THIRTEEN SINGERS WHO COVEREDTHE MOST RECORDED SONG OF ALL TIME
Almost every time you hear about Michael Jackson's estate, someone mentions that he owned The Beatles Catalog, and that it's worth mucho dinero. That the rites to the Lads' music are highly profitable isn't surprising. After all, Beatles albums have been selling consistently for 45 years now. Cirque du Soleil's LOVE and recent the Across the Universe film generated new interest in the Beatles … and new income, as well. Every time you're on hold and you hear "Michelle," whenever a high school band plays "With a Little Help from my Friends," somewhere a cash register rings.
And most of all, there's "Yesterday." According to The Guiness Book of World Records, this Paul McCartney composition has been recorded and re-recorded more times and by more artists than any other pop song in modern history. The most up to date tally I could find is 1,600.
To give you an idea of the song's popularity across every demographic, here are 13 of the artists who have recorded "Yesterday."
And most of all, there's "Yesterday." According to The Guiness Book of World Records, this Paul McCartney composition has been recorded and re-recorded more times and by more artists than any other pop song in modern history. The most up to date tally I could find is 1,600.
To give you an idea of the song's popularity across every demographic, here are 13 of the artists who have recorded "Yesterday."
Chet Atkins
Boyz II Men
James Brown
Ray Charles
Perry Como
Placido Domingo
Marvin Gaye
Tom Jones
Gladys Knight and the Pips
Elvis Presley
Smokey Robinson
Diana Ross & the Supremes
Frank Sinatra
Boyz II Men
James Brown
Ray Charles
Perry Como
Placido Domingo
Marvin Gaye
Tom Jones
Gladys Knight and the Pips
Elvis Presley
Smokey Robinson
Diana Ross & the Supremes
Frank Sinatra
Perry Como? I had no idea. I would love his smooth voice with this song.
ReplyDeleteI had no idea that song had been recorded by that many people. I don't think I've ever heard any of the cover versions, though.
ReplyDeletewow...
ReplyDeletegreat info and insight!
13 Breath-taking Moments
...all my troubles seemed so far away,.....now I long for yesterday-ay-ay. [There is also a song recorded by Roy Clark, Yesterday...when I was young the taste of life was sweet, as rain upon my tongue.]
ReplyDeleteI'm going to be humming this song all day now. And I love it.
My 13 is posted now, I hope you can find time to stop by for a visit. Happy Thursday to you.
Wow! Who knew?
ReplyDeleteHappy T13!
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ReplyDeleteGreat list!
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday!
http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2009/07/whoopie-thursday.html
This whole song catalog thing is intriguing. I had no idea "Yesterday" has been recorded that much. What an interesting post and concept.
ReplyDeleteWow! That's a lot of recordings of one song--and that is just the ones that recorded--not sang it Karaoke or in the shower! :)
ReplyDeleteHappy TT!
tm
Did MJ own Yesterday? I hope Paul McCartney can get his songs back.
ReplyDeleteCool list. Happy TT!
Gosh. That is a lot of recording of a single song. But like DSB, I don't think I've heard any version but the Beatle's.
ReplyDeleteWow, that's interesting. Quite a mix of artist's there.
ReplyDeleteWow! I knew that the song had had more go-rounds than the average tune, but I had no clue so many people had recorded it.
ReplyDeleteVery cool! I love me some Tom Jones. lol - I have no idea why.
ReplyDeleteAnything Tom Jones sings makes me cringe. Queen needs to go lie down.
ReplyDelete