Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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1291 total songs ... and counting!

1960s, Country, R&B

Soul Deep

Originally recorded by Wayne Carson Thompson (1969).
Hit version by The Box Tops (US #18/UK #22/CAN #9/AUS #7 1969), Eddy Arnold (MOR #22/CAN #44 1970).
Also recorded by Gin Blossoms (1994).

From the wiki: “Wayne Carson Thompson performed professionally as ‘Wayne Carson’, and was a Nashville-based musician, producer and songwriter when he wrote and first recorded ‘Soul Deep’ in 1969. Among his other songwriting credits are ‘The Letter’ (also recorded by The Box Tops), ‘Always On My Mind‘, and ‘She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Double)’.

“Covered by the Box Tops in 1969, ‘Soul Deep’ was the third of three singles released from the album Dimensions.”

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1960s, Pop

The Worst That Could Happen

First recorded by The 5th Dimension (1967).
Hit version by The Brooklyn Bridge (US #3 1969).
Also recorded by Jimmy Webb (1996).

http://youtu.be/5t8X_KOmDs0

From the wiki: “‘The Worst That Could Happen’ was originally recorded by The 5th Dimension for their 1967 album of nearly all-Jimmy Webb-composed songs, The Magic Garden. The song depicts a man reflecting on an affair he’d had with a woman with whom he is still in love, but who is about to marry someone else. It has been stated that, along with ‘MacArthur Park’ and ‘By The Time I Get to Phoenix‘, ‘The Worst That Could Happen’ is about a relationship that Webb had had with a woman named Susan.

“Webb’s song was later recorded by Johnny Maestro & the Brooklyn Bridge and reached the Billboard Hot 100’s Top-40 in 1969.

“The song is noted for the quoting of Mendelssohn’s ‘Wedding March’ from the incidental music to ‘A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream’, which is heard at the song’s end, which in the Brooklyn Bridge version, is played by a handful of trumpets, while in the Fifth Dimension version, is played by an electric organ.

“Jimmy Webb recorded his own version of the song for his 1996 album Ten Easy Pieces.”

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1960s, Rock

Shakin’ All Over

First recorded by Johnny Kidd & The Pirates (UK #1 1960).
Other hit versions by Guess Who? (US #22/CAN #1/AUS #27 1965), Normie Rowe (AUS #1 1965).

From the wiki: “‘Shakin’ All Over’ was written by frontman Johnny Kidd and reached #1 in the United Kingdom in August 1960. Kidd recalls ‘When I was going round with a bunch of lads and we happened to see a girl who was a real sizzler we used to say that she gave us ‘quivers down the membranes’. It was a standard saying with us referring to any attractive girl … I can honestly say that it was this more than anything that inspired me to write ‘Shakin’ All Over’.’

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1960s, Pop

The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine (Anymore)

First recorded by Frankie Valli (1965).
Hit versions by The Walker Brothers (US #13/UK #1/GER #4 1966), Cher (UK #26 1996).
Also recorded by The Fuzzy Bunnies (US #115 1968), Keane (2004).

From the wiki: “‘The Sun Ain’t Gonna Shine Anymore’, written by Bob Crewe (‘Silence is Golden‘, ‘Silhouettes‘, ‘Lady Marmalade‘) and Bob Gaudio (‘Sherry’, ‘Big Girls Don’t Cry’, ‘Can’t Take My Eyes Off You’), was originally recorded in 1965 by Frankie Valli for his 1966 solo album Frankie Valli: Solo. Although it was recorded at a Four Seasons recording session (with the other group members at that time), it was Valli’s first official ‘solo’ single in almost a decade. (He had previously recorded as ‘Frankie Valley’ and ‘Frankie Tyler’.) Valli’s version, however, failed to chart in the Billboard Hot 100.

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1960s, Pop

Stoned Soul Picnic

Written and first recorded (as a demo) by Laura Nyro (1968).
Also recorded by Laura Nyro (1968).
Hit version by The 5th Dimension (US #3/R&B #2 1968).

