Greatest Takeover/Hijack of a song

**buckjohnson** · 09-25-2011

interesting

**fred41** · 09-25-2011

Originally Posted by buckjohnson

interesting

really?...tell me more.

**Prospero** · 09-25-2011

Purple Haze sung by Dion and Purple Haze played by the Kronos String Quartet.

**maxpower** · 09-25-2011

I'm amazed that no one has yet mentioned The Beatles version of The Isley Brothers' "Twist and Shout." That song, like Aretha's "Respect" or Elvis' "Hound Dog," is the very definition of a hijack--a version so widely known and immediately associated with that artist, that few people realize or remember that it's a cover. The Beatles definitely own that one.

**Marinus** · 09-25-2011

I think not too many people know that 'War' is a cover too ...

"WAR
(Norman Whitfield/Barrett Strong)
(o): Temptations (1970) label: Gordy
On their lp Psychedelic Shack.
(c): Edwin Starr (1970) [n°1 US; still faces radio bans any time a military conflict comes too close for comfort], D.O.A. (1982) , Jam (1982) , Frankie Goes To Hollywood (1984) , Bruce Springsteen (1986) [introducing his live version with the message: "In 1985 blind faith in your leaders or anything will get you killed"], Laibach (1994) , Joan Osborne (2002) , Boyz II Men (2007) , Sandrine (2010) ,

Motown wasn't the most obvious record label for an anti war song, not even in 1970. Berry Gordy's first choice was to launch it as an album track, not as a single. He didn't want to risk a good running band as The Temptations for what he considered an unpatriotic cause. That's why the single release was for newcomer Edwin Starr."

In 1970 the Viet Nam War was still raging and it's mostly portrait with black soldiers in the front lines and Motown as the soundtrack. They were allowed on AFN radio in Viet Nam because they kept up the moral. Berry Gordy Jr. personally vouched that there wouldn't be any political song going out their door.
In 1966 one song slipped through the mazes: 'Greetings (this is Uncle Sam)' by the Monitors, but it was never a big hit. By 1970 the war was considered a historical mistake and even Motown didn't stand off-side and gave their blessing to 'War'. They first recorded it on album by The Temptations and a little later on single by a different artist, Edwin Starr. That last one was a big hit and they knew it, because they didn't want to put their first-class act at risk.