Ever think you know something only to figure out you had been horribly misguided all your life? No? Well, this list should solve that problem for you.
You think you know every lyric in every verse, the highs and the lows are as clear in your mind as the light of day. You think you know your favorite songs, until the day someone comes around and bursts your little bubble of ignorance, leaving you dumbfounded in their wake.
Consider this that dreaded final pinprick. Here’s a list of some popular songs you didn’t know were covers of the originals!
1. Man Who Sold The World – Nirvana
The song, popularized by Nirvana in their 1993 performance of the song on MTV Unplugged was originally written and performed by none other than David Bowie and was released for the first time in November of 1970. It has been covered by a number of artists, including Lulu and various others.
2. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Cyndi Lauper
The iconic song was originally written and recorded in 1979 by the American musician Robert Hazard. It wasn’t until 1983 that the song was popularized by Cyndi Lauper.
3. Don’t ‘Cha – The Pussycat Dolls
Originally recorded by Tori Alamaze during her brief stint with Universal Records in 2004, the song was re-recorded and released by The Pussycat Dolls in 2005, following Tori’s departure from the label.
4. Free Fallin’ – John Mayer
Although one of Tom Petty’s most famous tracks from his solo debut album in 1989, most people today think of John Mayer when they hear this song come on the radio.
5. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
While this song is almost synonymous with Whitney and her iconic vocals, it was originally written and recorded by Dolly Parton in 1974.
6. Hound Dog – Elvis Presley
The original version of the famed song was released in 1952 by Willie Mae “Big Mama” Thornton. It wasn’t until 1956 when Elvis Presley released his version of the song to massive approval.
7. I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll – Joan Jett
Originally written and recorded by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker of the British rock band, Arrows, in 1975; the song actually got the band a TV appearance. It wasn’t until 1976, while on tour in England with The Runaways that Joan Jett heard them perform the song for the first time. In 1981, Jett recorded her own version with her new band, The Blackhearts.
8. I Want Candy – Bow Wow Wow
Originally recorded by The Strangeloves in 1965, the pop anthem was revamped by British new wave band Bow Wow Wow in 1982, receiving loads of airtime in the early days of MTV.
9. Mambo No. 5 – Lou Bega
Originally composed and recorded in 1949 by Pérez Prado, the song was popularized by German artist Lou Bega in 1999 with added vocals.
10. Valerie – Amy Winehouse
Although made famous by Amy Winehouse and Mark Ronson, the original version of the song was recorded in 2006 by the Liverpool band The Zutons.