Function bands
Soloists
Function bands
Soloists
Test
Test
Killing Me Softly was originally recorded by Lori Lieberman, notably covered by Roberta Flack in 1973, and then recorded again by hip-hop group, Fugees, in 1996. Fugees enjoyed 4 weeks at number 1 in the UK Charts with their modern take on this song featuring Lauren Hill's soulful vocal.
This was Cyndi Laupers first big single, but it was originally recorded 4 years previously by Robert Hazard, and has since been covered by over 30 other artists. A worldwide hit for Lauper that became known as a feminist anthem, this was originally written by Hazard from a male point of view. The lyrics were changed with his permission to create the popular version we all know.
Originally written by Redding as a plea from a desperate man willing to give his woman everything she wants, with a few altered lyrics and a different musical feel, this became the feminist anthem by Aretha Franklin we know so well today. Franklin's version won two Grammy Awards in '68 for 'Best Rhythm & Blues Recording' and 'Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance' and it is number 5 in Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. Quite an achievement!
Since its original release by Thornton in 1953, Hound Dog has been recorded over 250 times, but Elvis' version is the one we know best. Not only was Hound Dog Presley's best selling song, it is one of the best selling singles of all time. It was number 1 in the US for 11 weeks; a record Presley held for 36 years, and the song also appeared in many films such as Forrest Gump, Grease and A Few Good Men.
Written by indie rock band The Zutons for their second album, Valerie was later covered by Amy Winehouse on the deluxe edition of Back to Black. However it was the more uptempo version recorded the following year by Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse that become the most popular. This version peaked at number 2 in the UK charts, spent 19 weeks in the top 20 and is played by many of our wedding bands!
Joan Jett originally recorded this song in 1979, having seen Arrows perform it on TV, and released it as a B-side to You Don't Own Me. She later re-recorded it with her band The Blackhearts to huge success. It was number 1 for 7 weeks in the USA and was certified platinum, selling 2 million copies.
Recorded in just one take by The Beatles for their first UK album, Please Please Me, Twist and Shout was the last song of a 13 hour recording session. It is said that John Lennon's memorable rocky and husky vocal was down to a cold, and you can even hear him coughing on the album. Peaking at number 2 in the US Charts, the only reason Twist and Shout didn't reach the top spot was because another of their songs, 'Can't Buy Me Love', was already there.
Although both of these versions won Grammy Hall of Fame awards, we think Ike & Tina's may have the edge. Their version became one of their most famous signature songs, and we think it's the one most people would choose. We know it's certainly in lots of our bands' repertoires!
Hallelujah is commonly known as one of the most covered songs of all time. Amongst over 300 known versions, Jeff Buckley's stands out above the rest, although it was not an instant hit. It wan't released as a single until 2007 after Buckley's death in 1997, so he sadly did not live to see the true extent of this song's success.
This smash hit by Whitney Houston, featured in The Bodyguard, and winner of The Grammy for Record of the Year was a number 1 hit around the world. While Dolly's version performed well in the UK Country Charts, it didn't enjoy the same mainstream success as Whitney's iconic version.
Back to top