From the wiki: “Bones Howe, who had engineered the first 5th Dimension hit, ‘Up-Up and Away,’ became the group’s producer and introduced them to this song and to the music of Laura Nyro. After ‘Stoned Soul Picnic’ also became a hit, the group recorded several other Nyro songs (including ‘Sweet Blindness‘, and ‘Save The Country‘) with great success.

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1970s, Country, Soul

Midnight Train to Georgia

Written and first recorded (as “Midnight Plane to Houston”) by Jim Weatherly (1972).
Hit versions by Cissy Houston (R&B #45 1973), Gladys Knight & The Pips (US #1/R&B #1/UK #10 1973).

From the wiki: “The song was originally written and performed by Jim Weatherly (‘(You’re the) Best Thing That Ever Happened‘) under the title ‘Midnight Plane to Houston’, recorded for Amos Records.

“‘It was based on a conversation I had with somebody… about taking a midnight plane to Houston,’ Weatherly recalls. ‘I wrote it as a kind of a country song. Then we sent the song to a guy named Sonny Limbo in Atlanta and he wanted to cut it with Cissy Houston (mother of Whitney Houston) … He asked if I minded if he changed the title to ‘Midnight Train to Georgia.’ And I said, I don’t mind. Just don’t change the rest of the song.’ Houston took Weatherly’s song into the R&B chart under the title ‘Midnight Train to Georgia’.

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1960s, Folk

Everybody’s Talkin’

Written and originally recorded by Fred Neil (1966).
Hit version by Nilsson (US #113/CAN #35 1968 |US #6/MOR #2/UK #23/CAN #1 1969).

From the wiki: “‘Everybody’s Talkin”, written and first released by folk singer Fred Neil in 1966, describes the singer-songwriter’s desire to retreat from other people to live by the ocean.

“It was hurriedly composed towards the end of the session, after Neil had become anxious to put a wrap on the album he was recording so he could return to his home in Miami, Florida … a retreat to the ocean, as it were … and Neil’s other ‘job’ with The Dolphin Project. Manager Herb Cohen promised that if Neil wrote and recorded one final track, he could go. ‘Everybody’s Talkin” was the result – and Neil’s recording was finished in one take!

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1980s, Soul

No One in the World

First recorded by Dionne Warwick (1985).
Hit version by Anita Baker (US #44/MOR #9/R&B #5 1987).

From the wiki: “‘No One in the World’ was written by Marti Sharon and Ken Hirsch, and was first recorded by Dionne Warwick (and produced by Barry Manilow) for her 1985 album Finder of Lost Love and again on her 1987 album, Reservations for Two.”

“Anita Baker covered ‘No One in the World’ for her Rapture album, released in 1987. Released as the fourth promotional single from the album, ‘No One in the World’ would peak at #44 on the Billboard Hot 100 but chart Top-10 on the Adult Contemporary and R&B charts.”

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1970s, Soul

Rock Your Baby

Written and first recorded (as an instrumental demo) by K.C. & The Sunshine Band (1974).
Hit version by George McCrae (US #1/R&B #1/UK #1/AUS #1 1974).

From the wiki: “‘Rock Your Baby’ was written and produced by Harry Wayne Casey (‘K.C.’) and Richard Finch of K.C. & The Sunshine Band, and is considered to be one of the landmark recordings of early disco music.

“The backing track for the record had been recorded in 45 minutes as a demo, and featured guitarist Jerome Smith, saxophonist Whit Sidener and trumpeter Vinnie Tanno of K.C. & The Sunshine Band. The track was not originally intended for McCrae. But, he happened to be in the studio, was invited by K.C. to add a vocal, and the resulting combination of infectious rhythm and falsetto vocal made it a hit. An instrumental re-recording would later be released as a separate single, in 1975 in the US (backed with ‘S.O.S.’) and in 1976 in the UK (backed with ‘Sunshine City’).

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1960s, R&B

He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)

Co-written and first recorded (as “He Will Break Your Heart”) by Jerry Butler (US #7/R&B #1 1960).
Other hit version by Tony Orland & Dawn (US #1/MOR #1/CAN #4/NZ #28 1975).

