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Post by Dawn on Jun 25, 2008 13:21:20 GMT -5
Recently, I heard the original 1982 recording of Family Man by Mike Oldfield. I'd been a fan of Hall & Oates' version ever since it came out in spring 1983, but had no idea someone else had recorded it first! The Oldfield version is very good, similar to Hall & Oates' but with a female lead vocal.
Another similar incident took place a couple of years ago, when I heard Shuggie Otis' original Strawberry Letter 23 from 1970. I'd grown up loving the Brothers Johnson's version from '77, but not being familiar with Shuggie, I was surprised to find out it dated that far back.
Also, I didn't hear the original Tainted Love by Gloria Jones until about 2002 - didn't realize that was a cover either when the Soft Cell version was popular, and for years afterward.
How about you?
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Post by Ken on Jun 25, 2008 17:32:21 GMT -5
Hi Dawn,
With Family Man, it was the opposite for me. I heard Mike Oldfield's version first, my brother had bought the 45 back in '82. To me it didn't seem like all that much time had passed then all of a sudden, Hall and Oates released their version.
I also didn't know that Soft Cell's version of Tainted Love was a cover. I'm trying to recall when I finally got to hear Gloria's version, maybe in the late 90's? I think I heard Ron play it on "Crap From The Past"
Another was Handy Man. When I heard James Taylor's version back in 1977, I had no idea whatsoever at that time that Jimmy Jones had recorded it in 1960. It wasn't until around 1984 or so that I heard the original.
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Post by Dawn on Jun 25, 2008 18:38:05 GMT -5
Hi Dawn, With Family Man, it was the opposite for me. I heard Mike Oldfield's version first, my brother had bought the 45 back in '82. To me it didn't seem like all that much time had passed then all of a sudden, Hall and Oates released their version. I also didn't know that Soft Cell's version of Tainted Love was a cover. I'm trying to recall when I finally got to hear Gloria's version, maybe in the late 90's? I think I heard Ron play it on "Crap From The Past" Another was Handy Man. When I heard James Taylor's version back in 1977, I had no idea whatsoever at that time that Jimmy Jones had recorded it in 1960. It wasn't until around 1984 or so that I heard the original. Yep, I was the same way with Handy Man. I'm thinking it was sometime in the late '80s when I heard the original for the first time. |
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Post by dave910 on Jun 25, 2008 23:19:55 GMT -5
Hi Dawn, With Family Man, it was the opposite for me. I heard Mike Oldfield's version first, my brother had bought the 45 back in '82. To me it didn't seem like all that much time had passed then all of a sudden, Hall and Oates released their version. I also didn't know that Soft Cell's version of Tainted Love was a cover. I'm trying to recall when I finally got to hear Gloria's version, maybe in the late 90's? I think I heard Ron play it on "Crap From The Past" Another was Handy Man. When I heard James Taylor's version back in 1977, I had no idea whatsoever at that time that Jimmy Jones had recorded it in 1960. It wasn't until around 1984 or so that I heard the original. Ken, As a kid growing up I, too didn't know that "Handy Man" was originally penned and sung by Jimmy Jones until the the late 80's when I heard it on an oldies station. One more word about "Handy Man", years later when Culture Club had a number one hit with "Karma Chameleon". Jimmy Jones was one that felt the song too closely resemble "Handy Man" and tried to sue the band. The group responded to Jones' woes by sending him "ten pence and an apple"  Back to Taylor, I thought "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" was one of his originals. Years later, I would hear Marvin Gaye's original. There are times I am more partial to JT's remake, cause I owned the 45 when I was small.  When 10,000 Maniacs had a comeback hit with "More Than This", in the summer of 1997, I felt it was one of the best songs the band ever composed. I would find out later that summer that Roxy Music was the first to write and record that tune when I tuning into a Portland, ME station.  |
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Post by Viki (ditzybrunette85) on Jun 25, 2008 23:50:20 GMT -5
I think it was 10, 000 Maniacs who sang "Because The Night" and I liked that song, then I found out that Patti Smith was the original artist to sing it and I actually like her version better now lol.
I was the same way with Tainted Love. Most people my age think that Marilyn Manson sang it first, but I never liked his version. I've always known the Soft Cell version since I was a kid, its one of my favourite songs. I was surprised to find out its a cover. I still like Soft Cell's version better though.
