Which bands became massively popular for covering songs rather than recording originals?
13.06.2025 09:20
by Michael R. Burch
“After Midnight” and “Cocaine” were written by JJ Cale.
“We’ve Only Just Begun,” “Let Me Be the One” and “Rainy Days and Mondays” were written by Paul Williams.
Why do you think Islam oppresses women when Christianity clearly does it more?
“Like a Rolling Stone” was written by Bob Dylan and had the perfect title for the band.
“Hallelujah” was written by the famous songwriting team of Roger Greenway and Roger Cook. It was Deep Purple’s fifth consecutive single to be a cover song.
"Liar" was written by Russ Ballard of Argent.
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"Whole Lotta Love" was nicked from “You Need Love” by Willie Dixon, which Robert Planet later admitted. A court ruled in Dixon’s favor.
As for major individual artists, Frank Sinatra, Elvis Presley, Tom Jones, George Jones, George Strait, Whitney Houston, Celine Dion and Rihanna didn’t write any of their major hits, to my knowledge. Elton John wrote music but Bernie Taupin typically composed his lyrics. I have seen the great Janis Joplin included in such lists incorrectly, because she wrote “Mercedes Benz” by herself and “Down on Me” with Eddy Head, and those are two great songs. Aretha Franklin usually recorded songs written by others, but she wrote the excellent “Think” which rose to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “Rock Steady,” which reached #9.
The songs above were suggested by Geoff Morton in the comments.
"Try a Little Tenderness" was written by Jimmy Campbell, Reg Connelly, and Harry M. Woods; it had previously been performed by Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra and Otis Redding (with an arrangement by Isaac Hayes and backed by Booker T. and the M.G.’s). Three Dog Night used the Isaac Hayes arrangement for its cover of the song.
“Both Sides Now” was written by Joni Mitchell.
Partridge Family
Why does a college girl cover her face with a scarf in Bangalore?
Osmonds
“Black Night,” the band’s first original single, was not all that original. According to Roger Glover, it “was nicked from the bass line in Ricky Nelson's ‘Summertime’ and then proceeds to play the bassline riff on his grand piano.”
“Never,” “All Eyes,” “There’s the Girl,” “Tall. Dark, Handsome Stranger,” and “I Love You” were written
Why don't some people like the 10 Commandments?
“A Change Is Gonna Come,” “Chain Gang,” “Cupid” and “Shake” were written by Sam Cooke.
“(I Never Promised You a) Rose Garden” was written by Joe South, who was suggested in the comments by Chuck B. To show what a small world it is, when Lynn Anderson appeared on the Johnny Carson show, he asked her the name of a young country artist to keep an eye on. Lynn named Beth Harris, who is now my wife, Beth Harris Burch. Beth moved to Nashville and cut an album, but her manager ripped her off and she decided to retire and become a full-time mom to our son Jeremy.
Quiet Riot
“What About Love” was written by Brian Allen, Sheron Alton and Jim Vallance.
“Pieces of April” and “Til’ the World Ends” were written by Dave Loggins.
Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman
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There are also great songs penned by songwriting teams like Burt Bacharach and Hal David, the Bee Gees, George and Ira Gershwin, Holland-Dozier-Holland, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Carole King and Gerry Goffin, John Lennon and Sir Paul McCartney, and Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
Richard Harris
"Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" was written by Anne Bredon and originally recorded by Joan Baez.
Why are people nowadays so into anal sex?
“Don’t Bring Me Down” was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
“Somewhere Out There” by Linda Ronstadt and James Ingram was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
“The Tide Is High” was written by John Holt and performed by his Jamaican group The Paragons.
Why after 50 years of being straight do I constantly desire to suck cock?
Judy Collins
“One Fine Day” was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
“You’re So Vain” was written by Carly Simon. “You’re So Vain” has also been covered by Liza Minnelli and Faster Pussycat
Three Dog Night may be the most successful major band that usually covered songs written by others, and theirs was an eclectic ensemble of songwriters.
