Mon. Jan 26th, 2026

Hit Songs You Didn’t Know Had been Covers


There are some songs which can be onerous to think about anybody else singing. “Ring of Hearth” is really a music that wants Johnny Money’s voice to drag it off. And “Respect” is now fully synonymous with Aretha Franklin. However would you imagine that neither of them was the unique singer or songwriter on their prime hits?

Many musicians borrow kinds, tunes, and in some instances, they take whole songs from others and play it in their very own type. It is so widespread that many individuals do not understand their favourite singer’s hit songs are literally covers.

“I Will At all times Love You” – Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston’s model of “I Will At all times Love You,” has been described as an anthem of the Nineties. She recorded it for the 1992 movie, The Bodygaurd, and it proceeded to spend 14 weeks on the No.1 spot on the Billboard Scorching 100. Her model can also be the best-selling single by a lady in historical past.

The music was initially written and recorded by Dolly Parton in 1973, by which it charted at No.1 on the Billboard Scorching Nation Songs chart twice. As soon as in 1974 and once more in 1982 when she re-recorded it for the movie The Finest Little Whorehouse in Texas.

“Twist And Shout” – The Beatles

The Beatles

Though the Beatles are thought-about to be probably the most influential bands of all time, it does not imply that each one of their hits are unique. “Twist and Shout” appeared on the group’s first UK album Please, Please, Me, and launched as a single in 1964.

Though the Beatles model is the most well-liked, they’re truly the third band to report the music. The primary was the High Notes in 1961, but the Everly Brothers made it a No.1 hit with their cowl of the music in 1960.

“Women Simply Wana Have Enjoyable” – Cyndi Lauper

Cyndi Lauper

To today, Cyndi Lauper’s “Women Simply Wanna Have Enjoyable” stays probably the most standard feminine anthems on the market. Nearly everybody is aware of Lauper’s rendition a method or one other, so it is shocking to be taught that it was truly written and recorded by Robert Hazard in 1979.

Lauper launched her cowl in 1983 as her single for her debut album She’s So Uncommon and peaked at No.2 on the Scorching 100 chart. Her model went on to obtain Grammy nominations for Report of the Yr and Finest Feminine Pop Vocal Efficiency.

“Hound Canine” – Elvis Presley

Elvis Presley

Though “Hound Canine” has been recorded over 250 instances, the most well-liked model by an extended shot is Elvis Presley’s. Recorded in 1956, it turned one of many best-selling singles of all time and is taken into account to be probably the most vital songs in rock and roll historical past. Topping the charts for 11 weeks, it set a report that lasted for 36 years.

The music was truly written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller after which recorded by Willie Mae “Large Mama” Thornton in 1952. It turned out to be the largest music of Thornton’s profession, promoting over 500,000 copies.

“Tainted Love” – Delicate Cell

Soft Cell

Delicate Cell started performing “Tainted Love” at reside reveals earlier than they determined to launch it as a single in 1981. The music went on to change into the best-selling single within the UK of that 12 months and spent a report 43 weeks on the Billboard Scorching 100.

Nonetheless, Delicate Cell can’t be credited for the music. It was first written by Ed Cobb after which recorded by Gloria Jones in 1964. Nonetheless, her model of the music remained comparatively unknown till it re-emerged in 1976. She then re-recorded the observe in hopes of it gaining consideration, which it did by Delicate Cell.

“Purple Purple Wine” – UB40

UB40

In 1983, UB40 got here out with “Purple Purple Wine,” a light-weight reggae observe which topped the Billboard Scorching 100 in addition to the UK Singles Chart. Though they weren’t the primary group to cowl the music, their model had the best affect.

Neil Diamond was the author and the primary particular person to report the observe again in 1967. The music was then lined by Peter Tetteroo of Tee Set, which was successful within the Netherlands. Tony Tribe then launched his personal rendition which added some reggae, in flip influencing UB40.

“Downtown Practice” – Rod Stewart

Rod Stewart

In 1989, Rod Stewart launched the observe “Downtown Practice” as a single which quickly peaked at No.3 on the Billboard Scorching 100 chart. The music additionally charted No.1 in Canada and within the prime ten on the UK Singles Chart in 1990. Stewart even acquired a Grammy nomination for Finest Male Vocal Pop Efficiency for the music that very same 12 months.

But, the music was a canopy by Tom Waits, who launched the observe on his album Rain Canines in 1985. This wasn’t the one unique music by Waits that was overwhelmed out by covers. Others embody “OI’ 55” by the Eagles and “Jersey Woman” by Bruce Springsteen.

“I am A Believer” – Smash Mouth

Smash Mouth

After the discharge of the movie Shrek in 2001, Smash Mouth’s model of the music “I am a Believer” turned an on the spot hit among the many youth of the time. It peaked at No. 25 on the Billboard Scorching 100 though did higher in different nations. The music was initially composed by Neil Diamond after which recorded by the Monkees in 1966.

The Monkees model remained at No.1 on the Scorching 100 for seven weeks and was the best-selling report of 1967. With so many pre-orders, the music went gold inside two days and has offered greater than 10 million copies worldwide.

“Ring Of Hearth” – Johnny Money

Johnny Cash

Though “Ring of Hearth” is certainly one of Johnny Money’s most well-known and praised songs, it was truly written by his spouse June and Merle Kilgore for June’s sister Anita. The Carter Household then recorded it in 1962. After not a lot success, Johnny Money tried his hand on the music a 12 months later.

It appeared on his 1963 album Ring of Hearth: The Better of Johnny Money, topping the chart of the Billboard Scorching Nation Singles. Rolling Stone later named it the No.87 on their 500 Best Hots of All Time and No.27 on their checklist of the 100 Best Nation Songs of All Time.

“Mickey” – Toni Basil

Toni Basil

One of many Eighties most iconic music movies featured Toni Basil dancing round in a cheerleader uniform to the music “Mickey.” Basil launched the music as a single in 1981 within the UK with no luck, solely to re-release it in 1982. It then reached No.2 on the UK charts and No.1 in Australia.

When the music lastly made it to North America, a 12 months and a half after its unique launch, it topped the charts within the US and Canada. The unique music, “Kitty,” was launched in 1979 by the UK group Racey for his or her debut album Smash and Seize. Basil modified the lyrics to Mickey to make the music a few boy.

“Respect” – Aretha Franklin

Aretha Franklin

Launched on her 1967 album I By no means Cherished A Man The Means I Love You, “Respect” grew to change into certainly one of Aretha Franklin’s hottest songs. It was on the prime of the Billboard Pop Singles chart for 2 weeks and eight on the Black Singles chart. It turned her staple music, profitable two Grammys and is taken into account one of many best songs in R&B historical past.

But, the music was initially written and launched by Otis Redding in 1965, as a music a few man who wished respect from his spouse for his onerous work. Franklin modified some lyrics, added her personal pizzazz, and created the music we all know right this moment.

“If I Had been A Boy” – Beyonce

Beyonce

Showing on her 2008 album, I Am…Sasha Fierce, “If I Had been a Boy” managed to make it to the highest ten on twenty-five completely different singles charts internationally. The music peaked at No.3 on the Scorching 100 and to today is Beyonce’s best-selling single in the UK. The observe was written by BC Jean and Toby Gad and recorded by Jean.

Nonetheless, her report firm rejected her report, so Beyonce took it over. Jean was angered when she discovered Beyonce was releasing it as a single, however they later reached an settlement.

“I Love Rock And Roll” – Joan Jett & The Blackhearts

Joan Jett

The rock band the Arrows launched “I Love Rock and Roll” in 1975, their tackle the Rolling Stone’s hit “It is Solely Rock and Roll (However I Like It).” Though it was first recorded as a B-side it was later re-recorded to realize A-side standing.

Joan Jett noticed the Arrows carry out the music on their weekly UK tv present and liked it. So, she finally recorded a canopy of it along with her band The Blackhearts, and their model was No.1 on the Scorching 100 for seven weeks. Billboard went on the ranked the music because the No.3 music of 1982. In 2016, Jett’s cowl was inducted into the Grammy Corridor of Fame.

