Jens Asbjørn Bøgen
One of the covers even got released the same year as the original version!
One of the covers even got released the same year as the original version!
Imitation Game
Imitation is said to be the highest form of flattery, although that doesn’t quite apply in all aspects of life.
Artistic license
However, in one particular field, there is a rich tradition of borrowing from others or simply using their finished result to create an imitation – either closely resembling the original or transformed into something unique.
Naturally, we’re talking about songs
Over the years, countless more or less successful cover versions have emerged, and some artists have practically built their careers on making versions of already existing songs.
So get ready for 5 hit-songs from the 2000’s, you might not know are actually cover-versions!
1985 – Bowling for Soup (2004)
“And bring back Springsteen, Madonna, way before Nirvana”.
Yep, we have all screamed the lyrics of the Bowling for Soup-hit “1985”, that aired on radios all over the world in 2004.
The thing is – it’s a cover of a song that was released earlier the same year.
Originally by SR-71 (2004)
The pop-punk band SR-71 wrote and released “1985” for their 2004-album “Here we go again”.
It gained little attention and did not enter any charts, but when Bowling for Soup covered “1985”, SR-71 singer Mitch Allan, who wrote the song, sure got proof that the song had hit-potential.
Mad World – Michael Andrews & Gary Jules (2001)
Michael Andrews and Gary Jules’ version of “Mad World” was hugely succesful, largely because of the songs feature in the hit-movie “Donnie Darko”.
Some believed the song was about the 9/11-attacks that happened earlier the same year, but the lyrics were written nearly 20 years before the attacks happened.
Originally by Tears for Fears (1982)
It was originally recorded and released by the British band “Tears for Fears” as the bands third single and first chart hit.
It was also the bands first international succes.
It’s My Life – No Doubt (2003)
When No Doubt released the “The Singles 1992-2003”, “It’s My Life” became an instant international succes.
The video shows lead singer, Gwen Stefani, killing the other band members – very symbolic given she pursued solo projects following the release of the album.
Originally by Talk Talk (1984)
However, “It’s My Life” was originally written, recorded and released by the British synth-pop band Talk Talk back in 1984, where it charted in several countries.
It was their only song on the Hillboard Hot 100-list.
Lady Marmalade – Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mýa & Pink (2001)
“Voulez-vous coucher avec moi, ce soir?” may be the French phrase most people around the world now – and that shows how big of a hit “Lady Marmalade” was when it featured in the hit-musical “Moulin Rouge”.
Originally by LaBelle (1974)
However, it was originally released by the American funk rock group Labelle in 1974.
It has been covered numerous times and is now considered a gay anthem as well as a huge source of inspiration and influence for other hit-songs over the years.
Don’t Cha – The Pussycat Dolls (2005)
This one really took us by surprise!
The Pussycat Dolls rose to fame with their global hit in 2005, but the song was actually originally released a year before that.
Originally by Tori Alamaze (2004)
The song is written by Busta Rhymes and CeeLo Green, and originally it was recorded by Tori Alamaxe, a backing-singer for Outkast.
It actually grew fairly popular, but due to dissatisfaction with her record label, Alamaze agreed to release the rights for the song in order to get out of her contract, paving the way for The Pussycat Dolls.
