Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Tagged: J.J. Cale

Cocaine

Written and first recorded by J.J. Cale (NZ #1/SUI #2/AUT #3/SWE #10/AUS #45/GER #22 1976).
Other popular versions by Eric Clapton (B-side 1977), Eric Clapton (B-side live US #30/CAN #3 1980).

From the wiki: “‘Cocaine’ was written and first recorded in 1976 by singer-songwriter J. J. Cale, and released on his album Troubador. Released internationally as a promotional single, it charted Top-3 in Switzerland and Austria, and topped the New Zealand music chart.

“The song was further popularized by Eric Clapton (who has said the song is ‘quite cleverly anti-cocaine’) when released on his 1977 album Slowhand and as the B-side to the US Top-3 hit ‘Lay Down Sally’. In 1980, a live version of ‘Cocaine’, from the album Just One Night, was also released as a B-side – to the Top-30 his ‘Tulsa Time’.”

After Midnight

Written and first recorded by J.J. Cale (1966).
Hit versions by Eric Clapton (US #18 1970), J.J. Cale (re-recording US #42 1972), Eric Clapton (re-recording Rock #4/UK #99 1988).
Also recorded by The Pioneers (as “Let It All Hang Out” 1971), Chet Atkins (1972), Sergio Mendes (1972), Maggie Bell (1974), The Jerry Garcia Band (1980), Pretty Lights (2009).

From the wiki: “J.J. Cale wrote ‘After Midnight’ in 1966 and first released it as single (on Liberty Records) the same year with no apparent chart success. But, the song would become the catalyst for his future success.

“When Eric Clapton was working with Delaney & Bonnie Bramlett, Leon Russell introduced Eric to Cale’s music. Among the songs that attracted Clapton’s attention, ‘After Midnight’ became the first to be released. It appeared on his 1970 self-titled debut album and was released as a single in late 1970, peaking at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“Cale was unaware of Clapton’s 1970 recording until it became a radio hit. He recalled to Mojo magazine that when he heard Clapton’s version on his radio, ‘I was dirt poor, not making enough to eat and I wasn’t a young man. I was in my thirties, so I was very happy. It was nice to make some money.’ Cale’s friend and producer Audie Ashworth then encouraged J.J. to capitalize on the success of ‘After Midnight’ by recording a full album, Naturally, released in 1972. A re-recording by Cale of ‘After Midnight’ was taken from the album as a promotional single in 1972, peaking at #42 on the Billboard Hot 100.

Call Me the Breeze

Written and first recorded by J.J. Cale (1972).
Also recorded by Mason Proffit (1972).
Hit album version by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974).

From the wiki: “‘Call Me the Breeze’ was written by J.J. Cale and first appeared on his 1972 debut album, Naturally, as the opening track. Like many Cale songs, it has been covered numerous times by an assortment of musicians.

“Ironically, many of the more contemporary cover versions of ‘Call Me the Breeze’ available have been performed as tributes to … Lynyrd Skynyrd, the Southern Rock band from Florida that scored an Album Oriented Radio hit with ‘Call Me the Breeze’ in 1974.