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Post by woolebull on Sept 24, 2013 17:45:38 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? I agree with your take with Elvis and "Always On My Mind". In regards to, "Can't Help Falling In Love, UB40's version hit 1 on the Hot 100, CT 40 and AT 40, so I would say from a chart perspective, definitely a bigger hit in all aspects in 1993. If you're going Number 2 and 1, I think a case could be made for, "MacArthur Park". That one is probably more from what era you are from, however, if you choose to be on the side of Dumbledore or Donna Summer. Another 2 v. 1 argument (and probably even more so) is Elton John's original, "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" being more popular than his live remake with George Michael that went to 1. |
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Post by woolebull on Sept 24, 2013 17:52:14 GMT -5
Also one for my buddy Paul..."O-o-h Child" which hit number 4 for Dino on AT 40 (# 10 CT40/ # 27 Hot 100 for reference) in 1993 can never, and I mean ever, be seen as a bigger hit than the 5 Stairsteps original version that went to 8 on AT 40 in 1970.
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Post by pb on Sept 24, 2013 18:06:04 GMT -5
“Bang a Gong (Get it on)”: #10 in 1972 for T. Rex; but #9 in 1985 for Power Station The Power Station sure was ubiquitous when I was a kid in the 80's but I don't think I've heard it once since then. Similarly, I came to know "Lean On Me" from Club Nouveau's version well before I heard Bill Withers. Looking them up I see both versions hit #1. |
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Post by davewollenberg on Sept 24, 2013 18:33:19 GMT -5
Another example is 'More than a woman'. The Gibbs' version only charted on AC radio, but, that's the version more folks seem familiar with, even though Tavares hit #33 on the Hot 100, with their version.
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Post by woolebull on Sept 24, 2013 18:34:39 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 It's an interesting debate with these two songs, I think (as was mentioned) the Idol remake definitely has a permanent place in pop culture, maybe more so than Tommy James. I also think that depending on the era you are from, you could make a legitimate argument for either Tommy James or Tiffany on which song is best known. But keeping on Tiffany, I don't think that there is too much argument that her remake of "I Saw Her Standing There" (replacing "Her" with "Him") will ever live up to the billing of the original done by the Beatles. The Beatles took the song to number 14 while Tiffany took the remake all the way up to number 7. |
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Post by briguy52748 on Sept 24, 2013 19:29:15 GMT -5
With Elton John mentioned earlier in this thread and "Don't Let the Sun Go Down On Me," how about another of his remakes.
Despite selling millions and -- as part of his double-A sided hit with "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" -- the song spending 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100, the 1997 version of "Candle in the Wind" is rarely heard on radio anymore. It's debatable which of his earlier two versions -- the 1973 original or the 1987 remake -- is actually "best" known, but neither one held a "candle" to longevity or chart peak.
Brian
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Post by OldSchoolAT40Fan on Sept 24, 2013 19:38:23 GMT -5
The original 1985 version of "The Power of Love" by Jennifer Rush (not Huey Lewis & The News) was by far the best version of such song ever, and never even made it to AT40 (I thought I learned one time it peaked at #41?). The remakes by Laura Branigan from 1987 and Celine Dion from 1994 were not that great, IMO, and they made the top 40; and Celine's remake peaked the highest - peaked at #2, and was by far, the worst version I ever heard!
Laura Branigan's version, I think, peaked at #26 around Christmas 1987 or January 1988 (someone please clarify?).
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Post by OldSchoolAT40Fan on Sept 24, 2013 19:44:56 GMT -5
Oddly enough, there is a remake of "Careless Whisper" by Seether. I do admit, I like that remake from 2009 way more than the 1984 original by Wham!, and this is an oddity on my part, since normally I prefer an original version of a song over any 21st century remake. Wham's version was just too darn sappy and was out of place as opposed to all their other stuff, and not only did it go to #1, but also was the #1 song of 1985! I don't know if Seether's version made it to Ryan's AT40, but regardless, I like it way more than Wham's.
