Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Category: 1960s

1960s, Pop

This Diamond Ring

First recorded (as a demo) by Jimmy Radcliffe (1964).
Hit released by Sammy Ambrose (US #117 1965)
Other hit version by Gary Lewis & the Playboys (US #1 1965).
Also recorded by Al Kooper (1976).

From the wiki: “‘This Diamond Ring’ was written by Al Kooper (who would later record with Bob Dylan, and found the group Blood, Sweat & Tears), Bob Brass, and Irwin Levine (‘Tie a Yellow Ribbon’, ‘Candida‘) in 1964. The song was first recorded as a demo that year by Jimmy Radcliffe in a session produced by Kooper.

“Sammy Ambrose, a Miami soul singer who had begun his recording career fronting the Afro-Beats, was the first to release a commercial single of ‘This Diamond Ring’, in December 1964. This was quickly followed by the January 1965 release of ‘This Diamond Ring’ by Gary Lewis & the Playboys. Both recordings appeared on Billboard magazine’s ‘Bubbling Under the Hot 100′ chart on January 9, 1965 – Ambrose’s recording at #117 and the Playboys’ recording at #101. But, that one appearance by Ambrose would mark his single’s only chart appearance while the Playboys continued the ascend the Hot 100 all the way to #1, on February 20, 1965, becoming the group’s only #1 single of their career.

“Ambrose’s biggest liability was that he didn’t have the same caché as being the son of a famous comedian (name recognition is everything in show biz) nor could make use off the chutzpah of producer Snuff Garrett, who promised radio disc jockey Murray the K a performance by the Playboys if he could break the Playboys’ record in New York City, and who also got Gary’s famous dad to call Ed Sullivan about booking an appearance on the The Ed Sullivan Show.

“None of the Playboys played their instruments on the hit recording and Lewis’s vocals were heavily supported by Ron Hicklin’s overdubs. The music was performed by members of The Wrecking Crew, including Hal Blaine (drums), Carol Kaye (bass) and Leon Russell (keyboard).

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1960s, Country

Little Green Apples

Originally recorded by Roger Miller (US #39/C&W #6/UK #19 1968).
Other hit versions by Patti Page (US #96/MOR #11 1968), O.C. Smith (US #2/R&B #2 1968).

From the wiki: “Bobby Russell (‘Honey’) wrote ‘Little Green Apples’ for Roger Miller to record and Miller made the first recording of the song on January 24, 1968 in a session at the Columbia Recording Studio, Nashville. According to Buzz Cason, Russell wrote both the ‘Little Green Apples’ and ‘Honey’ as ‘an experiment in composing – anticipating a potential market for true-to-life story songs … with more ‘meat’ in the lyrics [than was] standard’ for current hits.

“Released as the lead single from A Tender Look at Love, ‘Little Green Apples”‘afforded Miller his final Top Ten C&W hit at #6 and also his final Top 40 crossover reaching #39 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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1960s, Pop

(They Long to Be) Close to You

First released (as “They Long to Be Close to You”) by Richard Chamberlain (1963).
Also recorded by Dionne Warwick (1963 |B-side 1964), Dusty Springfield (1964, released 1967), Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass (1968, released 2005).
Hit version by the Carpenters (US #1/UK #6/CAN #1 1970).

From the wiki: “‘(They Long to Be) Close to You’ is a popular song written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David. It was first released by Richard Chamberlain and released as a single in 1963 as ‘They Long to Be Close to You’ (without parentheses). However, it was the single’s flip side, ‘Blue Guitar’, that became a hit.

“Dusty Springfield recorded an early version of ‘Close to You’ in 1964, which was originally scheduled to be released as the follow-up single to ‘I Just Don’t Know What To Do with Myself’. However, it wasn’t until 3 years later, in 1967, that her version was released – as an album track – on Where Am I Going? (in the UK) and The Look of Love (in the US).

“Dionne Warwick, Bacharach-David’s go-to vocalist, had been the first to record ‘(They Long to Be) Close to You’ – as a demo – in 1963. She re-recorded the song with a Bacharach arrangement for her 1964 album Make Way for Dionne Warwick, and Warwick’s version was released as the B-side of her 1965 single ‘Here I Am’.

