Here are 2 covers of a 70s song in the 70s, as well as a cover of it in the 90s.  Confused?  You won't be on the next episode of The Best Covers of 70s Songs

In 1974, Des Dyer and Clive Scott of the UK pop group Jigsaw wrote a song called Who Do You Think You Are.  It only appeared as an album track for them, but that same year, the British group Candlewick Green took it into the UK Top 30 and soon after, the American group Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods took it into the US/Canadian Top 20. 

Candlewick Green / Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=evZbeUAMoYg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1VPpRz2JgXc

Both excellent versions, I don't know which one I prefer, but there is one thing I do know:  I like this song best when sung by a woman.  Here is the 1993 version by the UK pop group Saint Etienne.  Sarah Cracknell's beautiful voice on this song is just wonderful and this version proudly sits in my unfinished list of Top 20 of best cover songs of all time! 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wTGi34p02Y

In 1985, Frankie Goes to Hollywood did a great version of the 1975 Bruce Springsteen hit Born to Run.  Springsteen made the song world famous, but for Frankie, it remained just an album track.  I really wish it had of been a single.  It was a fantastic version! 

Trivia:  When FGTH came to America to promote themselves, they were not allowed to sing Relax on Saturday Night Live, so they performed Born to Run instead.

Bruce Springsteen / Frankie Goes to Hollywood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3t9SfrfDZM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ELqO0WyFvXM

Tumbling Dice (1972)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6U8JlcB_BzA

Nothing could ever come close to the original. One of the best 70s Stones songs. But Linda Ronstadt did a version in 1977. Not bad. Not bad at all. It did make the top 40. Here is a live version of it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EKucFpkq5T4 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o-mhnqVxkeA

Def Squad-Rapper's Delight

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rKTUAESacQM

Sugarhill Gang's version 1979

The lyrical version of Suicide is Painless by The Mash from the 1970 film M*A*S*H.  This never charted in North America (it did reach #1 in the UK in 1980), but it is widely recognizable thanks in part to the long running TV series of the same name.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gO7uemm6Yo 

In 1992, the Welsh Rock group Manic Street Preachers took it into the UK Top 10 and their version was so good, it is in my unfinished list of the Top 20 greatest cover songs of all time!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y11f8Oc25AI

Joan Baez....Diamonds And Rust..1975
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGMHSbcd_qI


Judas Priest....Diamonds And Rust....1977
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3DqBQD_t1yE


Blackmore's Night....Diamonds And Rust...2003
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33L89Ts84W4

After The Gold Rush

Neil Young ~ After The Gold Rush (1970)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1e3m_T-NMOs

Prelude - After the Goldrush (1973)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TBUH-9I_xA

I prefer Neil's version but like the a capella version of Prelude too.

There are many, but I'll just give the ones I like,
like this one...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tn-br0h4rZk
Leon Russell (1972)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sgl1hQmjITY
George Benson (1976)

Lorence Hud - Sign of the Gypsy Queen (1972)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlONd_xKbAo

April Wine - Sign of the Gypsy Queen (1981)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l38CIbuOPHw

Never heard of Lorence Hud before?  He never charted outside of Canada

I Will Survive



The original:

Gloria Gaynor (1978)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBR2G-iI3-I






The cover:

Cake (1996)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=596qaxm-u4o

Without you.

Badfinger's original version. (1970)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9aNIhxIz10

Harry Nilsson's version (1972)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_bQGRRolrg0

There have been other versions of this song. (The worst one was Mariah Scary's version)    Harry's blows them all away, everything he puts into the song. Amazing voice. Too bad he was so self-destructive. Such a talent Harry was. He was "The Beatles" favorite American artist.

I Will Survive



The original:

Gloria Gaynor (1978)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZBR2G-iI3-I






The cover:

Cake (1996)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=596qaxm-u4o


Gloria Gaynor all the way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av2dUXjarX4

Aerosmith- Walk This Way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B_UYYPb-Gk

RUN DMC

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av2dUXjarX4

Aerosmith- Walk This Way

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B_UYYPb-Gk

RUN DMC


Aerosmith's version all the way, by far. I never liked the other version.

Gloria Gaynor all the way.


Um, this isn't a competition.  ::)

Um, this isn't a competition.  ::)


But I'm saying I like Gloria Gaynor's version.

Another one.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTEGxVDHpGU
Slade (1973)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e322vTpTyOE
Quiet Riot (1983)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvmeEyVd5w8

I'm A Man By Chicago

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mxw2A54gxRg

this version is by Star City (1978)

I'm A Man.....Keith Emerson (From the movie Nighthawks)...1981

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PoVFhhqXcdo

If Not For You

Written by Bob Dylan in 1970.

Covered by Olivia Newton John in 1971.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z5lLQL2IWLU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-69aud4dCQ


This is Xantone Blacq singing Prince's and Chaka Khan's "I Feel For You".


But 'I Feel For You' was an 80s song ?

Love Will Keep Us Together  was a song written by Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield.

Covered by the Captain and Tennille, it was the #1 song from 1975

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1G0sOA6hTg0

But 'I Feel For You' was an 80s song ?


But wasn't it originally sung by Prince? ???

