Following on the unusual covers thread – how about cover versions that most people don't realize are covers…

Obvious one – Soft Cell Tainted Love, originally recorded by Gloria Jones

also Nirvana Love Buzz originally recored by Shocking Blue

A modern-ish one…Valerie – Mark Ronson & Amy Winehouse – originally by The Zutons

Three is the magic number – De La Soul

Original track

Green Manalishi done by Judas Priest.
Just listened to the original by Fleetwood Mac's Peter Green on Youtube, it's good also, a bit wierd.

Cat's in the cradle, by Ugly Kid Joe.
Originally by Harry Chapin.

Red Red Wine by UB40

a Neil Diamond song.

I fought the law by the clash (originally by the bobby fuller four).

Blinded by the Light and Mighty Quinn, both by Manfred Mann.

Arguably, the Black Crowes version of Hard to Handle is the more well known. As may be the case with the Clapton version of I Shot the Sheriff.

As may be the case with the Clapton version of I Shot the Sheriff.

debatable.. verging on don't be silly

hearbeats – the knife

better known as that one off the sony advert – jose gonzales

As may be the case with the Clapton version of I Shot the Sheriff.

And the Clapton version of 'Cocaine'

'step on' by Happy Mondays (1990) originally by John Kongos (1971)

Whisky in the Jar played by Metallica (a Thin Lizzy's song)

An obvious one is Johnny Cash and Hurt. I'm pretty sure most people know it's a cover, but his version's still more famous (and better) than the NIN original.

Whisky in the Jar played by Metallica (a Thin Lizzy's song)

You are kidding, right?

CaptainFlashheart – Member

Cat's in the cradle, by Ugly Kid Joe.
Originally by Harry Chapin.

although you get people who are convinced those versions are by guns n roses and cat stevens, respectively.

johnny cash's version's my fav. 🙂

Whisky in the jar is a trad folk song is it not?

"Hurt" Johnny cash – More well known than nine inch nails. Fantastically powerful as well.

Mandy by Barry Manilow .Does he ever credit Scott English from 1970 and the fact that is was originally called BRANDY ?

All Saints version of Under the Bridge, probably better known than the Red Hot Chili Peppers original.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2QAiODMOuZE
link to Scott English original .Horse records subsidary of Trojan .

nickc – Member

All Saints version of Under the Bridge, probably better known than the Red Hot Chili Peppers original.

come off it, there's just no way.

Horse records subsidary of Trojan .

there's a few pop' songs that can have their origins traced back to the Trojan back catalogue..

Always a nice treat when you find one..

I can't think of any off hand except perhaps Mungo Jerrys 'in the summertime' which although credited to one of the mungos has roots in a much earlier Jamaican Ska tune.. can anyone name it for me?

just thought of another reggae cover .red red wine by UB40 .Originally done by Tony Tribe on album of same name with a foxy oriental girl on the cover on Downtown records !
Neil Diamonds Holy Holy i prefer the reggae version by the Melodians on Club Reggae vol 2 .
Got me started now I Think We're Alone Now by the mall rat Tiffany .Previously done by Tommy James and The Shondelles who did Mony Mony !

'All along the watchtower' by Bob Dylan , obviously Jimi's version is more well known.

Tainted Love.. Originally a northern soul number

All this depends on how old you are surely?

how about blondie's the tide is high, originally by the paragons, lead singer john holt (100 volts of holt).

All this depends on how old you are surely?

To a certain degree, but there are plenty of tunes where the original gets no attention, then someone covers it & it slips into the public consciousness more so than the original.

For instance… Alexandra Burke & hallelujah….;-)

Green Manalishi done by Judas Priest.
Just listened to the original by Fleetwood Mac's Peter Green on Youtube, it's good also, a bit wierd.

You are kidding, right? Judas Priest may be a popular band, but I don't recall them ever having a single of Green Manalishi, unlike Fleetwood Mac, so I'd be prepared to bet many, many more people know the original than Judas Priest's fanbase. Up until a while back I'd have said Laughing Len's original of Halleluia was less well known than a number of covers, principally Jeff Buckley's, until X-Factor or whatever it was got Len's original into the Christmas chart.

Ya think, theflatboy?

The All saints Vid is still played on music TV now. Have you heard the RHCP original recently played anywhere?

Everybody's Talkin' – covers by The Beautiful South recently, and most famously Harry Nilsson.

Written (and the best version) by Fred Neil.

'Light my Fire' by Will young, what a musical masterpiece. Straight from the cum stained lips of the rebel himself.

Someone should have been shot for that one. I know state sponsered murder might seem a little harsh for a bad song but really, have you heard it?

surely the fact that you are even aware that will young released a version says more about you than it does about will.. his managers or jim morrisson himself?

The Doors – Just a Band.

To paraphrase scroobius pip

That I have the radio on in the car?

'Light my Fire' by Will young, what a musical masterpiece. Straight from the cum stained lips of the rebel himself.

Someone should have been shot for that one. I know state sponsered murder might seem a little harsh for a bad song but really, have you heard it?

actually, WY's version is a pretty faithful reproduction of Jose Feliciano's murdering of said song. So perhaps we should string up JF & not WY instead

and there's more:

Nothing Compares To You – Sinead O'Connor, written by Prince. Actually, an improvement on the original, IMO
I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston, written by Dolly Parton. Not an improvement

"Got My Mind Set on You" -cover version released by George Harrison in 1987.

…written by Rudy Clark and originally recorded by James Ray in 1962.

Lady In Red, murdered by Crispy Burger, originally by Bob Marley…brilliant reggae tune back in the day.