Covers: Ain’t Nothing You Can Do

Booby Bland’s original version from 1964 and Van Morrison’s fine live cover from 1974.

Covers: Smile

The music for “Smile” was written by Charlie Chaplin and used in his 1936 film Modern Times. Lyrics and the title were added in 1954. The first version with lyrics was recorded by Nat King Cole. It has been covered by many artists since then.

One of them was Eric Clapton who I saw perform it in 1974.

The Jimmy Durante version is used in the 2019 film Joker. In the film, Modern Times is also shown at a benefit.

Covers: Send Me Some Lovin’

Here’s “Send Me Some Lovin'” in honor of the late Little Richard who originated it.

This is a list of cover versions from Second Hand Songs. I just discovered this site and it looks great.

Covers: I Saw Her Standing There

Little Richard, who died yesterday was a huge influence on the Beatles. He covered “I Saw Her Standing There”.

I've posted Little Richard's version of "I Saw Her Standing There" before as an example of when an artist "covers" a song in such a way that they almost – almost! – obliterate your memory of the original. It's SO. GOOD. https://t.co/8kEp3Svgaw
— Sheila O'Malley (@sheilakathleen) May 10, 2020

Covers: My Boy Lollipop

Millie Small, who recorded the most popular version of “My Boy Lollipop” died on May 5. 2020.

Millie Small, the Jamaican singer whose 1964 hit, “My Boy Lollipop,” introduced the upbeat rhythms of ska to international audiences, has died at 73 https://t.co/OMWYFlE16I
— NYT Obituaries (@NYTObits) May 8, 2020

The original version

Covers: Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood

“Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” was originally released by Nina Simone in 1964. The best known rock version was by the Animals from 1964. Elvis Costello covered it in 1986.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Lord Rare Rock (@lordrarerock)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Elvis Costello (@elviscostello)

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FacesOfRock1 (@facesofrock1)

View this post on Instagram

Covers: Nine Pound Hammer

Nine Pound Hammer was written and recorded by country artist Merle Travis (1946) as “”Nine Pound Hammer is Too Heavy”. It is an adaptation of “Take This Hammer”, a prison, logging and railroad worksong. I know it best from John Prine’s 1973 version. I believe the acoustic guitar solo on it is by Steve Goodman.

Here are versions of “Take This Hammer”

Covers: Almost Saturday Night

“Almost Saturday Night” is a John Fogerty song from 1975. The 1981 cover by Dave Edmunds had more success on the charts.

Covers: Heartaches by the Number

“Heartaches by the Number” was most popular in the 1959 version by Guy Michell. Modern artists like Dwight Yoakam and Rosanne Cash have kept it alive.

Covers: Wall of Death

Richard Thompson’s “Wall of Death” was the last song on Shoot Out the Lights (1982), the last album he recorded with his then wife Linda. He has continued to perform it solo. R.E.M. covered it on a Thompson tribute album in 1994.