Today I found out that a song that I enjoyed for a while was not originally composed for the artist I assumed was the author.
The song is “Smile” which I always thought it was composed by Nat King Cole:
And it was later recorded by the King of the Pop, Michael Jackson:
When, in fact, it was originally composed by no other than Charles Chaplin!
"Smile" is a song based on an instrumental theme used in the soundtrack for Charlie Chaplin's 1936 film Modern Times. Chaplin composed the music, inspired by Puccini's Tosca. John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons added the lyrics and title in 1954. In the lyrics, based on lines and themes from the film, the singer is telling the listener to cheer up and that there is always a bright tomorrow, just as long as they smile.
"Smile" has become a popular standard since its original use in Chaplin's film an...
It made me think that’s probably not the only instance of famous songs people think are from someone else.
Do you guys know other occurrences?
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A lot of people think this is a Brothers Johnson song:
When actually it’s a Shuggie Otis song:
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turns out Santana did NOT write this song. It was written by Peter Green of FLEETWOOD MAC.
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Shuggie fucking rocks. Black Belt Sheriff, Destination You.
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Thought this was written by CCR but in fact is NOT, and even though Marvin Gaye claimed it he didn’t write it either.
https://secondhandsongs.com/work/6417
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Yesh well we all knew that already. Here’s another Peter Green song. Man these gurls can rock.
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The CCR version is awesome, but that’s really hard to believe…
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Thought Julio kept the fame going for this song but Patsy Cline wrote it…nope Willie Nelson did.
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It don’t get any better than that CCR version. It’s like intensity in ten cities…
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the younger set thinks Mariah Carey wrote this song but no
not him either but
BADFINGER
https://www.songfacts.com/facts/nilsson/without-you
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FatKaz
August 28, 2020, 6:46am
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Yesterday, some people on my mate’s Facebook were discussing the 1960s teen pop hit “Shout” by Lulu:
None of them knew that it was originally a 1950s rock & roll song by the Isley Brothers:
Lulu’s version is still popular in the UK, so I’m guessing this sad state of affairs is reflective of most of the population.
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It’s my favorite version (that guitar too!), but imagine thinking it was their song.
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Pretty much everything by Led Zep?
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Pretty much. Except Kashmir. Which I hate. Especially when played by ICRT Terry.
Kashmir is brilliant. You need professional help.
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I know. Kashmir and Layla. I can’t abear them.
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I always thought Nancy Sinatra was original for Summer Wine, heard this fantastic cover:
That made me look up original and found was this;
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It sounds better when you don’t listen to it on ICRT.