OT: The Original Song: It's The Best

[bantamlaker]

Hard to top Chuck Berry

 

[Centerstream]

Joan Jett did a cover but...

 

[bantamlaker]

Sorry, penalty flag on Kaizen. This thread is where we like the original best. This Jason Donovan version was 27 years after Brian Hyland’s hit in 1962. Before I posted I checked and was surprised to find that a group called the Four Voices had the original 2 years earlier. I doubt many of us know the Four Voices so I’ll take a penalty and post Brian Hyland’s version here,

 

[Kaizen]

Sorry, penalty flag on Kaizen. This thread is where we like the original best. This Jason Donovan version was 27 years after Brian Hyland’s hit in 1962. Before I posted I checked and was surprised to find that a group called the Four Voices had the original 2 years earlier. I doubt many of us know the Four Voices so I’ll take a penalty and post Brian Hyland’s version here,

@bantamlaker, I fully agree with you that Brian Hyland is the original one and the one I like the most. My apology for the mistake.

Yes, Four Voices is the original singers. But I don't like their version. Brian Hyland is much better.

 

[Scud49]

Dreams I'll Never See - the Allman Brothers Band.

I've heard a couple covers, but to my ears, this original is fantastic:

 

[uconnfan68]

My favorite

 

[Scud49]

Hoyt Axton's - "Evangelina"

He wrote it and recorded the wonderful original:

 

[MSGRET]

Nat King Cole - Unforgettable

 

[MSGRET]

One of the most played Christmas songs both Nat's and other covers of it.

 

[MSGRET]

One more from Nat, I could have many more than this.

 

[CajunHusky]

 

[CajunHusky]

 

[Veteran]

Excellent choice, CajunHusky.

The White Cliffs of Dover

I've added my favorite from Vera Lynn, who we lost in 2020 at the ripe old age of 103. Written in 1941 and first recorded by Vera in 1942. Dame Vera Lynn helped rally the Brits as they stood virtually alone during the darkest of their dark days in the early stages of WW2. She became famous after singing to folks who were sheltering against falling German bombs in the tube stations below London.

 

[Bigboote]

Jose Feliciano had a wonderful hit of Light My Fire a year later, but I’ve always preferred the Doors version.

 

[Hoops66]

One of Jackie's all time best, made even better by Fred Astaire and his favorite dance partner Rita Hayworth. This is one of several similar dance sequences using pop songs and movie dances. Find them on YouTube and they are all good.

 

[ec33]

Great song, but Diana Ankudinova's version gets to me every time I hear it.

 

[huskeynut]

My favorite

 

[huskeynut]

And #2:

 

[Bigboote]

White Cliffs of Dover reminded me of this song from Jimmy Cliffs, which quotes a line from that song:

Wandering I am lost and I can’t seem to find the White Cliffs of Dover

Many Rivers to Cross has been covered many, many times, by everyone from UB40 to Lenny Kravitz.

 

[Scud49]

Sam the Sham & the Pharaohs - Wolly Bully

Copied a lot, but the original was one monster hit:

 

[Ozimoto]

Crimson and Clover has been covered by at least Joan Jett, but the original by Tommy James and the Shondell's is the best version in my opinion.

 

[MSGRET]

Loved Tommy James & The Shondells, this is one of my favorites.

 

[MSGRET]

Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, RIP Freddie

 

[Scud49]

California Dreamin' - Mamas and the Papas

Huge hit, covered by many others since 1965:

 

[Scud49]

Walking in the Rain - The Ronettes, 1964.

Beautiful song, one of Phil Spector's early productions:

 

[Scud49]

Bo Diddley's "Bo Diddley" - one of the real pillars of R&R:

 

[VA Huskie]

EVERYTHING the Beatles wrote and sang.

I disagree… I think Joe Cocker’s cover of “A Little Help From My Friends” is better.

 

[VA Huskie]

Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, RIP Freddie

Incredible song, but has anyone else covered it?

 

[Scud49]

I disagree… I think Joe Cocker’s cover of “A Little Help From My Friends” is better.

Oh yea, Paul McCartney said "We wrote it, but Joe put the soul into it". Can't agree more.

 

[Blond D.]

I disagree… I think Joe Cocker’s cover of “A Little Help From My Friends” is better.

NO WAY!!!