Who knew THAT was a remake?!

[dawsongirl]

There's a song playing on Sirius 6 right now: R.B. Greaves, "Always Something There to Remind Me." 1970. And yeah, it's the same as the Naked Eyes song from the 80s! No idea that song had been done before.


Anyone else have any songs that they didn't know had previous recorded versions?

[Zoneboy]

I knew it was a remake but had forgotten who done it originally. Here's a few I didn't know were covers until a long time after I first heard them.

My Maria - Brooks and Dunn (Originally - BW Stevenson)

Four Strong Winds - Bobby Bare, Neil Young etc... (Ian Tyson)

(I've Had) The Time of My Life - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (Franke & the Knockouts)

Hungry Eyes - Eric Carmen (Franke & the Knockouts)

Without You - Harry Nilsson (Badfinger)

MacArthur Park - Donna Summer (Richard Harris)

Act Naturally - The Beatles (Buck Owens)

Dueling/Feuding Banjos - Eric Weissberg (Arthur Smith)

You can add practically every Linda Ronstadt song released during the 70's to this list also.

I'm sure there's more but I'll have to think about it some.

[James]

"Busted" - John Conlee (Ray Charles)

I THINK Elvis Presley sang "Always On My Mind" before Willie Nelson recorded his version in 1982.

[James]

"If You Don't Know Me By Now" - Simply Red, 1989 (originally Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes, 1972)

[James"Thunder"Early]

Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin was originally recorded by Aretha Franklin's sister Erma.

[dawsongirl]

Piece of My Heart - Janis Joplin was originally recorded by Aretha Franklin's sister Erma.

I didn't even know Aretha had a sister. lol

[catlover79]

There's a song playing on Sirius 6 right now: R.B. Greaves, "Always Something There to Remind Me." 1970. And yeah, it's the same as the Naked Eyes song from the 80s! No idea that song had been done before.


Anyone else have any songs that they didn't know had previous recorded versions?
"Always Something There To Remind Me" was written by Burt Bacharach/Hal David, who wrote zillions of hits for various artists, most notable Dionne Warwick. The Carpenters sang a few lines of this song on their self-titled 1971 album, as part of a Bacharach/David medley.

[James]

"Green Green Grass of Home" by Tom Jones in 1966: Porter Wagoner had a hit with it in 1965. (I believe Porter wrote the song, too.)

[Zoneboy]

"Green Green Grass of Home" by Tom Jones in 1966: Porter Wagoner had a hit with it in 1965. (I believe Porter wrote the song, too.)

It was written by Curly Putnam in 1964 and it was his first hit. The song has been recorded by over 400 artists with the Tom Jones version being the more successful on the pop charts and Porter's on the country. Curly Putnam also wrote what many consider to be the best country song of all time, "He Stopped Loving Her Today" by George Jones.

[Dean Winchester]

Here's a few I didn't know were covers until a long time after I first heard them.

(I've Had) The Time of My Life - Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (Franke & the Knockouts)

Hungry Eyes - Eric Carmen (Franke & the Knockouts)

I bet those guys got some great royalty checks off the "Dirty Dancing" soundtrack. I know Nick Lowe once mentioned that he made more money off one of his songs being covered on "The Bodyguard" soundtrack than he ever made off his own recordings.

[Ireneparalegal]

"I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston originally done by Dolly Parton. I learned shortly after the single was released.

[Rezny@gmail.com]

And did you know that the Dave Clark Five's "Over and Over"was a remake as well.This is 100%true.The ORIGINAL version by Bobby Day was the B-side of his "Rockin'Robin"(Yes,I know that The Jackson 5 did a remake of Rockin'Robin")in 1958 and the ORIGINAL "Over and Over"includes a verse not included in the DC5 version.What is the missing verse,you ask?Well,here it isa..."Now,my poor heart was broken,all my life where had she been,but I'll try over and over and over and over again.I will try over and over and overe..and over a..g..a..i...n."

