Before Whitney, there was Dolly

10 songs that were more successful as a cover

We usually remember songs in the version we first listened to, which means sometimes we gravitate towards a cover instead of the original version. But what happens when the cover is so successful that we forget the original? Here are 10 covers that made such an impact that many people believe they are originals.

One of the most memorable parts of 1992’s The Bodyguard is undoubtedly Whitney Houston’s rendition of "I Will Always Love You". But while Houston’s version broke records at that time, this song was already a hit on its own. Written by Dolly Parton in 1973 as a farewell to his then mentor and business partner Porter Wagoner, it was also a commercial success.

This is the case of an original hit that also became a hit through its cover. Bob Dylan wrote "Knocking on Heaven’s Door" as part of the soundtrack for Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid in 1973, and the song instantly climbed up in the rankings. Although it has been covered by several important musicians (Eric Clapton, for example), it can’t be denied that it is most widely known as a cover by Guns N’ Roses.

"I Love Rock’n’Roll" is widely known as one of Joan Jett’s biggest hits, but her version is a cover. It was originally released by the British band The Arrows in 1975 as a response to The Rolling Stones’ "It's Only Rock 'n Roll (But I Like It)". Jett had unsuccessfully tried to cover the song while in the Runaways, and she was able to do it with her next band, the Blackhearts, in 1981.

UB40’s reggae cover of "Red Red Wine" had moderate success upon its 1983 release, but quickly rose in the charts when it was re-released a few years later. According to one of its members, they heard the song as a cover and didn’t know that the original was by Neil Diamond. Reportedly, UB40’s cover version is one of Diamond’s favorites, and he often performs their reggae arrangement in his own concerts.

Did you know that one of the main girl anthems of the '80s was originally written and performed by a man? "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" was penned and performed by rock singer Robert Hazard in 1979, and was written from a male perspective. When one of Hazard’s friends brought the song to Cindy Lauper to re-record as a pop-electronic version in 1983, she changed some of the lyrics to fit it to her own perspective.

Johnny Cash’s version of "Ring of Fire" (1963) is part of the Grammy Hall of Fame, but he is not the original singer or songwriter. This song was actually written by Cash’s future wife, June Carter, alongside Merle Kilgore, and was initially performed by June’s sister, Anita Carter, as "(Love’s) Ring of Fire" in 1962. Cash’s first wife, Vivian Distin, has always said that he was the original writer, but the jury’s still out on that one.

Rascal Flatts' version of "Life Is a Highway" (2006) for the movie Cars is the band’s most-streamed song of all time. The original version is by the Canadian singer Tom Cochrane, and was initially conceived in 1991 as "Love Is a Highway", though the title was later changed. While technically Cochrane’s version did better in the charts, the Rascal Flatts version is nowadays more widely known.

When the lead singer for The Zutons wrote "Valerie" for one of his friends in 2006, the track was quite successful, claiming a high position in the UK charts. However, it was Amy Winehouse’s 2007 version with Mark Ronson that cemented the song's popularity, and it is believed by many to be a Winehouse original.

Where were you when you found out that Sinéad O’Connor’s most famous hit is actually a cover? This song was written by no other than Prince (yes, the one from "Purple Rain") in 1984, and originally performed by his band, the Family. However, the original version was not successful, and the song became a worldwide hit in 1990 in O’Connor’s voice.

When Chris Stapleton decided to randomly sing "Tennessee Whiskey" during a soundcheck, he never imagined how popular his version would be, especially after performing it at the CMAs. The track was written in the 1980s by Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove, and initially recorded by David Allan Coe, but it didn’t make a big impact. A later version by George Jones 81983) had more success in the Country music charts, but it was Stapleton’s cover (2015) that made the song widely known outside of the genre.

Godly etymology

What do volcanoes and sportswear have in common? Mythology!

Image: Ivan Bertona

From the food on your breakfast table to the shoes on your feet, traces of ancient mythology are hidden in plain sight. But we bet you didn’t know that! And we get it—after all, only a few people think about the origins of words daily. But don’t worry—that’s why we’re here. These mythological figures, who once inspired awe and devotion, now lend their names to the phenomena, products, and concepts we mention every day. Let’s dive into the fascinating world of mythologically inspired names and uncover 10 surprising origins.

Image: MK Hamilton

The word hypnosis takes its name from Hypnos, the Greek god of sleep. Hypnos, often depicted as a gentle, winged figure, had the power to lull both mortals and gods into a deep slumber.

Today, hypnosis refers to a trance-like state that feels like a dream but leaves you fully awake. This practice is often used for relaxation, therapy, and even entertainment.

The connection is fitting, to be honest—both Hypnos and hypnosis evoke a sense of calm and surrender. While Hypnos ruled over dreams, modern hypnosis helps people tap into their subconscious minds. It’s pretty amazing how the ancient god of closed eyes still influences our understanding of the mind today.

