unknown original song versions
Header Image - Unknown Original
Unknown OriginalNew posts every week (usually)
Buy MusicBuy Other Stuff

nic

Baby Shark Original

by nic 0 Comments

Introduction

“Baby Shark” is more of an earworm than a song. Small children love it and their parents…less so. It’s a song about a family of sharks. Each family member is introduced with different hand motions that are easy for toddlers to mimic. Since 2016, “Baby Shark” has gone viral. The Pinkfong version has a bamboozling 5 billion views on YouTube. The “Baby Shark” original is a traditional campfire song of unknown origin. The first online version, which cropped up on 2007, was in German.

Daddy Cool Original

by nic 0 Comments

A Daddy Cool Original Doo-Wop Ditty

In 1957, songwriters Bob Crewe and Frank Slay penned a doo-wop ditty by the name of “Daddy Cool”. The Rays released the “Daddy Cool” original version that same year. Then in 1971, two Australian bands covered the song – Drummond (Adelaide band Allison Gros who later became Mississippi) and Daddy Cool from Melbourne. This post focuses on Daddy Cool’s version. Please note: Boney M’s 1976 hit of the same name is a completely different song. We don’t discuss it here.

It’s a Fine Day Original

by nic 0 Comments

It’s a Fine Day at the Nightclub

If you went clubbing in the 90s, you’ll probably remember swaying around to Opus III’s “It’s a Fine Day”. But did you know that the “It’s a Fine Day” original was recorded a cappella in 1983 by Jane? Jane Lancaster was a friend (although some sources say girlfriend) of English poet Edward (or sometimes Owain) Barton, the writer of “It’s a Fine Day”.

Are You Lonesome Tonight Original

by nic 1 Comment

Are You Lonesome Tonight Origins

Tin Pan Alley songwriters Roy Turk and Lou Handman wrote “Are You Lonesome Tonight” back in 1926. In April 1960, after his two-year service in the United States Army, Elvis Presley recorded the song. Presley’s version became one of the most recognisable tunes of all time, going double platinum in 1992. However the “Are You Lonesome Tonight” original recording was made in 1927 by vaudevillian singer Charles Hart.

Waiting for Tonight Original

by nic 2 Comments

Introduction

In 1997, Maria Christensen, Michael Garvin and Phil Temple wrote “Waiting for Tonight”. The song is a dance-tune about a woman eagerly awaiting the arrival of her new man. Jennifer Lopez’s 1999 version became a celebratory anthem associated with the eve of the new millennium. The “Waiting for Tonight” original was recorded two years earlier by Christensens’ girl group 3rd Party. This version had a decidedly more Europop sound to it.

Mickey Original

by nic 0 Comments

Introduction to the “Mickey” Original

Toni Basil’s “Mickey”, with its cheerleader video clip, is one of the most iconic songs of the 1980s. But the “Mickey” original wasn’t “Mickey” at all. It was “Kitty”, a song performed by English new wave band Racey in 1979.

“Mickey”, or rather “Kitty”, was written by songwriters Mike Chapman and Nicky Chinn. The duo wrote a string of hits in the 70s and 80s for performers like The Sweet, Suzi Quatro, Mud, New World, Arrows, Smokie, Tina Turner, and Huey Lewis and the News.

Torn Original

by nic 2 Comments

An Introduction to Torn

“Torn” is a song about a woman who thought she found the perfect guy but it turns out she didn’t. I’m sure many of you can relate! Anyway, she ends up “all out of faith” and “lying naked on the floor”. Considered a 90s anthem, “Torn” launched former Neighbours star Natalie Imbruglia’s singing career. In 2011, it was the most played song on Australia radio since 1990. It was also the qualifying song One Direction performed on UK X Factor in 2010. The “Torn” original was written by members of LA rock band Ednaswap back in 1993. And it was recorded three times before Imbruglia’s 1997 version.

Check out Left of the Middle by Natalie Imbruglia

Saving All My Love For You Original

by nic 0 Comments

What’s “Saving All My Love For You” All About?

“Saving All My Love For You” is about a woman in love with a married man. Whitney Houston’s version of this song sold three million copies worldwide. However, 5th Dimension founder and Solid Gold host Marilyn McCoo recorded the “Saving All My Love For You” original in 1978.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun Original

by nic 0 Comments

Introduction

Cyndi Lauper’s “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” is a 1980s feminist pop anthem accompanied by a Grammy-winning music video. It has close to 40 cover versions, including Weird Al Yankovic’s parody “Girls Just Want to Have Lunch”. But the unknown original version of “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” was sung by a man. This put a completely different slant on girls wanting to have “fun”.