“Blinded By The Gentle” – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band

Manfred Mann's Earth Band

Included in Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’s 1976 album, Raring Gentle, “Blinded by the Gentle ” went on to prime the Billboard Scorching 100 in addition to the Canadian RPM charts. Whereas most individuals know the Manfred Mann’s Earth Band’s model, not everybody is aware of that it was initially written and recorded by Bruce Springsteen.

The music was a single and first observe for his 1971 album Greetings from Ashbury Park, N.J. Quite a few different teams have ridden on Springsteen’s coattails for hits reminiscent of Patti Smith, The Pointer Sisters, and extra.

“Killing Me Softly” – The Fugees

The Fugees

“Killing Me Softly” is sort of the music, because it has been profitable thrice by three completely different artists. The music was first recorded by Lori Lieberman in 1971 the place it achieved minor success. Nonetheless, when it was lined by Roberta Flack in 1973, it turned at No.1 in america and Canada.

Nonetheless, the third time was the attraction when the Fugees did their very own rendition in 1996. The music went No.2 within the US and topped the charts within the UK, changing into the nation’s best-selling single of 1996. The additionally gained a Grammy in 1997 in addition to an MTV Music Video Award.

“Do not Cha” – The Pussycat Dolls

The Pussycat Dolls

“Do not Cha” was launched on the Pussycat Dolls debut album PCD in 2005. Though some rebuked Busta Rhymes’ look on the observe, the music reached No.2 on the Scorching 100 and No.1 on the US Scorching Dance Membership Play and Pop 100 charts.

The observe was initially recorded by Tori Alamaze as her first single, but was comparatively unsuccessful and disappointing for the label. So, Common Music Group determined to cross it on to The Pussycat Dolls which proved to be the fitting resolution.

“Hey Joe” – Jimi Hendrix

Hit Songs You Didn’t Know Had been Covers

Described by the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame as “arguably the best instrumentalist within the historical past of rock music,” Jimi Hendrix left a mark on music regardless that his profession was only a quick 4 years. Throughout that point, he had quite a few hits, certainly one of them being his iconic 1966 rendition of the music “Hey Joe.”

Though the music was certainly one of his High Ten hits and nonetheless one his hottest right this moment, the earliest recognized recording of the music was by the Los Angeles-based storage band the Leaves in 1965. Though the Leaves’ model acquired some consideration, it was overshadowed by Hendrix’s cowl.

“Gloria” – Laura Branigan

Laura Branigan

“Gloria” is an unique music by Italian singer Umberto Tozzi who recorded it in 1979. Just some years later, Laura Branigan’s producer inspired her to do a canopy of the music. They made some modifications to the observe with Branigan claiming she and the staff “gave it the American kick and re-wrote the lyrics, and off she went.”

The observe was launched as a single in the summertime of 1982 and have become successful amongst disco and music followers alike. It reached No.2 on the Scorching 100 and earned Branigan a Grammy nomination for Finest Pop Vocal Efficiency. It then remained within the High 40 for 22 weeks and continues to be successful right this moment.

“Drift Away” – Uncle Kracker

Uncle Kracker

In 2003, Uncle Kracker launched the music that includes Dobie Grey on his album No Stranger to Disgrace. Though it peaked at No.9 on the Scorching 100, it was on the prime of the Grownup Modern chart for a record-breaking 28 weeks. Nonetheless, Uncle Kracker’s model was the third cowl of the music.

It was first recorded by John Henry Kurtz in 1972 and was later given to Dobie Grey and Greg Reilly in 1973 who turned it into a world hit. It made it to No.3 on the Scorching 100, formally changing into Dobie Grey’s most profitable music.

“Dazed and Confused” – Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin

“Dazed and Confused” is a observe that has had two notable covers since its inception in 1967. The unique music was written and recorded by Jake Holmes as a folks/rock music a few lady’s indecision to finish a relationship. On the time, Jimmy Web page, nonetheless a member of the Yardbirds, heard the music reside and determined to transform it and produce it with the band.

It was successful for the Yardbirds, however when Web page moved on to Led Zeppelin, he introduced the music with him. Led Zeppelin’s cowl quickly turned certainly one of their hottest tracks and is essentially the most well-known of the three.



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