1 of 1- GrimsbyFan
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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
They followed it up with It's The Same Old Song (#5) - Was the pun intended?
The Bobettes
Had a #6 hit song with Mr. Lee in 1957
After several follow-ups that didn't chart, they returned to the formula and released I Shot Mr. Lee (#52)
The Royal Guardsmen
Had a #2 hit with Snoopy vs The Red Baron in 1966
They followed it up with The Return of the Red Baron (#15)
They returned to the formula each of the next two Chrirmases by releasing Snoopy's Christmas
Other examples?
Last edited by GrimsbyFan (December 13, 2024 8:44 am)
- GrimsbyFan
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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
Their follow-up was Why Do Kids Grow Up - same song, different lyrics
Only got to #97 on the charts
Bobby Picket
Monster Mash reached #1 in 1962
The follow-up was the same song but with Christmas lyrics - Monster's Holiday.
It reached #30 on the charts
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Thread Starter- Lorne
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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)
- Scotty
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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
- Lorne
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Re: Follow-Up Songs That sound Just Like the Original Hit
Just heard "Daisy Petal Pickin'" by Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs recently and thought it could fit here as it's a reworked version of "Sugar Shack". It's also another example of me preferring the second version to the original, although that's at least in part because I've only heard it occasionally over the years ... "Sugar Shack" has become rather burned out for me, whereas despite the similarities I can enjoy "Daisy Petal Pickin'" more because it has a fresher sound.
- GrimsbyFan
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Re: Follow-Up Songs That sound Just Like the Original Hit
Agree with your comment, Lorne. It's so refreshing to hear songs that are not the same top 30 oldies being played over and over.
I spend a lot of my time listening to various "rarities" websites and internet stations that specialize in lesser known oldies, and then selecting the ones I like into playlists. Might be a great ongoing topic for the board. Whenever someone comes across an obscure song that they think is particularly good, it could be shared with all of us.
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Thread Starter- Robbie
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Re: Follow-Up Songs That sound Just Like the Original Hit
How about "Heat Wave" then "Quicksand" by Martha & the Vandellas?
- mroldies
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Re: Follow-Up Songs That sound Just Like the Original Hit
Lesley Gore - "It's My Party" and "Judy's Turn To Cry".