Bruce, I used the information you provided to post it my way, expanding the list including also information about samples.
As Bruce pointed, these are the covers included on Acclaimed Music Top 100 (so this means that these are the most acclaimed covers ever):
1 - I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
2 - Respect - Aretha Franklin
3 - Louie Louie - The Kingsmen
4 - Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley
5 - Mr. Tambourine Man - The Byrds
6 - All Along the Watchtower - The Jimi Hendrix Experience
7 - Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
8 - (We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9 - Whole Lot of Shaking Goin' On - Jerry Lee Lewis
10 - Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinéad O'Connor
11 - The House of the Rising Sun - The Animals
Some previously released versions were also ranked on Acclaimed Music Top 6000:
- I Heard It Through the Grapevine - Gladys Knight and The Pips (#5937)
- Respect - Otis Redding (#4662)
- Louie Louie - Richard Berry (#4137)
- Mr. Tambourine Man - Bob Dylan (#837)
- All Along the Watchtower - Bob Dylan (#1039)
- Hound Dog - Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton (#621)
I also included two bonus features:
a) Songs with shared songwriting credits because of samples (or even plagiarism).
b) Songs that included samples (or borrowed music or lyrics) not credited on songwriting credits.
So, enjoy the list!
Note: The numbers indicate the position of these songs on the Top 6000 songs list of Acclaimed Music.
06. I Heard It Through the Grapevine (1968)
Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong and first recorded by
Smokey Robinson and the Miracles on August 6th of 1966 at Hitsville USA Studio A, Detroit, Michigan produced by Norman Whitfield but rejected for release as a single by Berry Gordy, it was first released on August 26th of 1968 on Tamla label as the seventh song (opening the B-side) of the album "Special Occasion" (
youtube link). The second version (recorded by Marvin Gaye) was also rejected and the third version, recorded by
Gladys Knight & the Pips on June 17th of 1967 at Hitsville USA Studio A, Detroit produced by Norman Whitfield was the first released version, released on September 28th of 1967 on Motown's Soul label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link).
Recorded by
Marvin Gaye on February 3rd, 8th, 13th, 15th and April 10th of 1967 at Hitsville USA Studio A, Detroit, Michigan produced by Norman Whitfield and released on August 26th of 1968 on Tamla label as the fourth song of the album "In the Groove" (
youtube link).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs
07. Respect (1967)
Written and recorded by
Otis Redding, recorded in July of 1965 at Stax Recording Studios, Memphis, Tennessee produced by Steve Cropper and released on August 15th of 1965 on Volt label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link).
Recorded by
Aretha Franklin on February 14th of 1967 at Atlantic Records Studio, New York City produced by Jerry Wexler and released on March 10th of 1967 on Atlantic label as the opener of the album "I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love You" (
youtube link).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs
26. Louie Louie (1963)
Written by Richard Berry, recorded by
Richard Berry and the Pharaohs in 1957 and released in April of 1957 on Flip label as the B-side of the single "You Are My Sunshine" (
youtube link). But probably the direct influence on The Kingsmen cover was the version recorded by Rockin' Robin Roberts in 1960 and released in March of 1961 on Etiquette label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link).
Recorded by
The Kingsmen on April 6th 1963 at Northwestern Inc. Motion Pictures and Recording, Portland, Oregon produced by Ken Chase and Jerry Dennon and released in May of 1963 on Jerden label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs
54. Suspicious Minds (1969)
Written and recorded by
Mark James in 1968 and released in 1968 on Scepter label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link).
Recorded by
Elvis Presley on January 22nd of 1969 at American Sound Studio, Memphis, Tennessee produced by Chips Moman and Felton Jarvis and released on August 26th of 1969 on RCA Victor label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs
57. Mr. Tambourine Man (1965)
Written by Bob Dylan in February of 1964, recorded by
Bob Dylan on January 15th of 1965 at Columbia Recording Studios, New York City produced by Tom Wilson and released March 22nd of 1965 on Columbia label as the eighth song (opening the B-side) of the album "Bringing It All Back Home" (
youtube link). The Brothers Four recorded a version of the song during 1964 before Dylan first released version (based on a demo recorded by Bob Dylan in June of 1964) but it was released in May of 1965 (after both the Dylan and Byrds versions) as the last song of the album "The Honey Wind Blows" (
youtube link).