[Ireneparalegal]

In case you didn't know, these were all remakes:

‘All Along the Watchtower’ Jimi Hendrix Experience, 1968 (orig. Bob Dylan, 1967)

‘You Were Always On My Mind’ Pet Shop Boys, 1987 (orig. Elvis Presley, 1972 - after Brenda Lee, 1971)

‘My Way’ Sid Vicious, 1979 (orig. Frank Sinatra, 1969 - after Paul Anka, 1969)

‘Hallelujah’ Jeff Buckley, 1993 (orig. Leonard Cohen, 1984)

‘Respect’ Aretha Franklin, 1967 (orig. Otis Redding, 1965)

‘Tainted Love’ Soft Cell, 1981 (orig. Gloria Jones, 1964)

‘Mr Tambourine Man’ The Byrds, 1965 (orig. Bob Dylan, 1964)

‘Twist and Shout’ The Beatles, 1963 (orig. the Isley Brothers, 1960)

‘Comfortably Numb’ Scissor Sisters, 2004 (orig. Pink Floyd, 1979)

‘Mr Bojangles’ Nina Simone, 1971 (orig. Jerry Jeff Walker)

[Zoneboy]

(Yes,I know that The Jackson 5 did a remake of Rockin'Robin")

Are you sure they did a cover? I know Michael recorded the song as a solo artist.

[Ireneparalegal]

Are you sure they did a cover? I know Michael recorded the song as a solo artist.
You are right, Michael Jackson, not the Jackson Five, did that cover.

[Zoneboy]

I Love Rock and Roll - Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (Originally by the Arrows)

Bette Davis Eyes - Kim Carnes (Originally by Jackie De Shannon)

Billy Don't Be a Hero - Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods (Originally by Paper Lace)

Do Ya - ELO (Originally by The Move who later became ELO)

Act Naturally - The Beatles (Originally by Buck Owens)

[Rezny@gmail.com]

And these were remade-"You're 16"(1960-ORIGINAL by Johnny Burnette),"Love Potion #9(1959-ORIGINAL by the Clovers-theirs has a verse not included in the Searcher's remake-"I had so much fun,that I'm goin' back again...I wonder what happens with ...Love Potion #10...Love Potion #9"),"The Wonder of You"(fabulous remake by Elvis Presley-1959 ORIGINAL by Ray Peterson)

[Rezny@gmail.com]

And:"Hound Dog"(ORIGINAL by Big Mama Thornton),"Shake,Rattle and Roll"(ORIGINAL by Big Joe Turner)."Puppy Love"(ORIGINAL by Paul Anka,who ALSO wrote it,Yes,I know Donny Osmond did it),"Go Away,Little Girl"(ORIGINAL by Steve Lawrence.Remade by The Happening,and Donny Osmond)","Chantilly Lace"(ORIGINAL Classic version by The Big Bopper,remade by Jerry Lee Lewis)

[Ireneparalegal]

Rezny, just to let you know, it is really hard to look at your posts because everything is jumbled together. I can't even read them because it is hard on my eyes.

[Zoneboy]

You Light Up My Life - Debby Boone (Kacey Cisyk)

The Power of Love - Celine Dion (Jennifer Rush)

It's All Coming Back to Me Now - Celine Dion (Pandora's Box)

Lady Marmalade - Christina Aguilera, Mya, Lil' Kim and Pink (Eleventh Hour)

The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face - Roberta Flack (Ewan MacColl)

I Heard it Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye (Smokey Robinson and the Miracles)

Killing Me Softly with His Song - Roberta Flack (Lori Lieberman)

(They Long to Be) Close to You - The Carpenters (Dionne Warwick)

Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinead O'Connor (The Family)

What's Love Got to Do with it - Tina Turner (Bucks Fizz)

War - Edwin Starr (The Temptations)

Alone - Heart (l-Ten)

I Write the Songs - Barry Manilow (Captain and Tennille)

Love Will Keep Us Together - Captain and Tennille (Neil Sedaka)

Gloria - Laura Branigan (Umberto Tozzi)

Do Wah Diddy Diddy - Manfred Mann ( The Exciters)

Wedding Bell Blues - 5th Dimension (Laura Nyro)

Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In - 5th Dimension (Original cast of Hair)

Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin (Roger Miller)

Someday We'll Be Together - Diana Ross & the Supremes (Johnny and Jackie)

The Candy Man - Sammy Davis Jr. (Aubrey Woods)

Mickey - Toni Basil (Smile)

Brother Louie - Stories (Hot Chocolate)

Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight & the Pips (Jim Weatherly)

Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston (George Benson)

The Twist - Chubby Checker (Hank Ballard and the Midnighters)

More Than I Can Say - Leo Sayer (The Crickets)

Quarter to Three - Gary U.S. Bonds (Church Street Five)

All the Man that I Need - Whitney Houston (Linda Ronstadt)

Don't Leave Me this Way - Thelma Houston (Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes)

The Tide is High - Blondie (The Paragons)

Don't Turn Around - Ace of Base (Tina Turner)

When I Need You - Leo Sayer (Albert Hammond)

From a Distance - Bette Midler (Nanci Griffith)

(We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley and His Comets (Sonny Dae and the Knights)

Are You Lonesome Tonight - Elvis Presley (Vaughn Deleath)

The Lion Sleeps Tonight - The Tokens (Miriam Makeba)

Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino (Glenn Miller & Gene Autry)

My Ding-A-Ling - Chuck Berry (Dave Bartholomew)

Unchained Melody - The Righteous Brothers (Todd Duncan)

My Blue Heaven - Fats Domino (Paul Whiteman and His Orchestra)

The Entertainer - Marvin Hamlisch (Scott Joplin)

Also Sprach Zarathustra (Theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey) - Deodato (Richard Strauss)

Crying In the Chapel - Elvis Presley (Darrell Glenn)

Way Down Yonder In New Orleans - Freddy Cannon (Peerless Quartet)

Sloop John B. - The Beach Boys (Traditional West Indies Folk Song)

I'm Henry VIII I am - Herman's Hermits (Harry Champion)

[Dean Winchester]

great list Zoneboy


(They Long to Be) Close to You - The Carpenters (Dionne Warwick)

actually, The Carpenters predated Dionne on this, even tho it was a Bacharach song. Dionne's version was on her 1972 album "Dionne" (not to be confused with the 1979 album called "Dionne", lol) and The Carpetners did it in 1970

All the Man that I Need - Whitney Houston (Linda Ronstadt)

funny how so many of Linda's hits were covers, and then one of her originals didn't become a hit until Whitney did it :lol:

[Zoneboy]

great list Zoneboy

actually, The Carpenters predated Dionne on this, even tho it was a Bacharach song. Dionne's version was on her 1972 album "Dionne" (not to be confused with the 1979 album called "Dionne", lol) and The Carpetners did it in 1970

Thanks :) I got the list from the same book that I mentioned in the one hit wonders thread. I'm sure a few people will be skeptical about some of them but Fred Bronson seems to know his stuff. You could very well be right about Dionne Warwick but then again she may have recorded an unreleased version of the song before The Carpenters and then released it on her 1972 album after they had success with it.

[Ireneparalegal]

I heard it through the grapevine was also done by Gladys Knight and the Pips.

There was also the version done by Roger & Zapp.

[James]

"All I Ever Need Is You": I thought Kenny Rogers' and Dottie West's 1979 country hit was original, then last Sunday I listened to "The '70s" with Steve Goddard, and he played the same song by Sonny and Cher from 1974, which I had never heard before

[dawsongirl]

Wow...what a list we've got here. I guess the key to finding hits is to look at songs by unknown/lesser known artists.

[D-Dey]

Police On My Back - The Clash(The Equals. When the remake by The Clash first came out, some kid I knew at school insisted it was a new song, but I knew it was a cover. It just took me over a decade to find out what the name of the band I originally heard it from was).


Take Me to the River - The Talking Heads(Al Green. Similar scenario of that kid insisting it was new, but I actually heard David Byrne admit it was an Al Green cover in a radio interview).


And speaking of Al Green...

