I don't care who sang it first, that's his/her song!

[jboy88]

Are there any cover version of songs that you consider so superior to the original, that you associate the song with that artist instead of the original. Some obvious answers would be Aretha stealing Respect from Otis Redding, after Otis himself had done the same with Try A Little Tenderness [[which was a tin pan alley song). David Ruffin took ownership of Who's Lovin' You from Smokey before little Michael came along and stole it from him.

Here's my list

Message from Maria-David Ruffin [[originally by Joe Simon)
Bye Bye Love- Ray Charles [[Original by The Everly Brothers)
Ain't That Lovin' You [[For More Reasons Than One) -tie between Luther Ingram and 100 Proof aged in Soul [[original by Johnnie Taylor)
I Just Don't Know What to Do with Myself-Isaac Hayes[[original by Tommy hunt)
The Masquerade is Over-David Porter [[original by ???)
A House is Not a Home- Luther Vandross [[original by Dionne Warwick)
Wildflower- New Birth [[original by Skylark)
Until it's Time For you to Go-New Birth [[Original by Buffy St. Marie)

[theboyfromxtown]

When You're Young And In Love - Marvelettes

And as much it irks me to say this

A Love Like Yours Dont Come Knocking Every Day - Ike & Tina Turner

[144man]

To my eternal shame, I prefer the Moody Blues' cover of "Go Now" to Bessie Banks' original. The song works so much better with a pop rather than a deep soul treatment.

As far as sixties music is concerned I would normally say that the original is always better, but this is the exception that proves the rule.

I also have a fondness for Soft Cell's version of "Tainted Love" but, though memorable, it doesn't quite beat Gloria Jones.

[Circa 1824]

Gypsy Woman - Brian Hyland

[Circa 1824]

The Thrill is Gone - Brian Hyland

[abfan]

I bet you didnt know Dionne Warrick sung No one in the World first

[arr&bee]

Nice post,as i sit here pondering your question i'm gonna say no for this reason,yes there have been some awesome covers-since i lost my baby[luther]..cupid[the spinners]are two that come to mind,but for me i always give the nod to the original artist,as great as[a house is not a home]sounds by luther i always go with dionne's version,i have many covers in my collection so i may come across one i prefer over the original but it's gonna be very very rare!

[arr&bee]

Ok,one comes to mind-the temps cover of mary wells[what love has joined]their version is a killer.

[robb_k]

12998
1 The Ban-Lons' remake of "Hey Baby!" by Bruce Chanel
2 The Checkers', Five Blue Jays', Five Willows', and Robins' remakes of Vera Lynn's "The White Cliffs of Dover
3 The Checkers' and Del-Vikings' remakes of Judy Garland's "Over The Rainbow"
4 The Hide-a-Ways' version of "Can't Help Loving That Girl of Mine" male version of Lena Horne's "Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine" show tune from "Porgy and Bess"
5 The Four Tops' remake of "Walk Away Renee" - forget original group as I never listened to any "Pop" stations. Was it The Left Banke?
6 The Marcels' remake of 1920s Pop tune, "Blue Moon". Also better than The Chords' mid '50s first R&B version
7 Marv Johnson's remake of Bobby Parker's "You Got What It Takes"

[waynesville]

Surprised no-one has mentioned one of the real biggies - Aretha's version of 'I Say a Little Prayer.' Done originally by Dionne Warwick only a few months previous. Apparently Jerry Wexler was against Aretha doing this cover - and for once he turned out to be wrong.
Also
Marvin Gaye 'Heard it through the grapevine' [[original by Gladys Knight)
Supremes/Four Tops 'I had a dream' [[original by Shorty Long)

[TomatoTom123]

"Working My Way Back To You", originally by The Four Seasons, but bettered by The Spinners

[roger]

Surprised no-one has mentioned one of the real biggies - Aretha's version of 'I Say a Little Prayer.' Done originally by Dionne Warwick only a few months previous. Apparently Jerry Wexler was against Aretha doing this cover - and for once he turned out to be wrong.
Also
Marvin Gaye 'Heard it through the grapevine' [[original by Gladys Knight)
Supremes/Four Tops 'I had a dream' [[original by Shorty Long)

Have to agree with "I Say A Little Prayer" Waynesville, especially in The UK where it was a major hit, whereas Dionne's version had only limited success.