And It took me a long time to find out that Bananarama's "Venus" was a cover! I still like their version rather than Shocking Blue, but its still a good song.
Backstreet Boys (aka my favourite music group in high school) have a version of "Set Adrift On Memory Bliss" and I loooooved it. Found out not long after that is a cover of PM Dawn. I like both versions equally.
Speaking of boybands LOL, *NSYNC did a cover of Bread's "Everything I Own" on their debut album. It was never released as a single, but they did a very very very good job. I've always been impressed with *NSYNC's vocal talents. I think if they had released this, it would've been a big hit. Its much better than some of their other songs (even though I don't hate anything that they've ever done lol).
Naked Eyes did a cover of "Always Something There To Remind Me", originally done by Sandie Shaw (I think. Her version came out a few years before Dionne Warwick). I like Naked Eyes better, but it could be cause its the version I heard first...
Patti Smith has her own version of "Gloria" originally done by Them (Van Morison's group in the 60's before he went solo). I like Them's version, but I LOVE Patti's the best. It makes me want to dance! Patti Smith is a brilliant musician.
There's probably a ton more songs that are out there that I never realized were covers. I tend to enjoy original versions more than their covers, but once in a while the cover becomes a bigger hit than the original (i.e "Tainted Love) and I think people usually like the version they heard first, regardless if its the cover or not.
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Post by edehl on Jun 26, 2008 0:20:24 GMT -5
When I was in Elementary School, I first heard Earth, Wind, and Fire's rendition of "Got to Get You Into My Life." I was blown away by the tune, and didn't realize until a few years later when I got into the Beatles that it was a cover. It's actually the only Beatles cover I like to this day.
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Post by gremashlo on Jun 26, 2008 9:08:47 GMT -5
There's a few that stand out...
Two for Elvis, although he did record Many covers--but thse two stand out...
"Burning Love"--Arthur Alexander
"Suspicious Minds"--Mark James
Others include...
"Twist and Shout"--way before the Isley Brothers, it was originally a non-hit by the Top Notes, though it was produced by Phil Spector
"Hard to Handle" by Black Crowes--first a Otis Redding album track
"Here Comes My Baby"--was written and recorded by Cat Stevens first before the Trememloes made it a hit (they did the same with the 4 Seasons' "Silence is Golden")
"Piece of My Heart" --I didn't know that Erma Franklin recorded it first until I found the record
Also quite a few of Three Dog Night songs--
"Never Been to Spain" and "Joy to the World" (Hoyt Axton)
"Shambala" (BW Stevenson)
"Black and White" (The Greyhounds)
"One" (Nilsson)
"Mama Told Me Not to Come" (Eric Burdon and the Animals)
"Eli's Coming" (Laura Nyro)
"The Show Must Go On" (Leo Sayer, who sued TDN when they altered the lyrics)
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Post by Dawn on Jun 26, 2008 10:53:19 GMT -5
There's a few that stand out... Two for Elvis, although he did record Many covers--but thse two stand out... "Burning Love"--Arthur Alexander "Suspicious Minds"--Mark James Others include... "Twist and Shout"--way before the Isley Brothers, it was originally a non-hit by the Top Notes, though it was produced by Phil Spector "Hard to Handle" by Black Crowes--first a Otis Redding album track "Here Comes My Baby"--was written and recorded by Cat Stevens first before the Trememloes made it a hit (they did the same with the 4 Seasons' "Silence is Golden") "Piece of My Heart" --I didn't know that Erma Franklin recorded it first until I found the record Also quite a few of Three Dog Night songs-- "Never Been to Spain" and "Joy to the World" (Hoyt Axton) "Shambala" (BW Stevenson) "Black and White" (The Greyhounds) "One" (Nilsson) "Mama Told Me Not to Come" (Eric Burdon and the Animals) "Eli's Coming" (Laura Nyro) "The Show Must Go On" (Leo Sayer, who sued TDN when they altered the lyrics) The Show Must Go On is another of mine as well. I didn't know Leo had sued over the lyrics change, though - that's interesting. Did he win the lawsuit, do you know? |
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Post by gremashlo on Jun 26, 2008 16:07:52 GMT -5
