Can You Spot the Cover? Famous Songs You Didn’t Know Were Remakes

Though songwriters Hoagy Carmichael and Stuart Gorrell had Carmichael's sister in mind when writing "Georgia on My Mind," it was Ray Charles's 1960 cover that unexpectedly transformed the song into a love letter to the state of Georgia. Decades later, the soulful rendition soared to number one on Billboard and was even officially adopted as Georgia's state song.

Originally intended as a response to the Rolling Stones' "It's Only Rock and Roll (But I Like It)," bassist Alan Merrill of the Arrows wrote "I Love Rock 'n' Roll," according to Far Out magazine. However, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts' electrifying rendition in 1981 propelled the song to superstardom. It dominated the Billboard charts for a whopping seven weeks, solidifying its place as an anthem for rock and roll lovers everywhere.

The original 1973 version of "Cum on Feel the Noize" soared to the top in the U.K., but remained relatively unknown in the U.S. That changed dramatically in 1984 when Quiet Riot's cover catapulted them to unexpected stardom. Ironically, as reported by Ultimate Classic Rock, the band disliked the song and reportedly tried to sabotage their own recording! Despite their efforts, the cover became a heavy metal sensation and made Quiet Riot the first band in their genre to top the Billboard album charts.

While June Carter Cash initially offered the song "Ring of Fire" to her sister Anita, it failed to gain traction (according to Wide Open Country). However, Johnny Cash's musical intuition intervened! Inspired by a dream featuring mariachi horns, he transformed the song with this unique touch. Cash's version, infused with mariachi horns, became the biggest hit of his remarkable career.

Dolly Parton poured her heart into "I Will Always Love You" as a bittersweet goodbye to Porter Wagoner, her mentor and duet partner for seven years, according to People magazine. While Parton's heartfelt rendition topped the country charts in 1974, the song's true global impact came much later. Whitney Houston's powerhouse cover in 1992 propelled the ballad to number one on the Billboard charts in over a dozen countries, cementing its place as a timeless love song.

John Holt's 1967 single, "The Tide is High," originally showcased the soulful vocals of his Jamaican group, The Paragons (as outlined by The Guardian). However, it was Blondie's reggae-infused cover that propelled the song to international stardom. The infectious rhythms transformed the track into a number-one smash hit in the UK, US, Canada, and New Zealand.

Cat Stevens, then known as Cat Stevens (now Yusuf Islam), penned the emotional ballad "The First Cut Is the Deepest," but it wasn't his voice that first brought it to fame. According to the BBC, he initially sold the song to P.P. Arnold, a former backup singer for Ike and Tina Turner. Her version charted in the U.K., but the song's true breakout came years later. Rod Stewart's soulful rendition climbed to number one in the U.K., while Sheryl Crow's powerful cover in 2003 topped an impressive three different Billboard charts in the U.S. This single song's journey highlights the enduring power of a great melody and the diverse ways artists can interpret it for lasting success.

Originally offered to Van Morrison, "Piece of My Heart" ended up in the hands of Erma Franklin, Aretha's sister, according to Far Out magazine. While Erma's 1967 version found some R&B success, it was Janis Joplin's powerhouse performance with Big Brother and the Holding Company in 1969 that truly transformed the song. Joplin's electrifying rendition became synonymous with her raw talent and propelled her to superstardom.

Richard Berry's 1957 recording of "Louie Louie" with his band The Pharaohs paved the way, but it was The Kingsmen who truly unleashed its rock and roll potential. Six years later, in 1963, their version skyrocketed to number two on the Billboard charts. According to The New Yorker, a twist of fate – the only available microphone hung way above lead singer Jack Ely's head – contributed to the song's signature sound. This unintentional effect not only became a defining characteristic of 1960s garage rock but also landed the band in a bizarre FBI investigation over alleged obscenities in the lyrics (an investigation that ultimately yielded nothing).

Shrouded in mystery, the original composer of the traditional folk song "The House of the Rising Sun" remains unknown. American Songwriter notes how Bob Dylan adapted a popular arrangement from his friend Dave Van Ronk, recording his version before Van Ronk could. Yet, it was British Invasion band Eric Burdon & The Animals' iconic 1964 rendition that soared to the top of the Billboard charts, captivating audiences in the U.S., U.K., and Canada.