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1960s, R&B

Go Now

First recorded and released by Besse Banks (US #40 released January 1964).
Hit version by The Moody Blues (US #10/UK #1/CAN #2 released February 1964).
Also recorded by Wings (1976).

From the wiki: “‘Go Now’ is a song composed by Larry Banks and Milton Bennett, and first recorded by Banks’ former wife, Bessie Banks. A 1962 demo recording by Bessie of the song was heard by songwriters/record producers Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller who, then, had Banks re-record it in late November 1963 (with Dee Dee Warwick among the background singers), and released in early 1964 on Leiber-Stoller’s Tiger label. Bank’s version reached #40 on the national singles charts.

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1960s, Soul

Heaven Must Have Sent You

First recorded by The Elgins (US #50/R&B #9 1966 |UK #3 1971).
Other hit version by Bonnie Pointer (US #11 1979).

From the wiki: “The version by the Elgins, released on the Motown subsidiary V.I.P. Records label in 1966, reached #9 on the Billboard R&B chart and #50 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It was reissued in the UK in 1971, and reached #3 on the UK Singles Chart. The Elgins’ backing vocals were augmented by The Andantes.

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1960s, Soul

Come See About Me

First single release by Nella Dodds (US #74 released October 1964).
Other hit versions by The Supremes (US #1/R&B #2/UK #27 released November 1964), Jr. Walker & The All Stars (US #24/R&B #8 1967), Shakin’ Stevens (UK #24 1987).
Also recorded by Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels (1966).

From the wiki: “The Supremes’ recording of ‘Come See About Me’ was recorded on July 13, 1964 during the sessions that produced the album Where Did Our Love Go, released in August 1964. But, the release of the song as a promotional single was held up while the album’s first two singles, ‘Where Did Our Love Go’ and ‘Baby Love’, were released and charted.

“Techically a cover recording, 14-year old Nella Dodds’ Wand Records single would actually be the first released as a single, in October 1964. It entered the Billboard Hot 100 in early November, debuting at #87 the week of November 14, showing promise as a rising pop and R&B hit. Mowtown Records, not wanting to be outshone by another label with a song written by their songwriting dream team, Holland-Dozier-Holland, rushed released the Supremes’ ‘Come See About Me’ to radio and retail in November, 1964, quickly undercutting the early chart momentum of Dodd’s recording and using their marketing muscle to debut the Supreme’s single two weeks later at #13 on the Hot 100 chart the week of November 28.

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1960s, Folk

Different Drum

First recorded by The Greenbriar Boys (1966).
Hit version by The Stone Poneys (US #13 1967).
Also recorded by Michael Nesmith, writer (1972).

From the wiki: “‘Different Drum’ is a classic song written by Mike Nesmith in 1965 (also copyrighted that year) and originally recorded by the northern bluegrass band the Greenbriar Boys and included on their 1966 album, Better Late than Never!. The song reached a wider audience when Nesmith rushed through a version of it in a comedy bit on The Monkees television show episode “Too Many Girls” (air date December 1966), while pretending to be Billy Roy Hodstetter.

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1960s, Rock

Good Lovin’

Originally recorded by Limmie Snell aka Lemme B. Good (1965).
Hit versions by The Olympics (US #81 1965), The Young Rascals (US #1/CAN #1/AUS #43 1966).

From the wiki: “The song was first recorded in early 1965 by Canton, Ohio, R&B singer Limmie Snell under the name ‘Lemme B. Good’. About a month later the song was covered — with considerably rewritten lyrics — by R&B/novelty artists the Olympics, but this version was only moderately successful at best, reaching #81 on the Billboard Pop Singles chart.

“The tale is told that Rascal Felix Cavaliere heard the Olympics’ recording played on a New York City radio station and the group added it to their concert repertoire. Co-producer Tom Dowd captured this live feel on the recording, even though the group did not think their performance held together well.