From the wiki: “The song was written by Jerry Butler (‘Moon River‘), Calvin Carter, and Curtis Mayfield (who sings backup on the Butler recording). First recorded by Butler and released as a single in 1960, it peaked at #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. In addition, Butler’s recording spent seven, non-consecutive weeks at #1 on the U.S. R&B chart.

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1960s, Gospel

Jesus is Just Alright

First recorded by The Art Reynolds Singers (1966).
Also recorded by The Byrds (US #97 1969).
Hit version by The Doobie Brothers (US #35 1972).

From the wiki: “‘Jesus Is Just Alright’ is a gospel song written by Arthur Reid Reynolds and first recorded by Reynolds’ own group, The Art Reynolds Singers, on their 1966 album, Tellin’ It Like It Is.

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1970s, Pop

Killing Me Softly with His Song

First recorded by Lori Lieberman (1972).
Hit versions by Roberta Flack (US #1/MOR #2/R&B #2/UK #6/CAN #1/AUS #1/IRE #3 1973), The Fugees (US #2/R&B #1/MOR #30/UK #1/CAN #6/AUS #1/IRE #1/GER #1/FRA #1 1996).

From the wiki: “Written by Charlie Fox, Norman Gimbel and Lori Lieberman, ‘Killing Me Softly with His Song’ has a contentious and disputed origin.

“Lori Lieberman, the artist who performed the first recording in 1972, claims the song was born of a poem she wrote after experiencing a strong reaction to the song ‘Empty Chairs,’ written, composed, and recorded by Don McLean.

“On the other hand, Charlie Fox has disputed Lieberman having any input into the song’s creation, saying: ‘We [i.e. himself and lyricist Norman Gimbel (‘Girl from Ipanema‘, ‘So Nice (Summer Samba)‘) wrote the song and [Lieberman] heard it and said it reminded her of how she felt at [a Don McLean] concert. Don McLean didn’t inspire Norman [Gimbel] or me to write the song but even Don McLean thinks he’s the inspiration for the song according to his official website!’ Instead, the song, Fox claims, has its origin in a novel.

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1960s, Soul

Soulful Strut

First recorded (as “Am I the Same Girl”) by Barbara Acklin (US #79/R&B #44 1968).
Other hit versions by Young-Holt Unlimited (US #3/R&B #3 1968), Swing Out Sister (US #45/MOR #1 1992).

From the wiki: “Although Barbara Acklin — who was married to co-writer Eugene Record — recorded the song first, and it enjoyed modest chart success, producer Carl Davis would go on to remove Acklin’s vocal from the track, replacing it with a piano solo by Floyd Morris, and released the resultant track in November 1968 as ‘Soulful Strut’ credited to Young-Holt Unlimited. However, neither Eldee Young nor Red Holt is believed to have played on the track, which was the work of session musicians identified only as the Brunswick Studio Band.

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1960s, Rock

Superstar

Co-written and first recorded (as “Groupie (Superstar)”) by Delaney & Bonnie (1969).
Also recorded by Rita Coolidge (1970), Bette Midler (1970 |1972).
Hit versions by The Carpenters (US #2/CAN #3/JPN #7 1971), Luther Vandross (US #87/R&B #5 1983).

From the wiki: “Accounts of the song’s origin vary somewhat, but it grew out of the late 1969-early 1970 nexus of English and American musicians known as Delaney & Bonnie and Friends, involving Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett, Leon Russell, Eric Clapton, and various others. The song’s working title during portions of its development was ‘Groupie Song’. In its first recorded incarnation, the song was titled ‘Groupie (Superstar)’, and was recorded and released as a non-album B-side to the Delaney & Bonnie single ‘Comin’ Home’ (promoting the album On Tour with Eric Clapton) in December 1969. ‘Groupie’ would see an eventual album release in 1972, on D&B Together.

