On That Note: It’s All Been Done

[cyclones500]

Welcome back to “On That Note,” CF’s weekly music hub, hosted by @MeanDean, @CycloneRulzzz and cyclones500.

Inspiration for this segment comes to us from @VeloClone, and the focus is “cover song surprises,” involving two sub-themes.

(A) Songs you initially thought were originals, but at some point learned were covers.
For each entry, include at least 2 clips:

1. Version you initially assumed was original recording
2. Actual original
3. (optional) additional versions released before between (1) and (2).

(B) Songs performed by songwriters after they were released by another artist.

I’ll post my first entries separately.

• Last Week’s OTN: It’s No Surprise That They’re Giving None Away

 

[cyclones500]

First samples on my list

“Tainted Love”
Soft Cell


Gloria Jones



“Hey Joe”
Hendrix


The Leaves


“Tweener”:Tim Rose (apparently this is version that more directly inspired JH take)

 

[stormchaser2014]

What I thought was original by Lonestar



And the original by Marc Cohn

 

[cyclones500]

“Hey Lawdy Mama”
--> For this one, my assumption is I had heard Steppenwolf version at some point, but not frequently enough at the time I heard the cover, and I forgot about it.

Cover: Minutemen



Original: Steppenwolf


---> An aside: I find it intriguing how Minutemen’s version is revved-up on the verses, then different, slower tempo on the chorus; Steppenwolf is almost the opposite ---> a bit “plodding” on the verse, chorus seems “brighter rock” (although tempo is the same).
---> Aside 2: There are blues songs with similar titles -- Hey Lawdy Mama and Oh Lawdy Mama -- probably inspirations, but they aren't the same song (from what I can find).

 

[cyclones500]

“Turn ! Turn! Turn!”

My earliest recollection of it … I was about 5 and our family had the 45, B-side of “Those Were the Days” … how was I to know?





A few years later, I assumed this was the original:





Original

(Note: Majority of lyrics are drawn from Book of Ecclesiastes.)





Also released around the same time as Seeger’s version:

 

[MeanDean]

I did not come into popular music until 1965. So had no idea about the original 1963 version - having initially only heard the Joplin version.

Funny (maybe) side note. Since the version I'd first heard was by a female vocalist I sort of naturally assumed the original version was too. It is sung in a fairly high register. And with a first name of "Garnet" it didn't garner a second thought. I don't know how much later it was that I realized Garnet Mimms was male.

 

[MeanDean]

Breakaway was originally the B-Side of Irma Thomas's hit "I Wish Someone Would Care."

Another potentially interesting factoid. Breakaway was co-written by 60's singer Jackie DeShannon (What the World Needs Now Is Love) and Sharon Sheeley - who was Eddie Cochran's girlfriend/fiance. She was severely injured in the same automobile accident that killed Eddie.

 

[cyclones500]

“Adaptation/reworking”

“Mickey”


Toni Basil




“Kitty” by Racey

 

[MeanDean]

Erma Franklin is Aretha Franklin's sister.

 

[matclone]

Cover


Original

 

[drlove]

I just learned this today.

original


What I thought was original

 

[MeanDean]

The Rolling Stones did many covers early on. This was originally released by the Valentinos on Sam Cooke's record label, SAR.

 

[drlove]

Original

Faux original


Best cover

 

[MeanDean]

Speaking of the Rolling Stones... and Irma Thomas...



Which was sort of based on this Irma Thomas version



But the original version (which I still like best) is by trombonist and Band Leader Kai Winding. Yes THAT Kai Winding of "More" fame.

 

[cyclones500]

"Any Way You Want It"

This oversight came before I started to retro-explore music pre-75.


First version I remember hearing (And possibly the 2nd best of the 5 studio tracks from "Alive II," behind "Rocket Ride")




Original

 

[drlove]

original

 

[MeanDean]

(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone was on the Paul Revere and the Raiders album "Midnight Ride" released earlier in the same year the Monkees had the hit version (1966).

 

[madguy30]

I think I may have known this but was at least reminded the other day on a rabbit hole search..Shel Silverstein 'Boy Named Sue'.

 

[drlove]

Original, from May Farms -Riot Fest





Cover

 

[MeanDean]

Transitioning over to option B in 500's OP. Songs that were hits and later recorded by the author. My first thought: