Beech Tree News Network

“It’s All Over Now”.  No, that is not my sentiment after turning 42 last week.  It’s the first song in this week’s installment of my Under The Covers series.  The song was written by Bobby and Shirley Womack.  First released by the Valentinos featuring Bobby Womack, the song entered the Billboard chart on June 27, 1964, where it stayed on the chart for two weeks, peaking at #94.  The Rolling Stones had their first #1 hit with the song in July of 1964. Other recordings of the song are Waylon Jennings for his One and Only album and Rod Stewart on his 1970 album Gasoline Alley. 

‘80’s music fans might remember the song “You Keep Me Hangin’ On” as sung by English artist Kim Carnes.  She wasn’t the first.  She was actually the third.  The song, written and composed by Holland-Dozier-Holland, was first recorded in 1966 by The Supremes.  The Supremes’ version reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100.  The song was then covered by the group Vanilla Fudge-their sis the version that gets played on LSUG.  Their version reached #6 on Billboard.  The previously mentioned Kim Carnes covered the song in 1986 and took it to #1 on Billboard in 1987. 

Another song that gets a lot of play on LSUG is “So You Want to Be a Rock & Roll Star”.  They play both versions.  Written in 1966 by Jim McGuin and Chris Hillman for The Byrds’ Younger Than Yesterday album.  The song was inspired by the manufactured bands like The Monkees.  Maybe this was one of the earliest times of “throwing shade”.  Sounds a little like it, doesn’t it? The Patti Smith Group released a cover in 1979.  Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers covered the song for their Southern Accents album.  The Byrds’ version reached #29 on the Billboard Hot 100 but failed to chart in the United Kingdom.

What do Elton John and Guns N Roses have in common? You wouldn’t think they have much in common, right? The Beatles recorded “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds”, which was covered by Elton John.  “Live and Let Die” was originally recorded by Paul McCartney and Wings and was covered by Guns N Roses.  Wings’ version was 1973 in the U.K. and U.S.  Paul and his late wife Linda wrote the song.  The song reached #56 on Billboard.  GNR released their version in 1991 a33 on Billboard.  “Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds” was recorded in 1967 but reached chart acclaim when covered by Elton John. Who took the song to #1 in the U.S. and Canada. 

Join me for another covers installment in future columns.