How about The Four Tops version of "If I Were A Carpenter" [[initially a big hit for Bobby Darin) or Roberta Flack's version of "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face". Wikipedia has an interesting potted history of "The First Time" ..... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_First_Time_Ever_I_Saw_Your_Face

Roger

[splanky]

I understand though I don't necessarily agree with Jai's ideas about
almost always prefering the original...I mean think for instance
about a song like Jimi Hendrix's Hey Joe. Few are the folks that
even remember it was a Billy Roberts cover. Anyway though I've enjoyed quite a few of them, there 3 songs that I believe I've never
heard anyone do better than the original artists:
Just My Imagination-The Temptations
Ooo Child- The Five Stairsteps and
The Love We Had Stays On My Mind-The Dells. I have to admit they
did those songs so well that many people refuse to listen to covers
even when they are good. Not better, but good...

[sansradio]

12998
4 The Hide-a-Ways' version of "Can't Help Loving That Girl of Mine" male version of Lena Horne's "Can't Help Loving That Man of Mine" show tune from "Porgy and Bess"

"Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man" is from SHOW BOAT.

My pick is Gladys Knight & The Pips' "Midnight Train to Georgia."

[Circa 1824]

Call Me - Diana Ross [[her version was Grammy nominated)

[phil]

12998

5 The Four Tops' remake of "Walk Away Renee" - forget original group as I never listened to any "Pop" stations. Was it The Left Banke?
"

Yes Robb "Walk Away Renee" was by The Left Banke.

To me the first cover coming to my mind is "Worn Out Broken Heart", by Loleatta Holloway. Though I can't say I don't dig Sam Dees [[sacrilege in U.K. !) Loleatta kills it :


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J05b5kmp6F8

[daviddesper]

Four Tops' version of "I Got a Feeling" far outshines Barbara Randolph for me. In fact it is one of my all-time top five Motown songs.

Marvelettes' "Here I Am Baby" is better than Barbara McNair, though I appreciate hers more than I used to.

Both Linda Ronstadt and Johnny Rivers did better version of Tracks of My Tears.

Marvelettes' version of He Was Really Sayin' Somethin' appeals to me more than the Velvelettes' original, but it could be simply because I heard it first.

And since someone mentioned Dionne's version of "No One in the World," I have always thought it was light years ahead of Anita Baker's.

Dionne also did a better job on "Walk Away" than Phyllis Hyman.

Those are the examples that just roll off my tongue at first thought. I have probably made enough enemies with that list for one night!

[TomatoTom123]

Four Tops' version of "I Got a Feeling" far outshines Barbara Randolph for me. In fact it is one of my all-time top five Motown songs.

Completely agree david. Not sure why Barbara's version is liked more than The Tops' original. I hate how the tempo is slower and less frantically upbeat! I fell in love with The Tops' version the first time I heard it and thought Barbara's was good but nowhere near as amazing as the original. And, yea, it is one of my favourite Four Tops and Motown songs!! Classic, pure Motown GOLD! :)

[Bluebrock]

I bet you didnt know Dionne Warrick sung No one in the World first
I did!! She recorded it for one of her mid 80's arista albums shortly before Anita got hold of it. For the record i love both versions!

[Bluebrock]

How about Dionne's fab version of "can't hide love". Four Tops versions of "walk away renee" and "if i were a carpenter" are both superior to the originals. I adore Diana's version of "summertime", and how about Stevie's smoking version of "we can work it out".Donna Summer killed "macarthur park" big time, and i have to agree the Marvelettes version of "young and in love" exceeds the original, and Marvin totally owned "Abraham, Martin and John" and "grapevine". Supremes and Temptations version of "i second that emotion" at least equals Smokeys original, whilst Gladys and the Pips version of "bourgie bourgie" is better than A&S version to these ears. There will surely be many others but that will suffice for now.

