The Residents’ “Constantinople” is not the same song as “Istanbul (Not Constantinople),” though there is a slight resemblance. It’s not a cover.
I’m sure the real fans always knew this, but I was surprised to find that my favorite Zeppelin track, “Babe I’m Gonna Leave You”, was actually a 50’s folk song originally recorded by Joan Baez.
Even Brannigan’s “Gloria” is a cover - of a recent Italian hit song.
Denise Denise
Randy and the rainbows
Everyone knows this version of a very much older song. No real hope of getting to hear the original since it was around well before recording came along
Louie Louie - Richard Berry.
Having once been a big country music fan, I was surprised when my wife (at that time, my girlfriend) told me that Garth Brooks’ Shameless had been a Billy Joel song, and that David Frizzell’s I Just Came Here to Dance was a Peabo Bryson song. Although she was surprised in turn when I told her that Whitney Houston’s I Will Always Love You was a cover of a Dolly Parton song.
I’ve only heard Shirley Caesar’s version of No Charge. I only found out recently that it was originally a country tune written, by a man no less, for Melba Montgomery.
I was surprised to find out recently that Bjork’s most popular song, “It’s Oh So Quiet” is actually a cover originally released in 1951 by Betty Hutton. And that itself was a cover of a German song from 1948.
I was a pretty big fan of the ska resurgence in the '80’s. Apparently, most of those songs were covers, including One Step Beyond by Madness, A Message to You Rudy by the Specials.
My sister made a tape for me with the original Jamaican ska versions of pretty much every popular ska song in the '80’s. That took me by surprise.
An earlier thread on the topic,
See posts #q162 and #165 for the bittersweet story of why almost nobody has ever heard the original recording (by Solomon Linda and the Evening Birds) of a song covered by everyone from Pete Seeger to Timon and Pumbaa.
UB40’s “Red Red Wine” was originally written and recorded by Neil Diamond.
And IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII will always love YYYYYYYYYYOOOOOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUUUUU–Written and originial sung by Dolly Parton.
Springsteen’s Jersey Girl–written and originally sung by Tom Waits.
Rambling Boy, Marvelous Toy, Whose Garden was This, Forest Lawn and Bottle of Wine–ALL written and originally sung by Tom Paxton (and how many people think Rambling Boy is a “traditional folk song”?)
As was “I’m a Believer”, also recorded by the Monkees, Smash Mouth, and Eddie Murphy among others.
I just found out that “You Could Have Been A Lady” by April Wine was a cover of a Hot Chocolate song. That might be obvious to folks in the UK, but in Canada I don’t think I’ve ever heard a version that wasn’t by April Wine.
Back in those crazy MTV-dominated days of the ‘90s, I really liked The Breeders’ Drivin’ On 9. I was pretty surprised recently when I discovered that it was a cover of this rather quirkier original by Ed’s Redeeming Qualities (yeah, who are they? Apparently, though, the bands shared a member as well).
I was a little surprised that “Pablo Picasso” by The Burning Sensations was a cover of Jonathan Richman’s original. I like the song, but it does boggle the mind a bit to realize THAT song has been covered–repeatedly.
Speaking of They Might Be Giants, I did not know New York City was a cover until I saw Them in concert and the opening act was Cub, a cuddlecore punk trio from Vancouver, who did the original.
Good band, too. I was lucky to see them live; they broke up about six months later.
Had to look that one up. Still not sure what it is. Will ask the young girls I hang out with on Saturday nights.
No way! It’s a Mamas & Papas song!
Depending on how young, they may not have been born before Cub broke up.
A slight resemblance? The song’s arrangement is the opening hook of Istanbul (Not Constantinople) repeated over and over under shouted choruses of “Here I Come Constantinople!” followed by nonsense verses. In the Residents’ universe, that qualifies as a cover (cf. “Satisfaction” or anything on Third Reich and Roll).
Darn it, I did search for an earlier thread, but I probably missed it amongst the 118 “Best Cover Song?” threads. Sorry about that.
I’m surprised too! And I really like(d) that song as well.