fact that the keyboard solo is fucking chopsticks. Springsteen joked on VH1 Storytellers that the song didn’t become popular until Manfred Mann “rewrote the song to be about a feminine hygiene product.” Springsteen’s 1973 original has more decipherable vocals, but it lacks the Earth Band’s “cocaine space-ship taking off” pre-chorus synth note.

 

 

 
The song: “China Girl”

You know it from: David Bowie

But it was done first by: Iggy Pop

Not exactly a “cover” per se, as it was co-written by Bowie and Pop, but Bowie’s 1983 hit single is certainly much more well-known than Iggy Pop’s 1977 recording from his album The Idiot. It’s been said that Bowie recorded his version of the song to help his friend Iggy in a time of financial need. Bowie’s version is certainly more mainstream-friendly than Pop’s morose original. Personally, I prefer Iggy’s version.
 

 

 

 
The song: “You Better Run”

You know it from: Pat Benatar
 
But it was done first by: The Young Rascals

This one is probably only surprising to a certain generation that grew up with Pat Benatar’s 1980 version, as The Young Rascals 1966 original was a top 20 hit. Benatar’s cover has the distinction of being the second video ever played on MTV. Interestingly, Robert Plant’s recording debut was performing a version of the song with the band Listen in 1966.

 

 

 
The song: “Der Kommissar”

You know it from: After The Fire
 
But it was done first by: Falco

After The Fire’s 1982 recording of “Der Kommissar” was a top five hit in the U.S., but it was a world-wide German-language smash for Falco (later of “Rock Me Amadeus” fame) in 1981. The song was reworked by Laura Branigan and retitled “Deep in the Dark” in 1983.

 

 

 
The song: “God Gave Rock and Roll To You”

You know it from: KISS

But it was done first by: Argent

KISS’ 1991 recording of “God Gave Rock and Roll To You II” was featured in the film Bill & Ted’s Bogus Journey and has become a concert staple and popular fan favorite. It was originally recorded by Argent on their 1973 LP In Deep. The Christian rock band Petra also did a version of it on their 1977 album Come and Join Us.  If you enjoy terrible things, check out Petra’s version here. Argent’s original is unfuckwithable:
 

 

 
Keep your eyes peeled for Part Three of this list, coming soon at Dangerous Minds.

Previously on Dangerous Minds:
They didn’t write that?: Hits you (probably) didn’t realize were cover songs (Part One)