[sansradio]

Sylvester completely owned Ashford & Simpson's "Over and Over" and arguably Miss LaBelle's "You Are My Friend"; many folks think the latter is a Sylvester original when Patti co-wrote it and did it first!

[MIKEW-UK]

Although the original was the commercial success, I am especially fond of Eddie Kendrick's version of Time In A Bottle by Jim Croce...
Eddie's version is so delicate and pure...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Hb-yJpXlE

[marv2]

Wilson Pickett - Hey Jude

[marv2]

Supremes & Four Tops - "IF", originally by Bread


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l4Q2Cd10Z8c

[roger]

Completely agree david. Not sure why Barbara's version is liked more than The Tops' original. I hate how the tempo is slower and less frantically upbeat! I fell in love with The Tops' version the first time I heard it and thought Barbara's was good but nowhere near as amazing as the original. And, yea, it is one of my favourite Four Tops and Motown songs!! Classic, pure Motown GOLD! :)

Hmmmm ... have to disagree ... personally I prefer the Barbara Randolph version, and seeing as she recorded it over a year after the version by The Four Tops I don't think it fits into this thread, which is about versions that are better than "the original".

Sorry for being a bit "picky" folks [[and I do like The Tops' version) but for any doubters about which came first please refer to the "Don't Forget The Motor City" website .... :)

http://www.dftmc.info/titles/ti-04.htm

Roger

[Luciano]

Donny Hathaway "A Song For You" became the standard of Leon Russell song:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeHiio1sTTI

[Luciano]

This country song "Misty Blue" was originally written for Brenda Lee but turned it down and then recorded by Wilma Burgess. Joe Simon had charted with his R&B version but most know it by Dorothy Moore:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hQZbLR5e9Q

[Luciano]

"The Thrill Is Gone" was recorded in 1951 by Roy Hawkins but in 1969 BB King stole it:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oica5jG7FpU

[Luciano]

Al Green version of the Bee Gees "How Can You Mend A Broken Heart" is legendary:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgAFcvIw8J4

[Luciano]

Curtis Mayfield was right when he let Gladys cover his song "The Makings Of You" for the Claudine soundtrack. She made it her own:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9oCEvpMKGjE

[Luciano]

Lowell Fulson charted with "Tramp" first but Otis Redding and Carla Thomas took it to another level with their interplay:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TKlCA0-Arks

[jboy88]

I did!! She recorded it for one of her mid 80's arista albums shortly before Anita got hold of it. For the record i love both versions!

I for one, had no idea. I always thought it was written for if not by her.

Speaking of Anita, she recently had "Angel" swiped from her by Lalah Hathaway [[Donny's daughter). I guess it runs in the family.

[Guy]

"Does Your Mama Know About Me?" - Sharon Redd, Charlotte Crossley and Ula Hedwig [[The Harlettes)

https://youtu.be/gPY7QHjWds0

[TomatoTom123]

Hmmmm ... have to disagree ... personally I prefer the Barbara Randolph version, and seeing as she recorded it over a year after the version by The Four Tops I don't think it fits into this thread, which is about versions that are better than "the original".

Sorry for being a bit "picky" folks [[and I do like The Tops' version) but for any doubters about which came first please refer to the "Don't Forget The Motor City" website .... :)

http://www.dftmc.info/titles/ti-04.htm

Roger

Haa... no worries, roger. You are quite right, Barbara's version is the cover and The Four Tops' is the original. Personally I feel the original is better than the cover but for you it is vice versa, so that fits nicely into the thread ;)

[TomatoTom123]

Actually, can I ask, why do you prefer Barbara's version?

