# Where the well known version of a song is a cover **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [March 3, 2013, 5:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895 "2013-03-03T05:18:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/left_hand_of_dorkness/32/7156_2.png) [@Left\_Hand\_of\_Dorkness](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Left_Hand_of_Dorkness)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 8:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/101 "2013-03-04T20:40:18Z")
> [@It\_s\_Not\_Rocket\_Surgery](#): > > If you are talking They Might Be Giants, you HAVE to mention that their best known song, “Istanbul Not Constantinople” was a cover of a 1953 song by the Four Lads. What timing! Last night we were listening to Pandora, and this weird slow gentle version of “Istanbul Not Constantinople” came on, and my wife and I looked at each other and said, “This is a weird cover!” She went over to see who was covering it, and discovered it was the 1953 original. That’s exactly what I was coming into this thread to post! ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 9:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/102 "2013-03-04T21:17:30Z")
_Baby, Please Don’t Go_ ? ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/103 "2013-03-04T21:33:22Z")
“Take Me To The River” was written and performed by Al Green, but has been covered many times. The most well known is probably the version by the Talking Heads. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/104 "2013-03-04T21:37:48Z")
I recently discovered that “Goo Goo Muck” isn’t an original song by The Cramps. It was written and recorded by Ronnie Cook & The Gaylads in 1962. Of course several of their songs are covers (“Lonesome Town”, “Shortnin’ Bread”, etc.) ---
**Author:** ![Gangster\_Octopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a8b319/32.png) [@Gangster\_Octopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gangster_Octopus)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/105 "2013-03-04T21:45:58Z")
> [@Accidental\_Martyr](#): > > I recently discovered that “Goo Goo Muck” isn’t an original song by The Cramps. It was written and recorded by Ronnie Cook & The Gaylads in 1962. Of course several of their songs are covers (“Lonesome Town”, “Shortnin’ Bread”, etc.) The B-Side “She Said” is a cover of the song by [Hasil Adkins](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLka7gxpivw) ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/106 "2013-03-04T21:55:29Z")
After 2 1/2 pages, I’m surprised to be the first to mention that Kim Carnes’ hit version of “Bette Davis Eyes” was a cover of Jackie DeShannon’s original. ---
**Author:** ![FrankJBN](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f0a364/32.png) [@FrankJBN](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FrankJBN)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 9:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/107 "2013-03-04T21:59:39Z")
“There Goes My Baby - a hit for the Drifters in '58. But most people think this song was a Cat Stevens original” I want to say, I don’t know anyone that tinks this is a Cat Stevens song. Another poster touts Creedance Clearwater’s version of “Grapevine” over marvin gaye’s. I’ve heard Creedance’s version but nowhere near as much as the Motown versions. There are several songs listed here where posters believe that “cover” versions are better known than originals, when to me the originals are very famous and I never heard of covering version. Which do you think is more famous the Louis Prima original or the los Lobos cover of “I wanna Be Like You.”? ---
**Author:** ![Asympotically\_fat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e47c2d/32.png) [@Asympotically\_fat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Asympotically_fat)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/108 "2013-03-04T22:09:02Z")
Mad World was English duo [Tears for Fears’](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SFsHSHE-iJQ) breakthrough song, but [Gary Jules’](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4N3N1MlvVc4) version became far more well-known in the UK when it featured in the film _Donnie Darko_ and topped the 2003 Christmas singles chart. [Dick Dale’s](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yaq-KD-ylqI) signature tune Misirlou became found renewed fame in the 1990s when it was featured in _Pulp Fiction_, but the original was a [middle eastern-flavoured Greek song](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LW6qGy3RtwY) from the 1920s ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/109 "2013-03-04T22:11:25Z")
Two more big ones that have slipped though the cracks: - [Quincy Jones’ 1981 hit “Ai No Corrida”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2eSFBoE2Ts) (#28 US, #14 UK) was written and [originally recorded by Chaz Jankel](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9C2c2dZnIj4) (formerly with Ian Dury & The Blockheads). - [Naked Eyes’ 1983 hit “Always Something There to Remind Me”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v2nUtpv0IAQ) (#8 US, #58 UK) was a cover of [the 1964 Lou Johnson original](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGm9zIwDY_Y) (#49 US). ---
**Author:** ![bordelond](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bordelond/32/150_2.png) [@bordelond](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bordelond)\ **Post date:** [March 4, 2013, 10:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/110 "2013-03-04T22:30:04Z")
One more: - Van Halen’s 1978 album track [“Ice Cream Man”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i2RKWJD5ops) was a credited cover of [John Brim’s 1969 original](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELjj5HBwTu4) (which was recorded in 1953, and waited 16 years for release!). ---
