Hit songs that are actually covers (that nobody knows are covers)

[Harry P.]

Here's a reverse twist on the "Cover versions of well-known songs" idea... well known songs–big hits–that were actually cover versions of the originals... only almost nobody knew it!

For example, everyone knows "Black Magic Woman" by Santana. But was it actually by Santana? No! The original was a Fleetwood Mac song! Yep, it's true...

[Harry P.]

Another example... "I'm a Believer." Huge hit by... the Monkees. Right?

Well, yes, the Monkees had a huge hit with their version of the song, but the original was by Neil Diamond...

[Mike_G]

Oye Como Va is a Tito Puente song

[Harry P.]

Oye Como Va is a Tito Puente song

Really? I didn't know that!

Geez, the things you learn on a model car forum...

[Harry P.]

How many of you knew that the big Nazareth hit "Love Hurts" from the '70s was a cover of an old Everly Bros. song?

[1930fordpickup]

Really? I didn't know that!

Geez, the things you learn on a model car forum...

Yes we do.

[Joe Handley]

Now as someone who was a teen in the 90's like I was, hearing this several months back when my boss was playing the Motown sound satallite station at work was a pleasant surprise.

It actually impressed on me by how well these guys covered it 20 years ago!

Dang, can't believe that cover is now 20 years old too.......man do I feel old, besides just the back ache!

Edited May 11, 2015 by Joe Handley

[Harry P.]

Joe, another cover that I didn't know was a cover!

I'm learning stuff here, guys...

[Joe Handley]

Joe, another cover that I didn't know was a cover!

I'm learning stuff here, guys...

Etta James and the Grateful Dead also covered it too.

[DaveM]

A couple that I have posted in the covers thread, but they belong here too.

Hound Dog by Elvis was actually recorded first by Big Mama Thornton.

And Janis Joplin's big hit was first done by Erma Franklin (Aretha's big Sister) Erma wasn't as well known as Aretha, or Janis for that ,matter, but she sang a smoking version of Piece Of My Heart.

Okay. I won't recycle any more, but Hound Dog really deserved to be in this thread, and I could listen to Erma Franklin's rendition of Piece Of My Heart all day.

[Mike_G]

Gloria Jones was T.Rex guitarist Marc Bolan's girlfriend- she was driving the night of the crash that took his life

[Joe Handley]

Well, that explains why the 80's cover sounded very 60's-ish.

[1972coronet]

"I Want Candy" was 'covered' by Bow Wow Wow in the early 80's ; however , it was originally performed by The Strangeloves in 1965 :

https://youtu.be/GXsdbvVi3WQ

"Hey Joe" ... every-one is familiar with the Jimi Hendrix version ; however , here's an earlier version by The Leaves , c.1966 :

https://youtu.be/PCZNFPaz1iw

[Relic_Models]

"I Want Candy" was 'covered' by Bow Wow Wow in the early 80's ; however , it was originally performed by The Strangeloves in 1965 :

https://youtu.be/GXsdbvVi3WQ

"Hey Joe" ... every-one is familiar with the Jimi Hendrix version ; however , here's an earlier version by The Leaves , c.1966 :

https://youtu.be/PCZNFPaz1iw

That's odd. 'Hey Joe' really has that Hendrix sound to it (doesn't all of his music?).

Cool little bit of information.

[1972coronet]

That's odd. 'Hey Joe' really has that Hendrix sound to it (doesn't all of his music?).

Cool little bit of information.

I actually prefer the faster-paced version (e.g. , The Leaves ) , especially with the crispy 'Garage' sound . Hendrix / Experience version is good , but a little too toned-down for my tastes .

[Petetrucker07]

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=W1bXdXWEKaE

Some may know Willie wrote and performed it not much before Patsy.

[Relic_Models]

I actually prefer the faster-paced version (e.g. , The Leaves ) , especially with the crispy 'Garage' sound . Hendrix / Experience version is good , but a little too toned-down for my tastes .

I could go either way on the tempo; I do love that rough sound they have, though.

Personally I'm getting tired of all the tightly produced music lately and The Leaves seem to be a good change of pace.

[Snake45]

I guess everyone knows Hendrix's All Along the Watchtower and The Byrds Hey Tambourine Man are by Bob Dylan, right?

Because the Night--a hit for a couple people--was written by Bruce Springsteen.

Of course Linda Ronstadt's Poor Poor Pitiful Me was by Warren Zevon.

[afx]

"Blinded by the Light" big hit for Manfred Mann written by Bruce Springsteen.

[afx]

Red Red Wine hit by UB40 written by Neil Diamond.

[Brett Barrow]

Steve Miller Band's 1977 hit "Jet Airliner" was written and recorded by Paul Pena in 1973 but was not released until 2000 due to a dispute with his record label.

Edited May 11, 2015 by Brett Barrow

[Snake45]

Dave Edmunds "From Small Things (Big Things One Day Come)" was written by Springsteen. Once you know that, it absolutely sounds like a Springsteen song. I've been unable to find Springsteen actually doing it anywhere, even on youtube.

[421gto]

The Monkees (im not your) Steppin Stone originally recorded by Paul Revere & the Raiders

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UkD5HDDzdZ8

[PowerPlant]

One I was really surprised by... Johnny Cash's "Hurt" is originally a song written by Trent Reznor and performed by the Nine Inch Nails...

[Joe Handley]

I had heard that Rezner was pissed by how good that Johnny Cash version came out. Cash completely owned that song in the way Whitney Houston did Dolly Parton's "I will always love you", and in Rezner's mind "took it away from him", IIRC.