Cover of a song released before the original

The Hassles (Billy Joel’s early band) had their version of Traffic’s “Colored Rain” on their album prior to the song appearing on “Mr. Fantasy.” Both bands were on the same record label in 1967 (United Artists) and somehow the Hassles heard Traffic’s unreleased acetate (thru UA).

 

I believe The Band's version of "When I Paint My Masterpiece" was released before Dylan's version.

 

'Hey! Hey! Hey! Hey!' Released by Johnny Otis in September, 1956 ("going back to Kansas City")


Johnny Otis And Orchestra - Let The Sunshine In My Life

Little Richard's 9th May 1956 recording 'Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey'; first issued on the B-side of 'Good Golly Miss Molly', January, 1958 ("going back to Birmingham") (same session as 'Ready Teddy' and 'Rip It Up')
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkfMGdiVA8s&ab_channel=the45profthe45prof
Little Richard - Good Golly, Miss Molly

Both Richard and Otis claimed the writer's credit.

Earlier on 29th November, 1955 Little Richard had recorded a version of 'Kansas City' combined with 'Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey'; first released in 1958/9 with overdubbed backing vocals on the LP "The Fabulous Little Richard" and then as a 1959 single (the version covered on "Beatles for Sale") credited to "Leiber & Stoller
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTHxT00O0X0&ab_channel=UlfGustafssonUlfGustafsson
The Fabulous Little Richard - Wikipedia
Little Richard - Kansas City

I'm not exactly sure what the story was here.

Cover versions of Hey Hey Hey Hey written by Little Richard | SecondHandSongs

 

'Chapel of Love'

First recording - Darlene Love (1963; unreleased until 1991)



First release - the Dixie Cups (1964)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nixQlqADIDs&ab_channel=the45profthe45prof

Cover versions of Chapel of Love written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich, Phil Spector | SecondHandSongs

 

California Dreamin' was originally recorded by Barry McGuire for his second LP, This Precious Time, with the Mamas and Papas providing backing vocals (as they did on six other tracks). Subsequently McGuire's lead vocal was deleted and replaced by Denny Doherty's, and the harmonica break replaced by an electric flute - giving us the classic M&P version!

 

"Trying To Get The Feeling Again"

The song was written for the Carpenters, who recorded the song in 1975 as a work lead but its production not completed and the work lead lost for a time. Barry Manilow released a version with re-written lyrics in 1976 and it was a hit. Later, the Carpenters work lead was found, production was completed, and it was released in 1994 on the album Interpretations.

*Dates confirmed via Wikipedia.

 

Dave Edmunds' reendition of Elvis Costello's "Girls Talk". Well done, Dave! Just perfect!

Dave Edmunds - Girls Talk

 

It's interesting how far off the mark this and the Ronettes versions are. Not terrible records by any means, but neither would have stood a chance of being a hit.

 

'Harry Hippie'

First recorded by Jim Ford (1970; released 2008)



First released by Bobby Womack (1972)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPI_BUDWqlQ&ab_channel=MyRhythmNSoulTV
Cover versions of Harry Hippie by Jim Ford | SecondHandSongs

 

'Paradise'

First recording - the Ronettes (1965; released 1976)



First release - the Shangri-Las (1966 B-side of Past, Present, and Future')
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8CVWaxMJ7Mc&ab_channel=AmnondoowopAmnondoowop

Cover versions of Paradise written by Bunny Botkin, Gil Garfield, Phil Spector, Harry Nilsson | SecondHandSongs
The Shangri-Las' release only credited Harry Nilsson as the song's writer

 

'You Left the Water Running'

First recording - Dan Penn (1964; released 2012)



First release - Billy Young (1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8s74nbKZ6o&ab_channel=DanPenn-TopicDanPenn-Topic

Many later versions -
Cover versions of You Left the Water Running written by Dan Penn, Oscar Frank, Rick Hall | SecondHandSongs

 

'Old Time Rock and Roll'

First recorded by George Jackson (1976; released 2010)


https://www.discogs.com/George-Jackson-All-Because-Of-Your-Love/release/8479976

First released by Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band (1978)
https://www.discogs.com/Bob-Seger-And-The-Silver-Bullet-Band-Stranger-In-Town/master/37674

 

'It's my Party'

First recording - Helen Shapiro; February, 1963 (released in October that year on the LP "Helen in Nashville")



First release - Lesley Gore; April, 1963
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9PXlQEyY4w&ab_channel=the45prof

Cover versions of It's My Party written by John Gluck, Wally Gold, Seymour Gottlieb, Herbert Weiner | SecondHandSongs

 

'Beauty is only skin deep'

First recording - the Miracles (recorded 1964; released November, 1966 on the LP "Away We A Go Go"



First release - the Temptations (August, 1966)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdz7wuliZhM&ab_channel=AnotherProfAnotherProf

Cover versions of Beauty Is Only Skin Deep written by Eddie Holland, Norman Whitfield | SecondHandSongs

 

Gladys Knight & The Pips performing 'I Heard It Through The Grapevine' on The Phil Donahue Show

 

Amen Corner - Hello Susie



One of the very cases where the cover is way better than the original. The original can be found on the Move's album "Shazam" from 1970. Amen Corner's version came out in 1969.