Five top songs many people will be shocked to find are covers

As a music enthusiast who has spent countless hours exploring the vast and diverse landscape of tunes across generations, I find it fascinating to delve into the stories behind some of our favorite songs and discover their true origins. These five examples showcase the intricate web of musical influence that spans decades and continents, often leaving us fans none the wiser about the original creators of the tracks we’ve come to love.

Generally, I’m not particularly fond of remakes of songs. However, it often depends greatly on which rendition you encounter initially. In most cases, it’s uncommon for a cover to surpass the original one, especially when the original is familiar and dear to you.

If you listen to and familiarize yourself with a cover version initially, everything might shift for you. This version becomes the benchmark, the standard, and any other interpretation feels like a deviation, which we often resist. This resistance, in turn, can make discussions about cover songs a matter of different generations. Sometimes, you might not even recognize the original artist or their first rendition of the song. It can be quite surprising when you learn that a particular tune is actually a cover.

As a gamer, I’ve got to say, it’s no hidden fact or shocker that everyone knows about. It’s either common knowledge by now or has been mentioned numerous times. It’s not a mind-blowing discovery that most versions of “Hallelujah” follow the original by Jeff Buckley. Or that “Nothing Compares 2U” was actually a Prince and The Family track before anyone else covered it.

Five songs that may come as a shock that they were covers

These five tunes might not be immediately recognized as covers due to their less conventional nature; you might find a few surprises along the way. Unlike more familiar covers, these songs were initially released separately as singles or tracks on other artists’ albums.

Soft Cell – “Tainted Love”

In 1981, Soft Cell achieved a massive global success with “Tainted Love”. It topped charts worldwide, but it took some time for its popularity to reach the US. The song debuted at number 90 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1982 and climbed to number eight during the summer of that year. In total, “Tainted Love” remained on the Hot 100 chart for 43 weeks that year.

Way back in 1964, “Tainted Love” was initially released as a secondary track on a single by R&B sensation Gloria Jones, with the legendary Glen Campbell strumming the lead guitar. The main attraction was “My Bad Boy’s Comin’ Home,” but it failed to make waves on the charts. However, the story of “Tainted Love” took a different turn in the UK, where it became a smash hit in Northern Soul dance clubs.

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Edwin Starr – “War”

Back in June 1970, “War” became a notable hit for Edwin Starr, a song that helped him gain recognition beyond being a secondary artist at Motown. He had previously achieved a top ten hit with “Twenty Five Miles,” but hadn’t managed anything significant since then. This was concerning to Motown and Starr was eager to record another successful single.

Meanwhile, over at Motown Records, The Temptations unveiled their “Psychedelic Shack” album in March 1970. Among its tracks, it was “War” that garnered significant public interest. With lyrics underscoring the futility of conflict, this song resonated strongly with the growing anti-Vietnam sentiments. Despite popular demand to release it as a single, the song’s theme didn’t align with The Temptations’ usual image, and so the proposal was turned down. However, Motown saw potential in another artist recording it, which led to Ringo Starr stepping in.

Essentially, both renditions of the tune share many similarities, but the Starr version stands out with richer instrumentation and more refined production. It delivers a funkier, denser sound that resonated well with listeners. This track, which climbed to the top of the charts and was eventually enshrined in the Grammy Hall of Fame, proved itself worthy of its popularity as a single. Initially, there were concerns about potential harm to The Temptations’ reputation; however, this song ultimately became Starr’s most iconic piece.

Status Quo – “Rockin’ All Over The World”

Status Quo performed their well-known hit “Rockin’ All Over The World,” originally released in 1977, on an international scale during their set opening at Live Aid in London, 1985. As the first act of the entire show, this song gained significant attention and recognition. Today, it remains a signature tune for the band and is frequently played at various events.

The Status Quo rendition of the song is frequently recognized over the original by John Fogerty, who released his version in 1975 following the disbandment of Creedence Clearwater Revival. While both versions share the distinctive chant element of the title as a chorus, the Status Quo version features a heavier guitar sound and the Quo rhythm, contrasting with Fogerty’s lighter touch and twangier guitar melody. Interestingly, Fogerty acknowledges and often praises the Status Quo version, referring to it as the more well-known one among many people.

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UB40 – “Red Red Wine”

Among all versions, UB40’s rendition of this song achieved the greatest success. Released in the UK in 1983, it climbed to the top spot on the British charts. It also reached number 34 on the US charts a few months later in March. The track was an international sensation, earning gold and platinum certifications in various countries due to its soft reggae rhythm and catchy melody.

Initially, the song wasn’t rooted in reggae at all; instead, it was penned by Neil Diamond and issued as a single for him following his departure from the record label. Unfortunately, it didn’t perform exceptionally well on the Billboard Hot 100, peaking at number 62, which might explain why it’s not widely recognized. It’s been reported that UB40 wasn’t aware of its original authorship when they recorded it. Interestingly, this is an instance of a cover song with the original artist’s approval. In Diamond’s later performances, he often performed a reggae-inspired rendition of the song, rather than the original version.

Nazareth – “This Flight Tonight”

If you recognize Nazareth as a Scottish rock band, this tune is reminiscent of theirs. It features a robust guitar rhythm, powerful drums, and Dan McCafferty’s distinctive gravelly vocals. In 1973, it peaked at number 11 on the UK charts and number 27 in Canada, albeit with limited success in the US. The band was motivated to record their rendition of the song after listening to the original artists during their tour bus rides. Apparently, this album was a favorite among bands at that time.

Joni Mitchell composed and added the song to her critically acclaimed and commercially successful album, “Blue,” which was released in 1971. The track was featured on the B-side of her single “Carey” from that same album. Just as Joni Mitchell’s version embodies her unique style and sound, the Nazareth version reflects their distinct character. Listening to one without knowing the other, it’s clear they come from different musical worlds.

2024-11-29 14:00