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Post by beegee3 on Sept 24, 2013 2:09:34 GMT -5
It's always fascinated me that Michael Morales hit #28 with a remake of "What I Like About You," a peak 21 spots higher than the Romantics' original version, yet the vast majority has forgotten his version and considers the Romantics' hit the "definitive" version. Were there any other AT40/CT40 hits like that, where a version was considered the most popular even though it wasn't the highest charting? I found a few, but they're all Hot 100 more than AT40:
The cast of Glee hit #4 with "Don't Stop Believing," five spots higher than Journey's #9-peaking original version. The American Idol Finalists of 2003 peaked at #4 with their version of "God Bless The USA." Lee Greenwood's only peaked at #16. A studio group called the Hit Masters hit #19 with their version of "All Summer Long." Kid Rock's version only hit #23. David & Jonathan hit #18 with "Michelle," but most people probably remember it best as a Beatles song (it never charted) Far Corporation hit #89 with their version of "Stairway to Heaven," but it's best known as a Led Zeppelin classic (it never charted) The cast of Glee hit #34 with "Friday," but Rebecca Black's infamous YouTube original only peaked at #58
Like I said, they don't necessarily reflect AT40--just the Hot 100. Are there other AT40/CT40 examples like the Michael Morales one? It's kind of subjective, but it'd be fun to hear what people think.
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Post by woolebull on Sept 24, 2013 4:41:54 GMT -5
One that sticks out to me is "There She Goes" by the La's. Sixpence None The Richer took the remake of the song to number 11 on AT 40 in 1999 and 32 on the Hot 100 while The La's version only went to number 49 in 1990. That is a pop music tragedy. Will To Power's "Baby I Love Your Way/Freebird" takes out two songs, in my opinion, in one shot that would be considered the definitive versions as their medley went to one while Frampton's BILYW went to 12, and Lynard Skynard's "Freebird" went to 19. Even Big Mountain's remake of BILYW went higher than Frampton's (#1 AT,#2 on CT 40, #6 Hot 100).
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Post by pgfromwp on Sept 24, 2013 7:15:01 GMT -5
IMHO, Cilla Black's 1964 recording of "You're My World", peaking at #26, is more recognizable than Helen Reddy's 1977 cover, which peaked at #18.
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Post by briguy52748 on Sept 24, 2013 7:51:20 GMT -5
Arguably, "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher" might fit the bill well. Sure, Rita Coolidge's No. 2 hit version from 1977 gets tons of airplay from adult contemporary and classic hits/oldies stations, but there's many more I'd bet who consider Jackie Wilson's original No. 6 classic from 1967 to be the definitive and better known version. Walk into any college or sports bar, and if they play "(Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher," it's gonna be the Jackie Wilson version.
Of course, the interpretations were completely different – Jackie Wilson's uptempo R&B classic vs. Rita's relaxed, smooth mid-tempoed AC-friendly version.
Then there's the Tommy James duo:
• "I Think We're Alone Now" – He and his Shondells' No. 4 classic rendition from early 1967 was three notches below Tiffany's synth-dance classic from late 1987 (yep, No. 1). Both classics. • "Mony Mony" – Tommy and his Shondells got up to No. 3 in 1968. Billy Idol recorded a live version in concert, thought it'd make a cool single ... and it did – all the way to No. 1 in 1987, and ironically enough replacing Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now."
While even Tiffany and Billy Idol are starting to get classic hits/oldies airplay with their versions, for many, Tommy James' versions still hold a special place in their hearts as the definitives and best-known versions.
Brian
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Post by dukelightning on Sept 24, 2013 8:05:18 GMT -5
Got a couple IMO. Gloria Gaynor reaching #9 with "Never Can Say Goodbye" is more known than the Jackson 5's original which reached #2. And in a reverse of that, David Essex' original version of "Rock On" reached #4 and is much more known than Michael Damian's remake of it that hit #1 in 1989.
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Post by briguy52748 on Sept 24, 2013 8:07:07 GMT -5
As far as country songs fitting this category, there's so many to count ... mainly it's newer cover versions of long-since-forgotten classic originals, to the point where today's 20-something crowd may have never heard of what is considered to be the original, best-known (and often highest-charting) version by the 35-and-older crowd.
But I'll give one example: "Lesson in Leavin'."
In 1979, Dottie West recorded a bluesy-inspired (with a hint of disco) rendition of this song, written by Randy Goodrum and Brent Maher, and in 1980 took it to No. 1 on the Hot Country Singles Chart. For a few years, it got fairly consistent recurrent airplay but then was played less and less. Even by late 1980s standards, "Lesson in Leavin'" was a lesson in being placed on the dusty disc-file as a forgotten hit.
In 1997, another redhead named Jo Dee Messina unearthed this classic, made it much brighter and uptempo while keeping the same spirit of the song ... and it shot ... to No. 2 in the summer of 1999. Held out by the mega--hit "Amazed" by Lonestar, Messina was denied what could have easily been a multi-week No. 1 and one of only a handful of cover versions of a No. 1 song to also reach the top. But there it is ... a cover version that peaked lower than the original, but is far better known.
And yes, Messina's version still gets lots of recurrent airplay. West's original is virtually forgotten, even by classic country (and even pure classic country) stations, as even they defer to Messina's version.
Brian
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Post by beegee3 on Sept 24, 2013 8:26:57 GMT -5
All good ones!
