10 hit songs you didn’t realize were covers

1. Justin Bieber – Despacito (2017)

The hit from summer 2017 is not a Justin Bieber original, though his cover did feature the original artists.

Here is the original song by Luis Fonsi. Both versions are very similar, though the Luis Fonsi version is entirely in Spanish and doesn’t have Justin in it.

2. Soft Cell – Tainted Love (1981)

This hit from the early 80’s was actually a cover from a song released back in the 60’s by Gloria Jones!

This is original version of the song made in 1964, still catchy if you ask me.

3. Cyndi Lauper – Girls Just Want To Have Fun (1983)

Another early 80’s smash hit, the original version of this song came out only a few years before the well-known cover by Cyndi Lauper.

This is the original song written by Robert Hazard, released in 1979.

4. Aretha Franklin – Respect (1967)

This classic hit from renowned R&B singer Aretha Franklin is a cover of a song that came out two years prior.

Here is the original by Otis Redding released in 1965

5. Gary Jules – Mad World (2001)

The original version of this song was written by British band Tears for Fears back in 1982, and the well-known cover version by Gary Jules was just written for a movie soundtrack!

Original version of the song.

6. Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You (1992)

This powerful smash hit by Whitney Houston is so popular very few people are aware that it’s a cover.

Here is the original song created by Dolly Parton in 1973.

7. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts – I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll (1982)

Unlike a lot of the other covers on this list, the feelings of the song don’t change too much compared to the cover. Which makes a lot of sense, considering the song is about loving Rock ‘n’ Roll.

This is the original version of the song made by Alan Merrill from the band The Arrows in 1975.

8. UB40 – Red Red Wine (1983)

Red Red Wine by UB40 is not an original song, it’s a cover of a Neil Diamond song of the same name.

Here’s the original, which came in 1968.

9. Manfred Mann’s Earth Band – Blinded by The Light (1977)

This famous hit song is a cover of a song released by Bruce Springsteen.

Here’s the original version by Bruce Springsteen, released in 1973.

10. The Beatles – Twist and Shout (1964)
This one is probably the biggest shocker for most people. Twist and Shout is an iconic Beatles song, and it being a cover is a big surprise. The original version of the song was released in 1961 and wasn’t very popular, and then The Beatles took it and turned it into a smash hit.

Here’s the original song released in 1961 by The Top Notes, not The Isley Brothers who did it in 1962 as a cover too.