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Post by woolebull on Sept 24, 2013 19:53:44 GMT -5
The original 1985 version of "The Power of Love" by Jennifer Rush (not Huey Lewis & The News) was by far the best version of such song ever, and never even made it to AT40 (I thought I learned one time it peaked at #41?). The remakes by Laura Branigan from 1987 and Celine Dion from 1994 were not that great, IMO, and they made the top 40; and Celine's remake peaked the highest - peaked at #2, and was by far, the worst version I ever heard! Laura Branigan's version, I think, peaked at #26 around Christmas 1987 or January 1988 (someone please clarify?). Brannigan's "The Power Of Love" peaked at 26 the weeks of January 9 and January 16, 1988. Good job! Just a tad off on Jennifer Rush's version: Rush's "The Power of Love" peaked at #57 in 1986 (4/5/86). |
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Post by yankee44 on Sept 24, 2013 19:56:44 GMT -5
The original 1985 version of "The Power of Love" by Jennifer Rush (not Huey Lewis & The News) was by far the best version of such song ever, and never even made it to AT40 (I thought I learned one time it peaked at #41?). The remakes by Laura Branigan from 1987 and Celine Dion from 1994 were not that great, IMO, and they made the top 40; and Celine's remake peaked the highest - peaked at #2, and was by far, the worst version I ever heard! Laura Branigan's version, I think, peaked at #26 around Christmas 1987 or January 1988 (someone please clarify?). I did some looking and Jennifer Rush's version peaked at #57 on billboard's Hot 100 the week of Apr. 5 1986, it went to #1 here in Canada. Laura Branigan peaked at #26 Jan. 16 1988 |
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Post by briguy52748 on Sept 24, 2013 20:15:38 GMT -5
We already mentioned Tiffany and Billy Idol, but a few more remakes from the 1970s and 1980s whose original hit versions didn't go No. 1 but the remakes did (or a remake was later made):
* "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" -- Diana Ross (1970). Originally a top 20 pop hit (and a huge R&B classic) by Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrill from the summer of '67. Depends on your preference and styling tastes -- the carefree of Gaye-Terrill or the drama of Ross.
* "I Can See Clearly Now" -- Johnny Nash (1972). There was the 1993 remake by Jimmy Cliff that was very faithful to the Nash original. Depends on what era you're from, although AC stations typically have both versions in their libraries. Probably if you're an AC listener, however, Jimmy Cliff's version is probably a bit better known, despite a No. 18 Hot 100 peak (and much higher on the AC and Pop Songs charts).
* "The Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia" -- Vicki Lawrence (1973). A rare case of a country cover version -- Reba McEntire's 1992 remake, which peaked at No. 12 on the Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart -- outstripping the original by the woman best known to us as "Mama" Thelma Harper. I'd venture to say that many people think Reba is the only one to have recorded the song and never heard of the Vicki Lawrence original.
* "Delta Dawn" -- Helen Reddy (1973). Another rare case of a No. 1 pop version competing in popularity with an equally known and prominent country version, that being Tanya Tucker's version from 1972 that stopped at No. 6 on the country chart. Depends on taste, but I'll call this one a tie.
* "You're Sixteen" -- Ringo Starr (1974). Ringo's version trumps the lesser-charting Johnny Burnette original from the late 1950s.
* "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" -- Elton John (1975). I admit I don't hear the Beatles' version (which never charted) very much, but it depends on your era and the station you listen to. Classic rock will likely defer to the Beatles, and you'll possibly hear it on a few oldies stations, but even most oldies stations and such play Elton's version.
* "He Don't Love You Like I Love You" -- Tony Orlando and Dawn (1975). It's surpassed the original 1960 version by Jerry Butler, which stopped at No. 7.
* "Macarthur Park" -- Donna Summer (1978). As someone pointed out earlier when comparing it to Richard Harris' 1968 original (a No. 2 hit), it depends on whether you're a 1960s fan or appreciate post-1970 music. Probably Donna's version is best known.
* "Knock on Wood" -- Amii Stewart (1979). Not even close ... unless you're a dedicated 1960s fan and have your Sirrius/XM set on 60s at 6, Eddie Floyd's No. 28 version is dust compared to the disco remake.