[marv2]

This country song "Misty Blue" was originally written for Brenda Lee but turned it down and then recorded by Wilma Burgess. Joe Simon had charted with his R&B version but most know it by Dorothy Moore:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7hQZbLR5e9Q

Dorothy did have the greatest version. That record is still very listenable today.

[marv2]

"The Thrill Is Gone" was recorded in 1951 by Roy Hawkins but in 1969 BB King stole it:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oica5jG7FpU

There is no other version than B.B. King's! LOL

[marv2]

I for one, had no idea. I always thought it was written for if not by her.

Speaking of Anita, she recently had "Angel" swiped from her by Lalah Hathaway [[Donny's daughter). I guess it runs in the family.

I like Anita's original better.

[marv2]

Main Ingredient's - "I'm So Proud" is just a bit smoother than the Impressions' original.

[Philles/Motown Gary]

The Supremes' & The Temptations" jazz version of "Try It Baby" is far better than Marvin's original, bland, too-laid-back version.

I also prefer The Ronettes' remake of "I Can Hear Music" to the original. I love the Beach Boys' version, but Ronnie's version on Philles just blows me away.

[roger]

Actually, can I ask, why do you prefer Barbara's version?

Possibly because the Barbara Randolph version is more restrained TomatoTom123. It was the first version that I got to know [[some time around 1969 I guess) and I loved it from the first time I heard it. To me the Four Tops version always sounds a touch too fast and frantic by comparison.

And another I would add to the list is Aretha's version of "Don't Play That Song", very different to Ben E King's version and she made it sound like a brand new song.

Roger

[robb_k]

Possibly because the Barbara Randolph version is more restrained TomatoTom123. It was the first version that I got to know [[some time around 1969 I guess) and I loved it from the first time I heard it. To me the Four Tops version always sounds a touch too fast and frantic by comparison.

And another I would add to the list is Aretha's version of "Don't Play That Song", very different to Ben E King's version and she made it sound like a brand new song.
Roger
13042
I like Barbara's best, as it has the "A" side background instrumental track treatment, while The Four Tops' version has the "throwaway B side" treatment. The Four Tops' great singing brings theirs up some, but not enough to pass Barbara's.

[arr&bee]

Ok,i found a rare cover that i prefer..bobby blue bland's cover of little willie john's[fever]is the better version for me.

[Jerry Oz]

The easiest two [[one of which has been mentioned) for me are Marvin Gaye's version of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine" and the Al Jarreau/David Sanborn/Bob James version of "Since I Fell For You".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88F0Ij8I1WI

I also love Klique's version of Jackie Wilson's "Doggin' Around" but I don't know if I quite prefer it.

EDIT - Nah, after listening to them back to back, Jackie Wilson's version was much better, with no disrespect to the latter song.

[Circa 1824]

Close to You - Diana Ross
My Favorite Things - The Supremes
A Song for You - The Carpenters

[marv2]

Ok,i found a rare cover that i prefer..bobby blue bland's cover of little willie john's[fever]is the better version for me.

Bite your tongue! That's sacrilegious! LOL!!!

[Luciano]

Glenn Miller had a hit with "At Last" in 1942 but the version that has become the standard is by Etta James:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwzDxp2TC7I

[Luciano]

Frankie Turmbaues had a #10 pop hit in 1931 with "Georgia On My Mind". I will admit I never heard it and don't plan to as Ray Charles is only version:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRgWBN8yt_E

[Luciano]

Dolly Parton wrote and had a hit with "I Will Always Love You" twice on her own but Whitney Houston took it to a whole other place and never gave it back:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK4hweZRU0k

[marv2]

Glenn Miller had a hit with "At Last" in 1942 but the version that has become the standard is by Etta James:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwzDxp2TC7I

Etta had the definitive version in my opinion.

[Luciano]

Originally from the Cooley High soundtrack "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday" by G.C. Cameron had a #38 R&B hit with this song in 1975 but Boyz II Men took it to #1 R&B and #2 Pop and became a classic for kids of that time:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VastXQ_hPb0

[marv2]

Dolly Parton wrote and had a hit with "I Will Always Love You" twice on her own but Whitney Houston took it to a whole another place and never gave it back:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mK4hweZRU0k

How did we over look this one? One of the most successful recordings in history!

