Every famous cover has a hidden history. In Who Did It First, we track down the original recordings of the songs you know and love. From the forgotten R&B tracks that launched rock and roll legends to the obscure demos that became global pop hits, we pull back the curtain on the first versions of iconic songs—correcting the record on who actually sang it first.
Song: Wind Beneath My Wings (1989) Artists: Bette Midler Writers: Jeff Silbar and Larry Henley As songs featured in movie soundtracks go, Wind Beneath My Wings is a big deal. Played in the movie Beaches, it was a no. one hit in 1989 and won Grammy awards for both song of the Year and Record of the … Read more
When Tina Turner left her tumultuous and abusive relationship with Ike Turner and decided to record and perform rock music, the rock world was forever enriched. Her first big hit off her 1984 Private Dancer album, What’s Love Got to Do With It, was a revelation and a no. 1 hit. Then, Better Be Good to Me … Read more
Me and Bobby McGee has certainly made the rounds. It has been recorded countless times by different musicians. Notable versions include Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Gordon Lightfoot, Jerry Lee Lewis, Waylon Jennings, Kenny Rogers, and Lee Ann Rimes. The song was even recorded by the Grateful Dead. However, I think it is safe to … Read more
Song: Jet Airliner Artist: Paul Pena (Covered by Steve Miller Band) Album: New Train Writer: Paul Pena Think of the Steve Miller Band. Are you thinking,”big old jet airliner, don’t carry me too far away?” Chances are many of you are. It is one of Steve Miller Band’s most popular songs. Believe it or not, … Read more
Song: Evil Woman Don’t Play Your Games With Me (1969) Artist: Crow Writers: Larry Wiegand, Dick Wiegand, Dave Wagner Album: Crow Music Most people probably know the song, Evil Woman Don’t Play Your Games With Me from the cover done by Black Sabbath, under the song name Evil Woman. The original, however, was released by the band Crow, … Read more
Long before Bananarama got a hold of it, in 1970, the song Venus became the first of only two songs out of Holland (the Netherlands) to rise to the top of the American chart. Not to be confused with the Frankie Avalon song of the same name, Venus was recorded by the band Shocking Blue, led … Read more
Song: After Midnight (1965 Liberty Records: Liberty #55931, 1972) Artist: J.J. Cale Album: Naturally (Shelter Records 1972 Imagine living in your car while Eric Clapton has tremendous success with your song and slowly becomes a legend. Imagine earning royalties from this that allow you to not only eat but to go on recording music. Now … Read more