Here Are 28 Songs You Didn’t Know Were Covers

Or maybe you did. What do I know? Anyway, cover songs are nearly as old as music, and while some are highly credited, some are decidedly not. It’s almost as if some artists don’t want people to know the song had been done previously.

I started with about 40-songs but narrowed it down, cutting songs like “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston that was originally a Dolly Parton song. I figured a lot of people already knew that one anyway. The 28 I chose are covers that I thought maybe people would find surprising.

But like I said, maybe not. Still, I’m willing to bet there are at least a couple of surprises on here, even for the biggest music aficionados.

Sidenote – There are a thousand white artists who took black artists songs and made them hits. Hell, Pat Boone made a career out of lifting Little Richard songs and creating bestsellers for white audiences. And man, did they suck. Listen to his version of “Tutti Frutti” by clicking here and you’ll get my drift. That’s brutal, man.

Without further ado, here are my 28 Songs You Didn’t Know Were Covers (or maybe you did):

Cocaine – Eric Clapton

Nosiree Bob, Slowhand did not record Cocaine first, although he did have a well documented love affair with it before getting all clean and sober and whatnot. The original was done by his old buddy J.J. Cale merely a year earlier, in 1977. Here ’tis:

Something in the Air – Tom Petty

Yep. Tom covered the original by the gloriously named Thunderclap Newman, who performed the tune back in 1969. In fact, it was #1 in the country when man first landed on the moon. Check ’em out . .

House of the Rising Sun – The Animals

Nope. Not an original. In fact, the author of the song is unknown. It’s a traditional folk song believed to be brought from English immigrants in the 1800’s and appropriated to a more current form in New Orleans. Here’s a version from 1933 by Tom Clarence Ashley & Gwen Foster:

Bet that got your attention, huh? Let’s continue . . .

Twist and Shout – The Beatles

Eh, maybe some of you knew this was a cover. Still, I had to include it.  The Isley Brothers did a killer version as well. Here’s the original by the Top Notes in 1961:

Factoid: The song’s original title was “Shake It Up, Baby”.

Got My Mind Set On You – George Harrison

This was a big Jeff Lynne produced song for George back in 1987, but a cool cat by the name of James Ray did it first, way back in 1963:

Cum On Feel the Noize – Quiet Riot

Quiet Riot blatantly swiped this one in ’83, but my boys from Slade had rocked it 10-years prior, back in 1973. On a related note, Slade was a great band. Listen to “My Oh My” and “Run Runaway” to get the vibe. Good stuff.

Tainted Love – Soft Cell

This tune was originally performed by Gloria Jones way back in 1964. Marilyn Manson also recorded it in the ’90s, but Soft Cell had to biggest hit with it in the ’80s. But here’s the very first version:

Hound Dog – Elvis Presley

Elvis pilfered a lot of songs, just like Pat Boone. The difference was that Elvis performed them with a helluva lot more soul. “Hound Dog” was first done by the legendary Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton back in 1952. Just an awesome performance:

Damn that’s good.

Turn! Turn! Turn! – The Byrds

Before The Byrds had a monster hit with this featuring beautiful harmonies and jangly guitars, Pete Seeger sang it with just an acoustic guitar and a gravelly voice. Give a listen:

Respect – Aretha Franklin

Yep this was done by none other than Otis Redding prior to Aretha’s version. Of course, coming from a woman (especially in the 60s) the lyrics took on a whole new connotation. In addition, Aretha added the iconic R-E-S-P-E-C-T to the song, and the rest is history. However, here’s the original:

Love Hurts – Nazareth

Now here’s a good one. Did you know that the Everly Brothers recorded this song first? Sure did, w-a-y back in 1960. Here’s proof, ya skeptic:

I Want Candy – Bow Wow Wow

Before the all-girl group made this a smash back in the 1980s, a band of dudes called The Strangeloves recorded it in the Swingin’ ’60s. Here it be:

Those go-go dancers were fabulous, amirite?