[Luciano]

Etta had the definitive version in my opinion.

I agree with you Marv - I second that opinion. LOL

[marv2]

The Four Tops version of "MacArthur Park" will always be tops with me:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIUFUG5g6oY

[Luciano]

How did we over look this one? One of the most successful recordings in history!

Right Marv. It was a monster hit!!! I heard it so much during that time it took me a while before I could hear it again.

[marv2]

I agree with you Marv - I second that opinion. LOL

I remember she threaten to whip Beyonce's ass for singing for Obama's Inauguration Ball. LOL! God Bless her.

[Luciano]

I remember she threaten to whip Beyonce's ass for singing for Obama's Inauguration Ball. LOL! God Bless her.

Yes she did!!! LOL I think it was more of her saying "I'm still here, you could have asked me to sing it since it's my song".

[Luciano]

The Four Tops version of "MacArthur Park" will always be tops with me:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mIUFUG5g6oY

Yes Levi kills it!

[daviddesper]

For my tastes, you could add up all the versions of this song and you wouldn't have one good one. It is just a terrible song. Right up there with Hey Jude and American Pie. No song needs to be eight minutes long!

[Bluebrock]

How about Deniece Williams beautiful version of "it's gonna take a miracle"?

[Luciano]

How about Deniece Williams beautiful version of "it's gonna take a miracle"?

Yes I agree with you Bluebrock. Great choice. I believe Niecy owns it.

[Jerry Oz]

I love the Smokey version of "Who's Loving You?" but I'd be willing to bet many more people heard it sung by the Jackson 5 and prefer that version.

And I think that Troop's version of the Jackson 5's "All I Do Is Think Of You" is a better production, even if the lead doesn't compare with Michael Jackson's performance.

[arr&bee]

bite your tongue! That's sacrilegious! Lol!!!have you heard bobby's version?

[Motown Eddie]

Here we go, my favorite remakes that I prefer to the original versions-
Isaac Hayes-"By The Time I Get To Phoenix"
Al Green-"I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry"
Otis Redding-"You Don't Miss Your Water"
Isaac Hayes-"Your Love Is So Doggone Good"
Diana Ross & the Supremes & the Temptations-"I'm Gonna Make You Love Me"
Stevie Wonder-"For Once In My Life"
Stevie Wonder-"Blowing In The Wind"
Al Green-"For The Good Times"
Al Green-"Funny How Time Slips Away"
Ike & Tina Turner-"Proud Mary"

[sansradio]

I love Patti's take on this...she gives it a boogie-down-at-the-cookout feel:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JacdLT4QdrQ

[marv2]

Right Marv. It was a monster hit!!! I heard it so much during that time it took me a while before I could hear it again.

I was breaking up with my girlfriend at the time this was at the top of the charts.

[marv2]

I can't remember who made it first, the Doobie Brothers or Carly Simon, but Carly gets my vote everytime!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukkRG-flg20

[Luciano]

Seals and Croft had the hit with "Summer Breeze" in 1972 but I have read many comments that the Isley's 1974 version is the definitive:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IkBBTOhfCQ

[Luciano]

Talk about stealing. Motown took Philly International's Harold Melvin and the Bluesnotes song and gave Thelma Houston her biggest hit with "Don't Leave Me This Way":


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ClbGfCaz0AA

[Luciano]

I know we have been talking about Chuck Jackson a bit lately and one of his finest moments is when he took William Bells song "Any Other Way":


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziVgyOS33bw

[Luciano]

How many know that Etta James "Tell Mama" originally was titled "Tell Daddy" by Clarence Cater. Miss Peaches owns that song. [[Although from her bio she said she didn't care for it...you would never know by her awesome vocals):


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vA1tztJDVTk

[Luciano]