**Author:** ![President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/5f9b8f/32.png) [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/President_Johnny_Gentle)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/111 "2013-03-05T00:44:01Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > They also covered his “For You”. It doesn’t get played much but overall I’ve probably heard theirs more often on the radio than his. And “Spirit in the Night,” for three Manfred Mann covers of songs from Springsteen’s debut. > [@](#): > > Also his “Fire” by The Pointer Sisters. Sort of; his version had been recorded for Darkness on the Edge of Town but not used on the album. He was singing it live during the tour for Darkness. And, in the same way, “Because the Night” was also recorded for _Darkness_ (but left unused) before Patti Smith had a hit with it. So many artists were seeing hits off of Springsteen-penned material that his manager refused to let him give “Hungry Heart” to the Ramones, like was originally planned. I would have loved to have seen their take on the song. ---
**Author:** ![Accidental\_Martyr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ce7236/32.png) [@Accidental\_Martyr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Accidental_Martyr)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/112 "2013-03-05T01:18:50Z")
> [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](#): > > And, in the same way, “Because the Night” was also recorded for _Darkness_ (but left unused) before Patti Smith had a hit with it. So many artists were seeing hits off of Springsteen-penned material that his manager refused to let him give “Hungry Heart” to the Ramones, like was originally planned. I would have loved to have seen their take on the song. Wow, I really would have liked to hear that too! ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 1:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/113 "2013-03-05T01:28:11Z")
> [@President\_Johnny\_Gentle](#): > > And “Spirit in the Night,” for three Manfred Mann covers of songs from Springsteen’s debut. Manfred Mann were/are the covermeisters. Who here is familiar with Bob Dylan’s _Quinn the Eskimo_? If I hear Manfred Mann, I instinctively seek out the original, to hear the undesiccated version. ---
**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:** [March 5, 2013, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/114 "2013-03-05T03:40:47Z")
Well over two pages into the thread, and no mention yet of “Queen of Hearts”? This song was first recorded by Dave Edmunds in 1979 and went to #11 in the U.K. The story goes that he wanted his U.S. label to release it but they declined - then, in 1981 it was recorded by Juice Newton and went to #2 in the U.S. Edmunds also claimed that Newton stole his arrangement of the song. In any event, Edmunds’ version is terrific in my opinion, Newton’s recording bleah by comparison (especially if you’re not crazy about countrified versions of rock songs). ---
**Author:** ![pohjonen](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pohjonen/32/423_2.png) [@pohjonen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pohjonen)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 5:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/115 "2013-03-05T05:08:25Z")
> [@Biffy\_the\_Elephant\_Shrew](#): > > “Piece of My Heart” is so inextricably associated with Janis Joplin (even though the actual credited artist was Big Brother and the Holding Company) that few realize that Erma Franklin recorded it first. Janis’ “Cry Baby” was a cover of same by Garnet Mimms recorded in 1963. Also “You’re no Good” best known by Linda Ronstadt was a cover of one I remember by Betty Everett and “Just one Look” was done first by Doris Troy. ---
**Author:** ![Anamorphic](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/anamorphic/32/3057_2.png) [@Anamorphic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anamorphic)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 5:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/116 "2013-03-05T05:46:04Z")
> [@SirGalahad](#): > > But how about Otis Redding’s “Satisfaction”? I heard some British kids did a cover of it. Nope. Redding’s was the cover version; [Jagger and Richards wrote it](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Can%27t_Get_No). ---
**Author:** ![from\_a\_to\_z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5fc32e/32.png) [@from\_a\_to\_z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/from_a_to_z)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/117 "2013-03-05T05:54:11Z")
> [@bordelond](#): > > After 2 1/2 pages, I’m surprised to be the first to mention that Kim Carnes’ hit version of “Bette Davis Eyes” was a cover of Jackie DeShannon’s original. > [@Jackmannii](#): > > Well over two pages into the thread, and no mention yet of “Queen of Hearts”? Each of the above is listed in a link in **Ponch8** ’s [post #9](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?p=16060575&postcount=9). But really this post here is just to mention “Hungarian Dance #1”. Perhaps influenced by YouTube, you think of something like the [Budapest Philharmonic Orchestra](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJ47Tc4jDi0) or of [Evgeny Kissin](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kNIssxz4CI#t=0m19s). But the composer, Johannes Brahms, recorded it in [1889](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BZXL3I7GPCY). ---
**Author:** ![SirGalahad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/71c47a/32.png) [@SirGalahad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirGalahad)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 5:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/118 "2013-03-05T05:54:22Z")
> [@Leaffan](#): > > Jagger and Richards wrote (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction. If that’s what you’re referring to. No Shizzle Sherlockizzle, I guess I have to use multiple smilies for lame music jokes. Otis covered it the same year the Stones released it, with slightly different words. OK, here’s a serious one … Wilson Pickett covered Mustang Sally, shortly after Mack Rice released it in 1965. ---
**Author:** ![drew870mitchell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/drew870mitchell/32/3946_2.png) [@drew870mitchell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drew870mitchell)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/119 "2013-03-05T07:09:52Z")
[With a Little Help from My Friends](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCrlyX6XbTU) by Joe Cocker, over the [Beatles version.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBDF04fQKtQ) ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [March 5, 2013, 10:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895/120 "2013-03-05T10:33:39Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Also, without the Imbruglia version we wouldn’t have [this](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asJJ2xoWgus), and that is one of the best things ever. Okay, that was seriously funny! 🆒 [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/where-the-well-known-version-of-a-song-is-a-cover/651895.md?page=7)