bands most famous for someone else's song

[zombie no.one]

I was listening to the radio and they played Hippy Hippy Shake by the Swinging Blue Jeans, which is their most famous song. Then the DJ mentioned it wasn't their song but originally by Chan Romero. This got me thinking about band's whose most famous song isn't actually by them, and the first one that sprang to ming is Status Quo - Rockin All Over The World, which is by John Fogerty.

Then later in the radio show they interviewed Joan Jett and it was mentioned that I Love Rock'N'Roll isn't actually by Joan Jett, but by The Arrows.

any more examples of this people can think of..? I supose a lot of one-hit-wonders did a a cover version then disappeared forever, but I'm trying to think of more established acts where this is the case...

[Mr. DS]

Excellent topic, there is much to choose from.  I too have made the mistake of thinking a band or two was responsible for someone else's work.  Heres a few off the top of my head. 

Alient Ant Farm - Smooth Criminal
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CDl9ZMfj6aE

Pseudo Echo - Funky Town (one of my favorite covers btw)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VnejLmQGYhg

[Flick James]

Erasure - Tainted Love. So many people don't know this was a motown song from the 60's.

[Mr. DS]

Another one I thought of...

Orgy - Blue Monday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3e_nJRzCpBE

[JJ80]

Erasure - Tainted Love. So many people don't know this was a motown song from the 60's.

Wasn't that Soft Cell rather than Erasure?

[Mr. DS]

Erasure - Tainted Love. So many people don't know this was a motown song from the 60's.

Wasn't that Soft Cell rather than Erasure?

Yes, though they all blend together after awhile and sadly, I like most of them.   

[lester1/2jr]

Quiet Riot = Slade "cum on feel the noize"

[JJ80]

Erasure - Tainted Love. So many people don't know this was a motown song from the 60's.

Wasn't that Soft Cell rather than Erasure?

Yes, though they all blend together after awhile and sadly, I like most of them.   

That's true, they do tend to belnd together a little. I do like most of that genre myself too.

[claws]

Smith - Baby It's You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEs-3zC9zSw&feature=related

[Rev. Powell]

Manfred Mann's Earth Band for Bruce Springsteen's "Blinded by the Light" and Bob Dylan's "Quinn the Eskimo."  They had several other cover singles, I don't think they ever had a hit with original material. 

[Allhallowsday]

Erasure - Tainted Love. So many people don't know this was a motown song from the 60's.

"Tainted Love" was covered by SOFT CELL in 1981...  
GLORIA JONES had the first crack in '64, but it missed national charts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSehtaY6k1U  

JIMI HENDRIX really ramped up BOB DYLAN's "All Along the Watchtower"  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bng3agUOYiI

[Flick James]

Erasure - Tainted Love. So many people don't know this was a motown song from the 60's.

"Tainted Love" was covered by SOFT CELL in 1981...  
GLORIA JONES had the first crack in '64, but it missed national charts:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSehtaY6k1U  

JIMI HENDRIX really ramped up BOB DYLAN's "All Along the Watchtower"  
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bng3agUOYiI

Sorry, all. Yes, Soft Cell. I just immediatly thought Erasure in my head when I posted.

[Mr. DS]

Fear Factory - Cars
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbUsw6PvUYM

[Silverlady]

These ladies were not in bands, but were known for singing othere people's songs.

Patsy Cline made "Crazy" famous, but Willie Nelson wrote it.

Whitney Houston's version of "I will always love you" made The Bodyguard a best selling soundtrack, but Dolly Parton wrote it and sang it years before.

[HappyGilmore]

I may be wrong, but I think Tiffany's biggest hit would be the cover of :
"I Think We're Alone Now"--Tiffany
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=826PTEuHKhE