Righteous Brothers
“Send In the Clowns” was written by Stephen Sondheim.
What are some common historical misconceptions?
"Out in the Country" was written by Paul Williams and Roger Nichols.
“Nicky Chinn and Mike Chapman belong here. They wrote songs for a looong list of top names back in the 70s including New World, Sweet, Gary Glitter, Mud, Racey, Suzi Quatro and Smokie. They were instrumental in bringing many bands and solo musicians onto the charts, including Patti Smith and Lita Ford, and they provided number one hits in the US for Toni Basil, Nick Gilder and Pat Benatar.” — Bogdan Kadziola in the comments
“Please Mr. Postman” was written by Robert Bateman, Georgia Dobbins, William Garrett, Freddie Gorman and Brian Holland. The song was a hit for the Marvelettes.
How are you spending your best time?
“Roll Over Beethoven,”“Rock & Roll Music” and “Sweet Little Sixteen” were written by Chuck Berry, the Shakespeare of early rock ’n’ roll.
Some of the best songs and biggest hits below were written by professional songwriters like Paul Anka, Chuck Berry, Jackson Browne, Leonard Cohen, Sam Cooke, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Buddy Holly, Holly Knight, Cole Porter, Little Richard, Joni Mitchell, Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison, Smokey Robinson, Neil Sedaka, Pete Seeger, Paul Simon, J.D. Souther, Jim Vallance, Tom Waits, Diane Warren, Hank Williams Sr., Brian Wilson and Neil Young.
“Hungry” and “Kicks” were written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
“Early Yes one-upped Vanilla Fudge with long covers of I See You (6:47), Every Little Thing (5:47), Something’s Coming (7:09), No Opportunity Necessary (4:45), Everydays (6:05), and America (10:30).” — Don Campbell in the comments.
Shirelles
“Dizzy Miss Lizzie,” “Bad Boy” and “Slow Down” were written by Larry Williams.
Rod Stewart
Pentatonix is an a cappella cover band.
Animals
My Bonnie (Lies Over the Ocean) was the Beatles’ first single, a traditional song.
“Peasant Valley Sunday” was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
"Til There Was You" written by Meredith Wilson for his musical The Music Man.
“You’re No Good” was a rock version of the R&B song written by Clint Ballard Jr.
“Alison” and “Girls Talk” were written by Elvis Costello.
Byrds
Elvis was mentioned by T. Stephen Cornelius in the comments as an artist who never wrote his songs, or at least not any famous ones of which I am aware that he wrote on his own.
“Already Gone” was written by Jack Tempchin and Robb Strandlund.
On an amusing note (pardon the pun), Barry Manilow did write songs but didn’t write “I Write the Songs,” which was written by Bruce Johnson of the Beach Boys. Forgiving him for writing that song and giving it to Barry Manilow would test the compassion and grace of a saint.
“I’m Gonna Love You Too” was written by Buddy Holly.
Eric Clapton
“War Machine” was written by professional songwriter Jim Vallance.
J.D. Souther either wrote or co-wrote a number of Eagles’ hits, including “Heartache Tonight,” “Victim of Love,” “New Kid in Town,” “How Long (Has This Been Going On)” and “Best of My Love.”
“Up on the Roof” and “Some Kind of Wonderful” were written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
“Hallelujah” was written by Leonard Cohen. “Hallelujah” has also been covered by Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bolton, Bono, Jeff Buckley, John Cale, Neil Diamond, Celine Dion, Bob Dylan, Judith Hill, Jennifer Hudson, K.D. Lang, Willie Nelson, Pentatonix, Elvis Presley, Regina Spektor, Rufus Wainwright, and pretty much every singer under the sun!
Lynyrd Skynyrd
“Puppy Love” was written by Paul Anka.
Three Dog Night, circa 1972. Back L–R: Joe Schermie, Floyd Sneed, Michael Allsup and Jimmy Greenspoon. Front L–R: Danny Hutton, Cory Wells and Chuck Negron.
