Cover songs you thought were Originals

Slothead56 · #1 11-23-2019, 06:19 AM

Sure....why not?

How about Blinded by the Light written by Springsteen and famously covered by Manfred Mann.

RP · #2 11-23-2019, 06:34 AM

I first heard Talking Heads' version of Take Me to the River on Saturday Night Live and still think it's the quintessential version...

KenL · #3 11-23-2019, 06:58 AM

I've played "Pamela Brown" for years on my stereo, from Leo Kottke's "Ice Water" album. Thought it was his song.

A few years ago, I set out to learn it, and found out it was written by Tom T. Hall.

Great tune, fun to play.

srick · #4 11-23-2019, 07:10 AM

"Good Lovin'" by the Rascals was originally done by an R&B group, "The Olympics". I was really surprised when I heard the original the other day on XM21 (Underground Garage).

Slothead56 · #5 11-23-2019, 07:40 AM

Joy to the World, Three Dog Night was written by Hoyt Axton.

Daniel Grenier · #6 11-23-2019, 07:45 AM

"Hard Sun" covered by Eddie Vedder. Original by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Peterson (aka Indio). The original is so much better it's not even close. (Well, ok, to the OP's point. I didn't think this was a Vedder original as I was quite familiar with Indio but most of the world sure thought Vedder's verison was the original via that Into The Wild movie ).

Mbroady · #7 11-23-2019, 08:03 AM

When I first heard the Jimmie Hendrix version of All Along The Watchtower I assumed it was his song. I learned about a year later that is was a Dylan Song.

Mr. Paul · #8 11-23-2019, 08:11 AM

Prine's Killing The Blues, Clay Pigeons and In a Town This Size all sound like his compositions.

KevWind · #9 11-23-2019, 08:26 AM

Many, including myself until about 20 years, ago believed that the Grateful Dead wrote Morning Dew because of the extensive radio airplay it received when the Dead debut album came out.
But it was actually written by Canadian folk singer-songwriter Bonnie Dobson

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daniel Grenier

"Hard Sun" covered by Eddie Vedder. Original by Canadian singer-songwriter Gordon Peterson (aka Indio). The original is so much better it's not even close. (Well, ok, to the OP's point. I didn't think this was a Vedder original as I was quite familiar with Indio but most of the world sure thought Vedder's verison was the original via that Into The Wild movie ).

here is my favorite cover of the song

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mbroady

When I first heard the Jimmie Hendrix version of All Along The Watchtower I assumed it was his song. I learned about a year later that is was a Dylan Song.

Yes this song has been in my set list for 40 years and I have found that many, especially those 45 or younger, believe it to be a Jimi Hendrix original, much like Hey Joe, written by Billy Roberts

1neeto · #10 11-23-2019, 08:35 AM

You really got me - Van Halen
Cats In The Cradle - Ugly Kid Joe
Live And Let Die - Guns n Roses
Because the Night - 10000 Maniacs
Knocking On Heaven’s Door - Guns n Roses
I Will Always Love You - Whitney Houston
Nothing Compares To You - Sinead O’Connor

I was a young teenager when those covers came out so give me a break. [emoji23]

Dirk Hofman · #11 11-23-2019, 08:52 AM

Never knew Sublime’s “Scarlet Begonias” wasn’t original ‘till someone pointed out it was a Grateful Dead song...

godfreydaniel · #12 11-23-2019, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by srick

"Good Lovin'" by the Rascals was originally done by an R&B group, "The Olympics". I was really surprised when I heard the original the other day on XM21 (Underground Garage).

I never knew that! Thanks.

Another great R&B tune that was covered by Grand Funk was originally done by the Soul Brothers Six - Some Kind of Wonderful:

https://youtu.be/51LHNriPZf4

Riverwolf · #13 11-23-2019, 09:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mbroady

When I first heard the Jimmie Hendrix version of All Along The Watchtower I assumed it was his song. I learned about a year later that is was a Dylan Song.

Neil Young has a nice cover of this song also

Mr. Paul · #14 11-23-2019, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1neeto

....

I was a young teenager when those covers came out so give me a break. [emoji23]

Same reason I had no idea for 40+ years that Bromberg's "Mr. Blue" is a cover.

CoffeeFan · #15 11-23-2019, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slothead56

Joy to the World, Three Dog Night was written by Hoyt Axton.

So was "Never Been To Spain".

I don't know that I'd consider those "covers", though. Axton released both, but they only got their notoriety thanks to Three Dog Night. Hell, I know people who, despite proof otherwise, think that Chuck Negron wrote "Joy To The World"...