Discovering earlier versions of songs

[Over The Hill]

On holiday last week with a bit more time I found my Kinks "singles" CD was in fact an "ultimate collection" with a second CD of old and obscure tracks. So having listened to the Pretenders - Stop your sobbing for 34 years, I found that the Kinks did it 15 years earlier.
Here is the Kinks version-

View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZQUKN5G9xk

Anyone else discovered any obscure originals or earlier versions of songs?

 

[yello]

I consider Ray Davies to be right up there with, if not the best of, 'English' songwriters. I use inverted commas because whilst he's a top notch songwriter full stop, I think he's a master of observation and portrayal of an English sensibility. Others have it too, to varying degrees and perspectives; Paul Weller, Suggs, Richard Ashcroft, Jarvis Cocker, even young Alex Turner, etc etc etc etc

As to unknown originals, I'll give it some thought and come back to you. I think I've always been aware that a cover is a cover, even if I've not heard the original.

 

[yello]

and I thought it was going to be....

 

[alecstilleyedye]

i thought bauhaus wrote ziggy stardust

 

[Andrew_Culture]

I consider Ray Davies to be right up there with, if not the best of, 'English' songwriters. I use inverted commas because whilst he's a top notch songwriter full stop, I think he's a master of observation and portrayal of an English sensibility. Others have it too, to varying degrees and perspectives; Paul Weller, Suggs, Richard Ashcroft, Jarvis Cocker, even young Alex Turner, etc etc etc etc

As to unknown originals, I'll give it some thought and come back to you. I think I've always been aware that a cover is a cover, even if I've not heard the original.

He's a genuine talent, but always comes across horribly in anything he ever says, does or writes!

He was married to Chrissy Hind wasn't he?

 

[deptfordmarmoset]

I consider Ray Davies to be right up there with, if not the best of, 'English' songwriters. I use inverted commas because whilst he's a top notch songwriter full stop, I think he's a master of observation and portrayal of an English sensibility. Others have it too, to varying degrees and perspectives; Paul Weller, Suggs, Richard Ashcroft, Jarvis Cocker, even young Alex Turner, etc etc etc etc

As to unknown originals, I'll give it some thought and come back to you. I think I've always been aware that a cover is a cover, even if I've not heard the original.

It's a relatively rare case of the cover being better than the original, in my opinion. It's not often you could dream of saying that about Ray Davies' songs, though.

 

[Fab Foodie]

The original and still the best ...


View: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKUjI_CbIY0

 

[Profpointy]

How about the original of "hound dog" before the cover version done by Elvis.

Big Mama Thornton - that's a lady who really could sing the blues.

The songriters were being interviewed on radio 4it. One told the other they'd got no1 in the charts. "What, with Big Mama Thornton?" Replied the other in some suprise. "No, Elvis has recorded it"... "We were a bit disapointed at first, but after a couple of trips to the bank, got used to it"

They then played Big Mama's version - I bought the album that day. Check it out !

 

[Profpointy]

Mind you, Hendrix's cover of "all around the watchtower" isn't bad

 

[Andrew_Culture]

Mind you, Hendrix's cover of "all around the watchtower" isn't bad

Dylan is the best example of a great songwriter whose songs are better sung by someone else!

 

[Peteaud]

How about the original of "hound dog" before the cover version done by Elvis.

Big Mama Thornton - that's a lady who really could sing the blues.

The songriters were being interviewed on radio 4it. One told the other they'd got no1 in the charts. "What, with Big Mama Thornton?" Replied the other in some suprise. "No, Elvis has recorded it"... "We were a bit disapointed at first, but after a couple of trips to the bank, got used to it"

They then played Big Mama's version - I bought the album that day. Check it out !

Hound dog is still one of my fav tunes on my mp3




Always on my mind was recorded by Brenda Lee before Willie Nelson or Elvis.

Elvis version for me is the best as it has the emotion (maybe he was still hurting from his divorce from Priscilla)

 

[yello]

He was married to Chrissy Hind wasn't he?

He was. She was also married to Jim Kerr, he of Simple Minds. He purportedly was rather well endowed. I have no idea why I know that. Equally, I have no idea whether he inspired the line "I shot my mouth off and you showed me what that hole was for" from Tattoed Love Boys.

That aside, Chrissie Hynde is another supremely good lyric writer. Very earthy, raw, honest and real. She can send shivers down my spine like no other.

 

[threebikesmcginty]

Always on my mind was recorded by Brenda Lee before Willie Nelson or Elvis.

Willie Nelson is another one who's songs sound better when sung by someone else, he's written some crackers; Crazy, Three Days, Hello Walls, Funny how Time Slips away, etc...

 

[yello]

...one could say the same of Neil Diamond! He's written truck loads of songs either for, or covered by, others. The list would probably surprise you.

 

[ufkacbln]

Carole King was another who wrote songs made famous by others.

Famously she wrote (in collaboration) the first ever No1 Hit in the US by a Black all girl band, the Shirelles:



Funnily enough it was also covered by Linda Ronstadt, Brenda Lee, Ben E King, Cher, the Four Seasons and also Bruse Sprinsgteen before she recorded it herself:



In fact everyone from Brotherhood of Man through Elton John to Rainbow has this standard on their repertoire
Is it a "cover" when you record your own song?

Again, just Google and you will be amazed at just how many songs are hers!