“Five Bridges” was a cover of a song by The Nice.
“Hush” and “Down in the Boondocks” were written by Joe South.
Deep Purple started out wanting to be a "Vanilla Fudge clone" according to Ritchie Blackmore.
“Suzanne” was written by Leonard Cohen.
“I Drove All Night” was a remarkable song, being the last hit single for Roy Orbison and Cyndi Lauper, and the last number one single for Celine Dion.
Led Zeppelin was mentioned in previous comments by Robert Shirley as “one of the world’s biggest bands and biggest ‘borrowers.’ Their covers and borrowing have been greatly chronicled.”
“Woodstock” was written by Joni Mitchell.
“Blinded by the Light” was written by Bruce Springsteen.
Jimmy Webb wrote “By the Time I Get to Phoenix” and “Wichita Lineman” as noted by Ronny Hoff in the comments.
“Days of Future Passed” was a cover of a Moody Blues song.
Paul Revere and the Raiders
"I Love Rock 'n' Roll" was written by Alan Merrill and Jake Hooker and first recorded by the Arrows, a British rock band, in 1975. This was suggested in the comments by Geoff Morton.
Drifters
Eric Carmen
“Not Fade Away” was written by Buddy Holly and became one of the Grateful Dead’s standards.
“Kentucky Woman” was written and originally performed by Neil Diamond. It was Deep Purple’s second single in 1968 and reached #38 in the USA.
I will furthermore reveal the remarkable song that became the last hit single for both Roy Orbison and Cyndi Lauper, and the last number one single for Celine Dion. Can you guess the title? If so, can you guess who wrote in, and why?
Tina Turner
“Hurt” was written by Trent Reznor of Nine Inch Nails.
Elvis Presley
Santana
Procol Harum
“Help!” was the band’s fourth single, a cover of a Beatles song.
Trivia fans may be interested to know that Three Dog Night introduced Hoyt Axton, John Hiatt, Dave Loggins, Randy Newman and Paul Williams to the larger musical world. Also, that Hoyt Axton’s mother was Mae Boren Axton, who co-wrote Elvis Presley’s first #1 hit, “Heartbreak Hotel,” and introduced the 19-year-old Elvis to Col. Tom Parker, his longtime manager.
“Back in the U.S.A” was written by Chuck Berry.
Manfred Mann
Johnny Cash
“Amazing” was written by Richard Supa and Steven Tyler.
“The Loco-Motion” was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
“Think Twice” was co-written by Peter Sinfield of King Crimson and Bucks Fizz producer Andy Hill.
“You Send Me” and “Good Times” were written by Sam Cooke.
Grand Funk Railroad
“Bring It on Home to Me” was written by Sam Cooke.
Guns ’N’ Roses
“Lighting Strikes” was written by Richard Supa.
“Proud Mary” was written by John Fogerty of Creedence Clearwater Revival at the time.
“Black and White” was a 1954 folk song written by David I. Arkin (the father of actor Alan Arkin) and Earl Robinson.
“Baby Please Don’t Go” was written by legendary blues guitarist Big Joe Williams.
The Who
LED ZEPPELIN
Bruce Springsteen
"Sure as I'm Sitting Here" was written by John Hiatt.
"Since I've Been Loving You" is nearly identical to “Never” which was written by Bob Mosley and recorded by Moby Grape.
“Eli’s Coming” was written by Laura Nyro.
“I Can’t Help It (If I’m Still in Love with You”) was written by country legend Hank Williams Sr.
“Georgia on My Mind” was written by Hoagy Carmichael and made popular by Ray Charles.
“Rock Me on the Water” was written by Jackson Browne.
Lynn Anderson
“Poor Poor Pitiful Me” was written by Warren Zevon.
Three Dog Night is a rarity among great rock bands in that it never, to my knowledge, wrote one of its greatest hits…
Marilyn Manson
“Call me the Breeze” was written by JJ Cale.
