I agree that both versions are popular, but I think Leona Lewis' cover moreso as it gets used in talent shows and generally has a bigger effect than SP's version when it is performed.

 

It is debatable but that is my opinion

Another one I remembered.

 

Annie Lennox - "No More I Love You's" (Originally by The Lover Speaks).

 

 

 

I'm not aware of a Petula Clark version. I think the best known older version would be the Roberta Flack one.

 

Sorry that's who I meant. I always get their names mixed up for some reason.

Debateable -- Snow Patrol's version might not have sold loads as a single in its own, but more than 1.5m people own the album it was on (and it was by far the biggest single off the album and thus was the main driving-force for those sales), so...

 

I really don't think there's anyone (in the UK atleast) who thinks Leona Lewis did the original version of 'Run'.

 

The deluxe edition of Spirit sold around that amount too, Leona's version went to #1 unlike the original, Leona's version sold substantially more than SP's, Leona's version is constantly molested on BGT and XF, Leona's version received so much exposure and "acclaim" (or whatever you want to call it) from her original Live Lounge cover (which pushed for an album version to be recorded).

 

Many people know that Leona's version is a cover but I doubt those people know who actually performed it originally. Also, 'Chasing Cars' has definitely overshadowed 'Run' in terms of what the most remembered SP song is.

Edited June 15, 201312 yr by SceneofSIXCrimes

I guess younger people are much more likely to associate 'The Power of Love' with Gabrielle Aplin rather than Frankie Goes To Hollywood now.

 

That's another good question actually, how many artists have reached #1 with versions of the same song?

That's another good question actually, how many artists have reached #1 with versions of the same song?

Doesn't the song 'Unchained Melody' have the record for the number of artists who have released a version that has gone to number one? Something like 4 different artists released it and got their version to the top spot.

Doesn't the song 'Unchained Melody' have the record for the number of artists who have released a version that has gone to number one? Something like 4 different artists released it and got their version to the top spot.

 

Ah yes, I think you are right!

I guess younger people are much more likely to associate 'The Power of Love' with Gabrielle Aplin rather than Frankie Goes To Hollywood now.

 

I wouldn't think so (I hope not as the original is better). Aplin's cover will be forgotten in a few years yet FGTH's version will be played on the radio and at parties every Christmas.

 

Doesn't the song 'Unchained Melody' have the record for the number of artists who have released a version that has gone to number one? Something like 4 different artists released it and got their version to the top spot.

 

Yes, and out of the 4 - 3 of them were million sellers :drama: Even worse is that the version that everybody knows and loves (The Righteous Brothers*) has been outsold by covers from Robson & Jerome and Gareth Gates.

 

*This is one for the covers that are more known than the original thread, I forgot who did the original but I remember someone taking it to #1 in the 50s

I wouldn't think so (I hope not as the original is better). Aplin's cover will be forgotten in a few years yet FGTH's version will be played on the radio and at parties every Christmas.

Yes, and out of the 4 - 3 of them were million sellers :drama: Even worse is that the version that everybody knows and loves (The Righteous Brothers*) has been outsold by covers from Robson & Jerome and Gareth Gates.

 

*This is one for the covers that are more known than the original thread, I forgot who did the original but I remember someone taking it to #1 in the 50s

It's criminal that the best version has been outsold by that crap. :( Indeed, I think The Righteous Brothers' version was helped majorly by its use in the film Ghost with THAT pottery scene. Wasn't it re-released and went to number one for the first/second time?

It's criminal that the best version has been outsold by that crap. :( Indeed, I think The Righteous Brothers' version was helped majorly by its use in the film Ghost with THAT pottery scene. Wasn't it re-released and went to number one for the first/second time?

 

I believe it went to #1 in 1990 on a re-release.

Yes. It made number 14 in 1965, originally.

It's criminal that the best version has been outsold by that crap. :( Indeed, I think The Righteous Brothers' version was helped majorly by its use in the film Ghost with THAT pottery scene. Wasn't it re-released and went to number one for the first/second time?

Unless someone does something completely different with the song I don't think anyone will be able to beat the Righteous Brothers' version for quality. It is, thankfully, still very much thought of as their song.

I was going to point out that it was Jimmy Young who first topped the charts with 'Unchained Melody' Then I thought I might be the only person on here who knows who Jimmy Young is and I felt really old. Of course his version wasn't the original either.

I was going to point out that it was Jimmy Young who first topped the charts with 'Unchained Melody' Then I thought I might be the only person on here who knows who Jimmy Young is and I felt really old. Of course his version wasn't the original either.

I'm afraid I remember Jimmy Young as well :( although I only knew about his singing career long after I knew him as a DJ.

Most people don't realise that "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes is a cover of a song by Jackie De Shannon. Interestingly enough, the part of that song which most people remember, the keyboard line (later sampled by Mylo on "In My Arms") didn't actually feature in the original version:

 

 

Robbie Williams - She's The One

Toni Basil - Mickey

Eric Clapton - I Shot The Sheriff

Most people don't realise that "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes is a cover of a song by Jackie De Shannon. Interestingly enough, the part of that song which most people remember, the keyboard line (later sampled by Mylo on "In My Arms") didn't actually feature in the original version:

It was that wonderful keyboard line that really made the Kim Carnes version of the song.

Sugababes - Freak Like Me

Ok, let's clarify:

 

The original of "Killing Me Softly With His Song" was by Lori Liebermann. So the fact you didn't know that means it is little known who did the original. She wrote the song after seeing Don McLean perform the song "American Pie". Roberta Flack covered it and made it famous, the Fugees covered it later on.

 

The original of "Without You" was by Badfinger, covered by Nilsson and later Mariah Carey.

 

The original of "The Only Way Is Up" was by Otis Clay, made famous by Yazz & The Plastic Population.

 

Someone mentioned "Piece Of My Heart" - interesting as Erma Franklin's version (she didn't write it but was the first to record it) was a top 10 hit in the UK in the 1990s. She is Aretha's sister and recorded it in 1967. Janis Joplin's version was a year later.

 

"Nothing's Going To Change My Love For You" was originally recorded by George Benson, and "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother" by Kelly Gordon (who didn't write it). As "A Groovy Kind Of Love" was originally by the Mindbenders, it meant that 4 consecutive number one hits in 1988 were cover versions, although only one of them was a hit for its original artist.

 

This thread has really surprised me, in that so many songs I thought were originals, were actually just covers! :o