They Don't Know — Kirsty MacColl (1979)

Written and originally recorded by Kirsty MacColl in 1979 – “They Don’t Know” got lots of radio play but sold poorly due to a strike at her distributors. This kept the single from officially appearing in the UK singles chart. In 1983 Tracey Ullman would take the song into the top ten in both the US and UK. The video featured a cameo from Paul McCartney.



Tracy Ullman (1983)

Without You — Badfinger (1970)

“Without You” was written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans – and was originally recorded by their group Badfinger in 1970. It was not released it as a single. The song has been covered many times – most notably by Harry Nilsson, who heard Badfinger's version at a party and thought it was an unreleased Beatles song. His version would spend four weeks at the top of the charts in 1972.



Harry Nilsson (1972)

Mama Told Me Not To Come — The Animals (1966)

"Mama Told Me Not To Come" was written by Randy Newman for Eric Burdon's first solo album in 1966. However, it would first appear a year later on The Animal’s 1967 album “Eric Is Here”. Newman's own version of his song was released on the 1970 album “12 Songs”. The most famous version, by Three Dog Night, would go to the top of the charts later the same year.




Randy Newman (1970)



Three Dog Night (1970)

Black Magic Woman — Fleetwood Mac (1968)

"Black Magic Woman" was written by Fleetwood Mac guitarist Peter Green and was recorded by the band in 1968. It was a minor hit in the UK. The 1970 version by Santana (sung by Journey founder Gregg Rolie) is a classic rock standard and reached #4 in the US charts.



Santana (1970)

At 1:32 you can see Neal Schon – the lead guitarist (and founder) for Journey. He was only 16 years old.

Call Me The Breeze — JJ Cale (1971)

"Call Me The Breeze" was written and recorded by JJ Cale as the first track on his 1971 debut album - "Naturally". Like many Cale songs, the cover version is much better known. In this case by Lynyrd Skynyrd on their 1974 album "Second Helping".



Lynyrd Skynyrd (1974)

Jet Airliner — Paul Pena (1973)

Paul Pena wrote and recorded "Jet Airliner" in 1973, but a contract dispute kept it from being released for 27 years. The song was produced by Ben Sidran - a former member of the Steve Miller Band. After hearing the unreleased track, Miller decided to record it for his 1977 album "Book Of Dreams". The song peaked at #8 on the Billboard charts.



The Steve Miller Band (1977)

I've Done Everything For You — Sammy Hagar (1978)

A staple of his live act as early as 1977 – Sammy Hagar would release “I’ve Done Everything For You” as a single a year later but it would fail to make the charts. Rick Springfield would take it to #8 in 1981 as the follow-up single to "Jessie's Girl".



Rick Springfield (1981)


Rick Springfield - Jessie's Girl

Mah-Nà Mah-Nà — Piero Umiliani (1968)

Written by Piero Umiliani, "Mah Nà Mah Nà" first appears in the Italian soft-porn movie "Sweden: Heaven and Hell" - about wild sexual behavior in Sweden. The song was performed by a band called "Marc 4" for a scene set in a sauna. The song is now associated with Jim Henson's Muppets for their versions on the Ed Sullivan Show, Sesame Street and The Muppet Show.




The Muppet Show (1969)



The Muppet Show (1976)

Little Suzi's On The Up — Ph.D (1981)

Written by two members of British pop group “Ph.D” , “Little Suzi's On The Up” didn’t chart in the US or the UK. However, it was the fifth video shown on MTV's first broadcasting day. Tesla’s 1986 cover (re-named "Little Suzi") faired much better and was the biggest hit off their debut album.



Tesla (1986)

Hush — Billy Joe Royal (1967)

“Hush” is better known for the version on Deep Purple’s 1968 debut album. However, it was originally recorded a year earlier by Billy Joe Royal. It failed to make the Top 40. The song was written by Joe South who also wrote Billy Joe Royal’s 1965 hit song, “Down In The Boondocks”.



Deep Purple (1968)

Big Ten Inch — Bull Moose Jackson (1953)

Bawdy jump blues tunes were commonplace in the 40's and 50's - but, obviously, recieived very little (if any) airplay. Originally recorded in 1952 by Benjamin Clarence "Bull Moose" Jackson, "Big Ten Inch Record" was no exception . The song would remain largely unknown until Aerosmith recorded it for their "Toys In The Attic" album in 1975.



Aerosmith (1975)

Time Is On My Side — Kai Winding & His Orchestra (1963)

“Time Is On My Side” was first recorded by jazz trombonist Kai Winding and his Orchestra in 1963. The first version with full lyrics was recorded by Irma Thomas in 1964 as a B-side to one of her singles. The most famous version, by The Rolling Stones, would be recorded only one month later and became their first Top 10 hit in the US.



Irma Thomas (1964)



Rolling Stones (1964)