Songs with Earlier Histories Than the Hit Version

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What Now My Love

First recorded as “Et maintenant” by Gilbert Bécaud (1961).
First recorded (in English) by Jane Morgan (1961).
Hit versions by Shirley Bassey (UK #5 1962), Sonny & Cher (US #14/UK #12 1966), Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass (US #24/MOR #2 1966), Mitch Ryder (US #30 1967).
Also performed by Elvis Presley (1973).

From the wiki: “‘What Now, My Love?’ is the English title of a popular song whose original French version, ‘Et maintenant’ (English: ‘And Now’) was written in 1961 by composer Gilbert Bécaud (co-writer, ‘September Morn‘) and lyricist Pierre Delanoë. Bécaud’s original version of this song topped French chart in 1961.

“English lyrics and the title were written by Carl Sigman, and were first recorded in 1961 by Jane Morgan. The English-language covers use the melody of Bécaud but with a different lyrical imagery (e.g., ‘There’s the sky / Where the sea should be’), which are different from the darker French original (e.g., ‘Towards what nothingness / Will my life slip away?).

“The English-language arrangement of ‘What Now My Love’ first charted in the UK in 1962, by Shirley Bassey (a recording that spent 4 months on the UK Singles chart). Charting arrangements in the US included Top 40 hits by Sonny & Cher (1966), Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass (1966), and Mitch Ryder of the Detroit Wheels (1967). Of the latter recording, which became the title track for a 1967 album that was one-half rock ‘n roll showcase and one-half Vegas showroom, Ryder recalled ‘[f]or me it was the challenge of singing whatever was tossed to me [by producer Bob Crewe]. I wanted to be able to handle everything. It was a personal challenge.’

“Elvis Presley performed the song before a concert arena audience in Honolulu, Hawaii, and an estimated 1 billion people worldwide as part of his Aloha from Hawaii live broadcast in 1973 beamed to 43 countries via INTELSAT.”

Jane Morgan, “What Now My Love” (1961):

Shirley Bassey, “What Now My Love” (1962):

Sonny & Cher, “What Now My Love” (1966):

Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass,”What Now My Love” (1966):

Mitch Ryder, “What Now My Love” (1967):

Elvis Presley, “What Now My Love” live performance from Aloha from Hawaii (1973):

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