Songs written by one artist but made famous by another

[Gumbo4x4]

Oddly enough, the John Denver version of Leaving On A Jet Plane is the version I think of when I think of that song.


"Blinded By The Light" and "For You" were both made famous by Manfred Mann, but previously recorded by Bruce Springsteen.




As a side note, if you've been to a Sammy Hagar concert in recent years, you'll hear him do many Van Halen songs, but leave out a few of his older solo hits. When asked why he rarely performs "Run For Your Life", he says it's because he didn't write that one and prefers to perform only the songs he actually wrote (or at least co-wrote).

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Little embarrassment on this one: When the Sgt Peppers movie came out in the 70's along with the album, I didn't realize those were all Beatles songs

 

[ScottOKW2K]

Bruce Springsteen wrote "Blinded by the Light" but it became #1 when Manfred Mann released it. This is even more interesting because B.S. has not had a #1 single himself.

 

[Sandy51]

"All Along the Watchtower", a hit for Jimi Hendrix and "To Make You Feel My Love", recorded by Garth Brooks and Adele, were written by Bob Dylan.



Sandy

 

[Feralpeg]

Woodstock was written by Joni Mitchel, but performed by Crosby, Stills and Nash.

Forever Young was written by Bob Dylan, but performed by Rod Stewart. Dylan also wrote Younger than Yesterday and Mr. tambourine Man both recorded by The Byrds, If Not for You recorded by George Harrison, It Ain't Me Babe recorded by The Turtles, The Mighty Quinn performed by Manfred Mann, Blowin in the Wind performed by Peter, Paul and Mary, Knockin on Heaven's Door performed by Eric Clapton, and All Along the Watchtower performed by Jimmy Hendrix.

 

[BlueStarryHat]

Different Drum, written by Michael Nesmith (yes, of the Monkees-he also wrote a lot of the Monkees' songs).

Made famous by Linda Rondstadt when she was singing for the Stone Poneys in the sixties.

You and I travel to the beat of a different drum
Oh, can't you tell by the way I run
Every time you make eyes at me...

 

[Lorelei Lee]

Different Drum, written by Michael Nesmith (yes, of the Monkees-he also wrote a lot of the Monkees' songs). Made famous by Linda Rondstadt when she was singing for the Stone Poneys in the sixties. You and I travel to the beat of a different drum Oh, can't you tell by the way I run Every time you make eyes at me...

Nesmith's version of the song is very different, much more country/folk.

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[sasywtch]

I Write the Songs by Bruce Johnston (Beach Boys) sung by Barry Manilow

 

[Lorelei Lee]

Carole King wrote Will You Love Me Tomorrow, The Loco-motion and Pleasant Valley Sunday, among others, before her own recording career. And did you know she dated Neil Sedaka, whose Oh Carol is about her?

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[Lorelei Lee]

And speaking of Sedaka, he wrote Where The Boys Are for Connie Francis.

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[NaLisa]

"You Can Leave Your Hat On" by Randy Newman, made famous by Joe Cocker.

Another note about "I Will Always Love You" from Wikipedia.

In 1974, her song, "I Will Always Love You", written about her professional break from Wagoner, went to number one on the country music charts. Around the same time, Elvis Presley indicated that he wanted to cover the song. Parton was interested until Presley's manager, Colonel Tom Parker, told her that it was standard procedure for the songwriter to sign over half of the publishing rights to any song Elvis recorded. Parton refused, and that decision is credited with helping to make her many millions of dollars in royalties from the song over the years.

 

[KristaTX]

I Write the Songs by Bruce Johnston (Beach Boys) sung by Barry Manilow

I think it's humorous that Barry Manilow did NOT write that song.

 

[wenrob]

Blinded by the Light written (and made) by Bruce Springsteen made famous by Manferd's Man Earth Band <-----(oops, see what happens when I miss page two? Sorry about the repeat)

Feelin' Alright written by Dave Mason made famous by Joe Cocker. My Dad and I saw Dave Mason last year and he told the story of how it came about. Right before he started to play it he said, "Just remember, Dave wrote this." Now every time I hear it I hear Dave Mason saying that. Dave Mason has pretty much written with/for and performed with all the greats of his time. (way too many to list, lol)

 

[Pea-n-Me]

I Write the Songs by Bruce Johnston (Beach Boys) sung by Barry Manilow

Bruce Johnston also wrote Disney Girls, sung by the Beach Boys but also by Art Garfunkel, Cass Elliot, The Captain and Tennille and others.

 

[Pea-n-Me]

And speaking of The Captain and Tennille - and Neil Sedaka - Sedaka (and Howard Greenfield) wrote Love Will Keep Us Together and TC&T made it famous.

There's an I Write The Songs connection, too

"Love Will Keep Us Together" was the title cut and lead single of Captain & Tennille's debut album, although "Captain" Daryl Dragon originally hoped that honor would go to the duo's rendition of "I Write the Songs." The single rose to number one on both the Easy Listening[1] and pop charts, staying atop the latter for four weeks starting June 21, 1975. It also hit the top of the 1975 year-end chart. In the U.S. the record was the best-selling single of 1975.[2]

 

[SkaGoat]

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.

 

[Lorelei Lee]

"I Just Want To Stay Here", a big hit for Steve Lawrence and Edie Gorme, was written by Carole King. Edie Gorme and Neil Sedaka were cousins. And as I said, Sedaka and King dated for awhile.

My children are distant cousins of Gorme and Sedaka, through their Sephardi side.

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[mefordis]

The Letter - written and recorded by The Boxtops, but then also recorded by Alex Chilton.

 

[Arenita]

Redneck Mother.
Recorded by Jerry Jeff Walker
Written by Ray Wylie Hubbard

 

[DebbieB]

Paul Anka wrote "My Way" for Frank Sinatra.