Their record containing the song sold half a million copies in the U.S. It sold 2.5 million copies in the U.S. Jean is making music with her partner Mark Ballas as the duo Alexander Jean. Before Elvis Presley got his paws on “Hound Dog,” Big Mama Thornton was cleverly calling out “motherfuckers” back in 1952. There are many great cover songs, but only a few stand out as landmarks, earning themselves a … The delivery changed, as well – Jones sounded like she was singing a song, Marc Almond sounded like he was feeling the song. 27 classic songs you didn’t know were covers. 10/17/2020 0 Comments Here's a list of songs you probably didn't know were covers: THE BEST Made famous by Tina Turner (1989) Originally recorded by Bonnie Tyler (1988) IF YOU DON'T KNOW ME BY NOW Made famous by Simply Red (1989) However, Lyndell didn’t perform the song until 2003 due to threats from the Ku Klux Klan at the time of its release. Interestingly enough, Wonder’s rework still emerged months before Beck’s due to album delays on the latter’s side. Dobie Gray popularized this Mentor Williams original in 1973, three years after Williams wrote it and a year after John Henry Kurtz first recorded it. Most people attribute this old-school pop jam to the late Amy Winehouse, but British band The Zutons first wrote it as part of their 2006 album “Hanging Around.” Their cover rides on a beat from the song “A Town Called Malice” by the band The Jam, with Winehouse's sultry alto transforming the essence of the song. We’ve listed 25 acclaimed songs that you probably didn’t know were covers, along with their original creators. Mark Hollis and Tim Friese-Greene originally wrote the song in 1984 as part of Talk Talk, whom No Doubt credited when they released their version. Lou Bega’s career can be summed up by “Mambo No. The Fab Four's 1963 remake was a smash hit, peaking at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100, and selling 1 million copies in the U.S. and 200,000 singles in the U.K. Jan 17, 2019 #57 ... Is a cover of an Iggy Pop song that Bowie wrote and produced . Talk Talk broke up in 1991, though Hollis put out one solo album in 1998 and left the music industry shortly after. It was a cover of a 1995 song by a relatively unknown alternative act called Ednaswap. 11 Hit Songs You Didn't Know Were Covers While behind-the-scenes songwriters pen pop jams for superstars every day, it's another story when an artist takes a song … picture_freelance. Soft Cell recorded and stylized their own synth-forward version in 1981, which made it to #1 on the U.K. Singles Chart, selling over 1.35 million copies in the U.K. as of 2017. Sam Ash Music-July 15, 2019. Many people don't know that it was technically a cover. Member. It clocked in at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and the record of the same name went on to sell 1 million copies in the U.S. If asked to sing a Johnny Cash lyric, the majority of people would respond with “I fell into a burning ring of fire,” or a slight variation of the lyric. Stylistically, Crow's version sits somewhere between country and pop. Jan 17, 2019 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. Several come to mind. Because O'Connor recorded the song without Prince's knowledge, he had asked her to come to his house to talk about it, and things apparently got violent. This heartbreaking song came from the mind of Stevie Nicks, who first recorded it with Fleetwood Mac in 1975. Toni Basil’s “Mickey” is so fine, but it might blow your mind to know that the song was first recorded by a British pop quartet called Racey, and it was about a woman named Kitty. You might know Uncle Kracker as the guy that was once on the radio every second of every day, desiring to get lost in your rock and roll and drift away, but this really belongs to John Henry Kurtz. Songs you didn't know were actually covers. We all know “Tainted Love” as the dark synthpop smash courtesy of Soft Cell, but it first entered the cosmos nearly 20 years earlier via Gloria Jones and writer Ed Cobb. We all know Manfred Mann’s Earth Band for getting us revved up like a deuce, but the first runner in the night was actually Bruce Springsteen. When other musicians cover a song, they might change the style or inherent meaning of the piece by virtue of playing their own version. It’s hard to imagine anyone who loves rock ‘n’ roll more than Joan Jett, and considering how famous she made the track it’s hard to argue different, but The Arrows declared it first—seven years before Jett. Growing up, there were certain songs we grew up to like with no idea of we knowing they there were covers or samples from other popular songs. ... didn't even know "Thank you" was a thing until much much later. This ’50s hit has historically been associated with Elvis Presley, but Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller wrote it, and Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton first recorded it in 1952. Joan Jett first recorded this 1975 Alan Merrill original with Steve Jones and Paul Cook of The Sex Pistols, but re-recorded it with her band The Blackhearts and released it in 1982. A song can “belong” more to its cover artist at times when it takes on a new cultural significance. Curtis most recently released a self-titled record in 2007. Hit songs you didn’t know were covers We take a look at some