“You’ve Really Got a Hold on Me” was written by Smokey Robinson.
“Your Song” was written by Sir Elton John and Bernie Taupin.
Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young
Please note that I am not “condemning” anyone for recording songs they didn’t write, as someone suggested in previous comments. I am simply answering a question that I find interesting. Some of the best songs ever recorded were covers, including the magnificent “Without You” by Harry Nilsson (originally written and recorded by Badfinger) and any number of covers by Elvis, Whitney, Celine, et al.
Barry Manilow
“Spanish Harlem,” one of my all-time favorite songs, was written and first performed by Ben E. King. Aretha changed the lyrics slightly to make the girl a bit darker, if I remember correctly.
Carly Simon
“Darlin’” and “Time to Get Alone” were written by Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys.
“Dude (Looks Like A Lady)” was written by professional songwriter Desmond Child in collaboration with Joe Perry and Steven Tyler.
“Baby It’s You” was written by Burt Bacharach, Barney Williams and Mack David.
“Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby,” “Honey Don’t” and “Matchbox” were written by Carl Perkins.
“I Hate Myself For Loving You” was written by professional songwriter Desmond Child with Joan Jett
“I Wasn’t Born To Follow” was written by Carole King and covered by the Byrds in the movie Easy Rider. Suggested by Michael Macbean in the comments.
“My Back Pages” was written by Bob Dylan and suggested by Paul Smith in the comments.
Blondie
Frank Sinatra
“Will You Love Me Tomorrow” was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
THE BEATLES
“Immortality” was written by the Bee Gees (Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Maurice Gibb) and performed with the Bee Gees providing backing vocals.
“The Lemon Song” was directly lifted from “Killing Floor” by Chester Burnett aka Howling Wolf. Although Led Zep's version did insert Robert Plant's not-so-subtle double entendre involving the dispersal of lemon juice. — James Raines in the comments
“I Get a Kick Out of You” was written by Cole Porter.
“Go Away Little Girl” was written by Carole King and Gerry Goffin.
“Mama Mia,” “Dancing Queen,” “Fernando,” “SOS,” “Knowing Me, Knowing You”, “Ring Ring,” “Honey Honey,” “I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do,” “The Name of the Game” and “Waterloo” were either written primarily by Stig Anderson or he contributed and was credited as a songwriter. Anderson contributed so much to the group that he’s been called “the fifth member of ABBA.” It should be noted that other members of the band also contributed to the songs in question.
“Don’t Know Much” by Linda Ronstadt and Aaron Neville was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
“You Belong to Me” was written by Carly Simon. “You Belong to Me” has also been covered by Chaka Khan (feat. Michael McDonald) and Jennifer Lopez.
“Cum On Feel The Noize” was written by Slade members Noddy Holder and Jim Lea.
Grateful Dead
“Love Is a Battlefield” was written by Holly Knight and Mike Chapman.
The English version of “Ring Ring” was translated by Neil Sedaka and Phil Cody.
“It’s All Coming Back to Me Now” was written by Jim Steinman, who is most famous for his collaborations with Meatloaf.
“You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” and “You’re My Soul and Inspiration” were written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
Eagles
“Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey!” was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller. It was originally performed by Little Willie Littlefield.
“Tell Him” was written by David Foster and performed as a duet with Barbara Streisand.
"The Flame" was a power ballad written by British songwriters Bob Mitchell and Nick Graham.
“Love is a Rose” was written by Neil Young.
Sha Na Na was ever and always a cover band!
“Mr. Tambourine Man” was written by Bob Dylan.
Billy Joe Royal
“Play Something Sweet (Brickyard Blues)” was written by Allen Toussaint.
“Money (That’s What I Want)” was written by Berry Gordy and Janie Bradford.
And now, without further ado, here are artists who didn’t write some of their best songs…
Their album Girl You Know It’s True went 6x platinum and they not only didn’t write the songs, they didn’t sing a single note!
