Cover Culture : Dennis Walks / Anne Murray – Snowbird

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 WALKS

Dennis Vassell, known to many reggae fans as Dennis Walks, is a Jamaican artist hailing from Spanish Town, recognized primarily for his collaborations with Harry Mudie during the late ’60s and ’70s. His stage name was bestowed upon him by fellow artist Roy Shirley. Walks began his recording career with producer Duke Reid at Treasure Isle in the early ’60s. Yet, it was his work with producer Harry Mudie that marked a turning point in his career. Tracks like The Drifter and Heart Don’t Leap became major hits in Jamaica. In 1971, Walks also released a version of Anne Murray’s Snowbird, which was released in Jamaica by Harry Mudie under his subsidiary label, Afro.

ANNE MURRAY

Written by Canadian songwriter Gene MacLellan, Snowbird has been interpreted by numerous singers but is most famously associated with Anne Murray. Initially included as an album track in mid-1969, it was later issued as a single in the summer of 1970. The song climbed to No. 2 on Canada’s pop chart and soared to No. 1 on both the Canadian adult contemporary and country charts. In the US, it peaked at No. 8 on the pop singles chart, enjoyed a six-week run at No. 1 on the adult contemporary chart, and unexpectedly became a Top 10 country hit. Gene MacLellan made his own version of Snowbird for his 1970 album Street Corner Preacher.