Covers of Elton John Songs (English
Speaking Territories, 11/67 – 09/70)
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November 1967 |
Long John Baldry |
Hey Lord You Made The Night Too Long |
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B-side in some territories, including the
US, of ‘Let The Heartaches Begin’. Co-written with
LJB and Tony Macaulay, who had co-written ‘Love Grows where my Rosemary
Grows’, ‘Build Me Up Buttercup’ and the single’s A-side. The nature of
Elton’s role in writing this song is unclear. |
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1 March 1968 |
Elton John |
I’ve Been Loving You |
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24 May 1968 |
Edwin Bee |
I’ve Been Loving You |
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B-side of
Decca F 12781. Produced by Roy Tempest (who was Bluesology’s
agent) and arranged by Robin Netscher. The first
artist to cover and release an Elton John song. His only release. Edwin Bee's
real name is Terry Hill. The original name for the band was Jo Jo Cook and the Protection Racket. Decca didn't like
that, hence the change. Terry emigrated
to Canada in
the mid 70s and still lives in Nova Scotia. |
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June 1968 (NZ) |
Quincy Conserve |
I’ve Been Loving You |
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Their Singles
Collection has this and 1969’s ‘Here's To the
Next Time’. This was a B-side of a NZ single produced by Howard Gable. They
were known as Wellington’s first supergroup. Date comes from this
link. |
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25 July 1968 |
Dukes Noblemen |
Thank You for Your Loving |
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They were runners up in Opportunity Knocks
(see this link). This John/Quaye composition was the
B-side of their single ‘City of Windows’, on Philips. The backing track is
the same as Elton’s version (refer to the final drum fill). |
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16 August 1968 |
Roger James Cooke |
Skyline Pigeon |
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Columbia DB
8458 (also came out in the USA and Australia). Produced by: John Burgess,
Arranged by: John Cameron. Cook and Greenaway intercepted this song during a
period when Elton was disillusioned with Dick James. Roger was a great
support to Elton during this time, releasing this song, and pushing this and
‘When I Was Tealby Abbey’ to other musicians to
record. This came out 10 months before Elton’s version. This radio programme has an interview with some
discussion of this song. |
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23 August 1968 |
Guy Darrell |
Skyline Pigeon |
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He sang with the group Deep Feeling (not the
same as the Capaldi/Winwood Deep Feeling) . This
single came out on Pye. He had links with Des Champ
(who masterminded Chicory Tip’s ‘Son of Your Father’) and Roger Easterby, who were heavily involved at Page One, and this
is what brought him to the song. |
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September 1968 |
The Young Brothers |
When I Was Tealby
Abbey |
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Discogs |
45cat |
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Frank Renshaw (Young) uploaded this to
YouTube recently. He says that ‘Skyline Pigeon’ and this song were given to
Cook/Greenaway just after they took over managing The Young Brothers. The
‘brothers’ chose ‘When I Was Tealby Abbey’. They
recorded about six songs, releasing the Cook/Greenaway song ‘I’ve Always
Wanted Love’ on 27 September 1968. Paul Young (later of Sad Café /
Mike and the Mechanics) is on lead vocal. |
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Late 1968 |
Stewart A. Brown |
I Can’t Go on Living Without You |
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Discogs |
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Stewart Brown
made this record just after leaving Bluesology – in an attempt to start a solo career. The song was
recorded before being offered by Dick James to the Eurovision contest, so it
was the first cover of the song, in late 1968 according to a comment on the
45cat page. 5,000 copies were pressed. Then the song was accepted into the
qualifying rounds for Eurovision, where it was sung by Lulu. Stewart’s
release had to be cancelled. Gary Osborne produced this record. Gary says in
the Keith Hayward book that he and Elton were ‘on nodding terms’ in the Bluesology days. |
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29 November 1968 |
Brian Keith |
When the First Tear Shows |
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Produced by
Colin Frechter & Larry Page, for Page One.