Let's Stay Together - Tina Turner(Al Green. I had to thow that in before someone else did).

[Jack Gomez]

All I Do Is Think Of You - Troop (Jackson 5)

[D-Dey]

I heard it through the grapevine was also done by Gladys Knight and the Pips.

There was also the version done by Roger & Zapp.
Not to mention Creedence Clearwater Revival.

[MickeyMac]

Somkey Robinson & The Miracles did "Grapevine" before anybody.


Lou Johnson cut the original version of "Always Something There To Remind Me" back in 1964, and for my money has the best version. Johnson also cut "Message To Martha", which Dionne Warwick did as "Message To Michael".


"Twist and Shout" was originally done by the Top Notes for Atlantic in 1961, and was an early Phil Spector production, this was a year before the Isley Brothers.

[MickeyMac]

Here are some more original versions:


Time Is On My Side-Irma Thomas (covered by the Rolling Stones)

Louie Louie-Richard Berry (covered by the Kingsmen and countless others)

You're No Good-Betty Everett (covered by Linda Rondstadt)


Some Kind of Wonderful-Soul Brothers Six (covered by Grand Funk Railroad)

Tainted Love-Gloria Jones (covered by Soft Cell)


The Twist-Hank Ballard (covered by Hank Ballard)

Good Lovin'-The Olympics (covered by The Rascals)

Hang On Sloopy-The Vibrations (covered by the McCoys)

That's All Right-Arthur Crudup (covered by Elvis Presley)

Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood-Nina Simone (covered by The Animals)

Devil In His Heart-The Donnays (covered by The Beatles)

Looking For A Love-The Valentinos (covered by the J. Geils Band)

Dedicated to The One I Love-The "5" Royales (covered by the Shirelles and the Mama's and Papa's)

[MusicJunkie]

a lot of Cyndi Lauper's early hits were originally covered by other artists, such as Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (Robert Hazard), Money Changes Everything (The Brains), When You Were Mine (Prince) and All Through The Night (Jules Shear). Granted, Prince was the only one of that lot most people had heard of, but all four of those songs were remakes.

[ekkostar]

I Didn't Mean To Turn You On!
Of course I still think Robert's version is best...

[James]

"Somewhere In The Night" by Barry Manilow (1978) - originally done by Helen Reddy three years earlier

[Zoneboy]

"Somewhere In The Night" by Barry Manilow (1978) - originally done by Helen Reddy three years earlier

Helen's version is also a cover. It was originally recorded by Batdorf and Rodney. http://www.secondhandsongs.com/song/41749

[brie]

Up on the Roof - James Taylor (The Drifters)

[MrCleveland]

"You're no Good" by Linda Ronstadt (Originally done by Dee Dee Warwick, a sister of Dionne Warwick. And surprisingly, Dionne never sang this song)!

[dawsongirl]

"You're no Good" by Linda Ronstadt (Originally done by Dee Dee Warwick, a sister of Dionne Warwick. And surprisingly, Dionne never sang this song)!
Did Linda ever sing anything that wasn't a remake?

[MrCleveland]

Did Linda ever sing anything that wasn't a remake?

I don't think so. Even her first hit "Different Drum" was remade. (Ever heard the Nesmith version of this song? It's very good, and there's even a verse that was left-out of the Ronstadt Version).

Here's Nesmith singing that song on The Monkees....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDgF-A_kGVg

Now...here's the 1972 version that he (Nesmith) did....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-SHHZ8xpV0

[D-Dey]

I don't think so. Even her first hit "Different Drum" was remade. (Ever heard the Nesmith version of this song? It's very good, and there's even a verse that was left-out of the Ronstadt Version).

Here's Nesmith singing that song on The Monkees....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDgF-A_kGVg

Now...here's the 1972 version that he (Nesmith) did....http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z-SHHZ8xpV0

That's a surprise, and a little better than the Ronstadt version. Apparently a lot of people overlooked some occasional legitimacy in some Monkees music. Despite being a completley manufactured band, both Nesmith and Peter Tork were genuine songwriters. "I'm a Believer" was originally a Neil Diamond tune and "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" was a Paul Revere & The Raiders cover.