of pop's most surprising and controversial cover versions. Medley wrote a few moderately successful songs throughout his career and died in 1997, and Berns most famously co-wrote “Piece of My Heart” and produced “Brown Eyed Girl.”, Manfred Mann's Earth Band popularized this Bruce Springsteen original four years after it came out in 1973. Torn, 3. Although the song didn't make Billboard charts or the U.K. Singles Chart, it has made several best-of lists, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's 500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll. Fun fact: It was actor Kevin Costner who first suggested to Houston that she cover the song for The Bodyguard soundtrack. All the Man That I Need, 6. It suited the music of the time and suited the song as well. The Fugees and Lauryn Hill won a Grammy for their R&B recording of this song, but Charles Fox and Norman Gimbel wrote it in 1971, with some conceptual collaboration with Lori Lieberman, who first recorded it. The song made it to #4 on Billboard's Hot 100 and sold 500,000 copies in the U.S. Hammond went on to write for many artists over his career, including Celine Dion and Whitney Houston; Warren is still an active songwriter and has written for the likes of Aretha Franklin, Barbra Streisand, and Beyoncé. Some of Ragovoy's most notable songs include “Stay with Me” and “Piece of My Heart,” which he co-wrote with Bert Berns; Ragovoy died in 2011. Although tabloids reported a rift between Parton and Houston concerning the song, Parton refuted this claim in a 2003 interview with CNN. UB40’s reggae-flavored rendition of “Red Red Wine” might be our go-to track for vino indulgence, but the song first appeared on Neil Diamond’s sophomore record, Just For You, and it was far more somber. Some songs are synonymous with the artists who sing them; some songs start and then define an artist’s career. From Cyndi Lauper's 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' to Natalie Imbruglia's 'Torn', these are songs you didn't know were actually cover versions. When Aretha Franklin covered this Otis Redding original in 1967, she re-stylized it as a downtempo R&B pop song and reframed it as a feminist anthem. There appeared to be no hard feelings between the two bands when the country trio performed the song with Nicks at VH1 Divas Las Vegas in ‘02. Gray's version made it to #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold half a million copies in the U.S. Gray and Uncle Kracker recorded a slightly poppier version together in 2003, which also gained traction and performed well on Billboard charts. Turning a jaunty little disco-pop song into a synth-pop classic was a good decision for Soft Cell. He still plays music and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2012 as a member of The Crickets. The Beatles acknowledged that it was not their song but at one point thought the Isley Brothers wrote it, considering they made their own version shortly before The Beatles. In 27 cases of chicken and egg, we reveal the popular chart tunes that were inspired by classical pieces… Many artists covered this 1986 original by Diane Warren and Albert Hammond, first recorded by Tina Turner. After Jake Holmes wrote this originally folky song in 1967 and the Yardbirds arranged and rock-ified it the following year, Led Zeppelin recorded their own version of the song, which became an integral part of their career. Can you answer these real Jeopardy questions about music. Phil Medley and Bert Berns wrote this song in 1961, and The Top Notes first recorded it. I Swear by All-4-One - Originally by John Michael Montgomery All-4-One might have been one of those forgettable boy bands of the 90s, but if you attended a wedding in the year 1994 or 1995 chances are the DJ played this song. To help promote their first compilation of greatest hits in 2003, No Doubt decided to record their own version of this pop song by the British band Talk Talk. Step by Step, 8. Although Franklin and the recording industry acknowledged that Redding wrote the song, he initially criticized Franklin for taking the song from him. Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue sampled and revamped it in 1993, and their version became a hit. Pop trivia klaxon. From Cyndi Lauper's 'Girls Just Wanna Have Fun' to Natalie Imbruglia's 'Torn', these are songs you didn't know were actually cover versions. 5,” but before Monica, Erica, Rita, Tina, Sandra, Mary, and Jessica, he needed a little bit of Cuban bandleader Perez Prado, whose 1949 composition provided the skeleton for Bega. 1. Cover. A year before Billy Ray Cyrus and his mullet had us stomping about concerned for the hopefully unruffled state of his heart, country music trio The Marcy Brothers released the track titled as “Don’t Tell My Heart.”, We and our partners use cookies to better understand your needs, improve performance and provide you with personalised content and advertisements. These $19k SUVs Will Make You Trade in Your Car, This is a slam dunk if you want a one-card wallet in 2021, New Policy For Cars Used Less Than 49 Miles/Day, © Fotograaf Onbekend // Wikimedia Commons. It reached #1 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Alternative Songs charts, and #1 on the U.K. Singles Chart, having sold 1 million copies in the U.S. Data comes from VHI, Buzzfeed, and Culture