THE ROLLING STONES
“It Doesn’t Matter Anymore” was written by Paul Anka and originally performed by Buddy Holly and the Crickets.
“Hound Dog” was written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller and recorded in 1952 by Big Mama Thornton.
“Love in Vain” was written by legendary bluesman Robert Johnson.
“My Way” was originally a French song called "Comme d’habitude” composed by Jacques Revaux with French lyrics by Giles Thibaut and Claude Francois. Paul Anka wrote the English lyrics.
Bon Jovi
Cheap Trick
“You Belong to Me” was co-written by Carly Simon and Michael McDonald.
Doobie Brothers
Carly Simon
“River Deep, Mountain High” was the band’s third single, a cover of an Ike & Tina Turner classic written by Phil Spector, Ellie Greenwich and Jeff Barry.
As I go, I will reveal which two famous singers lied like dogs, thanks to their songwriters!
“Difficult To Cure” was an uptempo guitar-based reworking of Beethoven's “Ode To Joy.”
“Better Be Good to Me,” “One of the Living” and “(Simply) The Best” were written or co-written by Holly Knight.
Milli Vanilli
"Blue Bayou" was written by Roy Orbison and Joe Melson and originally performed by Roy Orbison.
Michael Jackson
“Ring of Fire” was written by June Carter. Ironically, in Johnny Cash’s biggest hit, “I Walk the Line,” he promised to always be faithful to his wife. But his second-biggest hit, “Ring of Fire,” was written by his mistress at the time, who later became June Carter Cash.
“Someone to Watch Over Me” was written by George Gershwin and Ira Gershwin.
“Turn, Turn, Turn” was written by Pete Seeger in 1959 and was based on the Bible, specifically the third chapter of Ecclesiastes.
“Big Yellow Taxi” was written by Joni Mitchell.
“You Give Love A Bad Name,” “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “Bad Medicine,” “I’d Die for You” and “Keep The Faith” were written by professional songwriter Desmond Child in collaboration with Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora
Aretha Franklin
THREE DOG NIGHT
Milli Vanilli (pictured above) gets a dishonorable mention for not actually singing the songs they covered!
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
“I Really Want to Know You” was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
“Long, Long Time” was written by Gary White.
“Red, Red Wine” was written by Neil Diamond.
“Doh Wah Diddy Diddy” was written by Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich and originally recorded by The Exciters.
Home Free is an a cappella cover band.
“Because the Night” was written by Bruce Springsteen.
“I Was Made For Loving You” was written by songwriter pros Desmond Child and Vini Poncia.
“When Will I Be Loved” was a country-rock version of a song written by Phil Everly of the Everly Brothers. It became Ronstadt’s first #1 song on the country charts.
“River Deep, Mountain High” was written by Phil Spector, Jeff Barry and Ellie Greenwich.
“We Gotta Get Out of This Place” was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil and mentioned by John Aughinbaugh in the comments.
“Love Will Keep Us Alive” was written by John Capaldi, Paul Carrack and Peter Vale.
Linda Ronstadt
The band also borrowed from Bach, Rossini, Strauss and Tchaikovsky.
“Peaceful Easy Feeling” was written by Jack Tempchin.
“All Along the Watchtower” was written by Bob Dylan.
“Chains” was written by Gerry Goffin and Carole King.
ABBA
Disturbed
The Blues Brothers were a cover band comprised of SNL stars John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd.
Paul Williams wrote three hit songs for Three Dog Night.
Heart
“It’s So Easy” and “That’ll Be the Day” were written by Buddy Holly, who performed the songs with his band the Crickets.
“Take It Easy” was the Eagles’ debut hit and it was co-written by Jackson Browne and Glenn Frey.
“This Is It” was written by Paul Anka with Michael Jackson. Paul Anka was suggested by T. Stephen Cornelius in the comments.
“Black Magic Woman” was written by Peter Green, the lead guitarist for Fleetwood Mac.