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1960s, Rock

A Groovy Kind of Love

First recorded by Diane & Annita (1965).
Hit versions by The Mindbenders (US# 2/UK #2 1966), Phil Collins (US #1/UK #1 1988).

From the wiki: “‘A Groovy Kind of Love’ is a pop song written by then-teenage songwriters Toni Wine (‘Candida‘) and Carole Bayer Sager (‘I Can Hear Music‘, ‘That’s What Friends Are For‘). The song title was an early use of the then-new slang word ‘groovy’.

“Wine, who was 17 years old when she wrote the song, said, ‘Carole came up with ‘Groovy kinda… groovy kinda… groovy…’ and we’re all just saying, ‘Kinda groovy, kinda groovy, kinda…’ and I don’t exactly know who came up with ‘Love’, but it was ‘Groovy kind of love’. And we did it. We wrote it in 20 minutes.’ The song was heavily based on the Rondo movement of Sonatina in G major by Muzio Clementi. It was picked up for publishing by Screen Gems Music.

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1960s, Rock

Handbags and Gladrags

Originally recorded by Chris Farlowe (UK #33 1967).
Also recorded by Mike d’Abo, composer (1970), Kate Taylor (1971).
Other hit versions by Chase (US #84 1971), Rod Stewart (1969 |US #42 1972), Big George (2000), Stereophonics (UK #4/IRE #3 2001).

From the wiki: “‘Handbags and Gladrags’ was written by Mike d’Abo (Manfred Mann). In November 1967, singer Chris Farlowe was the first to release a version of the song, produced by d’Abo. It became a #33 hit in the United Kingdom for Farlowe from the album The Last Goodbye. In 1969, Rod Stewart recorded a version for his album An Old Raincoat Won’t Ever Let You Down.

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1960s, Country

Ring of Fire

First recorded (as “Love’s Ring of Fire”) by Anita Carter (1963).
Hit versions by Johnny Cash (US #17/C&W #1/AUS #12 1963), Eric Burdon & the Animals (UK #35/AUS #10/GER #10/NETH #4 1969).

From the wiki: “Co-written by June Carter Cash (wife of Johnny Cash) and Merle Kilgore, ‘Ring of Fire’ was originally recorded by June’s sister, Anita Carter, on her Mercury Records album Anita Carter Sings Folk Songs Old and New.

“Billboard gave Carter’s recording, upon its release in January 1963, a very favorable review: ‘A most unusual tune is sold in winning fashion by the thrush who shows her own individual and exciting style here, supported by blue grass guitar work.’ Alas, although it rated enough regional radio airplay to ‘bubble under’, her single did not chart on either the Hot 100 or Hot Country Singles charts.

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1960s, Pop

I Just Can’t Help Believing

Co-written and first recorded by Barry Mann (1968).
Also recorded by Bobbby Vee (1969), Leonard Nimoy (1969).
Hit versions by B.J. Thomas (US #9/MOR #1/CAN #18 1970), Elvis Presley (UK #6 1971).

From the wiki: “‘I Just Can’t Help Believing’ is a song written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil. The song was most successful after it was recorded by B.J. Thomas and released by him as a single in 1970. It went to #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart, and spent one week at #1 on the Easy Listening (adult contemporary) chart. The first recording and single release was by the song’s co-writer, Barry Mann, in 1968 (with no apparent chart success), and as album tracks in 1969 by Bobby Vee, and Leonard Nimoy.

“The song was also recorded by Elvis Presley in 1970 for the documentary Elvis: That’s the Way It Is. The film captures Presley’s Summer Festival in Las Vegas at the International Hotel during August 1970. It is considered one of Elvis’ best live performances as both orchestra and vocals are virtually flawless (even if he does start the performance reading from a lyric sheet). That’s the Way It Is was Presley’s first non-dramatic film since the beginning of his film career in 1956, giving a clear view of Presley’s return to live performances after years of making films. His performance in the film of ‘I Just Can’t Help Believing’ was released as a single in the UK in November 1971, peaking at #6.”

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1960s, Rock

Hooked on a Feeling

Originally recorded by B.J. Thomas (US #5/CAN #3 1968).
Other hit versions by Jonathan King (UK #23 1972), Blue Swede (US #1/CAN #1/AUS #1 1974).

