One person’s success can be another person’s major success. That is the very truth about a good deal of the world’s most famous cover songs. Many artists have created original works without necessarily having the intention for them to become a hit. Consequently, their songs were successful in their own right, but they were not enormous and monstrous smash No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100. However, that changed when other artists got their hands on them and made them into major international hits.
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Many artists have scored loads of success by reimagining and covering some of the finest songs in the history of music, and arguably, they didn’t become the finest songs until they covered them. Nevertheless, here are three artists whose iconic cover songs climbed to No. 1 on the charts.
“I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
This one is surprising, right? Originally written and released by Dolly Parton in 1974, Parton’s rendition of the song scored some major success, as it peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart. However, regarding charts, that was the extent of its major success. Although, that changed after Whitney Houston released her cover of the song in 1992.
Following Whitney Houston’s release of “I Will Always Love You”, her single peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It remained in the top spot for a total of 14 weeks. To this day, it is arguably the most successful cover song of all time.
“The Twist” by Chubby Checker
Many people seemingly assume that Chubby Checker is the original writer and singer of the hit classic, “The Twist”. However, the single was originally released by Hank Ballard & The Midnighters in 1958. Upon its release, the single became a popular hit; however, Chubby Checker stole their glory as his song became the pop anthem of the early 1960s.
Chubby Checker released his version of “The Twist” in 1960. Subsequently, it went on to peak at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 in September of that year. Though, that wasn’t the only time the single peaked at No. 1 on the chart, as it also took the top spot on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1962.
“I Heard It Through The Grapevine” by Marvin Gaye
Originally released by Gladys Knight & the Pips in 1967, “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” scored the R&B group some great success, as it peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. While that success is certainly noteworthy, and made the single well-known. Marvin Gaye took the single to a whole new level when he covered it just a year later in 1968.
Marvin Gaye’s cover of “I Heard It Through The Grapevine” peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven consecutive weeks. In addition to the Hot 100, it also peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard R&B chart and the United Kingdom charts for three weeks.
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