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1960s, Pop, Reggae/Ska

Red, Red Wine

Written and first recorded by Neil Diamond (US #62 1966).
Other hit versions by Jimmy James & The Vagabonds (UK #46 1966), Tony Tribe (UK #46 1969), Roy Drusky (C&W #17/CAN #16 1972), UB40 (US #34/UK #1/NZ #1 1984 |US #1 1988).

From the wiki: “‘Red, Red Wine’ was written and originally recorded by Neil Diamond (‘September Morn‘,’I’m a Believer‘,’Until It’s Time for You to Go‘). It has been covered by Tony Tribe, and Jimmy James & the Vagabond (both charting in the UK in the late ’60s), American country singer Roy Drusky (who charted in 1972) and, most famously, by British reggae group UB40, whose version topped the UK and US singles charts – four years apart.

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1960s, Pop

Red Rubber Ball

First recorded by The Seekers (1966).
Hit version by The Cyrkle (US #2/CAN #1 1966).
Also recorded by Neil Diamond (1966), Mel Tormé (1966), Simon & Gardfunkel (1967, released 1997), The Diodes (1977).

From the wiki: “‘Red Rubber Ball’ was co-written by Paul Simon (of Simon and Garfunkel) and Bruce Woodley (of The Seekers). In an interview on The Colbert Report, Simon said he wrote ‘Red Rubber Ball’ while living in England, to get a £100 advance from The Seekers. The Seekers were the to record ‘Red Rubber Ball’, for their 1966 album Come the Day (US album title: Georgy Girl), but the song was not released as a single.

“According to Cyrkle guitarist Tom Dawes, Simon also offered it to the Cyrkle when they were opening for Simon and Garfunkel on tour in England.

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1970s, Pop

I Don’t Know How to Love Him

First recorded by Yvonne Elliman (US #28/MOR #15 1971 |UK #47 1972).
Other hit versions by Helen Reddy (US #13/MOR #12/CAN #8/AUS #2 1971), Petula Clark (UK #47 1972).

From the wiki: “‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’ was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice song for the 1970 Rock opera Jesus Christ Superstar. The song has been much recorded with it becoming one of only a handful of songs to have two concurrent recordings simultaneously reach the Top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

“‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’ had first been published with different lyrics in the autumn of 1967, originally titled ‘Kansas Morning’. (The melody’s main theme has come under some scrutiny for being non-original, bearing a resemblance to a theme from Mendelssohn’s ‘Violin Concerto in E Minor’.) Rice wrote new lyrics to ‘Kansas Morning’ when Lloyd Webber and he completed Jesus Christ Superstar in January 1970. Now, entitled ‘I Don’t Know How to Love Him’, the completed song was recorded at a June 1970 Decca Records recording session by Yvonne Elliman – in one take.

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1960s, Rock, Soul

Some Kind of Wonderful

First recorded by Soul Brothers Six (US #91 1967).
Other hit versions by The Fantastic Johnny C (US #87 1968), Grand Funk Railroad (US #3 1974), Huey Lewis & The News (US #44/MOR #4 1994).
Also recorded by Q-Tips (1980), Buddy Guy with Paul Rodgers (1993), Joss Stone (2003).

From the wiki: “‘Some Kind of Wonderful’ is a song written by John Ellison and first recorded by his group, Soul Brothers Six, from Rochester, NY, in 1967, peaking at #91 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. The Fantastic Johnny C, from Philadelphia, next recorded a version of the song in 1968 that briefly charted in the US.

“In 1974, Grand Funk Railroad covered ‘Some Kind of Wonderful’ for the group’s album All the Girls in the World Beware!!!. Reaching #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in February 1975, the Grand Funk recording ended the year ranked #74 on Billboard’s Hot 100 year-end chart for 1975.

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1970s, Reggae/Ska

I Shot the Sheriff

Written and first recorded by The Wailers (1973).
Hit version by Eric Clapton (US #1/UK #9/CAN #1/NZ #1 1974).

