5 Hit Songs You Didn’t Know Were Covers

Some songs are so strongly associated with their artists that it’s hard to imagine they were written by someone else. But the artist who made a song famous can’t always take credit for it. Here is a list of five hit songs you’ll remember, but the artist who penned it may not be whom you think. 

1. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

Everyone instantly recognizes the iconic synth opening riff of Cyndi Lauper’s 80’s feminist anthem. But what most people don’t know is that the song was written years before and released by American new wave trailblazer Robert Hazard. Hazard wrote and recorded the song Girls Just Wanna Have Fun in 1979. Cyndi Lauper didn’t turn the song into a hit until 1983, when it launched her career.

Girls Just Wanna Have Fun – Robert Hazard

• I Love Rock & Roll

When you hear, I Love Rock & Roll you immediately think of Joan Jett and the Blackhearts. This song exploded for them when they released it in 1981. However, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts can’t take credit for the tune. The song was written in 1975 by a rock band from the United Kingdom, the Arrows. Joan Jett even recorded a version of the song with the Arrows in 1979 while pursuing a solo career in the UK.

I Love Rock & Roll – The Arrows

• Drift Away

In 2003 Uncle Kracker made this track his own when he went to number two on US Adult Top 40 by Billboard with Drift Away. This beach vibes hit was written in 1970 by country artist Mentor Williams and released by another singer, John Henry Kurtz, in 1972.

Drift Away – John Henry Kurtz

• I Will Always Love You

This song was a huge hit for Whitney Houston in 1992. Whitney Houston sang the song so well that everyone forgot that it was written and released by Dolly Parton in 1973. Unlike many other songs on this list, this song was a number-one hit immediately. Going to number one for Dolly twice! First at its release and a second time in 1980.

I Will Always Love You – Dolly Parton

• Achy Breaky Heart

Only one year before Billy Ray Cyrus and his legendary mullet made this song a number-one hit in 1992, The Marcy Brothers released this song under the title “Don’t tell my heart”. This song represented a change in country music from “Old Country” to “New Country,” paving the way for other Pop Country Artists like Shania Twain and Faith Hill.

Don’t Tell My Heart – The Marcy Brothers

Now you’re armed with these fun facts so you can drop some musical knowledge on your friends the next time one of these songs hits the airwaves.

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