Brian Keith was lead singer for Plastic Penny. |
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Early 1969 (US) |
Jack Bedient and
the Chessmen |
‘Loving You Baby’ |
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Discogs |
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There is no obvious link from
Elton/Dick/Bill Silva (producer)/Ernie Freeman (very famous arranger - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernie_Freeman)
and/or Jack Bedient. Oddly, it was the B-side of a
Zach Lawrence composition. Released in ‘1969’ in the USA. Perhaps earlier
rather than later as the song had been out for 9 months in January 1969. Not
listed on the
band’s discogs entry. |
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17 January 1969 |
Elton John |
Lady Samantha |
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February 1969 |
Lulu |
I Can’t Go on Living Without You |
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(Discogs) |
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Unreleased until 2005’s The Complete Mickie Most Recordings. Almost certainly recorded
prior to the choice being made on February 22nd for the UK’s Song
for Europe. Produced by Mickie Most. |
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February 1969 |
Plastic Penny |
Turn to Me |
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Released on their second album Currency. On Page One. Cover design by
George Underwood. Nigel drums. |
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7 February 1969 |
Ayshea |
Taking the Sun from My Eyes |
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YouTube |
Discogs |
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Not listed on discogs.
Elton played ‘Lady Samantha’ in January 1969 on Discotheque, Granada children’s TV, introduced by Ayshea. This single was withdrawn and is very scarce.
B-side of ‘Another Night’, produced by Chris Brough. |
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28 February 1969 |
Guy Darrell |
Turn to Me |
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By now Darrell’s records were being released
on Page One. Produced by Des Champ and Roger Easterby.
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21 March 1969 |
Lew Rich |
Taking the Sun from My Eyes |
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YouTube |
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Released on DJM. His only release. Produced
by Stephen James and arranged by Zach Lawrence. He is almost certainly the same Lewis Rich who
recorded in 1968 for Parlophone, including a
Cook/Greenaway song, and likely to be the same Lewis Rich who was the on/off
singer and organist with The
Herd. Bluesology played the Marquee alongside The
Herd twice at the end of 1966. He may already have
left the band by then – he left roughly as Peter Frampton joined. In all likelihood he and Elton would had played together
and shared notes as keyboardists. |
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April 1969 (NZ) |
The Quincy Conserve |
Here’s to the Next Time |
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(Discogs) |
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Once again produced by Howard Gable. Discogs link is for the reissue/best of from 2008, the
single itself (which has ‘Here’s to the Next Time’ on the B-side) is not on discogs. |
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16 May 1969 |
Elton John |
It’s Me That You Need |
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23 May 1969 |
Roy Everett |
Empty Sky |
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Produced by Jonathan Peel. Arranged by Joe
Moretti in association with Tony Hall Enterprises. This song was
the B-side of ‘Happy Birthday Blues’ on Parlophone.
Everett had founded the Birmingham based Blues Hounds. The Blues
Hounds’ “most notable member was future Fairport Convention bass
player Dave Pegg. [They] were good mates of The
Spencer Davis Group". They went on to pick up a young Ayshea Brough and Jimmy Cliff, dropping Roy Everett. This
rendition of ‘Empty Sky’ was released ten days before Elton’s. |
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June 1969 |
Dave Sealey |
I Can’t Go on Living Without You |
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(Discogs) |
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Discogs link is the Brazilian release. Produced by Dennis Berger, and
arranged by Richard Hewson, who arranged Thrillington among many other
things. His previous single had been the maiden release on DJM. This was on
DJM too. |
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6 June 1969 |
Elton John |
Empty Sky |
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11 June 1969 |
Three Dog Night |
Lady Samantha |
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Worth noting that their previous album had a
song from Traffic (by Capaldi, Wood and Steve Winwood)
on it. Hutton didn’t sing this one. Elton met up with Danny Hutton while he
was on tour in the UK to pitch songs to him. Hutton liked Elton,
and encouraged him to pretend to be the band’s roadie to get backstage
at the Marquee. |
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20 June 1969 |
Spooky Tooth |
Son of Your Father |
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Spooky Tooth started out in Carlisle
as the R&B group The V.I.Ps in late 1963. They
signed with Larry Page in 1964, before he came to London, but soon parted
ways and signed with Island. Bluesology played
alongside them on at the Marquee the 8 of July 1966, and more than likely on
other occasions. They changed their name to Art in April 1967, and then to
Spooky Tooth later on that year. Spooky Tooth released two versions of this song – the first as a
single with American keyboardist and vocalist Gary Wright on vocals (this
one), and later on their album The Last Puff with Mike Harrison on vocal. This single version
was produced by Muff Winwood and came out on
Island. |
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?Mid 1969 |
Sandie Shaw |
I Can’t Go on Living Without You |
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(Discogs) |
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Unreleased until a 2004 box set. No
information regarding who produced/arranged this on the internet. |
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?July 1969 |
Simon Dupree and the Big Sound |
I’m Going Home |
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(Discogs) |
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Unreleased until a 2004 box set. Elton is on
piano. Elton toured with them summer 1967 according to this link.