Recorded by
The Byrds on January 20th of 1965 at Columbia Studios, Hollywood, California produced by Terry Melcher and released on April 12th of 1965 on Columbia label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs
70. All Along the Watchtower (1968)
Written and recorded by
Bob Dylan, recorded on November 5th of 1967 at Columbia Studio A in Nashville, Tennessee produced by Bob Johnston and released on December 27th of 1967 on Columbia label as the fourth song of the album "John Wesley Harding" (
youtube link).
Recorded by
The Jimi Hendrix Experience in January of 1968 at Olympic Studios, London, England and from June to August of 1968 at Record Plant Studios, New York City produced by Jimi Hendrix and released on September 21st of 1968 on Reprise label in the USA as the A-side of a single (
youtube link).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs
71. Hound Dog (1956)
Written by Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller, recorded by
Willie Mae "Big Mama" Thornton with Kansas City Bill & Orchestra on August 13th of 1952 at Radio Recorders Annex, Los Angeles, California produced by Johnny Otis and released in February of 1953 on Peacock label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link). But according to Wikipedia the direct inspiration for Elvis version was the recording by Freddie Bell and the Bellboys released in 1955 (
youtube link).
Recorded by
Elvis Presley on July 2nd of 1956 at RCA studio, New York City produced by Steve Sholes and released on July 13th of 1956 on RCA Victor label as the B-side of the single "Don't Be Cruel " (
youtube link).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs
74. (We're Gonna) Rock Around the Clock (1954)
Written by Max C. Freedman and Jimmy De Knight (pseudonym of James E. Myers), recorded by
Sonny Dae and His Knights on March 20th of 1954 and released in 1954 on Arcade label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link).
Recorded by
Bill Haley and His Comets on April 12th of 1954 at Pythian Temple Studios, New York City produced by Milt Gabler and released on May 10th of 1954 on Decca label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs
According to Wikipedia: "Although first recorded by Italian-American band Sonny Dae and His Knights on March 20, 1954, the more famous version by Bill Haley & His Comets is not, strictly speaking, a cover version. Myers claimed the song had been written specifically for Haley but, for various reasons, Haley was unable to record it himself until April 12, 1954."
80. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On (1957)
Written by Dave "Curlee" Williams and James Faye "Roy" Hall, recorded by
Big Maybelle on March 21st of 1955 produced by Quincy Jones and released as "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" in 1955 on Okeh label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link).
Recorded by
Jerry Lee Lewis in February of 1957 at Sun Studios, Memphis, Tennessee produced by Jack Clement and released as "Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On" on May 27th of 1957 on Sun label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs
81. Nothing Compares 2 U (1990)
Written by Prince, recorded by
The Family in July of 1985 at Paisley Park Studios, Chanhassen, Minnesota produced by Prince and David Z and released on August 19th of 1985 on Paisley Park label as the sixth song (second of the B-side) of the album "The Family" (
youtube link).
Recorded by
Sinéad O'Connor in 1989 at Britannia Row and Westside Studios, London, England produced by Sinéad O'Connor and Nellee Hooper and released on January 8th of 1990 on Chrysalis label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs
87. The House of the Rising Sun (1964)
Traditional song of unknown writer, the first known recording was made by
Ashley and Foster in 1933, being released as "Rising Sun Blues" in 1933 on Vocalion label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link). It is disputed but some sources claim that the inspiration for The Animals cover came from the version recorded by Bob Dylan on November 20th of 1961, released on March 19th of 1962 as the tenth song of his debut album "Bob Dylan" (
youtube link).
Recorded by
The Animals on May 18th of 1964 at De Lane Lea Studios, London arranged by Alan Price and produced by Mickey Most and released on June 19th of 1964 on Columbia label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs
According to Wikipedia: "An interview with Eric Burdon revealed that he first heard the song in a club in Newcastle, England, where it was sung by the Northumbrian folk singer Johnny Handle. (…) This interview refutes assertions that the inspiration for their arrangement came from Bob Dylan. The band enjoyed a huge hit with the song, much to Dylan's chagrin when his version was referred to as a cover."
And, as a bonus, 5 more songs on AM Top 100 not exactly covers but with
shared songwriting credits because of the use of samples of other songs (or even because of plagiarism):
33. Paper Planes (2007)
"Straight to Hell" was written by Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon, recorded by
The Clash in December of 1981 to January of 1982 (the backing track was recorded on New Year's Eve, 1981) at Electric Lady Studios, New York City produced by The Clash and Glyn Johns and released on May 14th of 1982 on CBS label as the sixth song (closing the A-side) of the album "Combat Rock" (
youtube link).