I don't remember where I read it, but Juliana Hatfield collaborated with Susanna Hoffs. I once thought that she actually wrote "Manic Monday" for her, and would've like to hear her version. It turned out I was wrong, and she just sang backing vocals on some of her songs.

[Zoneboy]

Different Drum was originally recorded by the bluegrass band the Greenbriar Boys

Cover hierarchy
Different Drum by The Greenbriar Boys (1966)
◦Different Drum by The Stone Poneys (June 1967)
◦Different Drum by The Pastels (1990)
◦Different Drum by Lemonheads (June 1990)
◦Different Drum by Bridget Ball (1993)
◦Different Drum by Ferron (May 25, 1999)
◦Different Drum by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes (March 20, 2001)
◦Different Drum by Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs (April 18, 2006)


Original Ronstadt recordings:

1 Faithless Love

2 Feels Like Home

3 Heart Like a Wheel

4 If He's Ever Near

5 Long Long Time

6 Lose Again

7 Love Is a Rose

8 Silver Blue

9 Someone to Lay Down Beside Me

10 Try Me Again

11 White Rhythm and Blues

[dawsongirl]

Wow...that's a lot of times to be remade.

[D-Dey]

Wow...that's a lot of times to be remade.
I think "The Tracks of My Tears" was remade more often, including by Linda Ronstadt. But do you know who else remade that song? Dogbowl & Kramer.

http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:fnfpxqthldje

In case you don't know who they are, Dogbowl(a.k.a.; Stephen Tunney) is one of the founding members of King Missile. Kramer(full name Mark Kramer) was also a member of Bongwater(who also had Ann Magnuson as the lead singer) and the head of Shimmy Disc Records.

[browneyes106]

Heartbeats-Jose Gonzalez(The Knife)

[browneyes106]

Unchained Melody-The Righteous Brothers(Todd Duncan)

[Cactus Jack]

Barbara Ann-The Beach Boys ( The Regents, this version is in the movie American Graffiti,also on the soundtrack)

[Cactus Jack]

It's My Life-No Doubt ( Talk Talk)

[D-Dey]

Here's another surprise remake; Mudhoney's "By Her Own Hand" was actually a cover of a tune by Dutch band called "Mc Phonic."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlD4ag15Amo

And I'm still waiting for somebody to cover Velocity Girl songs.

[phoebe7165]

Neil Diamond songs -

When I was a kid, I didn't know that "I'm a Believer" by the Monkees, was done by Neil.

Also, "Red, Red Wine" by UB40 was a Neil song, and "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" done by Urge Overkill was a Neil Song.

When David Lee Roth did "Just a Gigolo/I Ain't Got Nobody", I didn't know it was done by Louis Prima. At least I think that's who originally did it.

[phoebe7165]

"I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston originally done by Dolly Parton. I learned shortly after the single was released.

I grew up listening to Dolly's version. I just cannot listen to Whitney's version. And I like Whitney otherwise!!

[D-Dey]

Neil Diamond songs -

When I was a kid, I didn't know that "I'm a Believer" by the Monkees, was done by Neil.

Also, "Red, Red Wine" by UB40 was a Neil song, and "Girl, You'll Be a Woman Soon" done by Urge Overkill was a Neil Song.
Neither did I, except for the Urge Overkill remake. I knew all along that was a Neil Diamond song, as I did with "Solitary Man," which was covered by The Sidewinders, and was way better than Neil's version.

I grew up listening to Dolly's version. I just cannot listen to Whitney's version. And I like Whitney otherwise!!
I can't listen to either one, and I remember Dolly's version.

[D-Dey]

In case you didn't know, these were all remakes:

‘All Along the Watchtower’ Jimi Hendrix Experience, 1968 (orig. Bob Dylan, 1967)

"Hey, Joe" was a cover too. The trouble is, I forgot who did it before Jimi. I saw a recent documentary on him on Ovation.

