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: Black Magic Woman (1969) Artist: Fleetwood Mac – Peter Green Album: English Rose (Epic) Starting with the lyrics ‘don’t turn your back on me baby,’ Black Magic Woman, is best known for the Santana version from 1971. The original, and the best, is from Fleetwood Mac, off the album English Rose, in 1969. The song … Read more
Song: Always On My Mind (1982) Artist: Willie Nelson Album: Always On My Mind (Columbia) Despite the likes of Elvis, Brenda Lee, and The Pet Shop boys having recorded it, Willie Nelson’s version of ‘Always on My Mind‘ is still considered the definitive version, not to mention the song for which he is most known. … Read more
Most people probably know Try a Little Tenderness from Otis Redding, who made it the classic it is today. Redding recorded it in 1966 and it went to no. 4 on the R&B charts, and to no. 25 on the Top 40 charts in the beginning of 1967, becoming his best-selling song. Redding made the song … Read more
Song: Please Come to Boston (1974) Artist: Dave Loggins Album: Apprentice (In a Musical Workshop) – (Epic) Having just wrote about Danny’s Song, by Kenny Loggins, I couldn’t help but think of another heartfelt song by his kin. If you’re a country fan, you have probably heard one or another country star sing the lyrics “I’m … Read more