"Paper Planes" was written by Mathangi Arulpragasam (aka M.I.A.) and Wesley Pentz (aka Diplo) but, since it includes samples from The Clash's
Straight to Hell, Joe Strummer, Mick Jones, Paul Simonon and Topper Headon are credited as co-writers. It was recorded by
M.I.A. in 2007 at the artist's home in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn and in London produced by Diplo and Switch and released on August 21st of 2007 on Interscope label as the eleventh song of the album "Kala" (
youtube link).
"Paper Planes" also includes an uncredited sample of Wreckx-N-Effect feat. Teddy Riley's
Rump Shaker (1992).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs
According to Wikipedia: "The song was written by M.I.A. and Diplo. The song's backing track is a sample of the 1982 song "Straight to Hell" by The Clash, and the members of The Clash are credited as co-writers of the song. The chorus of "Paper Planes" was widely speculated to be based on the chorus to the 1992 song "Rump Shaker" by Wreckx-N-Effect, although that song's writers are not credited."
52. Crazy (2006)
"Nel cimitero di Tucson" ("Last Man Standing") was written and recorded by
Gianfranco Reverberi and Gian Piero Reverberi in 1968 and released in Italy as part of the soundtrack of the movie "Preparati la bara!" (
youtube link). I haven't found information about the original release, the complete soundtrack was released on CD in 2007 after the success of "Crazy."
"Crazy" was written by Brian Burton (aka Danger Mouse) and Thomas Callaway (aka CeeLo Green) but, since it includes samples from Gianfranco Reverberi and Gian Piero Reverberi's
Last Man Standing, Gianfranco Reverberi and Gian Piero Reverberi are credited as co-writers. It was recorded by
Gnarls Barkley in 2005 at Maze Studios, Atlanta, Georgia and (probably) Power Plant Studios, Los Angeles, California produced by Danger Mouse and released on April 3rd of 2006 on Warner label as the title song of a CD-single (
youtube link).
"Crazy" also includes an uncredited sample of Garnet Mimms'
Stop and Check Yourself (1972).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs.
According to Wikipedia ""Crazy" was inspired by film scores of Spaghetti Westerns, in particular by the works of Ennio Morricone, who is best known as the composer of Sergio Leone's Dollars Trilogy, but more specifically the song "Last Man Standing" by Gian Piero Reverberi and Gianfranco Reverberi from the 1968 spaghetti Western Viva! Django (Italian: Preparati la bara), a sequel to the better-known Django. "Crazy" not only samples the song, but utilizes the parts of the main melody and chord structure. The original songwriters for "Last Man Standing" are credited by Gnarls Barkley for this song alongside their own credits."
66. Bitter Sweet Symphony (1997)
"The Last Time" was written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, recorded by
The Andrew Oldham Orchestra in 1965 arranged by David Whitaker and produced by Andrew Oldham and released on June 3rd of 1966 on Decca label as the eleventh song (and closer) of the album "The Rolling Stones Songbook" (
youtube link).
"Bitter Sweet Symphony" was written by Richard Ashcroft but it includes samples from The Andrew Oldham Orchestra's
The Last Time. A lawsuit interposed by Allen Klein (former manager of The Rolling Stones) forced to credit the song entirely to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Recorded by
The Verve in 1996 at Olympics Studios, London, England produced by Youth and The Verve and released on June 16th of 1997 on Hut label as the title song of a CD-single (
youtube link).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs.
According to Wikipedia: "Although the song's lyrics were written by Verve vocalist Richard Ashcroft, its distinctive passage for strings was sampled from the 1965 Andrew Oldham Orchestra symphonic recording of "The Last Time", arranged & written by David Whitaker, inspired by the 1965 Rolling Stones' song of the same title. Originally, The Verve had negotiated a licence to use a five-note sample from the Oldham recording, but former Stones manager Allen Klein (who owned the copyrights to the band’s pre-1970 songs) claimed the Verve broke the agreement and used a larger portion. Despite its original lyrics and string intro (by Wil Malone & Ashcroft), the music of "Bitter Sweet Symphony" was sampled from the Oldham track, which led to a lawsuit with ABKCO Records, Allen Klein's holding company, and eventually settled out of court. The Verve relinquished all of their royalties to Allen Klein, owner of ABKCO Records, whilst songwriting credits were changed to Jagger/Richards/Ashcroft. "We were told it was going to be a 50/50 split, and then they saw how well the record was doing," says band member Simon Jones. "They rung up and said we want 100 percent or take it out of the shops, you don't have much choice." After losing the composer credits to the song, Richard Ashcroft commented, "This is the best song Jagger and Richards have written in 20 years," noting it was their biggest UK hit since "Brown Sugar."