Before singing about a big mama jama, Carl Carlton was singing about "Everlasting Love" which was originally done by Robert Knight. This became a wedding staple.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT3I14f-l4s

[Luciano]

This song was originally was done by Rod Stewart for the movie Night Shift. I not a 100% sure but I believed the song writers Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager didn't care for his version. Dionne, Stevie, Gladys and Elton made this anthem for friends and AIDS research. Don't think anyone will ever be able to touch this version,


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HyTpu6BmE88

[Luciano]

[QUOTE=marv2;389800]I can't remember who made it first, the Doobie Brothers or Carly Simon, but Carly gets my vote everytime!


Awesome pick Marv. I believe Carly did it first. You want to talk about a cover version I enjoy of this song:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=62QjfNskOU0

[Motown Eddie]

Here's a few more of my favorite songs that [[IMHO) out-stripped the original versions-
1. "Twist And Shout"-The Isley Bros.
2. "Good Loving"-The Young Rascals
3. "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby"-Marvin Gaye
4. "That's The Way Love Is"-Marvin Gaye
5. "Devil With The Blue Dress/Good Golly Miss Molly"-Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels

[Motown Eddie]

I can't remember who made it first, the Doobie Brothers or Carly Simon, but Carly gets my vote everytime!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukkRG-flg20

It was The Doobie Bros. who did 'You Belong To Me' first [[on the 1977 LP Living On The Fault Line). And although group member Michael McDonald wrote the song, I agree with you that Carly Simon's version is the definitive one.

[marv2]

Before singing about a big mama jama, Carl Carlton was singing about "Everlasting Love" which was originally done by Robert Knight. This became a wedding staple.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wT3I14f-l4s

Good example. They both were from Detroit. Carl still lives near Detroit in Romulus, MI.

[marv2]

It was The Doobie Bros. who did 'You Belong To Me' first [[on the 1977 LP Living On The Fault Line). And although group member Michael McDonald wrote the song, I agree with you that Carly Simon's version is the definitive one.

Thank you Motown Eddie.

[marv2]

have you heard bobby's version?

Oh yes I have and I love Bobby Bland, but as a Detroit, I will always go with Little Wiilie John's. Peggy Lee did a good one too.

[marv2]

Loved Roy Hamilton's original but these two versions are equally as good....


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_OWPGkBBRI

[marv2]

Patti LaBelle does a great version of "Don't Let Go" also.


https://vimeo.com/42804326

[Luciano]

Isaac version is great! Where Patti's​ version?

[Jerry Oz]

"Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett was a cover of the song first done by Sir Mack Rice. The rhythm was smoothed down and the production was better [[in my opinion) on the latter version but it is very much the same song. But Pickett's voice puts it over the top for me.

[marv2]

Isaac version is great! Where Patti's​ version?

I just posted it. Check again

[marv2]

"Mustang Sally" by Wilson Pickett was a cover of the song first done by Sir Mack Rice. The rhythm was smoothed down and the production was better [[in my opinion) on the latter version but it is very much the same song. But Pickett's voice puts it over the top for me.

I never knew that. Thanks Jerry

[robb_k]

I love the Smokey version of "Who's Loving You?" but I'd be willing to bet many more people heard it sung by the Jackson 5 and prefer that version.

And I think that Troop's version of the Jackson 5's "All I Do Is Think Of You" is a better production, even if the lead doesn't compare with Michael Jackson's performance.
13101
And neither of those compare to Tammi Terrell's.

[robb_k]

Here's a few more of my favorite songs that [[IMHO) out-stripped the original versions-
1. "Twist And Shout"-The Isley Bros.
2. "Good Loving"-The Young Rascals
3. "Too Busy Thinking About My Baby"-Marvin Gaye
4. "That's The Way Love Is"-Marvin Gaye
5. "Devil With The Blue Dress/Good Golly Miss Molly"-Mitch Ryder & the Detroit Wheels
13102
"Good Lovin' ", which was an R&B hit by The Olympics, and redone by The Young Rascals, was sung originally by Lemme B. Good. All 3 versions are good, but I like Lemme's best, and The Olympics' just below it.

