bands most famous for someone else's song

[zombie no.one]

Another good one:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YvAYIJSSZY
Rockwell's original version is his one hit, with Michael Jackson singing the chorus.

what about Blame It On The Boogie, written by Michael Jackson, but not that Michael Jackson, who then heard it and covered it, making it famous, while the other Michael Jackson's version went nowhere. you couldn't make it up!

[retrorussell]

Stories' "Brother Louie" was originally recorded by Hot Chocolate.
Naked Eyes' "Always Something There To Remind Me" was written by Burt Bacharach and Hal David, and Dionne Warwick did the original demo in 1963.  Sandie Shaw and Lou Johnson, as well as many others, had covers before Naked Eyes had theirs in 1983.

[Rev. Powell]

The Kingsmen's version of "Louie, Louie."  (I prefer Richard Berry's original).

[Nukie 2]

Metallica "One Last Caress" which was originally written and performed by the Misfits.
But at least it introduced people to the Misfits.

[zombie no.one]

Metallica "One Last Caress" which was originally written and performed by the Misfits.
But at least it introduced people to the Misfits.

also Diamond Head originally did "Am I Evil"

suppose this thread should be about 2 different things: artists who are most well known for someone else's song, and artists who made a song more well known than the original artist did. because obviously Metallica are not most well known for a cover. (probably have to say Enter Sandman is their most well known tune? debatable one, Master Of Puppets is up there...)

[HappyGilmore]

Metallica "One Last Caress" which was originally written and performed by the Misfits.
But at least it introduced people to the Misfits.

also Diamond Head originally did "Am I Evil"

suppose this thread should be about 2 different things: artists who are most well known for someone else's song, and artists who made a song more well known than the original artist did. because obviously Metallica are not most well known for a cover. (probably have to say Enter Sandman is their most well known tune? debatable one, Master Of Puppets is up there...)

I'd hate to go too off topic, but I'd say Sandman is their most well known tune.  If anything, cause it was a crossover type hit, with a lot of MTV play, not just on Headbanger's Ball either.  I would hear it not just on the "Rock" stations, but on the Top-40/Pop style stations.  Hell, even heard it on an Adult Contemporary station that plays stuff from Hootie and The Blowfish and Richard Marx, so yeah. 

[voltron]

I too belive Metallica in their early days (before they were signed) got kudos for covering Diamond Head, Savage, and lots of other NWOBHM bands. People were telling them how great their songs were but little did they know that they were covers.
On the Garage days EP they covered Killing Joke's "the Wait" which introduced me to that band.
Also, Blue Cheer got famous for their cover of "Summertime Blues".

[Jim H]

The Kingsmen's version of "Louie, Louie."  (I prefer Richard Berry's original).

That's one of the more extreme ones, I'd say.  Good example.  Must admit I greatly prefer the Kingsmen version - I find the background singer in the original kind of annoying, and I like the more upbeat instrumentation of the Kingsmen version.  Like 'em both though.

The Kingsmen version is so iconic now that most covers include the error where the singer comes in early.  That's pretty incredible, really.

[retrorussell]

Blue Swede had their biggest hit with "Hooked On A Feeling", which was originally performed by BJ ("Don't call me Blow Job") Thomas.

[StatCat]

Blondie- Hanging on the Telephone is originally by the Nerves but I don't think a lot of people are aware of that.

[zombie no.one]

Blondie- Hanging on the Telephone is originally by the Nerves but I don't think a lot of people are aware of that.

I did not know that. good shout