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December 13, 2024 8:31 am  #1


Follow-Up Songs That sound Just Like the Original Hit

There have been a number of instances where a singer or group have had a hit song and then released basically the same song again, this time with different lyrics.  If it worked once, why not try it again.

The Four Tops
Went to #1  with I Can't Help Myself in 1964
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s3bksUSPB4c
They followed it up with It's The Same Old Song (#5) - Was the pun intended?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-iMYUZvQtE8

The Bobettes
Had a #6 hit song with Mr. Lee in 1957
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uUyufyU_y1M
After several follow-ups that didn't chart, they returned to the formula and released I Shot Mr. Lee (#52)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dT_Yvpt2Jjw

The Royal Guardsmen
Had a #2 hit with Snoopy vs The Red Baron in 1966
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icsHJhMeXYo
They followed it up with The Return of the Red Baron (#15)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4wCPkV1eSo
They returned to the formula each of the next two Chrirmases by releasing Snoopy's Christmas
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-hWZGIWe_U

Other examples?

Last edited by GrimsbyFan (December 13, 2024 8:44 am)

 

December 14, 2024 2:19 pm  #2


Re: Follow-Up Songs That sound Just Like the Original Hit

Two more to add to my list:

Randy and the Rainbows
Had a #10 hit with Denise in 1963
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K7Xy8XLKwec

Their follow-up was Why Do Kids Grow Up - same song, different lyrics
Only got to #97 on the charts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HMuFg_aHZg

Bobby Picket
Monster Mash reached #1 in 1962 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6UI8TTIhwE

The follow-up was the same song but with Christmas lyrics - Monster's Holiday.
It reached #30 on the charts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BEB49GBiYE

     Thread Starter
 

December 15, 2024 8:00 am  #3


Re: Follow-Up Songs That sound Just Like the Original Hit

I've often found that I prefer the way that an artist does a song a second time, because I feel that there are ways in which they improve on the original in terms of the instrumentation, singing, and/or lyrics. The following three examples come to mind, although only the first one was an immediate followup single ... the other two involved artists taking a hit from several years earlier and reworking it.  

"These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" → "How Does That Grab You, Darlin'?" by Nancy Sinatra
"School Days" → "No Particular Place To Go" by Chuck Berry
"Mary Lou" → "Mary Jane" by Ronnie Hawkins (this one might not really qualify because there are only slight changes to the lyrics, but I like it a lot better than the original and so I thought I'd mention it)

 

December 16, 2024 2:30 am  #4


Re: Follow-Up Songs That sound Just Like the Original Hit

 The Reflections - Just Like Romeo And Juliet   / Like Columbus Did
Kinks -  You Really Got Me  /    All Of The Day And All Of The Night
 

 

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