One — Harry Nilsson (1968)

"One" was written and originally recorded by Harry Nilsson for his 1968 album, Aerial Ballet. Nilsson got the idea for the electric piano part from a telephone busy signal. He released it as a single but it failed to chart. Later that year Three Dog Night would record it for their debut album and turn it into their first Top 10 hit.




Three Dog Night (1969)

God Gave Rock And Roll To You — Argent (1973)

"God Gave Rock And Roll To You" was orginally written by Russ Ballard in 1973 for his group Argent. It was a minor hit. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons of KISS reworked the song in 1991 and added the roman numeral "II" to the title. They share writing credits with Ballard for their version. It was a Top 10 hit for KISS in the UK and Germany and went to #21 on the Billboard's Hot Mainstream Rock chart. The song was featured in "Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey" with an intro played by Steve Vai.

KISS drummer Eric Carr died of heart cancer soon after - it was his last recording with the band.




KISS (1991)

Video Killed The Radio Star — Bruce Woolley & The Camera Club (1979)

"Video Killed The Radio Star" was written by Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes (of Buggles) and Bruce Woolley. Woolley recorded it in early 1979 with his band, The Camera Club - with Thomas Dolby on keyboards. Later that year "Buggles" would take it to #1 in UK and Australia. It peaked at #40 in the US.

Buggles video for the song is also notable as being the first shown on MTV when it launched in August of 1981.



Buggles (1979)

Papa Was A Rollin' Stone — The Undisputed Truth (1971)

"Papa Was A Rollin' Stone" was written by Motown songwriters Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong as a single for The Undisputed Truth in 1971. Their version peaked at #24 on the R&B charts and #63 on the pop charts. In 1972 Whitfield remade the song as a 12-minute epic for The Temptations. It would top the charts, win 3 Grammy Awards and become an influential R&B classic.




The Temptations (1972)

Drift Away — John Henry Kurtz (1972)

"Drift Away" was written by Mentor Williams and originally recorded by John Henry Kurtz on his 1972 album, "Reunion". It is best-known by Dobie Gray - whose 1973 version peaked at #5 and is still a staple on oldies radio stations. Gray would re-record the song with the band Uncle Kracker and spend a record-breaking 28 weeks atop the Adult Contemporary chart in 2003-04.

There is also a famous unreleased version from 1973 by the Rolling Stones.




Dobie Gray (1973)



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Rolling Stones (1973)
This version includes all the members of the Rolling Stones except Keith Richards. The oft-told story that this recording includes some (or all) of the Beatles is false.