Some of the best-known versions of songs were originally done by other artists. Let’s see how many you’re familiar with! And, since we’ve included links to the original songs in the answers, it’s a great day to broaden your musical horizons! We bet you can’t get all of these correct!
"Blinded by the Light" was made most famous by Manfred Mann's Earth Band. But who was the first to get revved up like a deuce?
Correct!
Wrong!
UB40's beach-vibe version of "Red Red Wine" is the one we know best, but who did it first?
Correct!
Wrong!
We screamed "I Want Candy" along with Bow Wow Wow in the 1980's, but who wanted candy first, in 1965?
Correct!
Wrong!
We don't know anybody who loves rock n' roll more than Joan Jett. But in the case of the song, which of these obscure 1970's bands did it first?
Correct!
Wrong!
Lou Bega's whole career is basically "Mambo No. 5." But which Cuban artist's original composition provided the skeleton for his hit?
Correct!
Wrong!
Before Elvis Presley was accusing us of being Hound Dogs, who was belting out the original version?
Correct!
Wrong!
"I Will Always Love You" is an iconic Whitney Houston hit. But who wrote the song?
Correct!
Wrong!
The Fugee's cover of "Killing Me Softly" was killer indeed. But who killed us softly the first time around?
Correct!
Wrong!
"Twist and Shout" is one of the Beatles' best-known early tunes. But who were the original twisters and shouters?
Correct!
Wrong!
Before Salt n' Pepa and En Vogue sang the praises of mighty good men ("Whatta Man"), this woman recorded it in 1968:
Correct!
Wrong!
You're likely familiar with Bananarama's "Venus." But which Dutch rock group actually wrote it?
Correct!
Wrong!
Before Natalie Imbruglia was "Torn", this 90's band did it first:
Correct!
Wrong!
Sinead O'Connor assured us that nothing compared to us, but who wrote "Nothing Compares 2 U" in the first place?
Correct!
Wrong!
Eric Clapton hit the charts with his tribute to "Cocaine", but who did it first?
Correct!
Wrong!
Jeff Buckley's heartbreaking rendition of "Hallelujah" has been played everywhere (along with the dozens of other covers of it.) But who was really behind the hit?
Correct!
Wrong!
Nirvana made it famous in the 90's, but who was the first Man Who Sold The World?
Correct!
Wrong!
We can't imagine giving R-E-S-P-E-C-T to anybody but Aretha Franklin. But who actually deserves the respect?
Correct!
Wrong!
Nobody could have done "Me and Bobby McGee" like Janis Joplin did. But she didn't write it! Who did?
Correct!
Wrong!
Rod Stewart's version of "Downtown Train" hit #3 on the Billboard 100. But the 1985 original was written by this artist:
Correct!
Wrong!
Frank Sinatra's version of "I've Got You Under My Skin" is the gold standard for that song. But who wrote it originally?
Correct!
Wrong!
Who Did It First? Songs Made Famous by Their Cover Artists
Emily Parker is a musician, writer, and avid reader who started Bucket List Book Reviews, the ‘1,001 Books to Read Before You Die’ project. For Sweatpants & Coffee, Emily hopes to inspire the reading of the classics by a whole new audience by only reviewing the really good stuff.
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