‘I’m Going Home’ was registered in July 1969, which seems as good a date as
any to place this recording at. |
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October 1969 |
Guy Darrell |
Sing Me No Sad Songs |
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YouTube |
Discogs |
45cat |
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A single (presumably on Page One) that was
released and then immediately withdrawn. Very limited evidence that this even
exists, outside of a mention in the Bernadin book
and in Paul McLaughlin’s Cornflakes
and Classics. |
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November 13 1969 (US) |
Silver Metre |
Ballad of a Well-Known Gun |
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Features on their self-titled album,
released in November 1969. Released in February 1970 as a B-side, and in June
1970 as an A-side. The album also contained ‘Sixty Years On’ (YouTube
link) and ‘Country Comfort’ (YouTube link). Silver Metre were a hard rock band who
released one album. They featured Leigh Stephens on guitar; Pete Sears on
bass and keyboards; Mick Waller on drums; and Harry 'Jack' Reynolds on
vocals. Leigh Stephens has
said "I was living in London and Mickey Waller just appeared
having been part of Jeff Beck Group. He introduced me to Ronnie Wood and we
started to rehearse at the Stones studio in Bermondsey. Woodie ended up going
with the Faces and Pete and I ended up meeting Harry Reynolds, who had a
friend with a lot of good songs to yet be recorded. Turns out his friend was
Elton John and we took around four or five songs of his and did them on the
Silver Metre album". The album was recorded
at Trident in the UK. Pete went on to work with Rod and LJB. Harry
Reynolds played with Lord Sutch, then The Soul
Savages (including Paul Nicholas) who joined the Spencer Davis Group for The Who's
package tour of April 1966. There
exists a concert
recording of Silver Metre from the Fillmore West on 10 July 1970
where they play the three Elton songs before Elton had set foot in the US. |
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December 1969 (NZ) |
Tom Thumb |
When the First Tear Shows |
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(Discogs) |
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Tom Thumb were an immensely popular rock
band from Wellington , New Zealand. From 1966 to 1970 they recorded a broad
range of music including pop-psyche to progressive rock. Their stage show has
been described as quite phenomenal, and they had a large, dedicated cult
following. In an effort to capture a wider audience,
producer Peter Dawkins had the band record and release the John/Taupin composition ‘When the First Tear Shows’ as a
single. The schlock of this recording did not reflect
their live sound. Tom Thumb’s rendition of the song sounds very much like the
single released by Brian Keith (late of Plastic Penny). |
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December 1969 (NZ) |
Shane |
Lady Samantha |
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An English musician who relocated to New
Zealand. A follow up to his local number one hit. Reached number three in the
chart. Produced by Peter Dawkins. |
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January 1970 |
Orange Bicycle |
Take Me to The Pilot |
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An interview and live session exist from
this era on the BBC. They played over 100 sessions at the BBC. They have a
long history, starting out in 1959 at the 2is coffee bar. Lots of singles
under different identities in the 1960s, before becoming Orange Bicycle to
meet the wave of psychedelia. The
only album that they released while they existed came out in
September 1970. It goes for £200 these days. It also included their cover of
‘Lady Samantha’ (YouTube link),
as well as 'Country Comforts' (YouTube link).
The latter was released as a B-side in early 1971. |
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February 1970 (NZ) |
Cilla Black |
I Can’t Go on Living Without You |
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Dated through adjacent catalogue numbers.
