Who Did the Song ‘Wagon Wheel’ First Before Darius Rucker?

Song: Wagon Wheel (2004) Artists: Old Crow Medicine Show Albums: Troubles Up and Down the Road, O.C.M.S. Writers: Bob Dylan, Ketch Secor In 2014, Darius Rucker, the singer of Hootie and the Blowfish, won a Grammy Award for Best Country Solo Performance for his recording of the song Wagon Wheel. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot Country chart, … Read more

Who Sang Angel of the Morning First Before Juice Newton?

Song: Angel of the Morning (1967) Artist: Evie Sands Writer: Chip Taylor Label: Cameo-Parkway Records Juice Newton had a big ‘crossover’ country-pop hit with Angel of the Morning in 1981 but the song has actually been covered by many artists, including Olivia Newton-John. The first person to sing the song, in 1967 was actually a … Read more

Who Did Barbara Ann First Before The Beach Boys?

Song: Babara Ann (1961) Artist: The Regents Writer: Fred Fassert Label: Cousins Records Barbara Ann is one of the most recognizable Beach Boys songs. It may even be the song many think of when they think of the Beach Boys, although purists might object. But Babara Ann wasn’t original to the group. It was first … Read more

Who Did Hooked On a Feeling First Before Blue Swede?

Song: Hooked on a Feeling (1968) Artist: B.J. Thomas Album: On My Way (Sceptor) Writer: Mark James Hooked on a Feeling by Blue Swede is one of the popular tracks from the soundtrack of Guardians of the Galaxy (some of them here). But, the arrangement, with its ooga-chaka ooga-chaka refrain, is quite a bit different than the original. The song was … Read more

Who Did ‘Red, Red Wine’ First Before UB40?

Song: Red, Red Wine (1968) Artist: Neil Diamond Album: Just For You (Bang) Writer: Neil Diamond In 1988 UB40, a group from Birmingham UK had a no. 1 hit with a song called Red, Red Wine, done in a reggae style (they were not the first, see below). Although UB40 has plenty of original material, their hit-making … Read more

Fire by Bruce Springsteen: Who Did it First?

Song: Fire (1987) Artist: Bruce Springsteen Writer: Bruce Springsteen Album: Live: 1975-85 Label: Columbia I’m driving in my car, I turn on the radio… It may be hard to believe, but there was a time when not everything the Boss did rose to the top of the heap. While clawing his way to the top … Read more