* "Total Eclipse of the Heart" -- Bonnie Tyler (1983). The remake by Nicki French was a big hit in 1995, but the Tyler version remains the standard.
* "True Colors" -- Cyndi Lauper (1986). Arguably, Phil Collins' 1998 remake, which (perhaps because of the chart rules in place at the time) never came close to reaching the top 40 but was a HUGE hit at adult contemporary radio is better known.
* "LaBamba" -- Los Lobos (1987). Probably depending on which era you're from, this is the definitive for the 1980s folks, but for the 1950s, there's still that charm of the Ritchie Valens original.
* "Got My Mind Set on You" -- George Harrison (1988). A clear case of the remake and higher-peaker being the better known; James Ray who?
* "Groovy Kind of Love" -- Phil Collins (1988). I think his has surpassed the Mindbenders' original 1967 version, which stopped at No. 2, but again this is a case of which era you hearken from. That said, many oldies and classic hits stations have added more Phil Collins titles to their catalogs.
* the aforementioned medley "Baby I Love Your Way/Freebird (Free Baby)" -- Will to Power (1988). This is heard some on oldies and classic hits radio, but you are more likely to hear them separately ... that is, Peter Frampton's original "Baby I Love Your Way" and the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic "Freebird."
* "Rock On" -- Michael Damian (1989). Not even close ... David Essex's 1974 original (top 5) is the one stations have stuck with.
* "Wind Beneath My Wings" -- Bette Midler (1989). This is another of those odd quirks where there was an equally well-known country version (from 1983) by Gary Morris that is sometimes compared with the Divine Miss M's version. Hard to say, so I guess it depends on your genre taste.
* "If You Don't Know Me By Now" -- Simply Red (1989). While I have heard the Simply Red version once or twice on oldies radio, the original 1972 version by Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes (peaked at No. 3) still rates as the best known.
Two other remakes that went No. 1 in 1987 ... "Lean on Me" by Club Noueavu, covering Bill Withers' 1972 original; and Kim Wilde's remake of "You Keep Me Hanging On" (the synth redo of Diana Ross and the Supremes) are not included since both went No. 1. Although it is close with both, really, although with "Lean on Me," I'd arguably give a slight edge to Bill Withers, although both get ample airplay. Stations are starting to lean toward Kim Wilde's remake of the Supremes' iconic hit, I think.
Same with two of the 1970s No. 1 remakes of songs that also went No. 1 -- "Go Away Little Girl" by Donny Osmond from 1971, originally by Steve Lawrence in 1963; and the Carpenters' "Please Mr. Postman" from 1975, done earlier by the Marvelettes in 1961; it depends on the era, although you're more likely to hear the 1970s remakes. The third 1970s No. 1 remake of a No. 1 hit, there is no argument: They do the "Loco-Motion" with Grand Funk's 1974 version these days, and Little Eva's 1962 version is forgotten.
As for the 1970s No. 1 hit -- LaBelle's "Lady Marmalade" from 1975 – that was remade in 2001 by Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mýa, and Pink and went to No. 1, I admit I rarely hear the "Moulin Rouge" soundtrack version or its single release; LaBelle's version is a part of pop culture history.
Brian
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Post by 1finemrg on Sept 24, 2013 20:52:13 GMT -5
One for mga707. Stax of wax from the back of the racks!
Respect Yourself: Bruce Willis #5 (really?), Staple Singers #12 (killer)
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Post by beegee3 on Sept 24, 2013 21:55:59 GMT -5
How about "It's My Life"? No Doubt's remake was a Top 10 hit, but whenever I hear that song I think of Talk Talk's original #31 single.
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Post by pb on Sept 25, 2013 8:30:00 GMT -5
I can't remember hearing Elton's version on the radio, although I have heard most of his other hits from those days many times.
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Post by pgfromwp on Sept 25, 2013 8:33:00 GMT -5
How about "It's My Life"? No Doubt's remake was a Top 10 hit, but whenever I hear that song I think of Talk Talk's original #31 single. Whenever I hear that song, I recall The Animals' original hit from summer 1965. |
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