Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Venus in Blue Jeans

First recorded (as a demo) by Barry Mann (1961).
First commercial release by Bruce Bruno (1962).
Hit versions by Jimmy Clanton (US #7 1962), Mark Wynter (UK #4 1962).

From the wiki: “‘Venus In Blue Jeans’ was written by Howard Greenfield and Jack Keller (about actress Eileen Berner, whom Keller was dating at the time). Demo’ed by Barry Mann (co-writer ‘Don’t Know Much‘, ‘Never Gonna Let You Go‘) in 1961, the song had its first commercial release in 1962 by New Rochelle, NY, singer Bruce Bruno with no apparent chart impact.

“After returning to civilian life in 1962 after two years in the Army, Louisiana native Jimmy Clanton (‘Just A Dream’, ‘Hurting Each Other‘) scored his third career Top 10 hit with ‘Venus in Blue Jeans’. Clanton is an inductee of The Museum of the Gulf Coast Hall of Fame (in the company of Tex Ritter, Janis Joplin, ZZ Top and B. J. Thomas) and, in 2007, he was inducted into The Louisiana Music Hall of Fame.

“‘Venus in Blue Jeans’ was also covered by UK singer, Mark Wynter, whose release succeeded in reaching #4 on the UK charts.”

Bruce Bruno, “Venus in Blue Jeans” (1962):

Jimmy Clanton, “Venus in Blue Jeans” (1962):

http://youtu.be/-jPrAJm1yjo

Mark Wynter, “Venus in Blue Jeans” (1962):

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