Hard To Handle — Otis Redding (1968)

"Hard To Handle" was originally written by Otis Redding, Al Bell and Allen Jones in 1967 - but Otis's version wasn't released until June of 1968 - six months after he died in a plane crash. It peaked at #38 on the R&B charts. It is best-known as a #1 single off The Black Crowes 1990 debut album, "Shake Your Money Maker"





The Black Crowes (1990)

Hello It's Me — The Nazz (1968)

"Hello It's Me" was written by Todd Rundgren and was originally recorded in 1968 by his band, The Nazz. It was released as the B-side of the group's debut single, "Open My Eyes". Rundgren re-recorded the song for his 1972 solo album, "Something/Anything?". This version would peak at #5 and become Rundgen's biggest hit and a rock radio staple.




Todd Rundgren (1972)

Cocaine — JJ Cale (1976)

"Cocaine" was written and recorded by JJ Cale in 1976 for his album, "Troubadour". Eric Clapton's version, recorded a year later for his "Slow Hand" album, was not released as a single but would become one of his best-known songs and a rock radio staple. Clapton has recorded several of Cale's songs - including "After Midnight" twice. They recorded the album "The Road To Escondido" together in 2006.




Eric Clapton (Live in 2007)

That's All Right, Mama —Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup (1946)

"That's All Right" was originally written and recorded by Arthur "Big Boy" Crudup in 1946. It was re-released in 1949 as "That's All Right, Mama" - which was RCA's first R&B record on their new 45 RPM single format.

Elvis Presley's version was recorded on July 5, 1954, and was released two-weeks later as his first single. It sold 20,000 copies - not enough to chart nationally but enough to reach #4 on the local Memphis charts.




Elvis Presley (1954)

Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now) —Margaret Young (1924)

"Big Bad Bill (Is Sweet William Now)" was written in 1924 by Milton Ager (music) and Jack Yellen (lyrics). Accompanied by Rube Bloom, it became a vocal hit for Margaret Young. The song has a long recording history - but most know Van Halen's version from their 1982 album, "Diver Down." Their version features Jan Van Halen, father of Eddie and Alex, playing the clarinet.





Van Halen (1982)

You Better Run — The Young Rascals (1966)

"You Better Run" was written by Felix Cavaliere and Eddie Brigati and originally recorded by their group The Young Rascals in 1966. It peaked at #20 on the charts. Pat Benatar had a minor hit with it in 1980 when it was one of the singles off her second album, "Crimes Of Passion". It was the second video played on MTV - which went on the air 30-years ago today.





Pat Benetar (1980)

I Thank You — Sam & Dave (1968)

"I Thank You" was written by Isaac Hayes and David Porter and originally recorded by Sam & Dave in early 1968. It was their final release on Stax Records and it went to #9 on the Billboard charts. ZZ Top covered the song for their 1979 album "Degüello" and released it as single the following year. While it only peaked at #36 (and becoming ZZ Top's second Top 40 hit) - their version would become a staple on classic rock radio.




ZZ Top (1979)

California Sun — Joe Jones (1961)

"California Sun" was written by Henry Glover and Morris Levy and was originally recorded in 1961 by New Orleans singer Joe Jones. It peaked at #89 on the charts. The best-known version was recorded in 1964 by The Rivieras, which went as high as #5 on the US Billboard charts. This version found a second life as part of the 1987 "Good Morning Vietnam" soundtrack.




The Rivieras (1964)

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.

(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding — Brinsley Schwarz (1974)

"(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding" was written by Nick Lowe and originally recorded in 1974 by Lowe's band Brinsley Schwarz. Lowe also produced Elvis Costello's version which was originally credited to "Nick Lowe & His Sound" and issued as the B-side to Lowe’s 1979 single, “American Squirm”. When the song became a hit, Costello added it to his "Armed Forces" album.




Elvis Costello & The Attractions (1979)

All Along The Watchtower — Bob Dylan (1967)

"All Along The Watchtower" was written and originally recorded by Bob Dylan for his 1967 album, “John Wesley Harding”. It was released as a single but did not chart. However, Jimi Hendrix recorded it for his “Electric Ladyland” album 6-months later and his version peaked at #5 in the UK and #20 in the US. It is usually hailed as the greatest cover song of the rock era.




Jimi Hendrix (1968)



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Dave Mason played 12-string acoustic guitar on the Hendrix version and recorded his own cover in 1974
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City Of New Orleans — Steve Goodman (1971)

"City Of New Orleans" was written and originally recorded by Steve Goodman for his 1971 debut album. The best-known version is by Arlo Guthrie - recorded for his 1972 album, “Hobo’s Lullaby”. It is Arlo's only Top 40 hit. The song has been covered many times since – most notably by Willie Nelson, who took it to #1 on the Country Charts in 1984.




Arlo Guthrie (1972)


Nice live version from Arlo in 1993:
Arlo Guthrie (1972)



Willie Nelson (1984)

When The Levee Breaks — Memphis Minnie (1929)

"When The Levee Breaks" was written and originally recorded by husband/wife team Kansas Joe McCoy and Memphis Minnie in 1929. The song is a reaction to the upheaval caused by the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927. It was famously reworked by Led Zeppelin as the last song on their 1971 album, Led Zeppelin IV. It is credited to all four band members and Memphis Minnie. The original version is in the public domain.




Led Zeppelin (1971)

Fire — Robert Gordon (1979)

"Fire" was written by Bruce Springsteen in 1977 specifically for Elvis Presley. He had even sent Elvis a demo, but The King died soon after. Bruce's friend Robert Gordon would record it first - but it got little radio play and it didn’t chart. It would become The Pointer Sisters first Top 10 hit - stalling at #2 in early 1979.

Bruce’s original demo with the E Street Band was finally released on his 2010 album, The Promise.




The Pointer Sisters (1979)
Live on "The Midnight Special"


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Bruce Springsteen (1978):
From the album "The Promise" released in 2010

Since You Been Gone — Russ Ballard (1976)

"Since You Been Gone" was written and originally recorded by former Argent guitarist Russ Ballard for his 1976 album, “Winning”. It never charted. The most famous version is the 1979 cover by Rainbow which became a Top 10 hit in the UK. The video was in regular rotation during the early days of MTV. The song has often been misspelled as "Since You've Been Gone".




Rainbow (1979)

Just A Gigolo / I Ain't Got Nobody — Louis Prima (1956)

"Just A Gigolo” was written by Irving Caesar in 1929 and "I Ain't Got Nobody" was written by Roger Graham and music by Spencer Williams in 1915. Individually, the songs were recorded many times before Louis Prima combined the two for his 1956 Las Vegas stage show. The recording jump-started his career and became his signature number. A popular MTV video helped David Lee Roth chart it at #12 in 1985.




David Lee Roth (1985)