CURIOSITIES

Would you ever say that these hits are covers?

Sometimes a cover song manages to be more successful than the original song. In fact, some of these songs have climbed the charts after being recorded by other artists or bands, despite the fact that theirs is not the original version.

From rock to metal to country and pop: many musicians have created new versions of historical songs, creating true masterpieces.

For many of these songs, we have even forgotten who the author or musician was who created the original version. Here are some of the most sensational cases.

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When covers are as (or more) successful than the original song
Sometimes a cover manages to be more successful than the original song. In fact, some of these singles have climbed the charts after being recorded by other artists or bands, despite the fact that theirs is not the original version. From rock to metal to country and pop: many musicians have created new versions of historical songs, creating true masterpieces. For many of these songs, we have even forgotten who the author or musician was who created the original version. Here are some of the most sensational cases.
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I Will Always love You - Whitney Houston (Original version: Dolly Parton)
Whitney Houston's version is part of the soundtrack of the famous film 'The Bodyguard'. Thanks to this song, Whitney Houston won two Grammy Awards in 1994: Recording of the Year and Best Female Pop Performance. Dolly Parton's original version was released in 1974.
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The Best - Tina Turner (Original version: Bonnie Tyler)
Also known as 'Simply The Best', this song is considered the symbol of the revival of recently deceased Tina Turner's solo career, given the immense success and intensity with which the Queen of Rock'n'roll interpreted the song. In fact, the original version was recorded by Bonnie Tyler, a year before Tina Turner's recording. In terms of notoriety, however, Tina's cover has far surpassed the original, to the extent that many people do not even know Bonnie Tyler's version.
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Beggin' - Måneskin (Original version: Four Seasons)
"Beggin'" has had two incredibly successful covers: the first by Madcon (2007) and the second by Måneskin. The Italian band's version reached number one on Spotify's worldwide chart, received the Billboard Music Award for the best rock song of 2022 and, most importantly, achieved 35 platinum and one diamond disc.
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Respect - Aretha Franklin (Original version: Otis Redding)
In 2021, Aretha Franklin's version took the number one spot on 'Rolling Stone' magazine's list of the 500 best songs of all time. However, the original song was recorded in 1965 by soul singer Otis Redding.
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You Really Got Me - Van Halen (Original version: The Kinks)
Van Halen's version remains the most famous cover of this song, written and recorded in 1965 by The Kinks. In its original version, the song was ranked 82nd in the list of the 500 best songs of all time according to 'Rolling Stone'.
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Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinéad O'Connor/Shuhada' Davitt (Original version: Prince)
In 1985, Prince had made this song for one of his side projects, the band 'The Family', inspired by the band's keyboardist, who had just come out of a troubled relationship: the song, however, went completely unnoticed by the public. Five years later, Sinéad O'Connor decided to record a new version of the song, which she performed with the untimely death of her mother in mind. "Nothing Compares 2 U" remains the most famous single by Sinéad O'Connor, who legally changed her name to Shuhada' Davitt.
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Hallelujah - Jeff Buckley (Original version: Leonard Cohen)
Jeff Buckley's version has remained in everyone's heart. Recorded in 1994 and included in the only album released by the American singer-songwriter, his rendition of 'Hallelujah' was an incredible success in 2007, 10 years after the death of its performer. The original song, on the other hand, was released in 1984.
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Torn - Natalie Imbruglia (Original version: Ednaswap)
''Torn'' is the song that brought planetary success to Natalie Imbruglia. The Australian singer's version has been certified with 6 platinum and 7 gold discs.
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Dancing on my Own - Calum Scott (Original version: Robyn)
The original version and Calum Scott's cover are totally different: the former has an electronic sound typical of synth pop, while Calum Scott's cover has been reinterpreted in an acoustic version, with a much slower melody, becoming a ballad. Calum Scott's interpretation boasts almost 500 million views on YouTube.
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I Love Rock 'n' Roll - Joan Jett & the Blackhearts (Original version: Arrows)
Joan Jett saw the Arrows sing 'I Love Rock 'n' Roll' during a television show, while she was touring England with the Runaways. She later recorded her own version of the song with the Blackhearts, reaching number one on the Billboard 100 and remaining at the top for seven weeks.
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Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) - Marilyn Manson (Original version: Eurythmics)
'Sweet Dreams' is one of the Eurythmics' most famous songs, but Marilyn Manson's cover also made history. The new version has a much more aggressive sound and was included in the 1995 album 'Smells Like Children'.
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Girls Just Want to Have Fun - Cindy Lauper (Original version: Robert Hazard)
There is no comparison: Cindy Lauper's cover is far more famous than the original song, to the extent that very few people are aware that this song was originally recorded by another performer.
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Tainted Love - Soft Cell (Original version: Gloria Jones)
The original version of 'Tainted Love' was by Gloria Jones, but Soft Cell's cover was much more successful than the original. Although they are still active, Soft Cell have never again produced a song of comparable fame to their rendition of 'Tainted Love'.
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Me and Bobby McGee - Janis Joplin (Original version: Roger Miller)
Janis Joplin recorded this song for her last album, 'Pearl', only a few days before her death on 4 October 1970, but it was first sung by country singer Roger Miller. Janis' version went platinum after her death: in fact, it was the only Janis single to reach the top of the Billboard 100.
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Knockin' On Heaven's Door - Guns N' Roses (Original version: Bob Dylan)
It is impossible to say which version of 'Knockin' On Heaven's Door' is the best, as both are very famous and critically and publicly acclaimed. Bob Dylan released the original song in 1973 and this version was included in the film 'Pat Garrett & Billy Kid'.
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