There's a few that stand out... Two for Elvis, although he did record Many covers--but thse two stand out... "Burning Love"--Arthur Alexander "Suspicious Minds"--Mark James Others include... "Twist and Shout"--way before the Isley Brothers, it was originally a non-hit by the Top Notes, though it was produced by Phil Spector "Hard to Handle" by Black Crowes--first a Otis Redding album track "Here Comes My Baby"--was written and recorded by Cat Stevens first before the Trememloes made it a hit (they did the same with the 4 Seasons' "Silence is Golden") "Piece of My Heart" --I didn't know that Erma Franklin recorded it first until I found the record Also quite a few of Three Dog Night songs-- "Never Been to Spain" and "Joy to the World" (Hoyt Axton) "Shambala" (BW Stevenson) "Black and White" (The Greyhounds) "One" (Nilsson) "Mama Told Me Not to Come" (Eric Burdon and the Animals) "Eli's Coming" (Laura Nyro) "The Show Must Go On" (Leo Sayer, who sued TDN when they altered the lyrics) The Show Must Go On is another of mine as well. I didn't know Leo had sued over the lyrics change, though - that's interesting. Did he win the lawsuit, do you know? I am not sure--the issue was over "must"--I can't remember, but I believe TDN sang "won't let the show go on"--which changed the song's meaning and intent. Or, something to that effect... I just know that Leo was ticked, but he waited until the early '80's to do anything about it. |
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Post by Ken on Jun 26, 2008 20:12:01 GMT -5
Hi Dawn, With Family Man, it was the opposite for me. I heard Mike Oldfield's version first, my brother had bought the 45 back in '82. To me it didn't seem like all that much time had passed then all of a sudden, Hall and Oates released their version. I also didn't know that Soft Cell's version of Tainted Love was a cover. I'm trying to recall when I finally got to hear Gloria's version, maybe in the late 90's? I think I heard Ron play it on "Crap From The Past" Another was Handy Man. When I heard James Taylor's version back in 1977, I had no idea whatsoever at that time that Jimmy Jones had recorded it in 1960. It wasn't until around 1984 or so that I heard the original. Ken, As a kid growing up I, too didn't know that "Handy Man" was originally penned and sung by Jimmy Jones until the the late 80's when I heard it on an oldies station. One more word about "Handy Man", years later when Culture Club had a number one hit with "Karma Chameleon". Jimmy Jones was one that felt the song too closely resemble "Handy Man" and tried to sue the band. The group responded to Jones' woes by sending him "ten pence and an apple" Back to Taylor, I thought "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" was one of his originals. Years later, I would hear Marvin Gaye's original. There are times I am more partial to JT's remake, cause I owned the 45 when I was small. When 10,000 Maniacs had a comeback hit with "More T han This", in the summer of 1997, I felt it was one of the best songs the band ever composed. I would find out later that summer that Roxy Music was the first to write and record that tune when I tuning into a Portland, ME station. Hi Dave! I didn't know that Joe had tried to sue Culture Club or that 10,000 Maniacs had covered More Than This, thanks for the info! More Than This is a great track. |
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Post by H2IZCOOL on Jun 26, 2008 21:13:35 GMT -5
There's a few that stand out... Two for Elvis, although he did record Many covers--but thse two stand out... "Burning Love"--Arthur Alexander "Suspicious Minds"--Mark James Others include... "Twist and Shout"--way before the Isley Brothers, it was originally a non-hit by the Top Notes, though it was produced by Phil Spector "Hard to Handle" by Black Crowes--first a Otis Redding album track "Here Comes My Baby"--was written and recorded by Cat Stevens first before the Trememloes made it a hit (they did the same with the 4 Seasons' "Silence is Golden") "Piece of My Heart" --I didn't know that Erma Franklin recorded it first until I found the record Also quite a few of Three Dog Night songs-- "Never Been to Spain" and "Joy to the World" (Hoyt Axton) "Shambala" (BW Stevenson) "Black and White" (The Greyhounds) "One" (Nilsson) "Mama Told Me Not to Come" (Eric Burdon and the Animals) "Eli's Coming" (Laura Nyro) "The Show Must Go On" (Leo Sayer, who sued TDN when they altered the lyrics) Speaking of Leo Sayer, did you realize that Bobby Vee recorded "More Than I Can Say" in 1961? .. and also speaking of Elvis, I was listening to XM on line tonight and they played his version of "Suspicion" that was a hit for Terry Stafford in 1964. But Elvis recorded it in 1962. |
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Post by H2IZCOOL on Jun 26, 2008 22:22:41 GMT -5