Tom Waits penned "Downtown Train" initially for his celebrated album "Rain Dogs." However, Rod Stewart's rendition garnered significant attention, reaching number three on the U.S. Hot 100 charts, according to Billboard. Stewart's cover not only topped the rock and adult contemporary singles charts but also earned a Grammy nomination. Nevertheless, its success sparked a feud between Stewart and Bob Seger, with Seger claiming he had recorded a version of the song before Stewart released his rendition, leading to years of animosity between the two artists.

Although the British rock band Argent achieved respectable success in the U.K. in 1973, their song "God Gave Rock And Roll To You" didn't make it onto the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S. until it was covered by Kiss for the soundtrack of "Bill And Ted’s Bogus Journey." According to Ultimate Classic Rock, Kiss renamed their version "God Gave Rock And Roll To You II" because they made significant changes to the lyrics. Paul Stanley remarked, "If you listen to Argent’s version, I don’t know what the hell they were singing about. They’re singing about flowers, trees, and snakes. We told the label that we’d do it, but we’d have to rewrite it."

If one were to listen to the 1979 song "Kitty" by the English pop band, they might notice striking similarities to Toni Basil's "Mickey," albeit missing the iconic "Hey, Mickey, you're so fine" chant. According to Vulture, this resemblance is no coincidence, as Basil conceptualized both the cheerleader-themed video and the chant for her gender-reversed love song. Despite "Kitty" not achieving success for Racey, "Mickey" propelled Basil to the number one spot on the U.S. Billboard charts and to number two on the U.K. charts.

Prior to Sinead O'Connor's rendition of "Nothing Compares 2 U," Prince initially composed the song for The Family, a band he formed and signed to his Paisley Park label. However, as Stereogum reported, The Family disbanded following the commercial disappointment of their eponymous 1985 album. It was O'Connor who reshaped the track into the poignant breakup ballad that has captivated audiences ever since. Her rendition propelled her to number one in 13 countries, solidifying its status as a beloved classic.

Despite Neil Diamond's original 1967 rendition only reaching number 62 on the Billboard charts, Stereogum revealed that the 1983 version by reggae group UB40 would mark their first number-one hit in both the U.K. and, five years later, the United States. Diamond himself expressed in a Reddit Ask Me Anything thread that he regards the reggae reinterpretation as one of his favorite covers of his songs.

As reported by American Songwriter, American singer Robert Hazard penned "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" in 1979. Initially conceived as a demo, it wasn't until Cyndi Lauper's producer incorporated distinctive synthesizer lines and Lauper adjusted the lyrics to align with her female perspective that the song soared to number-one status in ten countries.

As reported by Ultimate Classic Rock, renowned producer Robert "Mutt" Lange crafted "We Both Believe In Love" in the late '70s, which was initially recorded by English rock band Supercharge. However, when his longtime friend Huey Lewis required a breakthrough hit for his fledgling band, Lange offered him the song. After Lewis reworked the tune and retitled it "Do You Believe In Love," the track surged in popularity, peaking at number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. This success set the stage for the band's subsequent powerhouse album, Sports.

As reported by Wide Open Country, Boudleaux Bryant penned "Love Hurts" for the Everly Brothers, contributing to the success of their album A Date With The Everly Brothers, which reached number nine on the Billboard album charts in 1960. Although Roy Orbison and Cher each recorded their interpretations, neither achieved the same level of success as Nazareth's emotive rock cover in 1975. Their rendition soared into the top ten on the U.S. singles chart and made waves globally.

While Bruce Springsteen's rendition of "Jersey Girl" didn't reach chart-topping success, it has become a staple in his concerts, often leading fans to assume he was its original composer. However, the song is actually Tom Waits' tribute to his now-wife Kathleen Brennan. Springsteen and Waits performed it together once in 1981. In an interview with Far Out magazine, Springsteen recalled, "I remember it was one of those songs I said, ‘Well, I wish I’d wrote that.’ It’s a song called ‘Jersey Girl,’ and Tom Waits is gonna sing it with us."

As reported by the Bristol Herald Courier, rockabilly singer Dale Hawkins found inspiration from the daughter of Stan Lewis, president of Jewel Records, when he co-wrote "Suzie Q." While Hawkins' version propelled him to number 27 on the Billboard Hot 100, Creedence Clearwater Revival's eight-minute rendition climbed to number 11, marking the band's first Top 40 hit.