“Maybe” was originally a 1957 record by the Chantels. Janis Joplin, The Shangri-Las, and The Three Degrees covered it.

“(The Man Who Shot) Liberty Valance” was recorded by Gene Pitney in 1962. The strange thing is that it wasn’t used in the film of the same name. This video reminded me of the song.

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“Smoke on the Water” is a 1973 Deep Purple song based on a true story about a fire in Montreaux, Switzerland. Pat Boone covered it!

Steve Earle is releasing an album of songs by Jerry Jeff Walker. The first track that has been released is “Gettin’ By” which was recorded by Walker in 1973.

“Mr. Bojangles” is a 1968 song by Jerry Jeff Walker based on someone he met while in jail. The first recorded version was from 1967 by  Allen Wayne Damron. The Nitty Gritty 1970 version was more popular on the charts. Steve Earle will cover it on an upcoming album of Walker songs. Covers include a version by David Bromberg which begins with him talking about playing the song backing Walker.

“Jerry Jeff and I stood there and watched this guy sing “Mr. Bojangles” in front of a closed-down old blues bar, and I could feel us both getting choked up. And I was asking myself, ‘Should I tell this guy that he’s playing Jerry Jeff’s song, and that Jerry Jeff is standing right… pic.twitter.com/FiJBpUTyNL

— Jim Koenigsberger (@Jimfrombaseball) March 17, 2024

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“Hold Back the Night” is a 1975 song by the Trammps that was covered (great job) by Graham Parker in 1977.

“Imagine” was the title song of John Lennon’s 1971 album. His son Julian has just performed it for Global Citizen’s Stand Up For Ukraine w/Nuno Bettencourt

“The Green Door” was a 1956 hit for Jim Lowe. There are numerous covers – try the mostly instrumental one by Esquerita.

Here’s another Don and Dewey song that was more successful when covered by other artists. “Big Boy Pete” was released in 1959. The Righteous Brothers and The Olympics covered it.

“Jolly Green Giant” by The Kingsmen used the music with new lyrics.

SecondHandSongs has great information on cover versions of songs.

“Justine” was written and performed by Don and Dewey in 1958. They recorded several songs that were more successful for other people and are well worth checking out. “Justine” was a perfect song for the Blasters to cover – it’s fast and loud.