Steve Goodman -City of New Orleans (1971)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXGFKpWUOW0

And the well know cover: Arlo Guthrie - City of New Orleans  (1972)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TvMS_ykiLiQ

Good morning America, how are ya?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbsMBGCeqIA

Leon Thomas

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1m4ddUY4pc

Michael Jackson

Two more,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGHl4OgcAeY
Utopia & Todd Rundgren,1977.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u9ihUkDE0bI
England Dan & John Ford Coley, March 1979.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w3quyLpUuhk
Bruce Springsteen,1973.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvJ6o1PC4pA
Manfred Mann's Earth Band, April 1976.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0aX4EMYDPo

James Last(instrumental) Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFzNdGDCXuc

Michael Jackson

Blinded By the Light ~ Bruce Springsteen (1973)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Iaca30QbOo


Covered by Manfred Mann in 1976

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJh47LybCkU

Reached #1 in early 1977. One of the best songs that year.

The original:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0YrXjeRSoE

The cover:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3jXJ8Sf5oqE

James Last(instrumental) Don't Stop Till You Get Enough


James Last? Howard, you're becoming hardcore!  :D

James Last? Howard, you're becoming hardcore!  :D


;D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vHlqBt8mO0

Boogie Shoes (Kc & The Sunshine Band (1979)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEdBKniRNl8

Alex Chilton (1979)

James Last? Howard, you're becoming hardcore!  :D


There's more where that came from...

_tC-54H0H2M
  - James Last, covering Hawkwind's Silver Machine, T. Rex's Children of the Revolution, and Alice Cooper's School's Out, all in one mix from 1973.

Pretty catchy actually.

Another Springsteen cover,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L0JOOEnRopM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahW-aWBAUK0
Greg Kihn Band, 1977.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QoyoaWJM9o8
Manfred Mann's Earth Band, 1981.


and the winner is...Manfred Mann's Earth Band.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_9QooYDYtU

Silly Love Songs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8apm-PX9Ws

The Replicants version (this version makes my ears hurt!) :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vHlqBt8mO0

Boogie Shoes (Kc & The Sunshine Band (1979)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEdBKniRNl8

Alex Chilton (1979)


Isn't Alex Chilton the artist who did the theme from That 70s Show? Later on Cheap Trick did it (much better version IMO).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZorRGrDiMsA

Don't Stop Till You Get Enough

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jD36sOEYIgk

The Embarassment

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2_9QooYDYtU

Silly Love Songs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8apm-PX9Ws

The Replicants version (this version makes my ears hurt!) :P


If it makes you ears hurt, than how is it "The Best Covers of 70s Songs" ?

If it makes you ears hurt, than how is it "The Best Covers of 70s Songs" ?


maybe you're right Warped, it's not the best cover song.

Lorence Hud - Sign of the Gypsy Queen (1972)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlONd_xKbAo

April Wine - Sign of the Gypsy Queen (1981)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l38CIbuOPHw

I find many people are not aware the April Wine version was a cover song, and I can bet you that is because Lorence Hud never charted outside of Canada.  Both versions are great, and both were Top 40 hits in Canada, but I think I like April Wine's version a little more

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0WUfUUQT28
J.J. Cale, 1971 and Skynyrd in April, 1974


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwRvafqi_-U
J.J. Cale, 1976 and Clapton in November, 1977

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=460INShy3BU

Brotherhood Of Man-United We Stand

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr2z9wgmvZ0

This is Bob & Marcia's version from the mid 1970's.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP_NE4XZGAc

Doobie Brothers -Long Train Running


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myKKK6VKlW0

Traks- Long Train Running

which version do you like best? ???

Doobie Brothers -Long Train Running
which version do you like best? ???


As far as cover versions go, I like the 1991 version by Bananarama the best

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuNy9VUXHSY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HP_NE4XZGAc

Doobie Brothers -Long Train Running


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=myKKK6VKlW0

Traks- Long Train Running

which version do you like best? ???


I like the original. It's my favorite Doobie Brothers song.

As far as cover versions go, I like the 1991 version by Bananarama the best

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yuNy9VUXHSY


Why is The Bananarama video looked like it came from history? Where's the train? ???

Why is The Bananarama video looked like it came from history? Where's the train? ???


Why does there have to be a train?

I like the original. It's my favorite Doobie Brothers song.


I agree I like The Doobie Brothers original song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNTk9DKgnbk

Take Me in Your Arms (Rock Me A Little While)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOEwslR4o6Y

Kim Weston (Motown version)

Why does there have to be a train?


Long Train Running, It's supposed to be a rockin' song.

Long Train Running, It's supposed to be a rockin' song.


Song yes.  When The Doobies released it, music videos were not thought of.  It is not required that a music video have anything to do with a song itself

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S4IdtZZFXd4

Donna Summer- Love To Love You Baby

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGc37zago-Y

Tom Tom Club

Liar - Argent
91dLPH9OopA


Liar -Three Dog Night
tMzNf5MehK4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wc-AQJ2MYo

Village People-Go West

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NZ04BG7TfA

Pet Shop Boys version (1993)

Village People-Go West

Pet Shop Boys version (1993)


No argument there.  PSB did the cover version so well, and even kept the same classical inspiration (song was based on Canon in D by Pachelbel)

One more,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxY47jh9owA
Lori Lieberman,1972.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1eOsMc2Fgg
Roberta Flack, January 1973.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hMObdoWpAQ
Fugees, February 1996.

One more,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WxY47jh9owA
Lori Lieberman,1972.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O1eOsMc2Fgg
Roberta Flack, January 1973.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hMObdoWpAQ
Fugees, February 1996.


I like The Fugees but Roberta Flack beats them all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_izvAbhExY

Bee Gees- Stayin Alive

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7nY-MCy2NA

Richard Ace (reggae version)