All the hits you probably didn't know were covers 🎶
There are so many great songs!
It’s no secret that many artists have had huge success with songs originally written by other singers — but some of the biggest tracks of the 70s, 80s and 90s are actually covers!
From UB40’s ‘Red Red Wine’ to Amy Winehouse’s ‘Valerie’, here are some of our favourite songs that we play on Greatest Hits Radio which made it bigger the second time, or even third time around…
Check out all the hits you may not have known were covers...
ORIGINAL: The Supremes - 'You Can't Hurry Love' (1966)
'You Can't Hurry Love' was originally recorded by The Supremes back in 1966, when it became a big hit for the Motown group. It became a big hit in the US, where it was a Number 1 hit, and here in the UK it was a Top 5 song.
Watch the YouTube video for 'You Can't Hurry Love'
COVER: Phil Collins - 'You Can't Hurry Love' (1983)
Phil Collins released 'You Can't Hurry Love' in 1983 to great success, 16 years after The Supremes'. The song reached Number 1 in the UK and was certified Gold.
Watch the YouTube video for 'You Can't Hurry Love'
ORIGINAL: Neil Diamond - 'Red Red Wine' (1967)
16 years before UB40 released their version of 'Red Red Wine', Neil Diamond released the song, which he also wrote. This version wasn't particular popular, only getting to Number 68 in the USA.
Watch the YouTube video
COVER: UB40 - 'Red Red Wine' (1983)
UB40 first released their version of 'Red Red Wine' back in 1983, when it was a hit in the UK, reaching Number 1. It was later re-released in 1988 when it became a hit in the US as well.
Watch the music video for 'Red Red Wine'.
ORIGINAL: Robert Hazard - 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' (1979)
Robert Hazard wrote and released 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' back in 1979, with the lyrics written from a male point of view.
Watch the YouTube video
COVER: Cyndi Lauper - 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun' (1983)
Just four years after Robert Hazard's original song, Cyndi Lauper released her cover of 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun', and it was a huge hit, becoming her breakthrough hit. The song reached Number 2 in the UK, and was nominated for a number of awards.
Following the success in 1983/84, Cyndi later released 'Hey Now (Girls Just Want To Have Fun)' in 1994. The song was once again very popular and reached Number 4 in the UK. Cyndi's re-release served as a comeback hit for the American singer.
Watch the YouTube video for 'Girls Just Want To Have Fun)'
Watch the YouTube video for 'Hey Now (Girls Just Want To Have Fun)'
ORIGINAL: Bonnie Tyler - 'Total Eclipse of The Heart' (1983)
Bonnie Tyler's 'Total Eclipse of The Heart', released in 1983, became the singer's biggest hit of her career. The song became the UK's fifth-best-selling single in 1983, and spent time at Number 1 in the UK chart.
Watch the YouTube video for 'Total Eclipse of The Heart'
COVER: Nicki French - 'Total Eclipse of The Heart' (1994)
Nicki French released her version of 'Total Eclipse of The Heart' in 1994, and the song became another huge hit, reaching Number 5 in the UK.
Watch the YouTube video for 'Total Eclipse of The Heart'
ORIGINAL: ABBA - 'Take a Chance on Me' (1978)
Released back in 1978, ABBA's 'Take a Chance on Me', was a chart-topper here in the UK and beyond. The song was written by Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus and was ranked the Number 9 song on Rolling Stones' list of the 25 greatest ABBA songs.
Watch the YouTube video for 'Take a Chance on Me'
COVER: Erasure - 'Take a Chance on Me' (1992)
Erasure released their version of ABBA's hit song 'Take a Chance on Me' in 1992. The duo's music video was a parody of ABBA's video, with the pair dressing up in drag as Agnetha Fältskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad.
Watch the YouTube video for 'Take a Chance on Me'
ORIGINAL: The Supremes - 'You Keep Me Hangin' On' (1966)
The Supremes' 'You Keep Me Hangin' On' was released back in 1966 and was a Top 10 hit in the UK, reaching Number 1 in the US. The song has been covered a number of times throughout the decades, including by rock band Vanilla Fudge (1967), Kim Wilde (1986) and country singer Reba McEntire (1996).
Watch the YouTube video for 'You Keep Me Hangin' On'
COVER: Kim Wilde - 'You Keep Me Hangin' On' (1986)
20 years after The Supremes released 'You Keep Me Hangin' On', Kim Wilde released her version of the song, which was even more successful in the UK. The song reached Number 2 in the UK, and topped the Billboard Hot 100.
By reaching the top spot of the Billboard Hot 100 it became one of the six songs to reach Number 1 by two different musical acts.
Watch the YouTube video for 'You Keep Me Hangin' On'
ORIGINAL: Martha Reeves & The Vandellas - 'Dancing in the Street' (1964)
Martha Reeves & The Vandellas released their classic hit 'Dancing in the Street' back in 1964. The song, written by Marvin Gaye, William 'Mickey' Stevenson and Ivy Jo Hunter, was later released again here in the UK in 1969 when it went to Number 4.
The song was later covered a number of times by The Kinks in 1965, Mamas and the Papas in 1966, Tages in 1967, Grateful Dead in 1977, Little Richard in 1971, and Van Halen in 1982.
Watch the music video for 'Dancing' in the Street'
COVER: David Bowie & Mick Jagger - 'Dancing in the Street' (1985)
Perhaps the biggest and most successful cover of Martha Reeves original song, is the 1985 version, released by David Bowie & Mick Jagger. The pair's version went to Number 1 in the UK and raised money for the Live Aid. The song was originally due to be performed by the duo with David Bowie at Wembley in London and Mick Jagger at John F. Kennedy Stadium, Philadelphia, however due to the satellite delay which would cause problems with the performance, they decided against it.
Watch the music video for 'Dancing' in the Street'
ORIGINAL: Steve Winwood - 'Higher Love' (1986)
Written by Steve Winwood and Will Jennings, 'Higher Love' was a hit back in 1986, reaching Number 13 in the UK. This original version also features Chaka Khan on backing vocals and Nile Rodgers on guitar.
Watch the music video for 'Higher Love'
COVER: Kygo and Whitney Houston - 'Higher Love'
Steve Winwood's 80s hit was covered by Whitney Houston in 1990, and then again in more recent years by Kygo (a Norwegian DJ), who used Whitney's vocals. Kygo and Whitney's version was a huge hit going to Number 2 in the UK, whereas Whitney's 1990 version was only included on the Japanese edition of her third studio album 'I'm Your Baby Tonight'.
Watch the music video for 'Higher Love' (1990)
Watch the music video for 'Higher Love'
ORIGINAL: The Paragons - 'The Tide Is High' (1967)
Consisting of Tyrone Evans, Howard Barrett and John Holt, The Paragons wrote and released 'The Tide Is High' back in 1967, however a few years later it became popular when a deejay version was released by U-Roy in 1971.
Watch the music video for 'The Tide Is High'
COVER: Blondie - 'The Tide Is High' (1980)
However, it wasn't until 1980 that 'The Tide Is High' saw huge success in the UK charts. The song was covered by Blondie, and reached Number 1 in the UK. It was featured on the band's fifth album 'Autoamerican', released in the same year.
The song was also covered by Swedish rapper Papa Dee in 1996, and later by Atomic Kitten in 2002, who had a Number 1 hit with it.
Watch the music video for 'The Tide Is High' (Blondie)
Watch the music video for 'The Tide Is High' (Atomic Kitten)
ORIGINAL: Gloria Jones - 'Tainted Love' (1964)
Long before Soft Cell's version of 'Tainted Love' was Gloria Jones' original. Recorded by the American singer in 1964, the song was written and produced by Ed Cobb and released a year later in 1965. In 2014 the song was ranked at Number 305 in NME's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.
Watch the music video for 'Tainted Love'
COVER: Soft Cell - 'Tainted Love' (1981)
Soft Cell released their version of 'Tainted Love' in 1981, and it was a huge hit around the globe, reaching Number 1 in the UK, and Number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 100.
Originally announced as the best-selling single of 1981 in the UK, in 2021 the Official Chart Company recalculated the data, revealing 'Don't You Want Me' by The Human League as the best-selling song.
Watch the music video for 'Tainted Love'
ORIGINAL: Cyndi Lauper - 'I Drove All Night' (1989)
Despite Rob Orbison actually recording the song back in 1987, it was Cyndi Lauper who released the song first. The singer released it in 1989 and it went to Number 7 in the UK, receiving a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Rock Vocal Performance.
Watch the music video for 'I Drove All Night'
COVER: Roy Orbison - 'I Drove All Night' (1992)
Roy Orbison's version of 'I Drove All Night' was released in 1992, three years after Cyndi Lauper's version and four years after Roy sadly passed away from a heart attack at the age of 52. This version had the same success here in the UK, reaching Number 7 in the chart, and being successful in the USA.
The song was also covered by Celine Dion in 2003, when it reach Number 27 in the UK.
Watch the music video for 'I Drove All Night' (Roy Orbison)
Watch the music video for 'I Drove All Night' (Celine Dion)
ORIGINAL: Tracy Chapman - 'Fast Car' (1988)
Tracy Chapman had huge success with her 1988 hit 'Fast Car'. The song was nominated for three Grammy awards, winning Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, as well as being nominated for an MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video in 1989.
Watch the music video for 'Fast Car' on YouTube.
COVER: Jonas Blue - 'Fast Car' feauring Dakota (2016)
This popular 80s tune was given a 2016 makeover by music producer Jonas Blue. Jonas Blue has had a number of popular songs, but 'Fast Car' featuring Dakota was Jonas' debut single. The song is a cover of his mum's favourite song when he was growing up.
Watch the music video 'Fast Car' for YouTube.
ORIGINAL: The Waterboys - 'The Whole Of The Moon' (1985)
The Waterboys first released their iconic song 'The Whole Of The Moon back in 1985 when it reached Number 26 in the UK.
COVER: The Waterboys - 'The Whole Of The Moon' (1991)
Six years later, in 1991, The Waterboys re-issued their song and it was propelled to Number 3 in the UK!
Watch the music video 'The Whole Of The Moon' for YouTube.
ORIGINAL: NENA - '99 Luftballons' (1983)
Originally released in German back in 1983, '99 Luftballons' was a Number 1 hit back in West Germany and a number of other European countries.
Watch the music video on YouTube
COVER: NENA - '99 Red Balloons' (1984)
The German language hit was later released in English in 1984, which is the version many of us know and love. '99 Red Balloons' reached Number 1 in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube
ORIGINAL: i-Ten - 'Alone' (1983)
Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly (known as i-Ten) originally released 'Alone' back in 1983, featured on their album 'Taking a Cold Look'.
The duo were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame back in 2011 (pictured).
Watch the music video on YouTube.
COVER: Heart - 'Alone' (1987)
A few years after its initial release, and a subsequent cover for a US sitcom called Dreams, Heart released their version in 1987. The song reached the sunny heights of Number 3 in the UK and received a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
ORIGINAL: Tom Tom Club - 'Genius Of Love' (1981)
Tom Tom Club released 'Genius Of Love' back in 1981. The song didn't perform here in the UK only reaching Number 65 in the charts, however since its release it has been sampled and incorporated into many hit songs.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
COVER: Mariah Carey - 'Fantasy' (1995)
Sampling 'Genius of Love', Mariah Carey released 'Fantasy' way back in 1995 and it was a chart success around the world getting to Number 4 in the UK. 'Fantasy' was later sampled in 2021 by Latto for 'Big Energy'.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
ORIGINAL: Otis Clay - 'The Only Way Is Up' (1980)
Otis Clay released 'The Only Way Is Up' back in 1980, but his soul version of the song, written by George Jackson and Johnny Henderson failed to chart.
Listen to the audio on YouTube.
