Cover Culture : Alton Ellis / Bee Gees – Massachusetts
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.
ALTON ELLIS
Alton Ellis was a Jamaican singer-songwriter who’s regarded one of the innovators of rocksteady, earning him the endearing title “Godfather of Rocksteady.” In 1959, he began his recording journey at age 21 as part of the duo Alton & Eddy alongside Eddy Parkins. They recorded for Coxsone Dodd at Studio One, initially in the R&B genre, achieving a hit in 1960 with Muriel. After the duo’s breakup, Ellis continued to collaborate with Dodd and later also recorded for Duke Reid. In 1967, Dodd released the vocalist’s debut album, Sings Rock And Soul, which presented a diverse collection of original songs and covers, including Johnny Taylor’s Ain’t That Loving You, The Foundations’ Baby Now That I Found You, Procol Harum’s Whiter Shade of Pale, and the Bee Gees’ Massachusetts. As far as we know, the latter never made it to a 7″ single.
BEE GEES
Composed by brothers Barry, Robin, and Maurice Gibb and released in 1967, Massachusetts marked the first of the group’s five No. 1 hits on the UK Singles Chart. It reached the top spot in 12 other countries, peaked at No. 11 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and ultimately sold over five million copies worldwide. Initially, the song was intended for the Australian folk-influenced pop group The Seekers, who had relocated to London a few years prior. After arriving in London from Australia, the Bee Gees struggled to get their song to the group, leading them to record it themselves. The recording of Massachusetts took place on 9 August 1967 at IBC Studios in London, concluding on 17 August. Upon its UK release, the single was titled Massachusetts (The Lights Went Out In), although the subtitle was later omitted.
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