Love Hurts — The Everly Brothers (1960)

"Love Hurts" was written by Boudleaux Bryant and originally recorded by the Everly Brothers for their their 1960 album, “A Date With The Everly Brothers”. It was never released as a single. Roy Orbison recorded it a year later as the B-side to his #1 hit, “Running Scared". Jim Capaldi, formerly of the band “Traffic”, took a version to #4 in the UK in 1975. The 1975 version by “Nazareth” would become an international hit and classic rock staple - reaching #8 in the US, #15 in the UK, and #1 in Canada and Norway.



Nazareth (1975)


============================================================
Other notable pre-Nazareth versions ...
============================================================

Roy Orbison (1961)



Gram Parson & Emmylou Harris (1973)
Live on radio with the Fallen Angels



Jim Capaldi (1975)

Oye Como Va — Tito Puente (1963)

"Lost Original" — "Oye Como Va" was written and originally recorded by Tito Puente in 1963. It was inspired by Israel "Cachao" Lopez's song, "Chanchullo." The title can be interpreted literally as, “Listen to how it goes” – or, colloquially as, "Hey, what's up?". Santana's 1970 version, found on the "Abraxas" album, would reach #13 on the Billboard Top 100 and become a classic rock staple.




Santana (1970)
Live at Tanglewood in 1970




===============================================================
Rubén González (of the Buena Vista Social Club) - Chanchullo (2000)
===============================================================

Heartbreaker — Jenny Darren (1978)

"Heartbreaker" was written by Geoff Gill and Cliff Wade and originally recorded by British singer Jenny Darren for her 1978 album, "Queen Of Fools". Pat Benetar was introduced to the song through her record company – but she didn’t like the British jargon (like "moonraker") that was used throughout the lyrics. She was given the OK to rewrite them and the song became the hit off her 1979 debut album, "In The Heat Of The Night". The song peaked at #23 on the Billboard charts.




Pat Benetar (1979)

Elvira — Dallas Frazier (1966)

"Elvira" was written and originally recorded by Dallas Frazier in 1966. "Kenny Rogers & The First Edition" also recorded it in 1970. Neither versions charted. In 1981 the "The Oak Ridge Boys " would make it their signature song by taking it to #1 on the country charts and #4 on the pop charts. Elvira is similar to another Frazier song - the 1957 novelty hit "Alley Oop".




The Oak Ridge Boys (1981)



======================================================
One other notable pre-Oak Ridge Boys version
======================================================

Kenny Rogers & The First Edition (1970)

Ring Of Fire — Anita Carter (1963)

"Ring Of Fire" was co-written by June Carter (wife of Johnny Cash) and originally recorded by her sister Anita in 1963 as "(Love's) Ring of Fire".
When Anita’s single failed to become a hit, Johnny recorded his own version - complete with the mariachi-style horns. It became the biggest hit of his career, and his signature song, staying at #1 on the country charts for 7 weeks. It was ranked #4 on CMT's "100 Greatest Songs In Country Music".




Johnny Cash (1963)

Oh, Boy! — Sonny West (1957)

"Oh, Boy!" was co-written and originally recorded by Sonny West in February of 1957 with the title "All My Love". Only a few acetates were made - but, as fate would have it, one fell into the hands of Buddy Holly. Holly and the Crickets would record their version only a few months later and turn it into one of the biggest hits of the early rock 'n roll era.

Sonny West also wrote another Buddy Holly classic, "Rave On".




Buddy Holly & The Crickets (1957)

Spooky — Mike Sharpe (1966)

"Spooky" was co-written and originally recorded as an instrumental by saxophonist Mike Sharpe (aka Shapiro) in 1966. It hit #57 on the US pop charts. Lyrics were added by guitarist James Cobb and producer Buddy Buie – both working with the group "The Classics IV". Their 1968 recording would peak at #3 on the singles charts. Cobb would later co-found the Atlanta Rhythm Section and would take a new version of "Spooky" to #17 in 1979.




Classics IV (1968)



Atlanta Rhythm Section (1979)


==============================================================
BONUS: Dusty Springfield recorded "Spooky" in early 1968 as well. It was released as the B-side to her single "How Can I Be Sure" in 1970.
=================================================================

Dusty Springfield (1970)

I Call Your Name — Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas (1963)

John Lennon wrote most of "I Call Your Name" in 1957 – well before The Beatles existed. Lennon and McCartney finished it up in 1963 and gave it to “Billy J. Kramer & The Dakotas". It was recorded as the B-side of their #1 single, “Bad To Me” – also written by the two Beatles. A year later the Beatles recorded it for their US album, “The Beatles' Second Album”. It’s now available as part of the “Past Masters Vol 1” collection.



The Beatles (1964)

Me And Bobby McGee — Roger Miller (1969)

"Me And Bobby McGee" was written by Kris Kristofferson and Fred Foster and was originally recorded by Roger Miller in 1969. It peaked at #12 on the country charts. It would soon be followed with versions by Kristofferson, Kenny Rogers, Gordon Lightfoot and others.

Janis Joplin recorded it for her album, "Pearl", just a few days before she died in October 1970. It would become her signature song and only #1 single.



Janis Joplin (1970)



==================================================================
Other notable pre-Janis Joplin versions ...
==================================================================

Kenny Rogers & The First Edition (1969)



Kris Kristofferson (1970)



Gordon Lightfoot (1970)
This version would top the charts in Canada - Lightfoot's native country

She Don't Know Me — The Grass Roots (1982)

"She Don't Know Me" was originally recorded by The Grass Roots for their 1982 reunion album, "Powers Of The Night". It failed to make the charts. Two years later it was recorded by Bon Jovi for their self-titled debut album and was released as the follow-up single to their hit, “Runaway”. But, despite heavy rotation on MTV, it failed to make the Top 40. It is the only studio release that was not written by a member of the band.



Bon Jovi (1984)

Ice Cream Man — John Brim (1953)

"Ice Cream Man" was written and originally recorded by Chicago Blues musician John Brim for Chess Records in 1953. The recording stayed unreleased until it appeared on the 1969 album “Whose Muddy Shoes” – a collection of John Brim and Elmore James recordings. The song didn’t become well-known until Van Halen covered it for their debut album in 1978. David Lee Roth recorded it again in 1996 and that version appears on his 2003 “Diamond Dave” album.



Van Halen (1978)

New York Groove — Hello (1975)

“New York Groove” was written by Russ Ballard and originally recorded by the British glam band "Hello" for their 1975 debut album. The song was a top 10 hit in the UK. Ace Frehley recorded the song for his 1978 solo album - one of four solo albums released simultaneously by each of the members of KISS. The song went to #13 – the highest charting single from those albums.



Ace Frehley (1978)

Everytime You Go Away — Hall & Oates (1980)

“Everytime You Go Away” was written by Daryl Hall and was originally recorded by Hall & Oates for their 1980 album, "Voices". They did not release it as a single. Paul Young's version topped the US charts, and went as high as #4 in the UK, in the summer of 1985.



Paul Young (1985)