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Bacharach, David and the Wishin’ and Hopin’ original

American songwriting duo Hal David and Burt Bacharach wrote “Wishin’ and Hopin'”, a 1960s pop song told from the perspective of a girl giving advice on how to snag a man. The song became Dusty Springfield’s first American top ten hit in 1964. It was also Bacharach and David’s first hit with a British Invasion artist. However, it was another Bacharach-David artist, Dionne Warwick, who recorded the “Wishin’ and Hopin'” original two years earlier. Although Springfield’s song was more successful, both versions have that fantastic stop-start sixties-sounding melody.

Two Manic Monday Originals

In 1984, Prince wrote “Manic Monday”, anthem of beleaguered office workers everywhere. The song became a breakout hit for American pop group, the Bangles, in 1986. However in 1984, an American trio called Apollonia 6 recorded the “Manic Monday” original. And prior to that, Prince himself recorded an impressive demo that could be considered another “Manic Monday” original.

Check out the Bangles Greatest Hits

What is the If I Were a Girl Original Version?

Inspired by a difficult break up, singer-songwriter BC Jean and producer-songwriter Toby Gad wrote “If I Were a Boy”. Like Bonnie Tyler’s “If You Were a Woman (And I Was a Man)“, the song explores society’s double standards for women and men when it comes to relationships (and everything else). Jean recorded the “If I Were a Boy” original but her record label rejected the song. Gad went on to produce a version with Beyoncé that reached the top ten on twenty-five different singles charts.

Although Jean recorded the “If I Were a Boy” original, Spanish musician Francisco Andión González (known as Patxi Andión) released a song in 1986 called “Si Yo Fuera Mujer” (If I Were a Woman). With the same theme and similar melodies, could Andión’s song be the true “If I Were a Boy” original or is this just a coincidence?

Introduction

Who can forget Collette and her bike pants? Well, a lot of people, I suppose. But her version of “Ring My Bell” came out when I was 14 so it will be forever part of my teenage memories, as perplexing as I found the bike pants. At the time, I didn’t realise that in 1979 Anita Ward performed the “Ring My Bell” original version. I guess this is because of the age I was when Collette’s version came out. Is that as bad as thinking Gwyneth Paltrow performed the original “Bette Davis Eyes“?

There were quite a few covers of “Ring My Bell”. In Australia and New Zealand, at least, Collette’s would be the most well-known version. However, a fantastic dub version by Blood Sisters came out the same year as Ward’s version. Also, DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince released a rap version in 1991.

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