Five top songs many people will be shocked to find are covers

UB40 - “Red Red Wine”

UB40 had the bigger hit with this song. Their version was released in the UK in 1983 and became number one in the charts there. It got to number 34 in the US charts the following March. The song was an international hit and picked up several gold and platinum rankings around the world with its soft reggae style and melody. 

The original, though, wasn’t reggae-based at all. It was written by Neil Diamond and released as a single for him after he had left the record label. It only reached number 62 on the Billboard Hot 100, so it wasn’t a huge hit for Diamond. Which is probably why it’s not well known. Stories refer to UB40 not being aware it was a Diamond song when they recorded it. Again though it’s an example of a cover with the original artist's full blessing, When Diamond was using it in his later live sets, it was usually a revoked reggae version he sang. 

Nazareth - “This Flight Tonight”

If you know Scottish rock band Nazareth this is a typical song of theirs. A strong guitar base, loud drums, and Dan McCafferty’s familiar gruff vocals. It was a number 11 chart hit in the UK in 1973 and a number 27 in Canada, though only minor success in the US. The band got the inspiration to record their version of the song by listening to the original artists while on their tour bus. It was apparently a favorite album of the bands at that time. 

That was Joni Mitchell who wrote the song and included it in her highly acclaimed and successful 1971 album Blue. It appeared on the B side of her single “Carey” from the album. Mitchell’s version of the song is as typically her style and sound as the Nazareth version is theirs. It’s quite a contrast in styles and some could easily hear one version without connecting it to the other by sound. 

More music news and analysis: