What is a cover version?
Q: What is a cover version?
A: A cover version is a song which has been re-recorded by a singer or band after another artist has released their own recording of it.
Q: How can cover versions be different from the original recordings?
A: Cover versions can either be similar to the original recordings, or they can be very different.
Q: Are there any songs that became more popular as cover versions than in their original recordings?
A: Yes, some songs become more popular as cover versions than in their original recordings. For example, Paul Revere and the Raiders recorded two songs, "Louie, Louie" and "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone", that were bigger hits for other bands (The Kingsmen and The Monkees respectively) than their own versions.
Q: What are some examples of songs that have become standards due to being covered so many times by different artists?
A: Examples of songs that have become standards due to being covered so many times by different artists include "Without You" (written by Peter Ham and Tom Evans of the band Badfinger), which was first covered by Harry Nilsson before being covered by dozens of other singers including Mariah Carey; "Yesterday" written by Paul McCartney; and "Something" written by George Harrison of The Beatles.
Q: Who wrote the song “Without You”?
A: The song “Without You” was written by Peter Ham and Tom Evans of the band Badfinger.
Q: Who originally recorded “Without You”?
A: Harry Nilsson originally recorded “Without You”.