[marv2]

Originally from the Cooley High soundtrack "It's So Hard To Say Goodbye To Yesterday" by G.C. Cameron had a #38 R&B hit with this song in 1975 but Boyz II Men took it to #1 R&B and #2 Pop and became a classic for kids of that time:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VastXQ_hPb0

Luciano, this became a classic for us kids in 1975 as well. The film had a huge impact on teenagers in urban areas of America.

[marv2]

I love the Smokey version of "Who's Loving You?" but I'd be willing to bet many more people heard it sung by the Jackson 5 and prefer that version.

And I think that Troop's version of the Jackson 5's "All I Do Is Think Of You" is a better production, even if the lead doesn't compare with Michael Jackson's performance.

"All I Do Is Think Of You" was originally done by Stevie Wonder.

[Jerry Oz]

"All I Do Is Think Of You" was originally done by Stevie Wonder.
I'm going to listen to his version right now. Thanks for the head's up.

Edit: So far, I'm not finding a Stevie version of the other song anywhere on line. Are you thinking about "All I Do" from "Hotter Than July"? That's a different song [[and one of my favorites from one of my favorite albums).

[marv2]

I'm going to listen to his version right now. Thanks for the head's up.

Edit: So far, I'm not finding a Stevie version of the other song anywhere on line. Are you thinking about "All I Do" from "Hotter Than July"? That's a different song [[and one of my favorites from one of my favorite albums).


He wrote the song "All I Do" back in the sixties. Motown had Tammi Terrell record it back then without releasing it until many years later. It is the same song on Hotter than July. Hold up.

[marv2]

Ok here is Tammi and Stevie's versions on the same video. He wrote it with Clarence Paul back in 1966:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=flXHX0I1dL8

[sansradio]

Marv, they're referring to this song:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlE9oAPhhQ8

[marv2]

Marv, they're referring to this song:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlE9oAPhhQ8

Oh yeah, ok. I have to now remember who did it originally. It was a group that was pretty popular. Let me think....

Ok it was Troop. I didn't see that posted above until now.

[marv2]

For my tastes, you could add up all the versions of this song and you wouldn't have one good one. It is just a terrible song. Right up there with Hey Jude and American Pie. No song needs to be eight minutes long!

David, I hear you. I use to go crazy at how long "American Pie" was. We use to sing it at camp in grade school. LOL

[McMotown]

The Supremes, Four Tops - River Deep Mountain High

[marv2]

The Supremes, Four Tops - River Deep Mountain High

Yep! Totally agree that they took that song. Took it to new heights!

[Luciano]

Tavares taking Hall & Oates song "She Gone" straight to #1 R&B:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zP20RxVPUCk

[Luciano]

Maybe not superior than Tavares but equal. I do like how Tower of Power slowed "Heaven Must Be Missing Be Missing An Angel" down a bit but still groovy.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhHSN5iL_jQ

[Luciano]

I'm sure Prince never imagined his song "I Feel For You" turning into "Chaka Khan..Chaka Khan...Let me rock you Chaka Khan". Chaka must be tired of people singing it to her but for me it never gets old plus Chaka glorious vocals...


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hX9E44mClKs

[Luciano]

This is my favorite version of "Hurt So Bad" Originally by Little Anthony but for me The Delfonics own it:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SvFYx4MnyQ

[Ngroove]

I would say, many songs that was formely the original singer[[s) who done it, then became Peaches and Herb's [[Herb Fame / Francine Hurd), including "Close Your Eyes", "Let's Fall In Love", the Intruders' "[[We'll Be) United", and sorry for those who prefers Ed Townsend's, "For Your Love".


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SujNT2ugCyk

[Ngroove]

I know this might be blasphemy, but while I had loved Marvin Gaye's for years, upon discovering Nancy Wilson's:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7CjL__M9Y1g