There are so many tracks in the history of rock and roll where the song is recorded and ready for pressing on 45’s – and in some cases, pressed on 45’s and distributed – only to have someone decide, “Hey, let’s redo this song with another vocal.” And I don’t mean “re-record the entire song, orchestration, vocals and all,” no. I mean, replace the vocal track with another vocal track, re-use the music, and go from there.
And on today’s edition of K-Chuck Radio, I have plenty of “before” and “after” examples of a song where, for one reason or another, the original vocals were replaced with new vocals.
Starting with this rarity.
BARRY McGUIRE
California Dreamin’
Yes, that’s the Mama’s and the Papa’s doing the background vocals, with former New Christy Minstrels vocalist and future “Eve of Destruction” hitmaker Barry McGuire on lead vocals. But why waste that fantastic Wrecking Crew orchestration? Simply take Barry McGuire’s vocals off – along with that harmonica solo – and add Denny Doherty on lead vocals, and you’ve got a hit. This hit, in particular. But listen carefully to the Mama’s and the Papa’s version – you can actually hear, for just a second, Barry McGuire singing “All the leaves are brown.” Interesting.
THE PEPPERMINT RAINBOW
Green Tambourine
The original version of the bubblegum hit “Green Tambourine” was, of course, performed by the Lemon Pipers – which became their only monster hit.
That being said, someone had a great idea to recycle the track and add it as an album track by a sunshine pop group, The Peppermint Rainbow, and the version they performed was … well … a version, for sure.
CLIFF BENNETT & THE REBEL ROUSERS
Got To Get You Into My Life
Here’s an example where the track was ported to artists in two different countries, both of whom had major hits in their homelands. Look, when you have a rocking track from the Beatles that’s getting airplay on radio stations without even being released as a single … someone’s got to take some initiative. In this case, the same audio track that was a hit for Australian singer Cliff Bennett & the Rebel Rousers …
That track was recycled in Canada for a Nova Scotia band called the Stitch in Tyme, and yes, it became THEIR biggest – and only – hit.
THE BEE GEES
Coalman
In their early years, the Bee Gees were not only producing their own hits, they were also sharing the wealth with other Australian singers. Check out this early track, where Barry Gibb is clearly channeling his best John Lennon imitation.
Eventually the audio track was re-used and became a huge hit for another Australian singer, in this case, Ronnie Burns. The track even contains that weird reverb intro from the Bee Gees version.
THE BEE GEES
Exit Stage Right
Hey, if it works, try it again. And the Bee Gees did, taking their Australian early hit “Exit Stage Right” …
Wipe off Barry Gibb’s vocals, add Ronnie Burns, and you’ve got another rocking hit Down Under.
FRANK WILSON
Do I Love You (Indeed I Do)
And of course, we come to one of the rarest rock records out there. This Motown stomper once only existed as a couple of promotional 45’s; today, it’s considered a Northern Soul staple.
Although the record wasn’t released as a single during its initial creation, producer / singer Frank Wilson wiped his OWN vocals off the track, and pressed a new version featuring Motown singer Christine Clark.
THE DRIFTERS
Only In America
Wait, you didn’t know the Drifters originally recorded that classic Jay and the Americans song? Well, yeah. This is Ben E. King’s lead vocals on this track.
Speed the track up a little, wipe Ben E. King’s vocals off … add Jay Black’s vocals, and … well … you have it.
There you go. Some rarities indeed. Some fun stuff, too.
Right here on K-Chuck Radio.
Chuck The Writer 