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THE DOOR TO YESTERDAY VOL 5 NO. 23 Alan Warner 2021

 

 With only so many words used in everyday language, 

it’s not surprising that many song titles become interchangeable. 


Understandably, the current hit “Cry Baby” by Megan Thee Stallion 

is a totally different song to the classic 1963 Garnet Mimms R&B 

record of the same name.

 

Similarly, Led Zeppelin’s 1971 eternal rock anthem bore no relation to 

Neil Sedaka’s own “Stairway To Heaven” from eleven years earlier.


There are countless examples of different hit songs with the same title 

and the following are just a few of them which caught my eye...


BLUE MONDAY 

(Dave Bartholomew)

by Fats Domino

Pro: Dave Bartholomew 

(Imperial: 1956) 

https://youtu.be/NWkv0jU1cRI

Originally recorded by Smiley Lewis in ’53, 

this BLUE MONDAY was recut by Fats whose version 

reached #9 on Billboard’s Hot 100 in February ’57. 

  

BLUE MONDAY 

(Bernard Sumner/Gilliam Gilbert/Peter Hook/Stephen Morris)

by New Order

Pro: New Order 

(Factory: 1983) 

https://youtu.be/iOEJHNZpeck 

Written and produced by this British techno-dance group, 

BLUE MONDAY was a disco hit here in ’83 and then a 

remixed version co-produced by Quincy Jones charted on the 

Hot 100 in ’88.


CRY ME A RIVER 

(Arthur Hamilton) 

by Julie London

Pro: Bobby Troup feat. Barney Kessel & Ray Leatherwood 

(Liberty: 1955) 

https://youtu.be/gCGNYJOrebA  

A #9 hit here in late ’55, its success was aided by Julie singing

 the song onscreen in the 1956 hit rock ‘n’ roll movie “The Girl Can’t Help It”. 

Originally, there were two Julie London versions on Liberty:

 a single of Julie with orchestra conducted by Felix Slatkin

 but this is the more famous recording with Julie accompanied 

by guitarist Barney Kessel andbass player Ray Leatherwood. 

It was the opening track on her debut LP “Julie Is Her Name”

produced by Bobby Troup whom she married in ’59.


CRY ME A RIVER 

(Justin Timberlake/Scott Spencer/Tim Mosley)

by Justin Timberlake

Pro: Timbaland 

(Jive: 2002) 

https://youtu.be/CIk45fEWBok 

This marked Justin’s second hit on the Hot 100 

when it peaked at #3 in February 2003.


FAMILY AFFAIR 

(Sylvester Stewart aka Sly Stone)

by Sly & The Family Stone

Pro: Sly Stone 

(Epic: 1971) 

https://youtu.be/j2x4a2TilEo 

A massive dance floor favorite, it was the third 

Sly & The Family Stone single to reach #1 on the Hot 100.


FAMILY AFFAIR 

(Mary J. Blige/Andre Young aka Dr. Dre)

Bruce Miller/Camara Kambon/Melvin Bradford/

Mike Elizondo/Luchana Lodge/Louis Pierre)

by Mary J. Blige

Pro: Dr. Dre 

(MCA: 2001) 

https://youtu.be/XPqg74xDU_4  

This was hip-hop soul queen Mary J’s first #1 smash hit.

 

FEEL LIKE MAKIN’ LOVE 

(Eugene McDaniels)

by Roberta Flack

Pro: Roberta Flack

Co-Pro: L. Leon Pendarvis, Eugene McDaniels & Louise Fleming

Exec. Pro: Joel Dorn 

(Atlantic: 1974)

https://youtu.be/ySlLq9t2qgc 

Roberta’s single topped Billboard’s R&B chart and also 

the Hot 100 in ’74. Song was later revived by George Benson 

whose version charted in the UK in ’83. 

As singer Gene McDaniels, Eugene had major 1960’s hits 

with other writers’ songs including “A Hundred Pounds Of Clay”,

 “Tower Of Strength” and “Chip Chip”.


FEEL LIKE MAKIN’ LOVE 

(Paul Rodgers/Mick Ralphs)

by Bad Company

Pro: Bad Company 

(Swan Song: 1975) 

https://youtu.be/eHhI7fZ6aIk  

Song also recorded by Millie Jackson 

whose version became a minor R&B seller in ’76.


HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE 

(Barry Gibb/Robin Gibb/Maurice Gibb)

by The Bee Gees

Pro: The Bee Gees, Karl Richardson & Albhy Galuten 

(RSO: 1977) 

https://youtu.be/o51p5IRJ5Tc 

This was the first of the Bee Gees’ three #1 hits from

the box-office hit film “Saturday Night Fever” 

starring John Travolta. The two singles which 

followed were “Stayin’ Alive” and “Night Fever”.


HOW DEEP IS YOUR LOVE 

(Warryn Campbell/Mark Andrews/

Tamir Ruffin/Rick Cousin/Reggie Noble)

by Dru Hill Featuring Redman

Pro: Warryn Campbell, Dutch & Nokio 

(Island: 1998) 

https://youtu.be/WYLYZqzk2zQ 

This was the third single by R&B group Dru Hill 

to top Billboard’s R&B chart. The Dru Hill track 

was featured prominently in the 1998 Jackie Chan 

movie “Rush Hour”.


LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL 

(Sam Theard/Fleecie Moore)

by Louis Jordan & His Tympany Five 

(Decca: 1946)

https://youtu.be/N6HGTnDGNOk 

Saxman Louis Jordan ushered in this unforgettable jump blues 

which was successful on the race record charts in ’47. 

It was co-written by Louis using his wife’s name Fleecie Moore 

as a pseudonym. Recorded by such other artists as Ray Charles, 

Muddy Waters, Rufus Thomas, B.B. King, Jerry Lee Lewis 

and also Koko Taylor.


LET THE GOOD TIMES ROLL 

(Leonard Lee/Shirley Goodman)

by Shirley & Lee 

(Aladdin: 1956) 

https://youtu.be/2NeafOQn-wQ  

R&B duet by the twosome who were tagged the “Sweethearts Of The Blues”. 

Other artists who recorded the song range from The Animals & Taj Mahal 

to Barbra Streisand plus the duo Caesar & Cleo who were later known as 

Sonny & Cher.


OVER AND OVER 

(Robert Byrd aka Bobby Day)

by Bobby Day 

(Class: 1958) 

https://youtu.be/LhJQbtSMSXU 

Written and recorded by Bobby Day of The Hollywood Flames, 

it was issued on the flipside of Bobby’s version of Leon Rene’s 

song “Rockin’ Robin” which hit #2 on the Hot 100 in October ’58. 

A competing version by Thurston Harris also briefly charted but 

the song’s biggest success was by the Dave Clark Five whose 

revival topped the Hot 100 in Christmas week ’65.


OVER AND OVER 

(Jayson Bridges/Cornell Haynes aka Nelly/James Hargrove)

by Nelly with Tim McGraw

Exec Pro: Nelly

A&R: Kevin Law 

(Derrty: 2004) 

https://youtu.be/M9_IBF4BOII  

Rapper Nelly joined forces with country star 

Tim McGraw for this #3 hit single featured on Nelly’s album “Suit”.
 

STAY WITH ME 

(Jerry Ragovoy/George David Weiss)

by Lorraine Ellison

Pro: Jerry Ragovoy 

(Warner Bros: 1966) 

https://youtu.be/A9IGpoStbNE 

A glorious example of a gospel-trained singer delivering an impassioned

 deep soul ballad. Sometimes referred to as STAY WITH ME BABY as in UK chart

 versions by The Walker Brothers, David Essex and Rebecca Wheatley, the song was 

performed by Bette Midler in the 1979 film “The Rose”.


STAY WITH ME 

(Ron Wood/Rod Stewart)

by The Faces

Pro: Glyn Johns & The Faces 

(Warner Bros: 1971) 

https://youtu.be/f514cAZucCg 

Formed in 1969, The Faces comprised former members of the Small Faces 

and the Jeff Beck Group. Their lead singer was Rod Stewart and STAY WITH ME 

was the band’s initial success hitting #6 in the UK in January ’72 and #17 here 

that March.


WALK ON BY 

(Kendall Hayes)

by Leroy Van Dyke

Pro: Shelby Singleton 

(Mercury: 1961)

https://youtu.be/qJVGkaGUqyI 

A major #1 country hit in ’61 which crossed over to become

a #5 smash in December that year; it also reached that same

#5 position in the UK in February ‘62.


WALK ON BY 

(Burt Bacharach/Hal David)

by Dionne Warwick

Pro: Bacharach & David

Arr & Cond: Burt Bacharach 

(Scepter: 1964) 

https://youtu.be/vsGsCvJWEo8 

This was the fifth of a momentous string of chart hits written 

by Burt & Hal specially for Dionne. The first was “Don’t Make Me Over” 

and the one that preceded WALK ON BY was “Anyone Who Had A Heart”. 

WALK ON BY was later notably revived by such as Isaac Hayes, AWB, 

The Stranglers, Sybil and also British singer Gabrielle.


SUPERSTAR 

(Leon Russell/Bonnie Bramlett)

by The Carpenters

Pro: Jack Daugherty

Arr: Richard Carpenter 

(A&M: 1971) 

https://youtu.be/bEjhMny_3Kw 

This Carpenters single reached #2 on the Hot 100 in October ’72. 

The original version of this song was titled “Groupie (Superstar)” 

and was released as the B-side to “Comin’ Home” by Delaney & Bonnie 

& Friends Featuring Eric Clapton on Atco in ’69.


SUPERSTAR 

(Tim Rice/Andrew Lloyd Webber)

by Murray Head with The Trinidad Singers

Pro: Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber

Exec Pro: Mike Leander 

(Decca: 1969) 

https://youtu.be/ezmL1aE2-64 

The title song from the worldwide hit rock musical “Jesus Christ Superstar” 

performed by actor/singer Murray Head who portrayed Judas Iscariot in 

Tim & Andrew’s original LP concept version of the show. Murray’s single

charted here at #14 in May ’71.


As in all my postings, the recordings listed and referenced 

Above are in no way intended as definitive collections.


Please send any comments or suggestions to

thedoortoyesterday@gmail.com


Rock on.


Alan Warner 


© Alan Warner, 2021. 

Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express 

and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. 

Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to 

Alan Warner with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.







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