COVER: Yazz and the Plastic Population - 'The Only Way Is Up' (1988)
Yazz and the Plastic Population gave 'The Only Way Is Up' a new lease of life when they released it in 1988. Their version of the song went to Number 1 in the UK and is one of the 80s classics that you'll often hear on retro nights. The song is also used as the theme tune for the TV show The Only Way Is Essex.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
ORIGINAL: Racey - 'Kitty' (1979)
Racey never released 'Kitty', but it was featured on their debut album 'Smash and Grab' in 1979.
Listen to the audio on YouTube.
COVER: Toni Basil - 'Mickey' (1982)
In 1982, Toni covered the song, previously called 'Kitty', calling it 'Mickey'. The song was a Number 2 hit in the UK and reached Top 10 around the world.
The song was covered again in 1999 by Lolly, who called it 'Hey Mickey', and also had success with it, reaching Number 4 in the UK.
Watch the music video for Toni Basil's version on YouTube.
Watch the music video for Lolly's version on YouTube.
ORIGINAL: Umberto Tozzi - 'Gloria' (1979)
Umberto Tozzi released 'Gloria' back in 1979, sung in Italian. This version of the song reached Number 1 in Switzerland and Number 2 in Italy at the time of release.
Listen to the audio on YouTube.
COVER: Laura Branigan - 'Gloria' (1981)
'Gloria' was re-released two years after its initial release. Rather than a direct translation, the song was re-written in English by singer Laura Branigan. Laura had huge success with the song reaching Number 6 in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
ORIGINAL: Jackie DeShannon - 'Bette Davis Eyes' (1974)
Jackie DeShannon wrote and released 'Bette Davis Eyes' in 1974. The song featured on Jackie's album 'New Arrangement'.
Listen to the audio on YouTube.
COVER: Kim Carnes - 'Bette Davis Eyes' (1981)
Kim Carnes released a radically different version of 'Better Davis Eyes' in 1981, reaching Number 10 in the UK. The song also won the 1981 Grammy Awards for Song of the Year and Record of the Year.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
ORIGINAL: Sting - 'Englishman In New York' (1988)
Featuring on Sting's second album 'Englishman In New York' was a huge hit for the singer second time round. Sting originally released 'Englishman in New York' back in 1988, but it didn't enter the UK Top 40 on its first release, it had better success in The Netherlands and Belgium, but the singer would have to wait two years to have big success with the song.
COVER: Sting - 'Englishman In New York' (1990)
Two years after the song's original release, it was given a remix from Dutch producer Ben Liebrand. The song was re-released and reached Number 15 in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube
ORIGINAL: Cornershop - 'Brimful of Asha' (1997)
Originally released in 1997, 'Brimful of Asha' only reached Number 60 in the UK. The song is a tribute to Asha Bhosle, who is a playback singer in India. Playback singers record songs to be mimed along to by actors in films, and in 2011, Asha received the Guinness World Record for reportedly recording '11,000 solo, duet and chorus backed songs in over 20 Indian languages since 1947'.
Watch the music video for the original version of 'Brimful of Asha' on YouTube.
COVER: Cornershop - 'Brimful of Asha' (Fatboy Slim remix) (1997)
Not only did Fatboy Slim speed up the original version of 'Brimful of Asha' to take it to Number 1 in the UK, he used some other samples believed to be Dave Pike Set's 1970 song 'Raga Jeeva Swara' and the Monkees' 1966 song 'Mary, Mary'. Fatboy Slim's version of 'Brimful of Asha' is the version that most people will know and love from the 1990s.
Listen to Dave Pike Set's 'Raga Jeeva Swara' on YouTube.
Listen to the Monkees' 'Mary Mary' on YouTube.
Watch the music video for the Fatboy Slim remix on YouTube.
ORIGINAL: The Zutons - 'Valerie' (2006)
Back in 2006, The Zutons released their song 'Valerie', written and recorded by the band. The song was written about a celebrity makeup artist called Valerie Star, who was a friend of the band's lead singer Dave McCabe.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
COVER: Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse - 'Valerie' (2007)
Mark Ronson and Amy Winehouse released their version of 'Valerie' just a year after the original was released. The song went to Number 2 in the UK and is still very popular today.
Watch the music video on YouTube.