76. 99 Problems (2003)
"The Big Beat" was written and recorded by
Billy Squire in 1979-1980 at Eddie Offord's remote studio, Woodstock, New York produced by Billy Squire and Eddie Offord and released in May of 1980 on Capitol label as the first song of the album "The Tale of the Tape" (
youtube link).
"Long Red" was written by Norman Landsberg, Felix Pappalardi, John Ventura and Leslie Weinstein, recorded by
Mountain on August 16th of 1969 live at Woodstock Festival, Bethel, New York produced by Felix Pappalardi and released on May 13th of 1972 on Windfall label as the first song of the live album "Live - The Road Goes Ever On" (
youtube link).
"99 Problems" was written by Jay-Z but, since it includes samples from Billy Squire's
The Big Beat and Mountain's
Long Red, Billy Squire, Norman Landsberg, Felix Pappalardi, John Ventura and Leslie Weinstein are credited as co-writers. It was recorded by
Jay-Z in 2003 at The Mansion, Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, California and Akademie Mathematique of Philosophical Sound Research, Los Angeles, California produced by Rick Rubin and released on November 14th of 2003 on Roc-A-Fella label as the ninth song of the album "The Black Album" (
youtube link).
"99 Problems" also includes samples of Wilson Pickett's
Get Me Back on Time, Engine #9 (1970), Ice-T feat. Brother Marquis'
99 Problems (1993), UGK's
Touched (1996) and LL Cool J's
To da Break of Dawn (1990).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs.
According to Wikipedia "In creating the track Rubin used some classic 1980s sample staples such as "The Big Beat" by Billy Squier, "Long Red" by Mountain, and "Get Me Back On Time" by Wilson Pickett. These songs were long coveted by early hip hop producers, in particular the drum beat from Big Beat. (…) The title and chorus are taken from Ice-T's "99 Problems" from his 1993 album Home Invasion. The song featured Brother Marquis of 2 Live Crew. The original song was more profane and describes a wide range of sexual conquests. (…) Jay-Z begins his third verse directly quoting lines from Bun B's opening verse off the track "Touched" from the UGK album Ridin' Dirty."
83. Whole Lotta Love (1969)
"You Need Love" was written by Willie Dixon, recorded by
Muddy Waters on October 12 of 1962 at Chess Studios, Chicago, Illinois and released in December of 1962 on Chess label as the A-side of a single (
youtube link). The Small Faces recorded in 1965 "You Need Loving" credited to Ronnie Lane and Steve Marriot (but based on Waters' "You Need Love"), released on May 11th of 1966 on Decca label as the ninth song of their debut album "Small Faces" (
youtube link).
"Whole Lotta Love" was written by Jimmy Page, Robert Plant, John Paul Jones and John Bonham but with parts of the lyrics taken from Muddy Waters'
You Need Love. A lawsuit interposed by Willie Dixon in 1985 forced Led Zeppelin to share with him songwriting credits. Recorded by
Led Zeppelin in 1969 at various studios in the UK and North America produced by Jimmy Page and released on October 22nd of 1969 on Hut label as the first song of the album "Led Zeppelin II" (
youtube link).
Additional info:
wikipedia,
secondhandsongs. According to Wikipedia: "In 1962, Muddy Waters recorded "You Need Love", written for him by peer Willie Dixon. In 1966 British mod band the Small Faces recorded the song as "You Need Loving" for their eponymous début Decca LP. Some of the lyrics of Led Zeppelin's version were copied from the Willie Dixon song, a favourite of Plant's. Plant's phrasing is particularly similar to that of Steve Marriott's in the Small Faces' version. Similarities with "You Need Love" would lead to a lawsuit against Led Zeppelin in 1985, settled out of court in favour of Dixon. The Small Faces were never sued by Dixon, even though "You Need Loving" still only credits Ronnie Lane and Steve Marriott. According to Robert Plant: "Page's riff was Page's riff. It was there before anything else. I just thought, 'well, what am I going to sing?' That was it, a nick. Now happily paid for. At the time, there was a lot of conversation about what to do. It was decided that it was so far away in time and influence that...well, you only get caught when you're successful. That's the game"."