Image: Monika Simeonova

Nemesis, the Greek goddess of retribution and balance, has left her mark on the English language as a term for an unbeatable rival or a source of downfall.

In mythology, Nemesis punished hubris, which was considered a serious offense, and ensured that no one escaped the consequences of their actions.

The modern concept of a nemesis describes something or someone we cannot conquer and reflects this sense of unavoidable justice. It is frequently used to refer to a person we can’t defeat, but it can also apply to goals we struggle to achieve. Is that meant to make us feel bad? Not exactly—a nemesis is there to keep us humble!

Image: Francesca Scrinzi

Greek mythology features many creatures, including the Oreads, the mountain nymphs. Echo was an Oread who lived on Mount Cithaeron. This nymph was, of course, part of Zeus’s love life—and when Hera, his wife, found out, she cursed Echo to only repeat the words others said.

Fun twist: the next person Echo met—and fell in love with—was Narcissus. And we all know how that went!

In any case, the phenomenon of repeating sounds now carries her name. An echo is a repetition of sound caused by the reflection of sound waves from a wall, a mountain, or any surface that obstructs the path of the sound. Interesting, huh?

Image: Natsuko D'Aprile

Did you know that the breakfast you—or your kids—have every single day can be traced back to ancient mythology? Your morning bowl of cereal is named after Ceres, the Roman goddess of agriculture and grain.

As a deity who ensured a good harvest, Ceres was cherished by farmers and worshipped in lavish festivals. The name is perfect for the grains that are a breakfast staple worldwide. From cornflakes to oatmeal, cereal embodies the abundance that Ceres symbolized.

Image: Siddhant Kumar

Greek mythology was no fun business—love triangles, family disputes, and wars were pretty common. And when it comes to wars among the gods, the War of the Titans is one of the most remarkable. Why? Because the Titans went up against the gods for ten years.

The term atlas for a book of maps traces back to one of those Titans: Atlas, who was condemned to hold up the heavens after losing this divine rebellion. His incredible strength and eternal burden made him a symbol of endurance and support. In the 16th century, map collections were named after him because they reflected the idea of "carrying the world." Even if it’s a burden for him, it’s an accurate connotation!

Image: Jordan Whitt

Hypnos was the god of sleep, but once you were within his realm, Morpheus took over as the god of dreams. Father and son ruled together when it came to closed eyes.

Morphine, a powerful pain-relieving drug, draws its name from Morpheus, who was known for shaping and controlling dreams and often appeared in human form to deliver messages.

The drug’s name reflects its ability to induce a dream-like state and ease suffering. While it’s a medical wonder in many situations, its connection to dreams reminds us of its potent effects. Like Morpheus entering dreams, morphine brings relief—but it commands respect for its power.

Image: Ása Steinarsdóttir

Every Roman god has a Greek counterpart, but in the case of volcanoes, the name comes from the Romans themselves. The term "volcano" comes from Vulcan, the Roman god of fire and smithing, who crafted weapons for gods and heroes in his fiery forge.

Vulcan worked with molten lava, just as volcanoes erupt with fiery power from the earth’s core. Ancient Romans believed volcanic eruptions were Vulcan’s way of showing his might. Even though we now understand the science behind them, the mythology still adds a sense of drama to these geological events. Don’t you just love it?

Image: Peter Herrmann

As we said, mythology was no lighthearted affair—and there was even an entity dedicated to disorder: enter Chaos.

In Greek mythology, Chaos was the primordial void from which everything began—a vast, formless expanse that existed before order emerged.

Today, still bearing the same name, chaos refers to mess, disorder, and unpredictability, just like the state of the universe before creation. It’s fascinating how a term for beginnings now represents turmoil and confusion, but maybe that’s the essence of the universe itself: from the cosmos to a messy kitchen, chaos has a timeless presence

Image: Joseph Barrientos

That’s right—the gods are also a source of inspiration for some of the biggest brands in the world. Take Nike, for example.

Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, has become a household name thanks to the global sportswear brand. A symbol of triumph and achievement in every arena, she inspired warriors in battle and athletes in competition. Remember the divine war we mentioned? Nike was the first to show her support for Zeus.

As for the company’s iconic Swoosh, the logo reflects her winged speed and grace. Every pair of Nike sneakers carries the spirit of determination and success. Who knew a goddess could have such impressive branding skills?

Image: Alicia Christin Gerald

To finish things off, let’s talk about one of the most celebrated figures in Greek mythology and her connection to one of the most respected professions in the modern world.

The word "psychology" finds its roots in Psyche, the Greek goddess of the soul. In mythology, she was depicted as a beautiful woman with wings resembling those of a butterfly.

Since her name means "soul," Psyche inspired the field of psychology, which is all about studying the human essence, mind, and behavior. With the addition of a suffix that denotes a field of study, the word psychology connects ancient interest in understanding what makes us human to the modern scientific discipline. It’s ironic, but also beautiful, that the field studying the mind and soul is named after a goddess.