Saturday 19 March 2011

Ten cover versions, but who recorded the originals?

Some songs are more readily identified with artists that recorded cover versions rather than the originators. This is a list of ten such songs, but who recorded the originals? Please leave your answers as comments to gain kudos (but no cash prize, I'm afraid).

1. 'Stop Your Sobbing'

The Pretenders released their version of this as their first single in 1979.

2. 'The Tide is High'

Blondie topped the singles charts in both the United Kingdom and the United States with their cover version in 1980 and 1981 respectively.

3. 'I Fought the Law'

This tune has been covered by a variety of artists, but is probably most identified with The Clash.

4. 'Rivers of Babylon'

In 1978, the German disco troupe Boney M. had a worldwide smash with their version of this song based on Psalm 137.

5. 'Respect'

Aretha Franklin made this song her own in 1967 taking it to number one in the Billboard Hot 100.

6. 'Without You'

Another cover version that made it to the top of the charts was Harry Nilsson's 1972 recording of 'Without You', which was also a hit for Mariah Carey twelve years later.

7. 'Tainted Love'
In 1981 the electro-pop outfit Soft Cell had their breakthrough hit with this northern soul classic.

8. 'I Will Always Love You'
Whitney Houston took this song to number one around the world in 1992/3 when it featured in her movie The Bodyguard.

9. 'I Love Rock'n'Roll'

After unsuccessfully covering it in 1979, former Runaways member Joan Jett finally had a hit with this song in 1981 backed by her band, The Blackhearts.

10. 'Girls Just Want to Have Fun'
Another cover version that provided a breakthrough hit. This time for Cyndi Lauper in 1983.

2 comments:

Colleen said...

Didn't Madonna do the original of Girls just wanna have fun?

Borkiman said...

Colleen: No, I'm afraid not, but thank you for being the first to answer.