ORIGINAL: Ednaswap - 'Torn' (1995)
Released in English for the first time in 1995 by alternative rock band, Ednaswap, 'Torn' was originally recorded in Danish under the title 'Brændt' by singer Lis Sørensen. It's been covered by various artists over the years, but none have received anywhere near as much success with it than Natalie Imbruglia.
Listen to the song on YouTube
COVER: Natalie Imbruglia - 'Torn' (1997)
Just two years after its first English-language release, 'Torn' was recorded by 90s rising star Natalie Imbruglia. It was an immediate hit, peaking at Number 2 and has since gone on to be certified 4x Platinum.
Watch the music video on YouTube
ORIGINAL: Tina Turner - 'Don't Turn Around' (1986)
Originally released in 1986 by Tina Turner 'Don't Turn Around' was the B-side song to the legend's 'Typical Male' single. It was also recorded by Bonnie Tyler and Luther Ingram in the late eighties.
Watch the music video on YouTube
COVER: Ace of Base - 'Don't Turn Around' (1994)
Swedish pop group Ace of Base released their own version of the song eight years later in 1994. But this time, it had a catchy pop beat running behind it, making it very different to Tina's 1986 rock single. The Ace of Base version reached Number 5 in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube
ORIGINAL: The Family - 'Nothing Compares 2 U' (1985)
Written by Prince for his funk band The Family in 1985, 'Nothing Compares 2 U' was never released as a single, but did make it on to their album of the same name. The group disbanded lot long afterwards before reforming in 2011.
Listen to the song on YouTube
COVER: Sinead O'Connor - 'Nothing Compares 2 U' (1990)
Five years later, Irish singer-songwriter SInead O'Connor re-recorded the track, and paired it with the now iconic video of her singing in tears into the camera. Her version was an instant hit, reaching Number 1 and staying there for four weeks.
Watch the music video on YouTube
ORIGINAL: Apollonia 6 - 'Manic Monday' (1984)
Another track written by Prince for one of his bands. Apollonia 6 recorded but never released 'Manic Monday' in 1984.
Listen to the demo on YouTube
COVER: The Bangles - 'Manic Monday' (1985)
Just one year later, The Bangles released 'Manic Monday' - and it was a huge success. The song went to Number 2 in both the UK and US, and has received 84 million views on YouTube.
Watch the music video on YouTube
ORIGINAL: Tommy James & The Shondells - 'I Think We're Alone Now' (1987)
Released in 1967 by Tommy James & The Shondells, 'I Think We're Alone Now' was a hit in the states. But it wasn't until two decades later, it achieved UK success with a new artist.
COVER: Tiffany - 'I Think We're Alone Now' (1987)
Eighties icon Tiffany recorded her own version of 'I Think We're Alone Now' in 1987, which went to Number 1 in the UK and US and has been certified Platinum.
ORIGINAL: Barry Manilow - 'Could It Be Magic' (1970s)
Barry Manilow originally released 'Could It Be Magic' in the seventies, with music he'd written and lyrics written by American songwriter Adrienne Anderson. It reached Number 6 in the US and Number 25 in the UK.
Listen to the song on YouTube
COVER: Take That - 'Could It Be Magic' (1992)
Nearly two decades later, in 1992, Take Take recorded their own version of 'Could It Be Magic' — which went straight to Number 3 in the UK and has been certified Silver.
Watch the music video on YouTube
ORIGINAL: John Michael Montgomery - 'I Swear' (1993)
In 1993, country singer John Michael Montgomery released 'I Swear' alongside a sweet music video of couples at different stages of life. The track was a big success in the US, spending four weeks at Number 1.
Watch the music video on YouTube
COVER: All-4-One - 'I Swear' (1994)
Just a year later, R&B/pop group All-4-One released a cover of 'I Swear'. It went to Number 2 in the UK and won a Grammy in 1995 for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.
Watch the video on YouTube
ORIGINAL: Jonny Bristol - 'Love Me For a Reason' (1974)
'Love Me For a Reason' has been recorded by various different artists over the years, but the original was by well-known songwriter Jonny Bristol in the 1970s. It was also recorded by The Osmonds in 1974.
