# Wait, that's a cover song?? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 6, 2012, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575 "2012-01-06T01:19:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 1:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/1 "2012-01-06T01:19:53Z")
Reading through a couple of recent threads I was reminded of songs I grew to love, only to find out they were covers. Not that covers are bad (in fact sometimes they’re great), but learning that can change the way you think about a song. **The Replacements, “Black Diamond.”** This tense, uncomfortable little song (lyrics like “Out on the streets for a living / Picture’s only begun / Your day is sorrow and madness / Got you under their thumb” sung over Bob Stinson’s anxious riffing) turned out to be a Kiss cover. I realize it’s all rock and roll, but these two bands are pretty different. **The Residents, “Constantinople.”** If you’re unfamiliar with The Residents I’m not going to try to explain them, other than noting that they combine weird lyrics, weird singing, found sounds, toy pianos…and other stuff. Anyway, it was a good 20 years before I learned it was actually a cover (even after hearing TMBG ‘cover’ the Residents). Another surprising and wonderful cover started with the lyrics “Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine,” but you probably already know what that is. 😉 How 'bout you? ---
**Author:** ![Don\_t\_Panic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/don_t_panic/32/398_2.png) [@Don\_t\_Panic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Don_t_Panic)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/2 "2012-01-06T01:27:18Z")
I don’t care who wrote [_Twist and Shout!_](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twist_and_Shout) It’s a Beatles song, dammit! ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 2:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/3 "2012-01-06T02:44:32Z")
Few people probably know that the most memorable cover of Dave Edmunds’ recording of “Queen of Hearts” was not Juice Newton’s, but an '82 version by Alvin and the Chipmunks. ---
**Author:** ![Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/4bbf92/32.png) [@Heart\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heart_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/4 "2012-01-06T02:53:09Z")
I was stunned to discover that not only was Frank Black’s version of “Hang Onto Your Ego” a cover, it was originally written by Brian Wilson, and performed by the Beach Boys. ---
**Author:** ![elfkin477](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a9a28c/32.png) [@elfkin477](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfkin477)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/5 "2012-01-06T05:20:19Z")
I was surprised to learn that the Foo Fighters’ “Bakerstreet” is a cover. I’ve since heard the original, but I had no idea for a long time. Likewise “Is That All There Is?” by PJ Harvey and “Summertime” by the Zombies. Turns out both are wicked old. Who knew? Martin Bigfoot, I feel the same way about “[A Taste of Honey](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Taste_of_Honey_(song)).” ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/6 "2012-01-06T05:25:01Z")
[Shuggie Otis](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IR1JQOBRrUY) wrote and sang the original version of Strawberry Letter 23. You’ve heard the remake by [The Brothers Johnson](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbxUtFDKz8k). I prefer the original. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/7 "2012-01-06T05:27:01Z")
The original 1967 version of [I Think We’re Alone Now](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkMFLUXTEwM). ---
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/8 "2012-01-06T05:36:06Z")
Bruce Springsteen’s Blinded by the Light. Covered by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. Lot’s of people don’t know that Soft Cell’s Tainted Love was originally a torch song sung by Gloria Jones. Almost forgot: Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin was written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster and originally performed by Roger Miller. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/9 "2012-01-06T05:43:29Z")
> [@Maserschmidt](#): > > Another surprising and wonderful cover started with the lyrics “Jesus died for somebody’s sins, but not mine,” but you probably already know what that is. 😉 You know, I’m somewhat knowledgeable about rock lyrics, but I had no idea what this was. Apparently, it’s from the Patti Smith cover of Van Morrison’s “Gloria”. I would have guessed John Lennon. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 5:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/10 "2012-01-06T05:59:08Z")
[quote=“Maserschmidt, post:1, topic:608575”] **The Residents, “Constantinople.”** If you’re unfamiliar with The Residents I’m not going to try to explain them, other than noting that they combine weird lyrics, weird singing, found sounds, toy pianos…and other stuff. Anyway, it was a good 20 years before I learned it was actually a cover (even after hearing TMBG ‘cover’ the Residents). I was surprised to find that not only was the TMBG version of _Constantinople_ a cover, but that the song was originally recorded in the early Fifties! ---