I found one that I was surprised I missed when I first posted: UB40 hit #6 with their cover of "The Way You Do The Things You Do." Most would agree the Temptations' #11 version is the definitive one.
And though it's outside the Top 40, Robert Palmer hit #60 with "Tell I'm Not Dreaming," but the uncharted Jermaine/Michael Jackson version will always be best known.
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Post by blackbowl68 on Sept 24, 2013 9:07:02 GMT -5
Then there's the Tommy James duo: • "I Think We're Alone Now" – He and his Shondells' No. 4 classic rendition from early 1967 was three notches below Tiffany's synth-dance classic from late 1987 (yep, No. 1). Both classics. • "Mony Mony" – Tommy and his Shondells got up to No. 3 in 1968. Billy Idol recorded a live version in concert, thought it'd make a cool single ... and it did – all the way to No. 1 in 1987, and ironically enough replacing Tiffany's "I Think We're Alone Now." While even Tiffany and Billy Idol are starting to get classic hits/oldies airplay with their versions, for many, Tommy James' versions still hold a special place in their hearts as the definitives and best-known versions. Brian You're right regarding "I Think We're Alone Now." But as far as "Mony Mony" goes, I hear Billy Idol's 1981 studio version much more often (at least on NYC radio) in the past 5 years. That's the one getting played in bars & clubs, so I think accurately THIS has since become the definitive version.
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Post by pb on Sept 24, 2013 9:54:32 GMT -5
To borrow/steal from another recent thread, Rod Stewart's cover of "(I Know) I'm Losing You" is probably better known now than Rare Earth's although Rare Earth reached the top 10 with theirs.
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Post by freakyflybry on Sept 24, 2013 11:47:11 GMT -5
A couple of examples, both involving New Order:
Covers of "Bizarre Love Triangle" (by Frente, which made CT40) and "Blue Monday" (by Orgy) both outcharted the original versions; the originals are better known.
Also, the Dixie Chicks outcharted Fleetwood Mac with their version of "Landslide", while the Fleetwood Mac version remains best known today.
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Post by pointpark04 on Sept 24, 2013 12:58:27 GMT -5
The song that immediately popped into my mind is "Rock On". First performed by David Essex who took it to number five in March 1974, Michael Damian inexplicably thought it needed to be remade, and hence took it to number one in 1989 - one of 7,520 #1 songs that year (j/k).
I don't think anybody outside of Mr. Damian's immediate circle of friends and family remembers his version. Or cares to.
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Post by Showman on Sept 24, 2013 13:19:16 GMT -5
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Post by rayshae3 on Sept 24, 2013 15:51:52 GMT -5
“Respect Yourself”: #12 in 1971 for Staple Singers; but #5 in 1987 for Bruce Willis “Bang a Gong (Get it on)”: #10 in 1972 for T. Rex; but #9 in 1985 for Power Station “Don’t Worry Baby”: #24 in 1964 for Beach Boys; #17 in 1977 for B.J. Thomas
And a couple of subjective ones (depending on what stations/formats you’re listening to) “We’ve Got Tonite”: #13 in 1979 for Bob Seger; #6 in 1983 for Kenny Rogers/Sheena Easton Da Doo Ron Ron: #3 in 1963 for Crystals; #1 in 1977 for Shaun Cassidy
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Post by woolebull on Sept 24, 2013 17:07:36 GMT -5
From a "Hot 100" perspective, I think the 1987 version of "Candle In The Wind" is seen as the authentic single more so than the 1997 "Candle In The Wind". Of course, I think more people would think that the original recording of "Candle In The Wind" is the most authentic, but it wasn't a single.
One that you can flip a coin on is "Always On My Mind". Two versions, both in the eighties were solid Top 5 hits: Willie Nelson (#5 in 1982) and the Pet Shop Boys (#4 in 1988). I like PSB's version better, but when I think of the song, I think of Willie.
I'm a huge Spinners fan, however I would have to say that two of the four songs in their two medley top 5 hits in 1980 are not as well known as the originals. "Working My Way Back To You/Forgive Me, Girl" went to 2, but when I think of that song, I think of the 4 Seasons, who took "Working" to number nine. Also, their number 4 hit "Cupid/I've Loved You For A Long Time", is easily eclipsed, IMHO, by Sam Cooke's "Cupid" which went to 17.
"Early In The Morning" by the Gap Band (#24, 1982) over Robert Palmer's version (#19, 1988)
A no brainer for me is "All Cried Out" by Lisa Lisa, Cult Jam and Full Force which went to number 8 in 1986 but saw the remake in 1997 by Allure do better on both the Hot 100 (#4) and R and R (#7).
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Post by beegee3 on Sept 24, 2013 17:26:50 GMT -5
One that you can flip a coin on is "Always On My Mind". Two versions, both in the eighties were solid Top 5 hits: Willie Nelson (#5 in 1982) and the Pet Shop Boys (#4 in 1988). I like PSB's version better, but when I think of the song, I think of Willie. A no brainer for me is "All Cried Out" by Lisa Lisa, Cult Jam and Full Force which went to number 8 in 1986 but saw the remake in 1997 by Allure do better on both the Hot 100 (#4) and R and R (#7). I love the Lisa Lisa version of "All Cried Out." Good call. On "Always On My Mind," there'd be a pocket of people who will always relate it to Elvis Presley, too. Speaking of Elvis, I know UB40's "Can't Help Falling In Love" hit #1 on the Hot 100, and Elvis only hit #2. Did UB40's version hit #1 on AT40, too?
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