original versions of popular songs
 

A couple of songs that a lot of people aren't even aware are the original versions. These were all later covered and became hit songs or popular but the originals are pretty unknown. Any others you can think of?

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Re: original versions of popular songs
 

I never knew until a couple months ago that The Ramones version of California Sun is a cover of a song by a band called The Rivieras.

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

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Re: original versions of popular songs
 

The They Might Be Giants post:

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Istanbul - The Four Lads (1953)

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New York City - Cub (1995)

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Why Does The Sun Shine? - Tom Glazer on the album Space Songs (1959)

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

One that I still wish was more well known:
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Re: original versions of popular songs
 

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

If I remember right, weren't about half of Elvis's songs covers?

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

how could I forget this one? It's shocking led zeppelin got away with stealing this song

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Shadows of Knight did a cover of this song (and then so did every garage band under the sun) but THEM weren't as successful with it.

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Re: original versions of popular songs
 

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Re: original versions of popular songs
 

Bruce Springsteen- Blinded by the Light

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

Great idea for a thread. Over the years I've really enjoyed discovering what I thought I knew was not always correct. The Neil Diamond link here might be obvious, but I'm sure some don't realize it.

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Re: original versions of popular songs
 

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<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9BBAEUOOFKQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9BBAEUOOFKQ&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JuSZEBuDUC4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JuSZEBuDUC4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> (This blows Rod Stewart out of the water and I like Stewart).

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<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rF5jwKj2msE&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rF5jwKj2msE&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> (Iggy Pop covered this as "Real Wild Child")

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<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/gFj0RfZb6iM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/gFj0RfZb6iM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9czsN8QQkJA&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9czsN8QQkJA&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> (Almost sounds like a different song).

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/9rxDOncgSrY&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/9rxDOncgSrY&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/88nvqbrraqk&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/88nvqbrraqk&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>

<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/6cdFuMgMkBM&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/6cdFuMgMkBM&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object> Okay, this song has always sucked ass, but I find the history kind of interesting. Paper Lace took this to #1 in the UK and Bo Donaldson did a quick cover version and beat Paper Lace to #1 in the U.S. (Paper Lace stalled at #96). Paper Lace scored with "The Night Chicago Died" soon after.

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

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Re: original versions of popular songs
 

Billy Joel - Shameless

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

who covered it?

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

Thanks for that "Time is on my side" original, atlantamoi. Much more empowering version.

Garth

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

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Re: original versions of popular songs
 

Nice. Didn't know any of those.

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

Probably a good sign that I'm getting old since this is the only version I'm familiar with and had no idea somebody else did a popular cover of it.

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

You're missing out. One of the best covers out there.

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

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I prefer Ace Frehley's version, but I don't think many know his was a cover.

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

I had no idea that Ace Frehley song was a cover. On first listen I think I might actually like the original better. Need to hear the studio version (or one w/out the clapping).

edit: Just compared both studio versions and I think the Hello version is much better than Frehley's. Never even heard of Hello. Thanks for posting.

Re: original versions of popular songs
 

The Clash did a ton of great covers:

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Re: original versions of popular songs
 

:( No surprises here.