**Author:** ![Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/5fc32e/32.png) [@Bad\_News\_Baboon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bad_News_Baboon)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/11 "2012-01-06T06:02:33Z")
Naked eyes: always something there to remind me. Laura Brannigan: self control. I didn’t know about self control until recently. ---
**Author:** ![Shakester](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shakester/32/437_2.png) [@Shakester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shakester)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/12 "2012-01-06T06:14:53Z")
Many people are not aware that **I love rock’n’roll** was [originally written and performed by the Arrows](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AT_Pbtyid0), and was a minor hit in the UK in the mid 70s. As you can see/hear, the Joan Jett version is a virtual clone of the original except for the gender change in the lyrics. ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/13 "2012-01-06T06:16:56Z")
> [@Pork\_Rind](#): > > I was surprised to find that not only was the TMBG version of _Constantinople_ a cover, but that the song was originally recorded in the early Fifties! The 1920s actually. The weird thing is the guy who wrote the lyrics was from my dad’s home town. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/it_s_not_rocket_surgery/32/312_2.png) [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/It_s_Not_Rocket_Surgery)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/14 "2012-01-06T06:23:14Z")
Both Cum On Feel The Noize and Mama Weer All Krazee Now were Quiet Riot covers of Slade songs. ---
**Author:** ![Pork\_Rind](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pork_rind/32/111_2.png) [@Pork\_Rind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pork_Rind)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/15 "2012-01-06T06:31:07Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > The 1920s actually. The weird thing is the guy who wrote the lyrics was from my dad’s home town. Even better. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Nicotine\_Junky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ecb155/32.png) [@Nicotine\_Junky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nicotine_Junky)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/16 "2012-01-06T06:53:45Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > Both Cum On Feel The Noize and Mama Weer All Krazee Now were Quiet Riot covers of Slade songs. Slade! Yes! I was ruining a few brain cells over the years for that very answer. I knew Quiet Riot performed in the 80’s but I was thinking who originally performed Cum On Feel The Noise. Yall my savior. ---
**Author:** ![Scissorjack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c67d28/32.png) [@Scissorjack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scissorjack)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/17 "2012-01-06T06:58:59Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > Both Cum On Feel The Noize and Mama Weer All Krazee Now were Quiet Riot covers of Slade songs. The Devil you say! ---
**Author:** ![bengangmo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@bengangmo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bengangmo)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 8:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/18 "2012-01-06T08:06:26Z")
In the opposite direction, when I said that I hated Madonna’s version of American Pie my colleagues wanted to know what the hell I was talking about… ---
**Author:** ![Nobody](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/94ad74/32.png) [@Nobody](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nobody)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 10:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/19 "2012-01-06T10:59:42Z")
For a short time as a little kid I thought that all or most songs were originals. I was surprised when I learned just how many covers there are. For my contribution, I had not seen the movie “La Bamba” or knew who **Ritchie Valens** was when Los Lobos came out with their version of the song. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2012, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575/20 "2012-01-06T12:50:15Z")
I was a kid when I learned that Herman’s Mermit’s song _I’m Henry the Eighth, I Am_ was a cover of a 1910 music hall song. In fact, it’s only the chorus part, sunf three times: > **[I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I%27m_Henery_the_Eighth,_I_Am)** > > "I'm Henery the Eighth, I Am" (also "I'm Henery the VIII, I Am" or "I'm Henry VIII, I Am"; spelled "Henery" but pronounced "'Enery" in the Cockney style normally used to sing it) is a 1910 British music hall song by Fred Murray and R. P. Weston. It was a signature song of the music hall star Harry Champion. > Joe Brown included the song on his first album A Picture of You in 1962. But in 1965, it became the fastest-selling song in history to that point when it was revived by Herman's Hermits, bec... [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wait-thats-a-cover-song/608575.md?page=2)