Cover of a song released before the original

Lol. No

 

'Love is Strange' - first recording by Bo Diddley in May, 1956; unreleased until 2007


with Jody Williams - guitar

First released version by Mickey & Sylvia, November, 1956 with the song credited to "Ethel Smith" (Bo Diddley's wife)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C5HRwX7AH34&ab_channel=the45prof

Cover versions of Love Is Strange by Bo Diddley | SecondHandSongs
Love Is Strange - Wikipedia

 

Fairport Convention did several of those: Both Sides Now, Chelsea Morning, I Don't Know Where I Stand, Eastern Rain.

Dylan is in the same category with having floated demos around during the same period that he hadn't released or in some cases (Basement Tapes songs) even properly recorded. (Fairport recorded a few of those, too.)

 

D'Eastern Raiin Is my favorite. Zen Eye Dont Know Where You Stand?

 

'It Tears Me Up' - first recorded by Dan Penn in 1965 (released 2012)



First released by Percy Sledge (1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y_2RcJbeIq8&ab_channel=AnotherProf

Cover versions of It Tears Me Up written by Spooner Oldham, Dan Penn | SecondHandSongs

 

They recorded a proper studio single in '67, but this is better.



Fotheringay did an inspired version of this arrangement, too, in 1970. Still five years before even the common Basement Tapes arrangement was released (much less Dylan's version of this arrangement, unheard by most of us commoners till 2014).

 

„Ain‘t it fun“ was written and performed live by Rocket from the Tombs before they split in 1975.

The song was then first recorded and released by the Dead Boys in 1978 (who included former members of RFTT).

In 1993 Guns N‘ Roses released a cover version of Ain’t it fun as a single and even charted.

In 2003 RFTT reunited and recorded Ain‘t it fun for the first time in the studio for their 2004 reunion album.

 

'There's a tear in my beer' - Big Bill Lister (1952)



Original by Hank Williams recorded in 1951; unreleased until 1998
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR31easm__c&ab_channel=JohnBrenner

In the 1980s Big Bill Lister handed over the acetate with Hank's recording to Hank Jr. who released a "duet" version
Cover versions of There's a Tear in My Beer written by Hank Williams | SecondHandSongs

 

FWIW, Wikipedia says The Miracles recorded it first, Marvin Gaye second.

 

Jackie DeShannon - 'Breakaway' (recorded 1963; first released 1993)



First release - 'Break-a-Way' by Irma Thomas (1964 B-side of 'Wish Someone Would Care')
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzawRZCDsOU&ab_channel=JoeParypa

Cover versions of Break-a-way written by Jackie DeShannon, Sharon Sheeley | SecondHandSongs

 

Some might consider this a technicality, but (The) Arnold Corns released Moonage Daydream and Hang Onto Yourself a year before Bowie did.

 

'On Broadway' - the Cookies (recorded 1962; later released on the compilation LP "The Dimension Dolls")


https://www.discogs.com/Various-The-Dimension-Dolls-Volume-1/release/1310978

First released version by the Drifters (with some re-writing by Leiber & Stoller)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3E7M4e2lFtw&ab_channel=the45prof

Cover versions of On Broadway written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil | SecondHandSongs

 

'We've Gotta Get Out of this Place'

First recording - Barry Mann (1965; unreleased until 1990s)


First release - the Animals
Cover versions of We've Gotta Get Out of This Place written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil | SecondHandSongs

 

'Wang Dang Doodle' - first recorded by Willie Dixon in 1954 (released 1995)



First released on a 1961 single by Howlin' Wolf (subsequently included on the "rocking chair album")
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4b-vwuzjBM&ab_channel=DarwinnerDarwinner

Cover versions of Wang-Dang-Doodle written by Willie Dixon | SecondHandSongs

 

'Oh No, Not My Baby'

First recorded by the Shirelles in 1964; first issued on the 1965 budget-priced LP "The Shirelles Swing the Most"



First released by Maxine Brown (1964) using the same backing track
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1NLltGoJNDI&ab_channel=the45prof

Cover versions of Oh No, Not My Baby written by Gerry Goffin, Carole King | SecondHandSongs

 

This is where things get confusing. David wrote the song for Mott and they recorded it originally so it can’t really be called a cover as there was no pre existing version. David records his own version later but it can’t really be called a cover because it’s his own song and even though it’s a David Bowie original composition this version can’t really be called the original because there was already a version in existence previously. Ok David might have made a demo but if we allow that as the original then we open another can of worms regarding demos vs official releases!

 

Yeah, we've discussed this issue through the thread with songs that the writer gave away and then released on his/her own.

I'm of the camp that examples like "Dudes" aren't covers when done by the artist the writer gave the song to play.

And an artist can't cover him/herself!

 

'Take a Giant Step'

First recording - The Rising Sons (1966; remained unissued until 1992) with Taj Mahal and Ry Cooder



First release by the Monkees (B-side of 'Last Train to Clarksville'
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3odroezH6r4&ab_channel=Rockin'Chick

Cover versions of Take a Giant Step written by Carole King, Gerry Goffin | SecondHandSongs

 

'Somebody Help Me' first released by the Spencer Davis Group (1966)

later released by Jackie Edwards on the 1966 LP "By Demand" and a French EP


Cover versions of Somebody Help Me written by Jackie Edwards | SecondHandSongs

 

Not sure if this counts....

"Little Honda" is a song written by Brian Wilson and Mike Love for the American rock band the Beach Boys. It was released on their 1964 album All Summer Long, and featured on their EP, Four by The Beach Boys. The song pays tribute to the small Honda motorcycle and its ease of operation, specifically the Honda 50.

Immediately following its appearance on All Summer Long, the song was covered by The Hondells, whose recording produced by Gary Usher peaked at #9 on the U.S. Billboard 100. Capitol Records then later released it as a single for the Beach Boys, and their version peaked at #65 on the U.S. Billboard 100.

Little Honda - Wikipedia

 

'You Don't Know Where Your Interest Lies'

First released on a Columbia single by Dana Valery, January, 1967


Dana Valery - You Don't Know Where Your Interest Lies

The Simon and Garfunkel version followed in July (B-side of Fakin' It)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZeMp4PPwZw&ab_channel=gaynormartin
Simon And Garfunkel - Fakin' It

 

I believe it is - what differences do you hear?

 

I deleted my post after listening more closely and slowing down the Shirelles version in one of my music editing programs. The pitch difference was throwing me off and the mix is slightly different too.

So was the Shirelles recording sped up or was the Maxine one slowed down, I wonder? The Shirelles version is in the key of A major and the Maxine Brown version is in A flat.

 

I don't know, but as the Shirelles version was recorded first I would guess that the speed was adjusted for Maxine's version.

 

Johnny Winter released the Jagger/Richards song “Silver Train” on his album “Alive and Well,” prior to the Stones version on “Goats Head Soup.” Johnny Winter recorded his version based on an acetate from the Sticky Fingers sessions in October 1970.

In the music industry, artists frequently recorded their own version based on acetates that happened to come their way.