Michael Bolton
“Hush” was written by Joe South and originally performed by Billy Joe Royal. “Hush” was Deep Purple’s first single in 1968 and reached #4 in the USA. It was the band’s highest-charting single, along with “Smoke on the Water.”
Most bands have done cover songs, but these famous bands covered more than most: Three Dog Night (never wrote any of their biggest hits), Deep Purple (their first five singles were covers), the world’s most successful cover band, the Beatles (21 of their first 46 recorded tracks were cover songs), the Rolling Stones and Led Zeppelin.
“Words of Love,” “That’ll Be The Day,” “Peggy Sue” and “Crying, Waiting, Hoping” were written by Buddy Holly and originally performed by Holly with his band the Crickets. The Beatles were originally the Beetles, an obvious tip of the cap to the Crickets. John Lennon and Paul McCartney credited Holly with inspiring them to write songs.
“One” was written by the great Harry Nilsson.
Counting Crows
“Heat Wave” was written by the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting team.
Otis Redding
Carole King
“I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” was written by veteran songwriter Diane Warren.
“School Days” was written by Chuck Berry.
“Paint it Black” was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richard and originally performed by the Rolling Stones.
The Carpenters
“Private Dancer” was written by Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits.
“Rag Doll” was written by Holly Knight, Richard Vallance, Joe Perry and Steven Tyler.
“Wonderful World” was written by Sam Cooke, Herb Alpert and Lou Adler. “Wonderful World” has also been covered by Herman’s Hermits, Otis Redding, Johnny Nash and the trio of Paul Simon, Art Garfunkel and James Taylor.
AC/DC
“Mama Told Me Not to Come” was written by Randy Newman.
Paul Williams wrote three hit songs for The Carpenters and three more for Three Dog Night.
#MUSIC #ROCK #MRBMUSIC #MRBROCK
“Sweet Georgia Brown” was a jazz standard.
“Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door” was written by Bob Dylan.
Monkees
“Different Drum” was written by Michael Nesmith of the Monkees and it became her first hit.
“An Old-Fashioned Love Song,” “The Family of Man” and “Out in the Country” were written by Paul Williams.
“Not Fade Away” was written by Buddy Holly. It was the first song the Stones performed on The Mike Douglas Show in the US in 1964.
“Twist and Shout” was written by Phil Medley and Bert Russell. It was a hit for the Top Notes and the Isley Brothers.
“Because You Loved Me” was written by Diane Warren.
Sergei Rachmaninoff deserves a credit for “All By Myself.”
Carole King
Pat Benatar
“I’m a Believer” was written by Neil Diamond.
“Johnny B. Goode” and “Little Queenie” were written by Chuck Berry.
The Jimi Hendrix Experience
Paul Carrack wrote “Love Will Keep Us Alive.”
“She’s a Lady” remains Tom Jones’s biggest hit in the United States.
“Ol’ 55” was written by Tom Waits.
Carole King is one of the world’s best and most prolific songwriters.
“Shambala” was written by Daniel Moore.
“A Whiter Shade of Pale” was credited to singer Gary Brooker, lyricist Keith Reid and organist Matthew Fisher but the melody is unmistakably Bach’s “Air on the G-String”!
UB40
“Everybody’s a Masterpiece” was written by George S. Clinton and Richard Reicheg.
"Speed King" borrows from Haydn’s “String Quartet in C.”
“I Write the Songs” was actually written by Bruce Johnston of the Beach Boys! This dichotomy was mentioned in the comments by Nigyl Nissan.
Glen Campbell
“Tumbling Dice” was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
“Pink” was written by Glen Ballard, Richard Supa and Steven Tyler.
"Easy to Be Hard" was written by Galt MacDermot, James Rado, and Gerome Ragni for the “Hair” musical.
Yes
The Beatles started out as a cover band and never stopped covering songs: 21 of their first 46 recorded tracks were cover songs.
