Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Suspicious Minds

Written and first recorded by Mark James (1968).
Hit versions by Elvis Presley (US #1/MOR #4/UK#2/CAN #1/AUS #1/NZ #2 1969), Dee Dee Warwick (US #80/R&B #24 1971), Waylon Jennings & Jessi Colter (C&W #2 1976), Gareth Gates (UK #1 2002).

From the wiki: “‘Suspicious Minds’ was written by Mark James in 1968, and first recorded and released by James on Scepter Records in 1968. but Scepter did not have the money to promote new artists, and the song did not make the charts. After Mark James’ recording failed commercially, the song was suggested to Elvis Presley by James’ producer, Chips Moman. Even though James’s recording initially had not been commercially successful, Elvis decided, upon reviewing the song, he could turn it into a hit.

“Presley’s ‘Suspicious Minds’ would go on to become a #1 hit in the US and in several other countries around the world, one of the top songs of the year (1969), and one of the most notable hits of Presley’s career.

“Mark James also co-wrote ‘Always On My Mind,” another hit for Presley and, later, Willie Nelson; ‘Hooked On A Feeling‘ (B.J. Thomas, and Blue Swede); and ‘Moody Blue‘ (Elvis Presley).

“Dee Dee Warwick’s cover landed on the R&B chart in 1971. A 1970 recording of ‘Suspicious Minds’ by Waylon Jennings & Jessi Colter was released in 1976 and peaked at #2 on Billboard’s Country chart. Gareth Gates topped the UK Singles chart in 2002 with his cover version.”

Elvis Presley, “Suspicious Minds” (1969):

Dee Dee Warwick, “Suspicious Minds” (1971):

Waylon Jennings & Jessi Colter “Suspicious Minds” (1976):

Gareth Gates, “Suspicious Minds” (2002):