The lesser-known original version

I'm sure this has been done before but anyway... A thread for the songs that stiffed on first release, but became hits later when they were covered by other artists. Inspired by the "Better than the original" thread, but here we emphasize that original.

Feel free to argue about which version is better

 

In the US, at least....

 

Peter Green wrote and recorded Black Magic Woman with Fleetwood Mac in 1968. The song was later made famous by Santana in 1970.

 

Shuggie Otis's original Strawberry Letter 23 from 1971 vs The Brothers Johnson hit from 1977.

 

"Background" vocals by Cissy Houston, Dionne Warwick and Dee Dee Warwick

 

To me, John Schneider's hit cover is the definitive take on this song.