“Stand by Me” (20) is a song originally performed in 1961 by American singer-songwriter Ben E. King and written by him, along with Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, who together used the pseudonym Elmo Glick. According to King, the title is derived from, and was inspired by, a spiritual written by Sam Cooke and J. […]
The Top 40 Cover Songs (21)
“Summertime” (21) is an aria composed in 1934 by George Gershwin for the 1935 opera. The lyrics are by DuBose Heyward, the author of the novel Porgy on which the opera was based, although the song is also co-credited to Ira Gershwin. Gershwin began composing the song in December 1933, attempting to create his own […]
The Top 40 Cover Songs (22)
“Season of the Witch” (22) is a song by Scottish singer-songwriter Donovan released in August 1966 on his third studio album, Sunshine Superman. The song is credited to Donovan, although sometime collaborator Shawn Phillips has also claimed authorship. Because of a dispute with Donovan’s record company, a UK edition with the song was not released […]
The Top 40 Cover Songs (23)
“The ‘In’ Crowd” (23) is a 1964 song written by Billy Page and arranged by his brother Gene that was originally performed by Dobie Gray on his album Dobie Gray Sings for “In” Crowders That Go “Go-Go”. It appeared on an episode of Dick Clark’s Rock, Roll and Remember featuring the last week of November […]
The Top 40 Cover Songs (24)
“Woodstock” (24) is a song written by Joni Mitchell. She composed the song based on what she had heard from her then-boyfriend Graham Nash about the Woodstock Music & Art Festival 1969. She had not been there herself, since a manager had told her that it would, instead, be more advantageous for her to appear […]
The Top 40 Cover Songs (25)
“Common People“ (25) is a song by English band Pulp, released in May 1995 as the lead single off their fifth studio album Different Class. It reached No. 2 in the Uk, becoming a defining track of the Britpop movement as well as Pulp’s signature song. In 2014, BBC Radio 6 Song listeners voted it […]
The Top 40 Cover Songs (26)
La Bamba (26) has its origin in the state of Veracruz, Mexico. The oldest recorded version known is that of Alvaro Hernández Ortiz, who recorded the song with the name of “El Jarocho”. His recording was released on the Victor label in Mexico in 1938 or 1939, and was reissued on a 1997 compilation by […]
The Top 40 Cover Songs (27)
“I Only Want to Be with You” (27) is a song written by Mike Hawker and Ivor Raymonde. According to Jean Ryder, the ex-wife of songwriter Mike Hawker, “I Only Want to Be With You” was written soon after she and Hawker married in December 1961, being inspired by Hawker’s intense romantic feelings for his […]
The Top 40 Cover Songs (28)
“I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll“ (28) is a song written by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker and was originally recorded and released by Arrows in 1975 on Rak Records, with Merrill on lead vocals and guitar and Mickie Most producing. Merrill wrote both the music and lyrics but gave a co-writer credit to Hooker as […]
The Top 40 Cover Songs (29)
“I Shot the Sheriff” (29) is a song written by Bob Marley. It was first released in 1973 on The Wailers’ album Burnin’. Marley explained his intention as follows: “I want to say ‘I shot the police’ but the government would have made a fuss so I said ‘I shot the sheriff’ instead… but it’s […]