Trip, with stats from Billboard, the RIAA, and U.K. Singles Chart. Their album containing the song, “The Score,” sold 6 million copies in the U.S. Gimbel went on to write lyrics to pop songs and TV and movie themes; he died in 2018. Before Cyndi Lauper dropped this anthem for all women, new wave musician Robert Hazard, a hot name in the Philadelphia club scene during the ’80s, recorded the song’s demo. 16 August 2014 Sing it back! Data on singles sold was derived from the Recording Industry Association of America, the U.K. Singles Chart, and ARIA certification status. Franklin's version sold half a million singles in the U.S. and earned a #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, staying there for two weeks. The original is from two years previous and is a lot heavier. Despite the loss of recognition for that one song, Diamond went on to enjoy a full career that included a Grammy award. Even if a cover song does not necessarily eclipse its predecessor in popularity, it can still provide a new way of hearing the song, with new instrumentation and literally a new voice. Nov 1, 2017 2,564. Rock Hits You Didn’t Realize Were Blues Songs. As songwriters, Cutler and Preven have worked with major recording artists, including Beyoncé and Katy Perry. Beyoncé recorded this chart-topper as part of her album “I Am...Sasha Fierce,” but BC Jean and Toby Gad first wrote it, and Jean first recorded it. What are some other pop songs you didn't realize were covers? Denamitea. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston 1. The Zutons split up in 2009, but have since gotten back together for a reunion tour. Here are eight songs you know and love that you would never guess are actually covers. Information on chart performance was taken mainly from the Billboard Hot 100 chart, as well as the U.K. Official Singles Chart, the British Phonographic Industry, and the Australian Recording Industry Association. Imbruglia's cover ranked highly on several Billboard charts, including a #1 spot on Mainstream Top 40 and #37 on Australia's ARIA chart. When Sixpence None the Richer covered the song in 1999, it made it to numerous charts in the U.S., Europe, and Australia, placing #32 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #7 on Billboard's Adult Top 40 chart. Here are 20 songs you might not know were covers: “The Twist,” Chubby Checker (1960/1962) Chubby Checker’s recording, released on the Parkway label, is the only single in … Many listeners might know Cyndi Lauper as the voice behind this pop jam from 1983, but Robert Hazard actually wrote and recorded it in 1979. Dolly Parton originally wrote and recorded this heartfelt hit in 1973, and it was met with success. Okay, so sometime last month, I was listening to Laura Branigan's Self Control (fantastic song, one of my favorite pop songs of the 80s), and I go down to the comments and see some people reference an original version of the song. Williams famously wrote the song “When We Make Love” by the band Alabama. But we had so many great undercover cover … Jean and Gad co-produced the song with Beyoncé for her version, which made it to #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached top chart positions throughout Europe, the U.K., and Australia. Yes, a DUDE actually wrote "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun." It’s this fact that makes it even more difficult to hear that this classic rock and roll staple wasn’t actually a Jimi original, but rather a cover from a lesser-known band, The Leaves. 20 Songs You Might Not Know Were Covers. Sonny Curtis of the Crickets first wrote this popular song and released it with the band in 1960. Though audiences loved the original, the Chicks put out their slightly bluegrass version in 2002, which made it to #1 on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart and sold 500,000 copies in the U.S. Prince initially wrote this heartfelt song in 1985 for his band The Family, though Sinead O'Connor's synthy, balladic version soared to the top of charts in the U.S. and Europe after its release in 1990. Other times, you hear what you think is a cover of your favorite song, but learn that your favorite song was actually the cover … Sometimes, an updated version of a song can even turn a commercial flop into a chart-topping hit. Celine Dion made the song veritably famous when she covered it in 1996, reaching #1 on Billboard's Hot 100 and Mainstream Top 40 charts and selling over 1.5 million singles in the U.S. For much of his career, Steinman was the primary songwriter for Meat Loaf, who wanted to record a version of the song, but Steinman took legal action against him because he felt the song was meant to be sung by a woman. Songs You Didn’t Know Were Covers. No More I Love You's, 9. The single sold 1 million copies in the U.S. Most prominently, Aretha Franklin transformed Otis Redding's “Respect” into a symbol of women's rights, and Cyndi Lauper's version of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” also became a feminist song of sorts. Most people probably think Toni Basil penned this snappy pop hit, but Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn actually wrote it about a girl named Kitty. Musician puts a song into a synth-pop classic was a thing until much much later career prince! 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