Cover Culture : Dennis Brown / Roger Miller – Little Green Apples
COVER VERSION VS ORIGINAL SONG
Since the early 1960s and even prior, numerous iconic Jamaican hits were derived from popular foreign songs. The original pop and soul tracks were frequently embraced by audiences on the island, leading reggae artists to create their own renditions. Some of these artists gained fame by covering chart-topping songs, turning these adaptations into timeless classics.
For instance, American artist Bill Withers recorded the Grammy-winning song Ain’t No Sunshine, which Horace Andy later adapted, while Dennis Brown’s rendition of Black Magic Woman originally came from Fleetwood Mac. These two examples represent just a small fraction of the many covers that have emerged over the past sixty-five years.
Since the advent of these adaptations, both Jamaican and international reggae musicians have persistently reimagined pop and soul hits, continuing this tradition into the present. You’re welcome to listen to both the original and the cover versions to determine which one resonates with you the most.
DENNIS BROWN
Legendary reggae singer and songwriter Dennis Brown was among the most celebrated figures in the annals of Jamaican recorded music. At just eleven years old, he ventured into the vibrant music scene of Jamaica, quickly catching the attention of Coxsone Dodd. One of his first recordings at Studio One were a cover version of The Van Dykes’ popular track No Man Is An Island. While at Studio One, he produced several other covers, including Roger Miller’s Little Green Apples. Brown’s rendition appeared on a 7″ single and was featured on his second Studio One LP, If I Follow My Heart, both released in 1971. Later, he revisited the song for his 1982 album More Dennis Brown.
ROGER MILLER
em>Little Green Apples was penned by Bobby Russell and achieved success with three different artists in 1968, each releasing their own version. Initially written for American singer Roger Miller, Little Green Apples was also released as a single by Patti Page and O.C. Smith during the same year. Miller’s song climbed into the Top 40 on the Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart, landing at #6 on the Billboard Country chart. In contrast, O.C. Smith’s take on the song soared to #2 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and Billboard Hot Rhythm & Blues Singles charts. Patti Page’s recording was notably her final entry on the Hot 100. The song garnered Russell a Grammy Award for Song of the Year, as well as for Best Country Song.
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