GREAT COVERS OF YOUR FAVORITE SONGS

"Black & White" * 3 Dog Nights {72'} lyrically tamer version of Folk activist Pete Seegers {1956} tune is musically more rock orientated but the original still retains the  punch of activism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pyvjwfM-cwk&list=PLx8kU_D2e4voMCx9SQkXFeSH7CnRO9j7x&index=48&ab_channel=The45Prof

I would be remiss not to mention Bobby Darren's huge hit Beyond the Sea is a loose version of the classic La Mer by the brilliant Charles Trenet

Another huge hit that many might not know is a cover is Twist and Shout by The Beatles.  Their version is taken from The Isley Brothers arrangement, but that was also a cover.   The original was by The Top Notes, several years earlier.   

Dean Martin had a big hit with Your Other Love but the original was by the Flamingos in a far superior version.   Its another example of the  bifurcated  market of the time.   

Elvis Presley turned everything into an elvis song.  he was that good.  In the 1950s the market was very different than today and songs were put out there for anyone.   Also the the market was bifurcated by race.    Many songs were covered in two different versions, usually with the same backing musicians.   "Shaboom" was a big hit by the Crew cuts, but was originally by and with a vastly better version, The Chords.

His Latest Flame was by Del Shanon

Hound Dog was by Big Mamma Thorton

All Shook Up by David Riff

Tomorrow is a Long Time (Bob Dylan) based on an arraignment by Odetta

Promised Land by Chuck Berry

many many more.  

All the songs Seal covers in Soul.

"True Colors" - original by Cyndi Lauper  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPn0KFlbqX8

Cover by Greek Fire - love their stuff

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mzgQh-EtjxU 

Domenico Modugno's 1958 international hit "Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu"  {Volare}

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nD8BryVB9d0&ab_channel=TeleRicordi%28LaTiV%C3%B9chenonc%27%C3%A8pi%C3%B9%29

When I heard this as a kid, I didn't understand a word of it but I liked the emotional deliverance of the singer and the musical accompaniment. Of course the Americanized cover version "Volare" by Bobby Rydell might be more recognized here, it doesn't measure up to the original anyway thats my opinion.🤐

Trouble - Gillan  (Elvis cover)

Elvis was one of Ian Gillan’s heroes, so he enjoyed covering his songs from time to time. This one was a good fit, and a big hit for him in the UK, 1981. He had a great rockin’ band, as well.

https://youtu.be/LiE4c83K9BM

Many popular songs have taken their melodies directly from classical pieces.   Some are just straight out reworkings of the pieces themselves.   I wonder if these count or can be a seperate topic.  These include among a lot:

I'm Always Chasing Rainbows from Fantasie Impromptu by Chopin

Tonight We Love from Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto 1 

A Lovers Concerto From JS Bach

Jesu Joy from Bach Cantata #147

Going Home from Dvorak New World Symphony 

I Can't Help Falling In Love With you from Martini's Plaisure d'Amour 

Because from Beethoven Moonlight Sonata

Its Now or Never from O Solo Mio 

Stranger in paradise from Borodin Polovtsian Dances

Many Many more