From the wiki: “‘Hooked on a Feeling’ is a 1968 pop song written by Mark James (‘Suspicious Minds‘) and originally performed by B. J. Thomas. Featuring the sound of the electric sitar, Thomas’ recording reached #5 in 1969 on the Billboard Hot 100.

“In 1971, British pop eccentric Jonathan King (‘Everyone’s Gone to the Moon’) produced his own version, adding ooga chuka jungle chants. King described his arrangement as ‘a reggae rhythm by male voices.’ His version reached #23 on the UK Singles Chart in 1972 but did not chart in the US.

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1960s, Rock

Without You

Written and originally recorded by Badfinger (1970).
Hit versions by Nilsson (US#1/UK #1 1971) and Mariah Carey (US #3/UK #1 1994).

From the wiki: “Paul McCartney once described this ballad as ‘…the killer song of all time.’

“At the time of writing the members of Badfinger shared residence in Golders Green, London. One evening, in the midst of the parties, songwriting, touring, in Golders Green, Pete Ham and his girlfriend were about to go out for the evening. But, just as they were leaving, Tom Evans said he had an idea for a song – Ham said, ‘Not tonight, I’ve promised Bev.’ But she thought he would be wondering if he had done the right thing later, if he went out, – she told him – ‘Go into the studio, I’m fine about it..’ He said, ‘Your mouth is smiling, but your eyes are sad.’

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1960s, Rock 'n Roll

Suspicion

First recorded by Elvis Presley (1962 |UK #9 1976).
Hit version by Terry Stafford (US #2/UK #31 1964).

From the wiki: “‘Suspicion’ is a song written by Doc Pomus and Mort Shuman, one of 25 songs Pomus and Shuman wrote for Elvis Presley.

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1960s, Soul

Mustang Sally

Written and first recorded by “Sir” Mack Rice (R&B #15 1965).
Other hit versions by Wilson Pickett (US #23/R&B #6/UK #28 1967 |UK #62 1987), The Commitments (UK #63 1991).

From the wiki: “According to music historian Tom Shannon the song started as a joke. Mack Rice wrote a song called ‘Mustang Mama’ after visiting his friend, the actress/singer Della Reese, in New York City. Reese told him that she was thinking about buying her drummer a new Lincoln for his birthday, which Rice, being from Detroit, thought was a great idea. When Rice mentioned this to Shields, the drummer replied, ‘I don’t want a Lincoln, I want a Mustang.’

“As Rice then explains, on the 2007 Rhythm & Blues Cruise, he had never heard of a Mustang before but Shields filled him in. Rice couldn’t believe Shields wanted such a small car instead of a big ol’ Lincoln. When he returned to Detroit, Rice started writing the song, with the chorus ‘Ride, Sally, ride.’ Rice’s publisher knew Aretha Franklin well, and brought Rice by her house for a visit; he sang some of the song for her; Franklin suggested he change the title to ‘Mustang Sally’ to better suit the chorus.

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1960s, Rock 'n Roll

Hanky Panky

Originally recorded by The Raindrops (1963).
First released (as a B-side) by The Summits (1963).
Hit version by Tommy James & The Shondells in (1964|US #1 1966)
Also recorded by Neil Diamond (US #51/AUS #55 1968).

From the wiki: “Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich (‘Do Wah Diddy Diddy‘, ‘Be My Baby’, ‘Da Doo Ron Ron’) authored the song in 1963 and were the first to record it. They were in the middle of a recording session for their group The Raindrops, and realized they needed a B-side to a single, ‘That Boy John’. The duo then went into the hall and penned the song in 20 minutes. The Summits (a group produced by The Tokens), however, were first to release a ‘Hanky Panky,’ also as a B-Side (to ‘He’s An Angel’), in October 1963. The Raindrops’ recording was released in November 1963.

“Although only a B-side (and one that the two composers were not terribly impressed with), ‘Hanky Panky’ became popular with garage rock bands. Tommy James heard it being performed by one such group in a club in South Bend, Indiana. ‘I really only remembered a few lines from the song,’ James to an interviewer. ‘So, when we went to record it, I had to make up the rest of the song.’

