Classic Pop Icons

Sometimes a cover version of a song becomes so well known that the original is largely forgotten and it is the cover that is widely assumed to be the original. In fact, some of the most popular recordings of all time were actually covers. We’ll be looking at some great examples, including two of the most popular rock ‘n’ roll tracks of the 1950s, a doo-wop classic, a memorable 1960s instrumental, and a song that kick-started the biggest dance craze of the 1960s.

Enjoy these 10 forgotten originals.

Twist And Shout
Original – The Top Notes (1961)
Covers – The Isley Brothers (1962) and The Beatles (1963)

The cover of “Twist and Shout” by the Isley Brothers in 1962 is often assumed to be the original and it was the first top 20 hit for the group in the US. The most famous cover is of course by The Beatles, who featured the song on their second album “Please Please Me” and also released it as a single in the US, where it reached number two on the pop charts.

The original version of “Twist and Shout” was recorded by the Top Notes in 1961. It was one of Phil Spector’s early efforts as a staff producer at Atlantic Records and lacks the power and energy of his later efforts.

“It’s My Party”
Original – Helen Shapiro (1963)
Cover – Lesley Gore (1963)

Lesley Gore’s “It’s My Party” was the first of her three top five hits in 1963 and is the song most associated with her to this day.

It wasn’t uncommon for a British act to cover an American hit in the 50s and 60s, but unusual for a British artist to get there first. That was the case with “It’s My Party,” which was recorded by Helen Shapiro for her third album, “Helen in Nashville,” in February 1963. By the time the album was released in October of that year, Gore’s version was already a number one US hit and Shapiro’s was generally assumed to be the cover version.

Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’
Original – Big Maybelle (1955)
Cover – Jerry Lee Lewis (1957)

There were several versions of “Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin’ On” recorded before Jerry Lee Lewis cut his classic version in May 1957 at Sun Records. The first was recorded by Big Maybelle (real name Mabel Louise Smith) in March 1955 and produced by Quincy Jones. Big Maybelle’s version has little in common with Jerry Lee’s piano-led rock ‘n’ roll version, but it’s a good example of mid-50s R&B.

Little Darlin’
Original – The Gladiolas (1957)
Cover – The Diamonds (1957)

The Diamonds covered “Little Darlin'” in 1957 and their version was intended as a good natured parody of the original. It was the Diamonds’ version of “Little Darlin'” which would become the big hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The group’s first hit was a cover of Frankie Lymon and The Teenagers’ “”Why Do Fools Fall In Love” in 1956, but that time they didn’t eclipse the original.

The doo-wop classic was written by Maurice Williams and first recorded in 1957 by The Gladiolas. The Gladiolas became Maurice Williams and The Zodiacs in 1959 and are best known for their classic song “Stay,” which found a new lease of life in the 1980s when it featured on the Dirty Dancing soundtrack.

“Do Wah Diddy Diddy”
Original – The Exciters (1963)
Cover – Manfred Mann (1964)

The British group Manfred Mann had a worldwide smash with “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” in 1964, hitting number one in both the UK and the US. This was Manfred Mann’s only US number one, but they did hit the top spot again in the UK with “Pretty Flamingo” in 1966 and “Might Quinn” in 1968.

“Do Wah Diddy Diddy” was written by husband and wife songwriting team, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich, and originally recorded in 1963 by The Exciters. Barry and Greenwich wrote many classics in the this period, including “Da Doo Ron Ron,” “Then He Kissed Me, “Be My Baby,”Chapel of Love,” and “Leader of the Pack.”

The Exciters had hit number four on the US pop chart in 1962 with the Leiber/Stoller-produced “Tell Him,” but failed to repeat that success with subsequent singles. Their version of “Do Wah Diddy Diddy” stalled at number 78 in 1963.

Dedicated To The One I Love
Original – “5” Royales (1957)
Covers – The Shirelles (1959) / Mamas and the Papas (1967)

There are two very well known covers of “Dedicated to the One I Love” – the Shirelles version from 1959 and the Mamas and the Papas version from 1967. The Mamas and the Papas had the bigger hit, reaching number two on the Billboard Hot 100. The Shirelles version actually bombed at first time of asking in 1959, only hitting number 83, but made number three when re-released the following year.

The “5” Royales’ original of “Dedicated to the One I Love” was written by band member Lowman “Pete” Pauling. The band had several minor hits, including others that were later recorded more famously by other acts, such as “Think” by James Brown and “Tell the Truth” by Ray Charles.

The Twist
Original – Hank Ballard (1959)
Cover – Chubby Checker (1960)

Chubby Checker’s “The Twist” was a number one hit in 1960 and again for two weeks in January 1962. The follow up “Let’s Twist Again” also hit number one in 1961 and earned Checker a Grammy for Best Rock & Roll Solo Vocal Performance. The song and accompanying dance were so popular that many artists felt they should have their own “twist” record – or at least their record companies thought so. Even Elvis Presley can be seen doing his own version of the dance in films such as “Kid Galahad.” Checker became so associated with the song that it defined his entire career.

“The Twist” will always be associated with Checker, but it was originally recorded by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters in 1959 and released as a B-side to “Teardrops on Your Letter.”

Rock Around the Clock
Original – Sonny Dae and His Knights (1954)
Cover – Bill Haley and His Comets (1954)

“Rock Around the Clock” was written by Max C. Freedman and James E. Myers and in fact originally intended for Bill Haley. However, due to a dispute between Myers and Haley’s record company, the recording was held up. When first released in 1954, Haley’s version was only a moderate hit, but after appearing in the film “Blackboard Jungle” the following year it became a worldwide smash.

The song was first recorded by Italian-American band Sonny Dae and His Knights. Their version was not a hit.

Walk Don’t Run
Original – Johnny Smith (1954/55)
Cover – The Ventures (1960)

The Ventures are the most successful instrumental band of all time and their 1960 cover of “Walk Don’t Run” hit number two on the US charts and became one of their signature tunes. It was also covered by Chet Atkins in 1957 and it’s this version that probably inspired The Ventures.

Jazz guitarist Johnny Smith wrote and recorded “Walk Don’t Run” in 1954 and it was by far his best known composition. Smith retired from performing in 1958 to teach and run a music store.

Mustang Sally
Original – Mack Rice (1965)
Cover – Wilson Pickett (1966)

Wilson Pickett’s cover of “Mustang Sally” from 1966 made number six on the US R&B charts and number 23 on the pop charts. It has since become one of the best known soul songs of the 1960s and one of the tracks most associated with Pickett.

Mack Rice wrote and recorded “Mustang Sally” in 1965 and hit number 15 on the US R&B charts with his version. Rice had been a member of a couple of R&B bands in the 1950s (the Five Scalders and the Falcons) and moved on to a solo career in the mid-60s. His greatest success came as a songwriter and many artists benefitted from his talents, including Etta James, Ike and Tina Turner, Lynryrd Skynyrd and of course Wilson Pickett.