Stolen Songs
Posted by Paul Waring on 19 April 2008 - 11:01am.
Enjoyed the 'cover version' thread this week, and it got me thinking about those songs that have been covered so well that the cover version has become the 'definitive' version.
I joke about John Fogerty covering a Status Quo song at Glastonbury last year, and whilst it's not a 'great' cover, I think there's no doubt that (possibly due to Live Aid) 'Rockin' All Over The World' is thought of by most people as a Quo classic rather than a song by him out of Creedence.
Others?
Obvious ones are:
All Along The Watchtower - Jimi rather than Bobby
Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley rather than Laughing Len
Respect - Aretha rather than Otis
Any more for any more?
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Jose Gonzalez
Heartbeats. 'Twas originally by a band called The Knife but who knew?
Also most people born after 1985 appear to think that Boyzone were the first to record all their songs.
Another one..?
Good Year for the Roses - Elvis Costello rather than George Jones
Although I didn't realise until today when I looked it up, that the song itself was penned by Jerry Chesnut.
Without You
By Nilsson. Written and recorded by Badfinger, Harry Nilsson thought this was a Lennon and McCartney song when he first heard it.
Not any more
Now probably more known as Mariah Carey song isn't it?
Oh Christ
Tell this ain't so.
She's The One
By Kurt Wallinger from World Party
Recorded successfully by Robbie.
The royalties must have been nice for Kurt. (He's not been well)
Did World Party actually record it?
Is there an original out there?
Yes
It's on 'Egyptology'. I've always thought of it as one of the weaker tracks on the album....Mind you the album is a belter.
Which, to be fair,
just goes to show what a fine job of it Robbie made.
Such a fan I got his name wrong
Karl not Kurt. Berk.
Karl wasn't that impressed
I think he actually felt betrayed that his crew went off to Robbie to make the record if memory serves.
James Taylor ...
and Carole King's 'You've Got A Friend'. I wouldn't mind if he never sang it again , and I suspect neither would he. Like Nilsson, a case of a top flight songwriter being more famous for a cover version.
And with all due respect to Ben E King, I've never heard a better version of 'Stand By Me' than Lennon's.
And I prefer Gladys Knight's version of 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' - am I allowed to say that, or should I get my coat?
Yes, you're allowed to say that. . .
if I'm allowed to say that I've always preferred this "Stand By Me" over Lennon's:
While we're on Carole King....
Her "original" version of Will You (Still) Love Me Tomorrow?given the definitive once over by The Shirelles.
Heard It Through The Grapevine
Originally done by Gladys Knight.
That's my point...
practically everyone prefers, or probably only knows, the 'definitive' cover version.
Nope...
...Gladys' original is sublimely funky and much my fave version.
Original
I do remember reading that Marvin's version was recorded first, but released after Gladys Knight's. Meanwhile, the ever-reliable Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Heard_It_Through_the_Grapevine) notes that The Miracles and The Isley Brothers were first in line with their (unreleased) versions.
Meanwhile, if we're talking You've Got A Friend do check out Donny Hathaway's version. Heartbreaking!
Black Magic Woman
Santana vs. Peter Green's Fleetwood Mac
Jackson
The famous duet attributed to Johnny Cash and June Carter was performed a year earlier by Nancy Sinatra and Lee Hazlewood; their version is far more sly: "They'll laugh at you in Jackson" she says. "I doubt it" retorts Hazlewood, obviously unaware that he won't find what he's after, and will have to sheepishly go back to his woman.
By the way, I always assumed this song to be about Jackson, Mississippi. Some say it's Jackson, Tennessee. Anyone know for sure?
Led Zeppelin
should be mentioned here I would have thought since a few thought to be by them are not by them, as we know. Almost literally stolen you might say. Well covered but definitive version? Depends how well you know the blues I suppose.
Its All Over Now
A minor hit for The Valentinos (featuring Bobby Womack) taken over by the Stones.
Another "Walk Away Renee". I thought this was a Four Tops original til recently but twas The Left Banke.
Does " Way Down In The Hole" by The Blind Boys Of Alabama count?
Surely the definitive version of the Tom Waits song.
Hurt
Nine Inch Nails originally, then covered by Johnny Cash. Cash takes a boring over-rated song and makes it work.
Whilst we are with American Recordings.....
Surely also the definitive versions of One (U2), I Won't Back Down (Tom Petty), Beast in Me (Nick Lowe, again) and Pocahontas (Neil Young) are by Johnny Cash.
I agree with everything you just said
Apart from Pocahontas. The American Recordings series yielded covers that eclipsed the originals, for sure; but they also included several songs that fall a long way short of the originals and, arguably, should have been left well alone. I'm thinking of Bridge Over Troubled Water, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, In My Life and I've Been Everywhere, for example.
Never expected everyone to agree.
I am a big fan of Neil, but Johnny Cash's Pocahontas is better. Honest.
I agree with you about godawful versions of other songs. It strikes me that Mr Cash had a very limited range and prcious little idea about cadence and scanning. However when he hit the spot, what aspot he hit.
His best worst example of how to murder a song is he and June attempting It Ain't Me, Babe, so awful that the version in Walk the Line is better!
My favourite 'Pocahontas'
is the one on Neil Young Unplugged.
I thought for a long time
that 'what's so funny about peace, love and understanding' was Costellos song. Sorry Nick
On it's original UK release...
...as the B side of Nick Lowe's American Squirm, EC's version was credited to Nick Lowe & His Sound.
On the other hand
I thought Shipbuilding was Robert Wyatt's finest moment as a singer and songwriter till I read the credits on the label and discovered that Declan was responsible for it's birth!