My original answer did not include individual singers, but I received so many excellent suggestions in previous comments that I have expanded it. And solo singers do, of course, employ bands. Session musicians form bands, however temporary. Again, I am interpreting the question broadly. If that freaks someone out, no one is forcing them to read — so “no harm, no foul” as we used to say in pickup basketball games.
“On Broadway” was written by Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil.
“Heartbreak Hotel,” his first #1 hit, was written by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden.
“The Show Must Go On” was written by Leo Sayer.
Tom Jones
“Long Tall Sally” was written by Little Richard, Robert "Bumps" Blackwell and Enotris Johnson.
“Rock Me Baby” was written by blues legend B. B. King.
In the comments Rick Deguchi mentioned that many of Elvis’s biggest hits were covers, including “Hound Dog,” “It’s Now or Never,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Suspicious Minds,” “All Shook Up,” “Love Me Tender” and “Are You Lonesome Tonight.”
“Lucille” was a cover of a Little Richard song.
“I’ve Got You Under My Skin” was written by Cole Porter.
“Summertime Blues” was written and recorded by Eddie Cochran (and covered by many other artists). Suggested by Michael Gibbs in the comments.
Chiffons
“Crazy” was written by Desmond Child with Joe Perry and Steven Tyler.
Patti Smith
“Lalena” was written and performed by Donovan.
Kiss
“House of the Rising Sun” was a traditional folk/blues song.
“Jersey Girl” was written by Tom Waits.
“A Love So Beautiful” was written by Roy Orbison.
“Daydream Believer” was written by John Stuart.
Celine Dion
“Good Times” was written by Sam Cooke.
“Ooh Baby Baby” was written by Smokey Robinson and Pete Moore, and originally performed by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.
“Livin’ on the Edge” was written by Mark Hudson, Joe Perry and Steven Tyler.
“I Wanna Be Your Man” was written by Lennon/McCartney.
“The Sound of Silence” was written by Paul Simon and first performed by Simon and Garfunkel.
Aerosmith
Sam Cooke had his start as the lead singer of the Soul Stirrers, recording gospel songs like “Peace in the Valley.” Aretha Franklin also had her start in gospel and was influenced by Sam Cooke to pursue a career in mainstream popular music.
“Joy To The World” and “Never Been to Spain” were written by Hoyt Axton.
Jimmy Webb wrote the much-lampooned “MacArthur Park” as noted by Ronny Hoff in the comments.
“All By Myself” was written by Eric Carmen.
“I Drove All Night” was written by Tom Kelly and Billy Steinberg in the style of Roy Orbison, and Orbison recorded the song in 1987 but did not release it before his death the following year. Orbison’s demo was later engineered and produced by Jeff Lynne of ELO fame and it became a hit in 1992, reaching number seven in the UK and earning a Grammy in the US. In the meantime “I Drove All Night” was covered in 1989 by Cyndi Lauper and it became her last top ten single, reaching number six on the Billboard Hot 100. Celine Dion released her cover in 2003 and it reached number one in Canada, Belgium and Sweden, and number two on the US Dance Club chart. It would be her last number one single.
“Twistin’ the Night Away” was written by Sam Cooke.
DEEP PURPLE
“T for Texas” was written by Jimmy Rodgers.
“Not Fade Away,” “Oh Boy” and “Rave On” were originally performed by Buddy Holly and his band the Crickets. “Oh! Boy” and “Rave On” were both written by Sonny West and Bill Tilghman.
HONORABLE MENTION: Alien Ant Farm, Big Bang, Tony Bennett, Bowling for Soup, BTS, Captain & Tennille, Cher, Patsy Cline, Nat King Cole, Ella Fitzgerald, Connie Francis, iKON, KISS, Manfred Mann and The Earth Band, Dean Martin, Johnny Mathis, Ricky Martin, Monsta X, Patti Page, Rascal Flatts, Ratt, Sha Na Na, Stray Kids, Seventeen, Barbra Streisand
“Shout” was also a hit for the Isley Brothers.
In the comments Rick Deguchi mentioned that most of Linda Ronstadt’s hits were covers.