Released in NZ in 1970 (an A-side). Produced by George Martin. |
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?February 1970 |
Edward Woodward |
The Tide Will Turn for Rebecca |
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Wikipedia |
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Album track (last track of side A) and
B-side of his single ‘The Way You Look Tonight’ (December 1970). The
catalogue number of the album (DJLPS
405) is one before Elton John
(DJLPS 406) which came out in
April 1970, and so January or February is a reasonable guess. |
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February 1970 |
Hayden Wood |
Sixty Years On |
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NZ singer who came over in the wave with
the Bee Gees. Link could be through NEMS / Dick James, or through arranger
John Fiddy, who played bass on some budget covers
sessions with Elton. Song famously pulled off the platter by Tony Blackburn,
dooming it to obscurity. The album (which also featured ‘The Greatest
Discovery’ and ‘Ballad of a Well-Known Gun’, neither of which are on YouTube)
was pulled. It did see some release in NZ later on
apparently. ‘Well-Known Gun’ came out as an A-side and ‘The Greatest
Discovery’ as a B-side, later in 1970. |
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Early 1970 (NZ) |
The Tongues |
Take Me to The Pilot |
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(45cat) |
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Just like Tom Thumb, they switched genres,
starting out as a psych band, before seeing success with straighter material.
They were originally known as The Hi-Revving Tongues, before changing their
name to The Tongues for their second, self-titled album, released in ‘early
1970’ according to this link.
Their cover was released as an A-side in July 1970 (see 45cat link, above) by
which time the band had reverted to their longer-form name. Produced by Tony
Foster-Moan, their version in some ways took after the Orange Bicycle cover
of the song. |
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March 1970 |
Three Dog Night |
Your Song |
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There are letters
from Elton describing material that he is sending to Danny, pitching music
for their third album. They were given ‘first dibs’ on the songs written in
1969. They didn’t go for ‘Sixty Years On’, which Elton posted to them in
November 1969, but they did want this one. According to a comment on YouTube,
The Hollies declined this song. |
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10 April 1970 |
Elton John |
Elton John |
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24 April 1970 |
Elton John |
Border Song |
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June 1970 |
Rod Stewart |
‘Country Comforts’ |
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Interestingly, the lower backing vocal
on here is Harry (Jack) Reynolds, from Silver Metre, the only time he
features on this album. |
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5 June 1970 |
Nite People |
Season of the Rain |
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On Page One, B-side of their song P.M. The same recording was issued
again by The Banana Bunch on DJM (again as a B-side). The Page One press release for
the single reads: “This highly competent four-piece group from Bournemouth
have captured a fine sound on their latest recording for Page One ‘P.M.’ Nite People have built up a good, solid reputation both
here and abroad and have appeared at all major London clubs including Hatchettts and the Revolution. Their high standard of
musicianship has ensured them many live appearances on Radio One, and good
radio exposure could make ‘P.M.’ a hit”. This was their final single. Bluesology played alongside Nite
People on the 23 of November 1967 at the Marquee. |
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19 June 1970 (UK) |
Elton John |
Rock and Roll Madonna |
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July 1970 (reissue on UNI -US) |
Elton John |
Border Song |
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July 1970 (US) |
Dorothy Morrison |
‘Border Song (Holy Moses)’ |
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AKA Dorothy Combs Morrison. This song
came out on Buddha in the USA. She was part of the Edwin Hawkins singers, and
was the lead vocalist on the song ‘Oh Happy Day’ (number 4 in the US and
number 2 in the UK). Toured with Delaney and Bonnie, who Elton loved. Elton
mentions this cover in his March 1970 BBC interview. |
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July 1970 |
Spooky Tooth |
Son of Your Father |
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Gary Wright had left the band after
their disastrous third album Ceremony
in 1969, a collaboration with a French avant-garde composer Pierre Henry,
which was released without the consent of the band. They said it would kill
their career, and it did. |
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24 July 1970 |
Deep Feeling |
Skyline Pigeon |
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On Page One.
Once again this is Guy Darrell’s
band, nothing to do with Capaldi/Winwood’s from
1966. Once again, produced by Champ/Easterby. |
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31 July 1970 |
Brainchild |
The Cage |
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Released as a
single on the A&M record label. British progressive rock group,
Brainchild released only one album; Healing
of the Lunatic Owl on A&M in 1970, but this song was not on there. |
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August 1970 (NZ) |
Hayden Wood |
The Greatest Discovery |
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YouTube |
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B-side of ‘It’s Alright’. |
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Releases
are UK or UK /US unless stated.