More Elvis Costello. He wrote Shipbuilding with Clive Langer - who had a tune from a song he wrote for Robert Wyatt, but didn’t like the lyric he had written. Castello provided a new lyric, Wyatt had the (minor, UK) hit single, Costello later recorded his own version.
j
Dylan released “Mr. Tambourine Man” in March of 1965; the Byrds released their version in April.
I didn’t check but I think that “Groovin’” was one the charts at the same time for The Rascals and Booker T and the MGs.
“Black Velvet” was written by Christopher Ward and David Tyson in 1988. Both Alannah Myles and Robin Lee released a version of it in 1990. (Myles released her version a month ahead of Lee.) Despite being released so close together, both versions did quite well. Myles’ version reached #1 and she won a Grammy. Lee’s version reached #12.
"Walk Away Renee" was a hit for the Left Banke in the late summer of 1966, then was covered by the Four Tops a little over a year later with a distinctly different arrangement. The Left Banke’s version charted a little higher than the Tops but I’ve always liked 'em both.
Neil Young recorded Lotta Love for his 1978 album Comes a Time. Before it was released, one of Neil’s backup singers on the album, Nicolette Larson, heard a tape of it, told Neil it was great, and he gave the song to her. She recorded it for her debut album, also recorded in 1978. The two albums were released less than a month apart. Larson had a big hit with it, Young did not release his version as a single.
On the “Billboard” charts of May 28, 1955(skip to page 48) - “Unchained Melody” was at number 2 (Les Baxter), number 5 (Al Hibbler), and number 9 (Roy Hamilton).
Wooden Ships was written by David Crosby, Stephen Stills, and Paul Kantner in late 1968. CSN’s version of the song was released in May 1969; Jefferson Airplane’s version came out in November of that same year.
Bruce Springsteen wrote and recorded Pink Cadillac in 1984 (it was an unreleased B-side to Dancing In the Dark). He rejected it being covered by Bette Midler (per the song’s wiki), but later allowed Natalie Cole to record and release it.
The song “Woodstock” was a big hit for Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young in 1970. It was also a big hit for Matthew’s Southern Comfort that same year.
It was written by Joni Mitchell and released in 1970 too (not a big hit for her).
That’s crazy.
Similar (-ish) story with The First Cut Is The Deepest. Cat Stevens wrote it, sold it for £30 to PP Arnold, she had a (UK) hit with it, Cat subsequently released it on New Masters. (Both versions released 1967).
j
PS: no, I don’t know what is meant by “sold it” - I just took that from wiki. But I’ve heard it from other sources as well, and I think with other sums - £45 sticks in my mind.
Another one where co-writers each recorded their song with different groups: Video Killed the Radio Star.
Bruce Woolley and the Camera Club
The Buggles
I’m a Believer-Neil Diamond, Monkees, both in 1967.
“I’m a Believer” was written by Diamond, as well (he wrote a number of the Monkees’ songs).
Yes, he wrote “A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You” as well. I didn’t find that he’d recorded it but after a bit more reseach, wikipedia says:
Neil Diamond never made a studio recording of the song (as he had done with “I’m a Believer”), but he did perform the song in his live shows of 1967. At least one recording of such a performance exists and circulates from New York’s Bitter End club.[2]
Bruce Springsteen wrote “Fire” in 1977 for Elvis Presley to record. Springsteen sent a demo to Graceland, but Presley passed away before listening to it.
At this time, Springsteen was recording tracks for what would become the Darkness at the Edge of Town album. He recorded his own version of “Fire” during these sessions, but ended up leaving it off the finished album.
A few months later, Springsteen allowed guitarist and friend of the band Robert Gordon to record “Fire” for Gordon’s upcoming album. Gordon released “Fire” as a single in summer 1977, and the track got enough airplay to just miss the Hot 100.
Meanwhile, producer Richard Perry got ahold of a recording of Springsteen performing “Fire” and played it for The Pointer Sisters during their sessions for their 1978 album Energy. The Pointer Sisters’ version became the definitive one, hitting number 2 on the Hot 100 in February 1979.
While the Pointer Sisters’ version was shooting up the charts, UK artist Shakin’ Stevens released a cover of “Fire” as a B-side in January 1979. Springsteen himself would finally release a live version of "Fire"in 1987 (#46, Hot 100).
All along The Watchtower, by Dylan.
Covered by many, including Jimmy H, quickly.
Ozzy and Lemmy co-wrote "Hellraiser’. It showed up on Ozzy’s 1991 album, and on Motorhead’s 1992 “March or Die” album.
This thread is the Ultimate music trivia porn! I’m loving this! Where do you guys come up with this shit???