I can't stand Jeff Buckley's histrionics
I'm going to put in another declaration of love for Kathryn Williams here and say I prefer *her* (much, much more understated) 'Hallelujah' to Lennyboy's or anyone else's.
Nina Simone's 'I Shall Be Released' over Dylan's any day...
The Slits' masterful 'Grapevine' I love as much as Marvin's
St Etienne's 'Only Love Can Break Your Heart' over Neil Young's (and I say this as a BIG Youngfan)
De De Warwick's 'Suspicious Minds' is easily as good as The King's (and again I adore Elvis, but...)
John Holt has done a thousand great reggae covers but for me 'Help Me Make It Through The Night' is his pinnacle and just beats Kris...
Hush
If you said Hush to most people I reckon they'd think of Deep Purple rather than Joe South.
There is, horrifically, a
There is, horrifically, a large part of a generation that would think of Kula Shaker.
Joe South
I've said it before and i'll say it again. Joe South is the great lost talent of rock'n'roll. Fizzled out early due to "depression".
I'm sure it's somewhat infra dig...
...to reply to your own original post, but I just thought that 'Valerie' is now much more associated with Amy and Mark, rather than the Zuton's original?
Rolf Harris...
'Stairway To Heaven'.
The great Johnny Rivers
First to do The Four Tops' Do What You Gotta Do too. Neither as good as the later more famous versions, but he was the first to spot the enormous talent of Jimmy Webb.
All The Young Dudes
By Mott The Hoople. Written and produced by David Bowie. He offered them Drive-In Saturday first, which they rejected, so he then gave them All The Young Dudes. Bowie's live effort on David Live is awful and his studio version isn't much better. I wonder what their take on Drive-In Saturday would have been like?
The Promised Land
Johnnie Allen. Better than Chuck Berry, better than Elvis.
I Fought The Law
'I Fought the Law' by The Clash.
Original version was by The Bobby Fuller Four, and is in my all-time Top 10.
Bobby Fuller was murdered at the age of 23. I'd heard that some mobsters fell out with his management and to get even they forced the singer to drink petrol before setting him alight. This version does not quite match with the Wikipedia account of his death.
A few more.....
The Clash - Police & Thieves (Junior Murvin)
Sinead O' Connor - Nothing Compares to you (The Family)
The Beatles - Twist & Shout (Topnotes/Isley Brothers).
Sailing
Surely a Rod Stewart number? Urrr, no. The Sutherland Brothers actually.
Blondie
How about Denis by Blondie.
or....
Hanging on the telephone by Blondie as well, originally by The Nerves.
or indeed...
The Tide Is High, originally by The Paragons, taking us full circle to John Holt... I wouldn't call Blondie's superior, but it certainly is better known and it acquits itself well.
Atomic Kitten's
version knocks spots off them all.
Whitney.....
Nicking Dolly's far superior take on "I Will Always Love You" and turning it into a sugary, syrupy, saccahrine travesty of a song.
See also Wet, Wet, Wet's demolition of Love is All Around. Still, kept Reg Presley in UFO and Corn Circle equipment for years!
can you spot a theme here?
Jolene ~ The Sisters Of Mercy
Jealous Guy ~ Roxy Music
I Wanna Be Sedated ~ The Sisters Of Mercy
Gimme, Gimme, Gimme ~ The Sisters Of Mercy
So What? ~ Metallica
This Corrosion ~ Lambchop
Anarchy In The USA (UK) ~ Megadeth
Bei Mir Bist du Schoen ~ The Sisters Of Mercy
(it's on the tip of your tongue, isn't it?)
America ~ Yes
America ~ The Nice
Country Pie ~ The Nice
Didn't Know I Loved You Till I Saw You Rock'n'Roll ~ The Sisters Of Mercy
Comfortably Numb ~ The Sisters Of Mercy (even though they absolutely slaughter it)
Capricorn ~ The Sisters Of Mercy
Knockin' On Heavens Door ~ The Sisters Of Mercy
Emma ~ The Sisters Of Mercy
Summer Breeze ~ Type O Negative
Sister Ray ~ The Sisters Of Mercy
Ghostrider ~ The Sisters Of Mercy
thank you
Comfortably Numb Slaughtered
However, don't forget their version of Gimme Shelter. Goth deluxe!
Policy of Truth Slaughtered
Sackcloth and ashes
how could I have missed Gimme Shelter, sorry everyone
Two come straight to mind
Nothing Compares To You Sinead O'Connor over Prince and Walk Away Renee The Four Tops over The Left Banke.
And also
Always On My Mind.More people know the Elvis and Pet Shop Boys version over Willie Nelson's or Brenda Lee's.
More Willie
The best known recording of a Willie Nelson song is probably Crazy by Patsy Cline although I don't know if he recorded it before she did.
Crazy...
was indeed recorded by Willie Nelson first, but never released.His version was re-recorded and released a good ten years after patsy's death.Her version is AMAZING though, as is anything she ever recorded.
Better Than
The Residents' version of Satisfaction always floats my boat!
And their version of
Its a Man's Man's Man's World floats my boat.
Johnny Rivers
Nearly fell off my chair - another Johnny Rivers fan - rare as hens teeth. I much prefer Johnny's version of Dancin'In The Moonlight to Toploader or King Harvest. Its on the Help Me Rhonda album.
I Love Rock N Roll
Joan Jett and The Blackhearts ? nope!
covers
John Campbell - When The Levee Breaks
Dick Gaughan - Ruby Tuesday
Nazareth - My White Bycicle
Steppenwolf - The Pusher
Ray Charles - Yesterday
Robben Ford - Politician
Spirit - Happy
Spirit - Like A Rolling Stone
Bobby Darin - If I Was A Carpenter
Robert Plant - Morning Dew
Cream - Born Under A Bad Sign