From the wiki: “‘I Shot The Sheriff’ was written by Bob Marley, told from the point of view of a narrator who claims to have acted in self-defense when the sheriff tried to shoot him. The song was first released in 1973 on The Wailers’ album Burnin’. Eric Clapton recorded a cover version that was included on his 1974 album, 461 Ocean Boulevard. It is the most successful version of the song, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. In 2003, Clapton’s version was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.”

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1930s, Pop

Dream a Little Dream of Me

First recorded by Ozzie Nelson & His Orchestra (1931).
Also recorded by Wayne King & His Orchestra (1931), Kate Smith (1931).
Hit versions by Frankie Laine (US #18 1950), Jack Owens (US #14 1950), “Mama” Cass Elliot with the Mamas and the Papas (US #12/MOR #2/CAN #7/UK #11/AUS #1 1968).

From the wiki: “‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’, written by Fabian Andre and Wilbur Schwandt and lyrics by Gus Kahn, was first recorded in February 1931 by Ozzie Nelson & His Orchestra (with the vocal by Nelson) and also by Wayne King and His Orchestra (with vocal by Ernie Birchill). ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’ was also an early signature tune of Kate Smith (‘God Bless America’).

“Then, in the summer of 1950, seven recordings of ‘Dream a Little Dream of Me’ were in release, with the versions by Frankie Laine and Jack Owens reaching the US Top 20 at respectively #18 and #14.

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1970s, Pop

Don’t Leave Me This Way

First recorded by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (UK #5 1975).
Other hit versions by Thelma Houston (US #1/R&B #1/UK #13 1977), The Communards (US #40/UK #1 1986).

From the wiki: “First charting as a hit for Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, an act on Gamble & Huff’s Philadelphia International label, in 1975, ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ was later a hit single for both Thelma Houston and The Communards. The Blue Notes’ original version of the song featured Teddy Pendergrass’ lead vocal. ‘Don’t Leave Me This Way’ was included as one of the seven tracks on the group’s successful Wake Up Everybody LP but was not released as a single in the U.S.

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1960s, Rock

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother

First recorded by Kelly Gordon (1969).
Hit versions by The Hollies (US #7/UK #3/CAN #11/IRE #3/AUS #8/NZ #7 1969), Neil Diamond (US #20/MOR #4 1970), The Justice Collective (UK #1 2012).

From the wiki: “‘He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother’ is a popular music ballad written by Bobby Scott and Bob Russell. Originally recorded by Kelly Gordon (who would later become a producer for Glen Campbell, Aretha Franklin, David Lee Roth) in 1969, the song became a worldwide hit for The Hollies later that year and again for Neil Diamond in 1970. Scott and Russell had been introduced to each other by Johnny Mercer, at a California nightclub. Although Russell was dying of lymphoma and the pair met in person only three times, they managed to collaborate on the song.

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1920s, Jazz

Chicago (That Toddlin’ Town)

First recorded by The Bay Harbor Society Orchestra (1922).
Hit version by Frank Sinatra (1958).

From the wiki: “‘Chicago’ is a popular song written by Fred Fisher, and first published in 1922 and recorded by The Bay Harbor Society Orchestra. Other early recordings of the song were made by Django Reinhardt (1937), and Earl Hines (1950). ‘Chicago’ was featured in H.C. Potter’s 1939 film, The Story of Vernon and Irene Castle, starring Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. It was later performed by Sinatra in the 1957 movie, The Joker Is Wild, and recorded for Sinatra’s 1958 album Come Fly with Me. Other popular versions of ‘Chicago’ were also recorded by Tony Bennett, Rosemary Clooney, and The Dudley Moore Trio.”

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1970s, Pop

And I Love You So

Written and first recorded by Don McLean (1970).
Hit versions by Bobby Goldsboro (MOR #8/C&W #48 1971), Perry Como (US #29/MOR #1/UK #3 1973).

From the wiki: “‘And I Love You So’ is a popular song written by Don McLean and released on his 1970 debut album, Tapestry. In 1973, the song was an international hit for singer Perry Como on his album of the same name, And I Love You So. Como’s version of the song reached #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the last of his many popular recordings to reach the Top 40. In Britain, the record reached #3 on the UK Singles Chart.”

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