Classic Rock Songs vs The Originals – Ft. Jimi Hendrix, Creedence Clearwater Revival
Here are the original versions of popular songs from the 1960s. Featuring “Hey Joe” by The Jimi Hendrix Experience vs The Leaves; “Suzie Q” by Creedence Clearwater Revival vs Dale Hawkins.
2 Songs Remixed In The ’80s – Ft. Hot Chocolate, Four Seasons, Ben Liebrand
Featuring “You Sexy Thing” by Hot Chocolate (Remixed by Ben Liebrand); “December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)” by The Four Seasons featuring Frankie Valli (Remixed by Ben Liebrand).
Why Motown’s Hit Songs Sounded Different In Europe – Ft. Marvin Gaye, The Temptations
Featuring two artists who recorded foreign language versions of their hit songs from the U.S. – “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You)” vs “Wie Schon Das Ist” (German-language version) by Marvin Gaye; “My Girl” vs “Mein Girl” (German-language version) by The Temptations.
Original Versions of Popular ’00s Cover Songs – Ft. Smash Mouth, Johnny Cash, Marilyn Manson
Here are the original versions of popular cover songs from the 2000s. Featuring “I’m A Believer” by Smash Mouth vs The Monkees, and “Personal Jesus” by Johnny Cash vs Marilyn Manson vs Depeche Mode.
TV Themes That Charted In The ’90s – Ft. The Sopranos, Twin Peaks
Here are four TV theme songs that reached the charts in the US and/or around the world. Featuring “Woke Up This Morning” (“The Sopranos” TV Theme) by Alabama 3; “Bad Boys” (“Cops” TV Theme) by Inner Circle; “Falling” (“Twin Peaks” TV Theme) by Julee Cruise, and “The X-Files Theme” by Mark Snow.
Spin Doctors $25 Million Lawsuit Against A Beer Company
Here’s what happened when The Spin Doctors sued a beer company for 25 million dollars. “Two Princes” was the band’s second single and made the top 10 in 15 countries. A few years later, Miller Brewing Company aired a commercial which included music that The Spin Doctors believed sounded like their hit song. The lawsuit claimed Miller had previously asked them to use the song but the band had declined. Lawyers argued that Miller then deliberately used a soundalike to deceive the band’s fans into thinking that they had endorsed the beer. After two years in court, a jury unanimously ruled that Miller was liable for copyright infringement and finally settled with The Spin Doctors for an undisclosed amount.
Original Versions of Popular ’80s Songs – Ft. Bow Wow Wow, R.E.M.
Here are the original versions of popular cover songs from the 1980s. Featuring “I Want Candy” by Bow Wow Wow vs The Strangeloves; “Superman” by R.E.M. vs The Clique.
2 Artists Who Re-Recorded Their Songs That Became Hits – Joan Jett, Whitesnake
Here are two artists who re-recorded their songs that became hits. Featuring “Here I Go Again” by Whitesnake; “I Love Rock ‘n Roll” by Joan Jett & The Blackhearts (original by The Arrows).
How A Remix of Elvis Presley Became A Worldwide Hit
Here’s how a remix of a lesser-known song by Elvis Presley became an international hit. In 1968, Elvis Presley recorded “A Little Less Conversation” for his 28th feature film. The single only peaked at number 69 in the US and failed to chart in the UK. Over 30 years later, Nike was producing an ad for the 2002 World Cup and needed a song. “Ocean’s Eleven” was in theaters where members of Nike’s ad agency heard the track and got the idea to use it for their commercial. The cost? $200,000 – down from the initial quote of $1.5 million. Nike then hired Dutch musician Tom Holkenborg, also known as Junkie XL, to produce a remix. But what version did he use? In 1968, Elvis had recorded 16 takes of the song. With take 2 not being released until 30 years later. It would be this version that is heard in “Ocean’s Eleven,” was remixed by Holkenborg, and at the request of the Presley estate, released under the name JXL, presumably to keep the word “junkie” from appearing on the release. Featuring “A Little Less Conversation” by Elvis Presley remixed by Tom Holkenborg / Junkie XL / JXL.