JE C.C.
It’s very often, especially in music, that the original songs become the standards. They become the starting point. But sometimes, their cover versions by other artists become so popular that most people think they’re original.
Here is a roundup of 10 songs whose cover versions actually ended up becoming more popular than their original versions:
Be My Lady
The Concert King, Martin Nievera, sings the Be My Lady we mostly know about. When we heard the recent covers like Jason Dy’s, most of us actually thought it was just a revival of the Martin Nievera original. Nievera recorded the song in 1983 for his debut album, Take One. The song, however, isn’t Nievera’s original, as Pedrito Montaire, another recording artist, first interpreted it for the 6th Metro Pop festival. Vehnee Saturno, who was just starting his legendary career as a composer, composed the song as his 2nd entry to the festival.
Harana
A lot probably does not know that before Parokya Ni Edgar, this perfect ligaw song was sung by a number of people first. The song’s composer, Eric Yaptangco, recently shared how he composed the song and who sang it first. Former Smokey Mountain member, Tony Lambino, recorded the ballad in 1992 as part of his debut album, titled First Note. Yaptangco further revealed that before that recording, the song was used as indeed a ligaw song by Ateneo students during his time.
Ikakasal Ka Na
In our heads, Jessa Zaragoza’s version of this ballad would be instantly playing whenever we recall this song, which was composed by Alex Catedrilla in 1993. Catedrilla, himself, first recorded the track.
In the Name of Love
Yasmin Kurdi first recorded this song in 2005 as part of her debut album, also titled ‘In the Name of Love’. The song written by Jimmy Antiporda was actually first recorded by Smokey Mountain member Geneva Cruz in 1994.
Pangarap na Bituin
Those who could watch the original airing of the Korean drama Jewel in the Palace on GMA in the mid-2000s surely know this song. People tend to believe it was a Faith Cuneta original when it was Sharon Cuneta who first recorded it and actually made it popular in the early ‘90s.
Patuloy ang Pangarap
This was Angeline Quinto’s final piece when she joined ABS-CBN’s talent competition, Star Power, where she ultimately emerged as the winner. The song became so popular that most people were not aware it was a Faith Cuneta original which was first recorded a few years earlier.
Please Be Careful with My Heart
This extremely popular love song was first recorded solo by OPM artist Jam Morales in 1982. It was, however, made popularly and a lasting love anthem when Regine Velasquez-Alcasid and Jose Mari Chan recorded it as a duet in 1989.
Tatsulok
Tatsulok was first recorded in 1989 by the folk-rock band, Buklod, which Noel Cabangon was part of. During its first release, the song achieved a level of popularity. In 2007, however, former Rivermaya frontman Bamboo Mañalac and his new band recorded the song. It became a modern activist anthem, as it vividly explored social disparity and injustice.
Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas
This Willy Cruz-composed song was first recorded by Jun Polistico in 1980 but was arguably made more famous when Sharon Cuneta released her version. The song’s popularity was renewed when it was used as the soundtrack of the teleserye of the same title, starring Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa.
Wag Ka Nang Umiyak
A lot of people are probably aware that KZ Tandingan also sang this song for the TV Series, A Beautiful Affair (2012) before Gary Valenciano’s version was used as FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano’s soundtrack and became practically a national anthem. However, this wildly popular emotional ballad was first sung and made famous by the rock band, Sugarfree, who first recorded it in 2006.
There may be other songs you know that you want to add to this list. Don’t hesitate to name them in the comment section, if that’s the case!
