Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Besame Mucho

First recorded by Emilio Tuero (1941).
Hit versions by Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra (US #1 1944), Lucho Gatica (1953), The Coasters (US #70 1960), The Beatles (1962|1969).

From the wiki: “‘Besame Mucho’ (‘Kiss Me Much’) was written in 1940 by Mexican songwriter Consuelo Velázquez. According to Velázquez herself, she wrote this song even though she had not yet ever been kissed at the time; she’d heard kissing was considered a sin. ‘Besame Mucho’ has since become of the most famous boleros, and was recognized in 1999 as the most sung and recorded Mexican song in the world. Emilio Tuero was the first to record the song, but the Lucho Gatica recording in 1953 made the song world-famous.

“The English-language version of the song was written by Sunny Skylar, and was popularly recorded in 1944 by Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra, with vocalists Bob Eberly and Kitty Kallen. The Coasters released a version of the song, produced by Leiber-Stoller, that featured King Curtis on the saxophone. ‘Besame Mucho’ was covered by the Beatles both on stage and in the studio. The group included the song in their set-list during the band’s audition for Decca Records, their first EMI recording session and the Get Back album and film sessions. A performance from the Get Back sessions was included in the documentary film Let It Be.”

Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra, “Besame Mucho” (1944):

Lucho Gatica, “Besame Mucho” (1953):

http://youtu.be/EKNNdrcYpt8

The Coasters, “Besame Mucho” (1960):

The Beatles, “Besame Mucho” Decca audition (1962):

http://youtu.be/LzfUDt_5L-s

The Beatles, “Besame Mucho” rooftop concert Get Back (1969):

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