“The First Cut Is the Deepest” is a 1967 song written by Cat Stevens, originally released by P. P. Arnold in the spring of 1967. Stevens’ own version originally appeared on his album New Masters in December 1967. The song has been widely covered and has become a hit single for four different artists: P. P. Arnold (1967), Keith Hampshire (1973), Rod Stewart (1977) and Sheryl Crow (2003).
Tag: Pop Rock
Daniel Powter – Free Loop
“Free Loop (One Night Stand)” (titled as “Free Loop” on Daniel Powter) is a pop song written by Canadian singer Daniel Powter. It was his second single and the follow-up to his successful song, “Bad Day”. It did not achieve the success of its predecessor.
Queen – Made In Heaven
“Made in Heaven” is the third single recorded by Freddie Mercury, and his fourth release as a solo artist. Originally featured in Mercury’s debut album, the song was slightly edited and published as a 45rpm paired with “She Blows Hot and Cold”, described on the record sleeve as ‘A Brand New Track’. The single reached #57 on the UK Singles Chart. After Mercury’s death, the song’s title gave the name to Queen’s 1995 posthumous album Made in Heaven. The song was also chosen, along with “I Was Born to Love You”, to be re-recorded for the album, with the previous vocals over a newly recorded instrumental track.
Elton John – Rocket Man (live version)
“Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time)” is a song composed by Elton John and Bernie Taupin and originally performed by John. The song echoes the theme of David Bowie’s 1969 song “Space Oddity” (both recordings were produced by Gus Dudgeon), but according to an account in Elizabeth Rosenthal’s book His Song: The Musical Journey of Elton John, the song was inspired by Taupin’s sighting of either a shooting star or a distant airplane. The account goes on to relate that the notion of astronauts no longer being perceived as heroes, but in fact as an “everyday occupation” led him to the song’s opening lines, “She packed my bags last night, pre-flight. Zero hour: 9 a.m. And I’m gonna be high as a kite by then.”
Nena – 99 Luftballons
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lur-SGl3uw8
“99 Luftballons” (German Neunundneunzig Luftballons, “99 balloons”) is an anti-nuclear protest song by the German band Nena from their 1983 self-titled album. An English version titled “99 Red Balloons” written by Kevin McAlea was also released after widespread success of the original in Europe and Japan. The English version is not a direct translation of the German and contains a somewhat different set of lyrics. The later-released English translation, “99 Red Balloons”, was the version that became popular outside of Germany and neighbouring countries, with it topping the charts in the UK, Canada,and Ireland.