First recorded by The Jet Set (1964).
Hit versions by The Turtles (US #6/CAN #1 1968), De La Soul (as “Transmitting Live from Mars” 1989), Salt N Pepa (US #47/UK #15 1990), The Lightning Seeds (UK #8 1997).
From the wiki: “‘You Showed Me’ was written by Jim McGuinn and Gene Clark of The Byrds in 1964 at a time when the pair were performing as a duo at The Troubadour and other folk clubs in and around Los Angeles. McGuinn and Clark soon formed a trio with David Crosby and named themselves The Jet Set. The Jet Set trio were rehearsing at World Pacific Studios under the guidance of their manager Jim Dickson, and it was there many of group’s rehearsal sessions were recorded, including ‘You Showed Me’. However, the song was soon abandoned by the group, who had by now changed their name to The Byrds, and it was not included on their debut album for Columbia Records, Mr. Tambourine Man.
“In 1968 the song was recorded by The Turtles, for the album The Turtles Present the Battle of the Bands, and was also released as a single in 1968. ‘You Showed Me’ had been introduced to The Turtles by their producer and former bass player, Chip Douglas, who himself had first become acquainted with the song after hearing Clark, McGuinn and Crosby perform it at The Troubadour in 1964. Douglas had also performed the song with Clark during 1966, while he was a member of Gene Clark and the Group.
“Although the song had originally been an uptempo number, Douglas first demonstrated it for The Turtles’ vocalists Howard Kaylan and Mark Volman on a harmonium with a broken bellows, requiring him to play the song slowly. The slower tempo impressed Kaylan and Volman and consequently, The Turtles’ recording of the song uses this slower arrangement.
“Salt-n-Pepa covered the song on their 1990 album, Blacks’ Magic. The year before, the Hip-hop group De La Soul had sampled The Turtles’ recording for their song ‘Transmitting Live From Mars (Interlude)’ on their 1989 album, 3 Feet High and Rising, but had not asked permission or cleared rights the sample. The Turtles took litigation against the group. An out-of-court settlement was reached for an undisclosed sum. It is said to be the first time that a hip hop act was ever sued for unethical use of another artist’s music. From then on, samples had to be cleared prior to release.
“In 1997, the song was covered in a Trip-hop style by The Lightning Seeds.”
The Turtles, “You Showed Me” (1968):
De La Soul, “Transmitting Live from Mars” (1989):
https://youtu.be/BBlcJZc85zg
Salt N Pepa, “You Showed Me” (1990):
The Lightning Seeds, “You Showed Me” (1997):