Listen to the song on YouTube
COVER: Boyzone - 'Love Me For a Reason' (1995)
90s pop sensation Boyzone released their version of the song in 1995, which went to Number 2 in the chart and is certified Gold.
You can watch the music video on YouTube
ORIGINAL: Bee Gees - 'Words' (1977)
'Words' went to Number 8 with the Bee Gees in the UK in 1977 — and took the top spot in Canada, Switzerland and The Netherlands.
Watch the Bee Gees sing 'Words' live in Las Vegas on YouTube
COVER: Boyzone - 'Words' (1996)
Nearly 20 years later, Boyzone covered 'Words', and it went straight to Number 1. In 1998, the boy band joined forces with the original songwriters, Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb, to perform it live as part of ITV's An Audience With The Bee Gees.
Watch Boyzone's cover on YouTube
ORIGINAL: Jimmy Ruffin - 'What Becomes of the Brokenhearted' (1967)
American soul singer, Jimmy Ruffin, released 'What Becomes of the Brokenhearted' in 1967 and it became a major success around the world. The track was rereleased in 1974 and reached Number 4 in the UK. Fun fact, which Motown fans may already know, Jimmy is the older brother of The Temptations singer, David Ruffin. He had several hits between the 60s and 80s.
Listen to the song on YouTube
COVER: Westlife - 'What Becomes of the Brokenhearted'
33 years later in 2000, Irish boyband Westlife recorded their version of the track, which reached Number 6 in the UK.
Watch Westlife sing it live on YouTube
ORIGINAL: Terry Jacks - 'Seasons in the Sun' (1974)
Another 70s hit which was covered by Westlife, 'Seasons in the Sun' spent three weeks at Number 1 in the US in 1974 after being released by Canadian singer Terry Jacks. The emotional track is about a man saying goodbye to loved ones before he dies. It was written and recorded by a Belgian composer in 1961, released by Terry in English for the first time just over a decade later.
Listen to the song on YouTube
COVER: Westlife - 'Seasons in the Sun' (1999)
Westlife put a 90s spin on the popular track, recording it alongside their iconic black and white video. It made Christmas Number 1 in 1999 and lasted four weeks on the top spot, seeing in the millennium as Number 1 too.
Watch the music video on YouTube
ORIGINAL - Linda Lyndell - 'What a Man' (1969)
Released in 1969 by American soul singer Linda Lyndell, 'What a Man' made it to Number 50 is the US chart. But a quarter of a century later, it was to be remixed and recorded by hip hop group Salt-n-Pepa, alongside girl group En Vogue, gaining much more success.
Listen to the song on YouTube
COVER: Salt-n-Pepa and En Vogue - 'Whatta Man' (1993)
In 1993, Salt-n-Pepa and En Vogue joined forces to release 'Whatta Man' - which went to Number 7 in the UK, Number 3 in the US and won numerous awards, including an MTV Video Music Awards for Best Dance Video, Best R&B Video, and Best Choreography in 1994. It's also been certified Platinum in the US.
Watch the music video on YouTube
ORIGINAL: Pandora - 'On A Night Like This' (1999)
Kylie Minogue had a huge hit with 'On A Night Like This' but it was Swedish singer Pandora who originally released the track one year earlier. Pandora's version wasn't very successful, leading the writers to pass the track over to Kylie to record.
Watch Pandora sing it live on YouTube
COVER: Kylie Minogue - 'On A Night Like This' (2000)
In 2000, Australian sensation Kylie Minogue released her version of 'On A Night Like This' which went to Number 2 in the UK charts and has been certified Silver.
Watch the music video on YouTube
ORIGINAL: World Party - 'She's The One' (1997)
Despite being globally recognised as being a huge hit for Robbie Williams in 1998, 'She's The One' was originally released a year earlier by musical group, World Party.
Listen to the song on YouTube
COVER: Robbie Williams - 'She's The One' (1998)
The 1998 cover of 'She's The One' is one of Robbie Williams' greatest hits — storming to Number 1 in the charts and going Platinum in the UK.
Watch the music video on YouTube
You can hear all of these songs on Greatest Hits Radio!
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