“Stop Your Sobbing“ (33) is a song written by Ray Davies. The Kinks recorded “Stop Your Sobbing” on their first album, which was rushed out in order to capitalize on the success of “You Really Got Me.” Kinks biographer Rob Jovanovic writes that “Stop Your Sobbing” was supposedly written by Ray about a former girlfriend […]
The Top 40 Cover Songs (34)
“Kiss” is a song composed, written, and produced by American musician Prince. Released by the Paisley Park label as the lead single from Prince and the Revolution’s eighth studio album Parade (1986) in February 1986, it was a No. 1 hit worldwide, holding the top spot of the U.S. Billboard chart for two weeks. The […]
The Top 40 Cover Songs (35)
“Whiskey in the Jar” (35) is an Irish traditional song set in the southern mountains of Ireland, often with specific mention of counties Cork and Kerry. The song, about a rapparee (highwayman) who is betrayed by his wife or lover, is one of the most widely performed traditional Irish songs and has been recorded by […]
The Top 40 Cover Songs (36)
“MacArthur Park” (36) is a song written by American singer-songwriter Jimmy Webb that was recorded first by Irish actor and singer Richard Harris in 1968. Harris’s version peaked at number two on the Billboard chart and number four on the UK Singles Chart. In 1967, producer Bones Howe had asked Webb to create a pop […]
The Top 40 Covers Songs (37)
“Twist and Shout” (37) is a 1961 song written by Phil Medley and Bert Berns (later credited as “Bert Russell”). It was originally recorded by the Top Notes, an American R&B vocal group, at the Atlantic Studios in February 1961. The session was arranged by Teddy Randazzo and produced by Phil Spector. The Top Notes’ […]
The Top 40 Covers Songs (38)
“You’ve Got a Friend” (38) is a 1971 song written by Carole King. It was first recorded by King and included in her album Tapestry. Another well-known version is by James Taylor from his album Mud Slide Slim and the Blue Horizon. His was released as a single in 1971, reaching number 1 on the […]
The Top 40 Cover Songs (39)
“Blue Suede Shoes” is a rock-and-roll standard written and first recorded by Carl Perkins in 1955. It is considered one of the first rockabilly records, incorporating elements of blues, country and pop music of the time. Perkins’ original version of the song appeared on the Cashbox Best Selling Singles list for 16 weeks and spent […]
Top 40 Cover Songs (40)
Today, we begin a new series based on the most successful covers of other artists songs. However they will be some omissions from the list if the song has already been referred to within the One Hit Wonders compilation. I shall post both the original version and then the cover or covers that became more […]
Today – UK One Hit Wonders – Honourable Mentions
In our final post about UK One Hit Wonders, I have choosen some songs for an honourable mention. “Fire” is a 1968 song written by Arthur Brown, Vincent Crane, Mike Finesilver and Peter Ker. Performed by Thhe Crazy World of Arthur Brown, it was released as a single and on the band’s epoonymously named debut […]
Today – Top 50 UK One Hit Wonders (1-5)
Finally we have arrived at the Top 5 Uk One Hit Wonders. I wonder if you will agree with these final choices or whether you think that I have missed ot some better songs. “Mambo No. 5” (5) is an instrumental mambo and jazz dance song originally composed and recorded by Cuban musician Damasoo Perez […]