Cover Songs: Tracks that are Often Mistaken as Original Chart Toppers

Here's a list of Cover Songs. It's always been of interest to me, to see who could do a good cover song. Which bands/groups/vocalists could really take an existing song, written by and performed by somebody else and really make it their own. Here's a list of some of the best known of these re-makes although I think some of you will be surprised to learn that some are cover songs at all as the remakes are so ingrained into our Pop-Culture-Subconscious.

'Soft Cell' - Tainted Love 1981' (Originally penned by an 'Ed Cobb') and released by 'Gloria Jones' back in 1964'.
How many times do I have to explain to people that 'Soft Cell' ('Marc Almond' et al) didn't write this song. This is something of an old Torch Song and for me this is probably the best cover version of an original ever done. Mostly because it completely revamps it, giving a sleazy electro-pop noir feel to the proceedings. Marc Almond doesn't sound like anyone else and his vocal performance here is inspired.

'Blondie' - Hanging on the Telephone 1978' - Originally by 'The Nerves' in 1976'.
I had no idea that this was a cover until I started getting into the U.S. Pop scene from the mid-70's. I bought a U.S. Pop/Rock compilation called 'D.I.Y' and low and behold there were 'The Nerves' with the original song. A brighter breezier version of the song. Blondie's version is more aggressive in feel.

'Quiet Riot' - Cum On Feel The Noize 1983' - Originally by 'Slade' in 1973'
'Quiet Riot' - Mama Weer All Crazee Now 1984' - Originally by 'Slade' in 1972'

O.K., I used to get annoyed on 'Slade's' behalf. I just hope they got some of the royalties from these (2) re-makes. What's most aggravating is that these are probably 'Quiet Riot's' two most popular and well know songs and not only did they not write them but they perform them almost note to note exactly as Slade had done some 10 years previously. Urrghh, I tell you!

'Sixpence None The Richer' - There She Goes 1999' - Originally by 'The La's in 1988'
This is another song that I think people think 'Sixpence None the Richer' wrote. It got air played to death when it came out. Thankfully now the original is getting its due with advertisements utilizing this perfect pop gem from almost 20 years ago.

'No Doubt' - It's my life 2004' - Originally by 'Talk Talk' in 1984'
Not a bad update to this New Wave Classic. It actually suits 'Gwen Stafani's' voice quite well and has a slightly less depressing vibe from the original.

'Whitney Houston' - I Will Always love you 1992' - Originally by 'Dolly Parton in 1974'
'Whitney Houston' - The best Vocalist of the past who knows how many years. Subject of much ridicule and nowadays trying to make a comeback (good luck to her I say). At the time most people didn't give 'Dolly Parton' the kudo's she deserved for writing this. 'Whitney Houston's' voice really improves upon the original with one of the best vocal performances of the past 20 years.

'The Clash' - I Fought the law 1977' - Originally by 'The Crickets' in 1954'
I had no idea about this one. It sounded reasonable that a band like the Clash, brimming with punk indignation would come out with a song like this but no; the crickets almost 25 years earlier penned this rebellious sounding ditty.

'UB40' - Red Red Wine 1984' - Originally by 'Neil Diamond' in 1964'
'UB40' made this song their own. Played to absolute death upon its release and stamped with their familiar powerhouse reggae beat. It's a really brilliant updating of an o.k. song.

'Credence Clearwater Revival' - Suzie Q 1968' - Originally by 'Dale Hawkins' in 1957'
Again, never knew this was a remake. So familiar is the 'Credence' version that I have no idea what the original sounds like.

'Talking Heads' - Take me to the river 1978' - Originally by 'Al Green' in 1974'
As per above. Really, wow. You don't say! 'Talking Heads' absolutely own this tune. I had no idea this was a remake until I looked into it recently to write this little article. A really interesting listen from one of the very best American bands to come from the Punk/CBGB crowd.

'Rolling Stones' - Time is on my side 1964' - Originally by 'Irma Thomas' in 1964'
Phew, I'm continually being surprised. This certainly sounds like something that would flow from the tip of 'Mick Jaggers' pen back in the 60's but again no.

'Lenny Kravitz' - American Woman 1998' - Originally by 'Guess Who' in 1970'
Nicely authentic rock & roll re-do of the classic 'Guess Who' version with really excelling vocal. Probably made that band more money on royalties than they ever made when they were recording themselves.

'David Bowie' - China Girl 1983' - Originally by 'Iggy Pop' in 1977'
Since 'David Bowie' & 'Iggy Pop' were pretty good friends in the late 70's & early 80's and Mr. Bowie himself wasn't averse to writing songs for other people so this came as no surprise. It has still has the 'Iggy' feel to it still.

'Aretha Franklin' - Respect 1967' - Originally by 'Otis Redding' in 1965'
Wow, really. Phew, blow me down. Again I had no idea. 'Aretha Franklin' obviously owned this song and I don't think many people would associate it with anyone else but her.

'Bill Haley & the Comets' - Shake, Rattle & Roll 1954' - Originally by 'Big Joe Turner' - 1954'

Although everyone knows 'Elvis Presley' didn't write his own songs I always thought that 'Bill Haley' and especially this classic was an original from penned by the hand of Mr. Haley, but apparently not. I had never heard of 'Big Joe Turner' before and I'm guessing that this is just a speeded up version of his original. Still a classic but it does take something away knowing that this was a re-do.

There are many many more covers of course but i picked the ones i felt might surprise most people. Some may feel that it shows a complete lack of originality on the part of the covering artist and this is true in some cases (Quiet Riot.....Urgh!) but with a brilliantly innovative approach like 'Soft Cell's' cover of 'Tainted Love' it can be argued that the covering artiste is sometimes just as original and imaginative as the original.