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper

Now here’s a weird one. This song was originally performed and sung by a man, and his name was Robert Hazard. Weird but true. He released it in 1979, 4-years prior to Miss Lauper. Here ’tis:

Blinded by the Light – Manfred Mann’s Earth Band

Again, some of you may know this but it must be included. This one was originally written and recorded a young singer by the name of Bruce Springsteen, and it was on his “Live from Asbury Park” album in 1972, with Manfred Mann’s version coming out in 1976. This is actually a rare case where I prefer the cover. Sorry Bruce. Anyway, here’s the real deal:

Time Is On My Side – Rolling Stones

Before The Stones had a hit with it, a singer named Irma Thomas had recorded it in 1963. And man, I have to say I like her version better. If you listen you can see The Stones pretty much copied it straightaway. By the way, if you want to get technical, the tune got its start as an instrumental for trombonist Kai Winding and his Orchestra earlier that year. Here you go:

Hey Joe – Jimi Hendrix

Here’s another tune that is almost solely associated with one artist but in reality is a cover. You see, it was performed earlier by a band named The Leaves. I know, I’d never heard of them either. Great song though. Classic garage band rock.

The First Cut is the Deepest – Rod Stewart

I’ve never been a fan of Rod’s covers, and this one is no exception. Here’s the original done by the unfortunately named but cute P.P. Arnold. Oh, and the song was written by Cat Stevens. Cool.

I Love Rock & Roll – Joan Jett

Yep, bet you never knew that this song was first sung by The Arrows back in 1975, did you? And they did it well, I might add. Honestly, it’s badass. Check it out:

Dazed and Confused – Led Zeppelin

Ah, can’t leave this gem out. Although Zep is widely identified with this song, it was in fact sung first by a gent named Jake Holmes in 1967. Hey, I kid you not. The song was also recorded by the Yardbirds. Led Zeppelin, who also have been accused of stealing the riff for “Stairway To Heaven” off the song “Taurus” by Spirit, somehow managed to pull off a separate copyright for their cover. What? Jimmy Page discovered the song when Holmes opened for the Yardbirds in 1967. Incredibly, Holmes later discovered his own track on Led Zeppelin’s album. He wrote Page asking for credit, but never got a response. Here’s the original:

Red Red Wine – UB40

Sure, UB40’s reggae-flavored rendition was great, but guess who did the original? None other than Mr. Neil Diamond, back in 1968. I wouldn’t lie to you. Neil’s version was a hell of a lot slower and more somber fo sho. Check it:

Killing Me Softly – The Fugees

The Fugees’ cover of “Killing Me Softly” is one of those tracks that perfectly captures ’90s nostalgia, but before Lauryn Hill became everyone’s new favorite vocalist, there was Roberta Flack, and before Flack was Lori Lieberman’s acoustic ballad. I bet you thought Roberta Flack did the original, amirite? Nope. Here ’tis:

Fun Fact: Lieberman wrote the song after seeing Don McLean in concert. You know, the American Pie dude.

Mickey – Tony Basil

Toni Basil’s “Mickey” is so fine, but it might blow your mind to know that the song was first recorded by a British pop quartet called Racey, and it was about a woman named Kitty. True story.

Ring of Fire – Johnny Cash

Admit it. You did not know Johnny’s sister-in-law Anita Carter did this song first. Yep. Sure did.

Achy Breaky Heart – Billy Ray Cyrus

A year before Billy Ray Cyrus and his mullet had us concerned for the hopefully unruffled state of his heart, the country music trio The Marcy Brothers released the track titled as “Don’t Tell My Heart.” Coincidentally, The Marcy Brothers also sported mullets. Hey, it was 1991.

Piece of My Heart – Big Brother and the Holding Company

Did you know Aretha Franklin had a sister named Erma? Yep. She recorded “Piece of My Heart” in 1967. It was a Top 10 hit on the R&B chart but didn’t get past No. 62 on the Hot 100. A year later, Big Brother and the Holding Company released it on the album “Cheap Thrills” where it reached No. 12 and went gold. Shortly thereafter Janis Joplin left the band and then the earth.

Jet Airliner – Steve Miller Band

Steve Miller heard “Jet Airliner” from his keyboardist, Ben Sidran, who had produced Paul Pena’s “Night Train” record in 1973. Pena’s album wasn’t released until, amazingly, 2000, but Steve Miller’s version became a hit.

You’re No Good – Linda Ronstadt

“You’re No Good” was first recorded by Dee Dee Warwick, Dionne’s sister, in 1963, though Betty Everett charted with it later that same year. Another sister, man.

The Tide is High – Blondie

This tune was originally recorded in 1966 by the Jamaican rock steady band the Paragons and allowed Blondie, as many New Wave bands did, branch into reggae. Good stuff.

So there ya go kids, 28 songs you may or may not have known were covers. In some cases I like the original better, others not so much. Bottom line I hope you learned something today.

Have a good one.