[Zoneboy]

"Hey, Joe" was a cover too. The trouble is, I forgot who did it before Jimi. I saw a recent documentary on him on Ovation.

The Leaves recorded the original.

[andress_jade]

The Jackson 5 redid Smokey Robinson's song "Who's Lovin' You".
Gladys Knight redid Jackson 5's "Never Can Say Goodbye". I liked Jackson 5's version better.
Alien Ant Farm redid Michael Jackson's "Smooth Criminal". Michael's version was better.
Fall Out Boy redid Michael Jackson's "Beat It". Again, I liked Michael's version better.
Mariah Carey redid Jackson 5's "I'll Be There". I like both versions.

[Zoneboy]

Tracey Ullman's "They Don't Know" was originally done by Kirsty MacColl in 1979

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[James]

Bob Seger's 1982 hit "Shame On The Moon" was originally done by Rodney Crowell (a country singer).

[Rezny@gmail.com]

And the country song "Amarillo By Morning" by George Strait,written by Terry Stafford (he sang and had a hit in 1964,with a cover of Elvis Presley's 1962 song "Suspicion"-remember that?),was a remake of the original 1972 version sang by Terry Stafford (with a female chorus).

[adultescent]

Cowboy Junkies - Sweet Jane ... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BHRFZFmEq9o ... a remake better than the original by The Velvet Underground (an iconic band... although I'm not really a big fan)... Love CJ's version...

[Rezny@gmail.com]

And you remember the Hondells 1964 hit "Little Honda"?That was a remake of a song first recorded in 1964 by The Beach Boys,and was written by Beach Boys head honcho Brian Wilson.

[D-Dey]

I recently found out that "Love at First Sight" by Lush, was a cover by The Gist.

http://www.whosampled.com/cover/view/25909/Lush-Love%20at%20First%20Sight_The%20Gist-Love%20at%20First%20Sight/

I know of a few other covers and samples that website could use.

[TheCars1986]

"Video Killed the Radio Star" was recorded by The Camera Club before The Buggles recorded their version. I don't know if it could be classified as a "cover" or a "remake" since both members of The Buggles wrote the song along with Bruce Woolley from The Camera Club, but some might find it interesting nonetheless.

[D-Dey]

Tracey Ullman's "They Don't Know" was originally done by Kirsty MacColl in 1979.
That's something I knew for a very long time. Ullman changed some of MacColl's lyrics though.

In the meantime, I'm still waiting for Jennette McCurdy to do a cover of "Same Old City" by Veolcity Girl.

[Zoneboy]

That's something I knew for a very long time. Ullman changed some of MacColl's lyrics though.

Ok.

[UMFaninMD]

"It's Gonna Take a Miracle" - originally recorded by The Royalettes in 1965 before Deneice Williams made it a hit in 1982.

"Love Don't Live Here Anymore" - originally recorded by Rose Royce in 1978 before Madonna redid it in the 80's. Rose Royce also recorded "Wishing on a Star" before The Cover Girls and Beyonce's versions respectively. Miriam Stockley also sang a one minute version for the intro to the NBC miniseries "The Tenth Kingdom."

"Self Control" - originally recorded by European singer Raf in 1983 before Laura Branigan made it a huge hit in 1984 and dance group Infernal's version in the 2000's.

Speaking of Laura Branigan, she recorded "How am I Supposed to Live Without You" before Michael Bolton, who is famous for doing mostly all cover songs.

"The Woman In Me" - originally recorded by Donna Summer in the early 80's before Shania Twain made it popular in the late 90's.

"Whadaya Want From Me" was originally written and recorded by Pink, but she gave the song to Adam Lambert as she felt he would be better for the song. Her version is not that bad though.

"You Should Hear How She Talks About You" - originally recorded by Charlie Dore but Melissa Manchester's upbeat version in 1982 was the one that became a hit.

[D-Dey]

If it hasn't been mentioned alread, "Biting My Nails," by Renegade Soundwave was actually a cover of a song by Geneviève Waïte.

The original from 1973:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0BAtMlXdvbc

The more famous cover from the late-1980's:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KAcgwXkIOHM