“James’ version was recorded at a local radio station, WNIL in Niles, Michigan, and released on the local Snap Records label, selling well in the tri-state area of Michigan, Indiana and Illinois. However, lacking national distribution, the single quickly disappeared. James moved on, breaking up The Shondells, and finishing high school.

“In 1965, an unemployed James was contacted by Pittsburgh disc jockey ‘Mad Mike’ Metro. Metro had begun playing the Shondells’ version of ‘Hanky Panky’ and the single had become popular in that area. James then decided to re-release the song, traveling to Pittsburgh where he hired the first decent local band he ran into, the Raconteurs, to become the new Shondells (the original members having declined to re-form) in order to perform the song in live shows.

“After appearances on TV and in clubs in the city, James took a copy of the original Snap Records recording of ‘Hanky Panky’ to New York, where he sold it to Roulette Records. ‘The amazing thing is we did not re-record the song,’ James recalls. ‘I don’t think anybody can record a song that bad and make it sound good. It had to sound amateurish like that.’ It was released promptly and took the top position of the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 for two weeks in July 1966.

“Neil Diamond recorded a version of ‘Hanky Panky’ and it was released as the B-side to ‘New Orleans’ in 1968 when the A-side peaked at #51 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #55 in Australia. His recording begins with Diamond complaining to the producer ‘No, I’m not gonna sing this song. DO IT DO IT. I don’t care who wrote it. YA. Alright.'”

The Summits, “Hanky Panky” (1963):

Tommy James & The Shondells, “Hanky Panky” (1964 rereleased 1966):

Neil Diamond, “Hanky Panky” (1968):

1960s, Rock

These Days

First recorded by Nico (1967).
Covered by The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band (1968), Tom Rush (1970), Jennifer Warnes (1972), Ian Matthews (1973), Jackson Browne (1973), Gregg Allman (1973), Paul Westerberg (2003), Glen Campbell (2008), Jackson Browne & Gregg Allman (2014).

From the wiki: “‘These Days’ was written by Jackson Browne c. 1964, when he was 16-years old. German model, chanteuse and Warhol Superstar Nico was the first to record ‘These Days’ for release, on her October 1967 album Chelsea Girl. The elaborate production featured a fairly fast finger-picking electric guitar part by Browne. The use of that instrument was suggested by Andy Warhol.

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1960s, Rock

Wild Thing

Originally recorded by The Wild Ones (1965).
Hit version by The Troggs (US #1/UK #2 1966), Bill Minkin novelty (US #20 1967), Sam Kinison novelty (1988).

From the wiki: “‘Wild Thing’ is a song written by New York City-born songwriter Chip Taylor (brother of actor Jon Voight). Originally recorded by New York City-based band The Wild Ones in 1965 (their 1965 album The Arthur Sound hit #149 on the US Billboard 200), and produced by Gerry Granahan (Patty Duke, Jay & The Americans), ‘Wild Thing’ is best known for its 1966 cover by the English band The Troggs – topping the US Billboard Hot 100 and peaking at #2 in the UK. ‘Wild Thing’ is ranked #257 on the Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

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1960s, R&B

You’re No Good

Originally recorded by Dee Dee Warwick (US #117 1963).
Hit versions by Betty Everett (US #51/R&B #5 1963), The Swinging Blue Jeans (US #93/UK #3 1964), Linda Ronstadt (US #1/CAN #2 1974).
Also recorded (as ‘Olet Paha!’) by Eddy and the Lightnings (1964).

From the wiki: “The original version of ‘You’re No Good’ was cut by Dee Dee Warwick for Jubilee Records in 1963 with production by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller (‘Hound Dog‘, ‘Stand By Me’, ‘There Goes My Baby’, ‘Jailhouse Rock’.)

