Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Tagged: Paul Simon

1960s, Pop

The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)

Written and first recorded by Simon & Garfunkel (1966).
Hit version by Harpers Bizarre (US #13 1967).

From the wiki: “‘The 59th Street Bridge Song (Feelin’ Groovy)’ was written by Paul Simon and first recorded by Simon & Garfunkel, appearing on their 1966 album Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme. ’59th Street Bridge’ is the colloquial name of the Queensboro Bridge in New York City. The most popular cover version of the song was recorded in 1967 by Harpers Bizarre, reaching #13 on the Billboard Hot 100.

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1960s, Folk

I Am a Rock

Written and first recorded by Paul Simon (1965).
Hit version by Simon & Garfunkel (US #3/UK #17 1966).

From the wiki: “‘I Am a Rock’ was written by Paul Simon, and first recorded by Simon solo as the opening track on his album The Paul Simon Songbook which he originally recorded and released as a solo performance in August 1965 but only in the United Kingdom. Later that year, Simon and Art Garfunkel, as the American pop/folk duo Simon & Garfunkel, re-recorded the song on December 14, 1965, and included it as the final track on their album Sounds of Silence. ‘I Am a Rock’ became the duo’s third Top 5 hit in the US when released as a single in May 1966.”

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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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