Hi Dawn, With Family Man, it was the opposite for me. I heard Mike Oldfield's version first, my brother had bought the 45 back in '82. To me it didn't seem like all that much time had passed then all of a sudden, Hall and Oates released their version. I also didn't know that Soft Cell's version of Tainted Love was a cover. I'm trying to recall when I finally got to hear Gloria's version, maybe in the late 90's? I think I heard Ron play it on "Crap From The Past" Another was Handy Man. When I heard James Taylor's version back in 1977, I had no idea whatsoever at that time that Jimmy Jones had recorded it in 1960. It wasn't until around 1984 or so that I heard the original. Ken, As a kid growing up I, too didn't know that "Handy Man" was originally penned and sung by Jimmy Jones until the the late 80's when I heard it on an oldies station. One more word about "Handy Man", years later when Culture Club had a number one hit with "Karma Chameleon". Jimmy Jones was one that felt the song too closely resemble "Handy Man" and tried to sue the band. The group responded to Jones' woes by sending him "ten pence and an apple" Back to Taylor, I thought "How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)" was one of his originals. Years later, I would hear Marvin Gaye's original. There are times I am more partial to JT's remake, cause I owned the 45 when I was small. When 10,000 Maniacs had a comeback hit with "More Than This", in the summer of 1997, I felt it was one of the best songs the band ever composed. I would find out later that summer that Roxy Music was the first to write and record that tune when I tuning into a Portland, ME station. Your kidding, right? Jimmy Jones tried to sue Culture Club for singing Karma Karma Karma Chameleon saying they stole it from Comma comma comma comma ca-comma comma?  I bet they never even heard that song. - And there were other songs back in the day that used that comma comma style. |
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Post by gremashlo on Jun 27, 2008 7:12:13 GMT -5
Speaking of Leo Sayer, did you realize that Bobby Vee recorded "More Than I Can Say" in 1961? .. and also speaking of Elvis, I was listening to XM on line tonight and they played his version of "Suspicion" that was a hit for Terry Stafford in 1964. But Elvis recorded it in 1962. Same with Joe Dowell and "Wooden Heart"--no one thought that Elvis singing German was commercial enough--heck, Elvis could have sung in Esperanto and cashed in! But it gave Joe his moment in music history--even if oldies radio ignores it... Here's another rather "weird" cover--"Stoney End" by Barbra Streisand--oneof my all time favorites, though I am NOT a Babs fan--was written by Laura Nyro, but first recorded by Peggy Lipton of "Mod Squad"... |
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Post by H2IZCOOL on Jun 27, 2008 7:50:55 GMT -5
Speaking of Leo Sayer, did you realize that Bobby Vee recorded "More Than I Can Say" in 1961? .. and also speaking of Elvis, I was listening to XM on line tonight and they played his version of "Suspicion" that was a hit for Terry Stafford in 1964. But Elvis recorded it in 1962. Same with Joe Dowell and "Wooden Heart"--no one thought that Elvis singing German was commercial enough--heck, Elvis could have sung in Esperanto and cashed in! But it gave Joe his moment in music history--even if oldies radio ignores it... Here's another rather "weird" cover--"Stoney End" by Barbra Streisand--oneof my all time favorites, though I am NOT a Babs fan--was written by Laura Nyro, but first recorded by Peggy Lipton of "Mod Squad"... Whassamadda? You didn't like Elvis' Mississippi German?  I seem to remember hearing Peggy Lipton singing something way back when, but I don't know if it was Stoney End. I do remember it being pretty scary. Here s another one: Frank Sinatra's "That's Life" was first recorded by O.C. Smith. |
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Post by gremashlo on Jun 27, 2008 8:35:06 GMT -5
...and, lest we forget James Ray's "Got My Mind Set on You", which was heard by fifteen total people in 1962--luckily, George Harrison was one of them, and it wound up his last #1 hit.
One of my favorite "cover" stories is Nilsson and "Without You"--he was drunk at a party, and someone played a Badfinger album that featured that song..when he sobered up, all he could remember was the song, and that he thought the group was named "Grapefruit".
Needless to say, his Grapefruit searches were unsuccessful. Luckily, he found the song later...
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