“During the playback of Betty Everett’s November, 1963 recording her Vee-Jay label-mates The Dells ‘were sitting on the wooden platform where the string players would sit… just stomping their feet on this wooden platform to the beat of the song as it was playing back… [Producer Calvin Carter] told the engineer ‘Let’s do it again, and let’s mike those foot sounds, ’cause it really gave it a hell of a beat.’ So we did that, and boom, a hit.’

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1960s, Country

Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town

First recorded by Johnny Darrell (C&W #9/UK #2 1967).
Also recorded by The Statler Brothers (1967).
Hit version by Kenny Rogers & The First Edition (US #6/C&W #39/UK #1 1969).
See also: “Billy, I’ve Got to Go to Town” by Geraldine Stevens (1969).

From the wiki: “‘Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town’ is a song written by Mel Tillis about a paralyzed veteran of a ‘crazy Asian war’ (given the time of its release, widely assumed but never explicitly stated to be the Vietnam War). ‘Ruby’ was originally recorded in 1967 by Johnny Darrell, who scored a #9 country hit with it that year. The song was made world-famous in 1969 by Kenny Rogers & The First Edition.

“In 1969, after Kenny Rogers and the First Edition’s success with the hits ‘Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In)‘ and ‘But You Know I Love You’, Rogers wanted to take his group more into a country music direction. They recorded their version of ‘Ruby’ (with Rogers singing the lead) in one take. The record was a major hit for them. It made #1 in the UK, staying in the UK Top 20 for 15 weeks. In the United States it reached #6 on the Hot 100 and #39 on the country chart. Worldwide, the single sold more than 7 million copies.

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1960s, R&B

Chains

First recorded by The Everly Brothers (1962, released 1984).
Hit versions by The Cookies (US #17/R&B #7/UK #50 1962), The Beatles (1963).

From the wiki: “‘Chains’ was composed by the Brill Building husband-and-wife songwriting team Gerry Goffin and Carole King (‘Up on the Roof‘, ‘Crying in the Rain‘, ‘Oh No Not My Baby‘). It was first recorded by the Everly Brothers in 1962 but went unreleased until 1984.

“The same year, ‘Chains’ became a US Top 20 hit for Little Eva’s backing singers, The Cookies (with Earl-Jean McRae (‘I’m Into Something Good‘) singing lead), with an arrangement produced by co-writer Goffin.and later covered by The Beatles.

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1960s, R&B

Devil with the Blue Dress

Co-written and originally recorded by Shorty Long (1964).
Hit version (as “Devil with the Blue Dress/Good Golly Miss Molly”) by Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels (US #4 1966).

From the wiki: “‘Devil with the Blue Dress On’ (also known as ‘Devil with a Blue Dress On’) was a song written by Shorty Long and William ‘Mickey’ Stevenson, first performed by Long (as a slow jam) and released as Shorty Long’s debut single on Motown in 1964 but the single failed to chart. Two years later, Mitch Ryder & The Detroit Wheels covered the song as a medley with a cover of Little Richard’s ‘Good Golly Miss Molly’. The Wheels’ version was notably more up-tempo than Long’s more blues-influenced rendition. Reaching #4 on the Hot 100, the Wheels’ track would end up becoming the group’s most well-known and highest-charting hit in the United States.

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1960s, Pop

It’s My Party

First recorded by Helen Shapiro (February 1963).
Also recorded by The Crystals (unreleased 1963), The Paris Sisters (1966), Amy Winehouse (2010).
Hit version by Lesley Gore (US #1/R&B #1/UK #9/AUS #1 March 1963), Lill-Babs (SWE #5 1963).

From the wiki: “The first recording of the song was by Helen Shapiro for her Helen in Nashville album recorded in February 1963 with Shapiro’s regular producer Norrie Paramor, and Al Kasha. Shapiro would recall: ‘Right from the first time we heard the song on the rough demo back in London, we thought we were going to sock them between the eyes with that one’; however Shapiro’s version was not one of the cuts chosen as an advance single from the album … so, by the time of the album’s release in the UK that October (and the album’s first single, ‘Woe is Me’, in the US in May 1963), Shapiro’s ‘It’s My Party’ recording was perceived as a cover of Lesley Gore’s hit single even though Shapiro’s version was the first recorded.

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