Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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Tagged: Tremeloes

Here Comes My Baby

Written and first recorded by Cat Stevens (1966, released 1968).
Hit version by The Tremeloes (US #13/UK #4 1967).

From the wiki: “‘Here Comes My Baby’ was written by Cat Stevens in 1966, and was almost released as Cat’s first single in September 1966. But, ‘I Love My Dog’ was thought to be a stronger song. Even after the success of ‘I Love My Dog’ (UK #28), ‘Here Comes My Baby’ was shelved from release for several more months. Meantime, the Tremeloes picked it up and it became their breakthrough hit in America and their first hit in the UK after the departure of the group’s lead singer, Brian Poole.

“The Tremeloe’s success with the song did help to establish Cat Stevens as a songwriter (‘Wild World‘, ‘The First Cut is the Deepest‘). His recording of ‘Here Comes My Baby’ was included it on his first album, Matthew And Son, released in 1968.”

I Want Candy

First recorded by The Strangeloves (US #11/CAN #7 1965).
Hit versions by Brian Poole & the Tremeloes (UK #25 1965), Bow Wow Wow (US #62/UK #9/IRE #7/AUS #39 1983), Candy Girls (UK #30 1996), Aaron Carter (UK #31/SWE #10/AUS #37/NETH #37 2000), Melanie C. (UK #7/ITA #9/DEN #12 2007).
Also recorded by Pop ‘n Fresh (2008).

From the wiki: “‘I Want Candy’ was written by Bert Berns, Bob Feldman, Jerry Goldstein and Richard Gottehrer (‘My Boyfriend’s Back’) in 1965. For this song, the trio took on the moniker of The Strangeloves, and recorded the tune themselves, augmented by studio musicians. Although Feldman, Goldstein and Gottehrer used their real names in the writing and production credits of this single, they claimed The Strangeloves were actually three Australian brothers (and ex-sheep farmers) named Giles, Miles and Niles Strange. Feldman, Goldstein and Gottehrer dressed up in shaggy wigs and exotic clothing for publicity photos as The Strangeloves.

“It was The Strangelove’s second single, becoming a Top 10 hit in Canada and hitting #11 in the US. But, the record failed to chart in the UK — or in The Strangeloves’ so-called ‘native’ country, Australia. (A cover by Brian Poole & the Tremeloes, however, charted in the UK and peaked at #25.)

Do You Love Me

Originally recorded by The Contours (US #3/R&B #1 1962).
Hit versions by Brian Poole & The Tremeloes (UK #1 1963), The Dave Clark Five (US #11/UK #30 1964).
Also recorded by The Hollies (1964).

From the wiki: “Berry Gordy wrote ‘Do You Love Me’ with the intent that The Temptations, who had no Top 40 hits to their name yet, would record it. However, when Gordy wanted to locate the group and record the song, they were nowhere to be found (the Temptations had not been made aware of Gordy’s intentions, and had departed Motown’s recording studio that day for a local Detroit gospel music showcase).

Yellow River

First recorded by The Tremeloes (1970).
Hit versions by Christie, writer (US #23/UK #1/IRE #1/AUS #16/FIN #1/NOR #1/GER #3 1970), The Compton Brothers (C&W #49 1972).
Also recorded by Elton John (1970), R.E.M. (2003).
Also recorded (as “Tuulensuojaan”) by Danny (1970), (as “Fat Karlsson”) by Singing Guitars (1971), Mziuri Ensemble (1973).

From the wiki: “Written by Tremeloes band leader Jeff Christie, the song was first recorded by the group with the intention of releasing it as a single early in 1970. However, after the success of the Tremeloes then-most recent single, ‘Call Me Number One’, and after considering ‘Yellow River’ too pop-orientated for their future direction, the Tremeloes decided instead to follow-up with another of their own compositions, ‘By The Way’, which met only with very modest Top 40 success. Producer Mike Smith took the group vocals off the recording (leaving behind only the instrumental backing track) and added those of Christie, the songwriter, and releasing the song under the name ‘Christie’, his sole UK chart-topper as a solo artist.