Songs written by one artist but made famous by another

[willowsnn3]

One you may or may not have heard at Christmas time:
'Mary, Did You Know?' was recorded by lots of artists, but I really did a double take when I found out it was written by Christian comedian Mark Lowery.

 

[mom to minnie&mickey]

The Bee Gees wrote lots of songs for other artists. These are a few of my favorites.

Islands in the Stream - Kenny and Dolly
Grease - Franki Valli
Woman in Love - Barbara Streisand

Love the Bee Gees. They also wrote Guilty - Barbara Streisand which went on to become a huge, huge hit for her. Also, they wrote almost all the songs that made their younger brother Andy Gibb famous. Shadow Dancing, Don't Throw it All Away, I Just Want To Be Your Everything, and Everlasting Love.

 

[BrinkofSunshine]

"Mama Told Me (Not to Come)"- written by Randy Newman, made famous by Three Dog Night.

 

[MouseLover]

Lady ...by Kenny Rogers, written by Lionel Richie


This I Promise You ...by NSync, written by Richard Marx

 

[LBIJim]

Because the Night by Patti Smith Group was written by Bruce Springsteen.

He recorded it for his Darkness on the Edge of Town album but wasn't satisfied with it. Patti Smith Group was recording in the studio next to Springsteen's.

Springsteen recently released the 1977 recording of the song on The Promise.

The PSG version recorded on her "Easter" album had a few additional lyrics contributed by Patti, so she got to share songwriting credit with Springsteen. I think back in the late 1970s she tried to overemphasize her involvement, but later acknowledged that her version was almost entirely a Bruce composition.

It was later covered by either Natalie Merchant solo or with 10,000 Maniacs.

 

[Deb in IA]

"In The Ghetto" - written by Mac Davis, recorded by Elvis

 

[Deb in IA]

"Joy to the World - Jeremiah was a bullfrog" - written by Hoyt Axton, made famous by Three Dog Night