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Take this Cover Songs Quiz! Difficult Trivia | Remakes, Covers & Rereleases

We all know and love these hit songs. But who did them first?

A multiple-choice quiz by tncvols. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
tncvols

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
331,031

Updated
Jul 23 22

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Difficult

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
620

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Jimi Hendrix made "All Along The Watchtower" in 1968 a big hit but who watched it fail to chart first in 1967? Hint

Dave Mason

Bob Dylan

Paul Weller

Robin Trower

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Question 2 of 10

2. Eric Clapton had a sniff of success with "Cocaine" but which double initial performer did it first? Hint

J. J. Cale

B B. King

C. C. Rider

Tom T. Hall

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Question 3 of 10

3. One of many Led Zeppelin covers was "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" but who left you most notably first? Hint

Joni Mitchell

Joan Baez

Linda Ronstadt

Janis Ian

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Question 4 of 10

4. "China Girl" was a hit for David Bowie but who was his co-author that released it first? Hint

Iggy Pop

Todd Rundgren

Lou Reed

Lou Christie

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Question 5 of 10

5. "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" by the Animals was actually a cover of what female artist's performance? Hint

Julie Driscoll

Nina Simone

Dusty Springfield

Petula Clark

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Question 6 of 10

6. Rod Stewart covered many songs including "Downtown Train" which was first done by what other husky voiced singer? Hint

Joe Cocker

John Prine

Tom Waits

Patty Smyth

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Question 7 of 10

7. Another prolific cover artist, Elvis Presley had a monster hit with "Hound Dog" when he covered which blues artist? Hint

Big Mama Thornton

Memphis Minnie

Bessie Smith

Ma Rainey

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Question 8 of 10

8. Wilson Pickett had the definitive version of "Mustang Sally" that rode along after whose original performance? Hint

Brook Benton

Jr. Walker

Edie Kendricks

Sir Mack Rice

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Question 9 of 10

9. Linda Ronstadt told us "You're No Good" in 1975. But who told us that first in 1963? Hint

Betty Everett

Tammi Terrell

Dee Clark

Dee Dee Warwick

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Question 10 of 10

10. The Black Crowes found it "Hard to Handle" in 1990. But who was it hard for in 1968? Hint

Paul Butterfield

Eddie Floyd

Canned Heat

Otis Redding

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Jimi Hendrix made "All Along The Watchtower" in 1968 a big hit but who watched it fail to chart first in 1967?

Answer: Bob Dylan

Dave Mason played on the Hendrix version and later did a full cover himself. It is one of Dylan's most bashed works by the critics.

2. Eric Clapton had a sniff of success with "Cocaine" but which double initial performer did it first?

Answer: J. J. Cale

Eric has covered more than one of Cale's songs. He also recorded "Travelin' Light" (as did Widespread Panic) and "After Midnight".

3. One of many Led Zeppelin covers was "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" but who left you most notably first?

Answer: Joan Baez

This was written in the 1950's by Anne Bredon but when Baez released it was credited as "traditional". It has been covered by a number of bands including Quicksilver Messenger Service in 1967.

4. "China Girl" was a hit for David Bowie but who was his co-author that released it first?

Answer: Iggy Pop

The song was co-written by Iggy and Bowie and first recorded by Iggy. Bowie included it on his "let's Dance" release to help Iggy recover from financial problems with his half the writing royalties.

5. "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" by the Animals was actually a cover of what female artist's performance?

Answer: Nina Simone

It was written for Simone who recorded it in 1964. Eric Burdon later said that although it wasn't perceived as pop material the band loved it at first listen and it was reworked in their up-tempo R&B style.

6. Rod Stewart covered many songs including "Downtown Train" which was first done by what other husky voiced singer?

Answer: Tom Waits

Waits had a promo video for this song in 1985 directed by Jean-Baptiste Mondino which featured Jake LaMotta, the boxer. Bob Seger had also recorded this song in 1989 but did not release his version as Stewart had beaten him to it. The Smyth version hit #95 on the top 100 chart in 1987.

7. Another prolific cover artist, Elvis Presley had a monster hit with "Hound Dog" when he covered which blues artist?

Answer: Big Mama Thornton

Lieber and Stoller wrote this tune in 1952 and it was recorded by Big Mama the same year. It has been heard in numerous movie sound tracks including "Grease", "American Graffiti" and "Forrest Gump".

8. Wilson Pickett had the definitive version of "Mustang Sally" that rode along after whose original performance?

Answer: Sir Mack Rice

It was first recorded in 1965 with Pickett's cover done the following year. The song started as a sort of joke over Della Reese asking for a new Mustang. It was originally to be titled "Mustang Mama" but Aretha Franklin suggested Sally instead.

9. Linda Ronstadt told us "You're No Good" in 1975. But who told us that first in 1963?

Answer: Dee Dee Warwick

Both Warwick and Everett recorded the song in 1963. While Warwick released it first it was Everett who took it to #51 on the Hot 100 list. and in 1975 Ronstadt made it her first #1 hit song.

10. The Black Crowes found it "Hard to Handle" in 1990. But who was it hard for in 1968?

Answer: Otis Redding

The Redding version hit #51 on the charts while the Crowes got it to #26. The song was a mainstay live performance set number for the Grateful Dead.

Source: Author tncvols

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Dalgleish before going online.
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