And, as a second bonus, other songs on AM Top 100 that includes samples (or borrowed lyrics or music) according to whosampled.com:
10. Chuck Berry's
Johnny B. Goode (1958) uses the riff of the intro of Louis Jordan and His Tympany Five's
Ain't That Just Like a Woman (They'll Do It Every Time) (1946).
Wikipedia: "The opening guitar riff on "Johnny B. Goode" is essentially a note-for-note copy of the opening single-note solo on Louis Jordan's "Ain't That Just Like a Woman" (1946), played by guitarist Carl Hogan."
20. Led Zeppelin's
Stairway to Heaven (1969) uses a similar arrangement for the guitar intro to Spirit's
Taurus (1968).
Wikipedia: "Over the years, a number of people have put forth the opinion that the song's introduction, and opening guitar arpeggios, bear a close resemblance to the 1968 instrumental "Taurus" by the group Spirit. Zeppelin opened for Spirit in an early American tour, leaving little doubt that Led Zeppelin had heard the Spirit song before "Stairway to Heaven" was written."
41. New Order's
Blue Monday (2003) contains samples from Kraftwerk'
Uranium (1975).
Wikipedia: "According to Bernard Sumner, (…) the long keyboard pad on the intro and outro was sampled from the Kraftwerk song "Uranium", from the Radio-Activity album."
47. Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z's
Crazy in Love (2003) contains samples from The Chi-Lites'
Are You My Woman (Tell Me So) (1970)
Wikipedia: "The track's horn-driven hook samples instrumentation from The Chi-Lites' 1970 song "Are You My Woman (Tell Me So).""
60. Massive's
Unfinished Sympathy (1991) contains samples from J.J. Johnson's
Parade Strut (1974) and Mahavishnu Orchestra and John McLaughlin's
Planetary Citizen (1976).
Wikipedia: "The song's initial tone is set by "chilled hip hop beats" and samples of a percussion break from "Parade Strut (Instrumental)" by J. J. Johnson. (…) Vocal samples of a man singing "hey, hey, hey, hey..." – originating from John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu Orchestra's "Planetary Citizen" – are present throughout the song."
64. Missy 'Misdemeanor' Elliott's
Get Ur Freak On (2001) contains samples from Karunesh's
Solitude (2000) and Memphis Bleek feat. Jay Z, Twista and Missy Elliott's
Is That Your Chick (The Lost Verses) (2000).
72. Beck's
Loser (1993) contains samples from Johnny Jenkins'
I Walk on Gilded Splinters (1970) and Thomas Hendrix's
Driver Winner (1994).
Wikipedia: "The song's drum track is sampled from a Johnny Jenkins cover of Dr. John's "I Walk on Gilded Splinters" from the 1970 album Ton-Ton Macoute!. During the song's break, there is a sample of a line of dialogue from the 1994 Steve Hanft-directed film Kill the Moonlight, which goes "I’m a driver/I’m a winner/Things are gonna change, I can feel it"."
91. The Smiths'
How Soon Is Now? (1984) contains a keyboard melody line taken from Lovebug Starski's
You've Gotta Believe (1982).
Johnny Marr in an interview for The Quietus about the primary influence black music had on The Smiths: "'Boy With The Thorn In His Side', from the second verse onwards, if you listen to it, it's just Nile Rodgers playing guitar - 'How Soon Is Now' has got a hip hop thing in it from Lovebug Starski."
92. Chic's
Good Times (1979) contains lyrics samples from Leo Reisman and His Orchestra's
Happy Days Are Here Again (1929).
Wikipedia: "The lyrics are largely based on Milton Ager's "Happy Days Are Here Again." It also contains lines based on lyrics featured in "About a Quarter to Nine" made famous by Al Jolson. Nile Rodgers has stated that these depression-era lyrics were used as a hidden way to comment on the then-current economic depression in the United States."
98. Public Enemy's
Fight the Power (1989) contains samples from a total of
19 songs, including "Different Strokes" by Syl Johnson (1967), "Funky Drummer" by James Brown (1970), "Fight the Power" by The Isley Brothers (1975), "Sing a Simple Song" by Sly & the Family Stone (1968), "I Don't Know What This World Is Coming To" by The Soul Children feat. Jesse Jackson (1972), "Hot Pants Road" by The J.B.'s (1970), "I Shot the Sheriff" by Bob Marley and The Wailers (1973), "Planet Rock" by Afrika Bambaataa and Soulsonic Force (1982), "Say It Loud, I'm Black and I'm Proud" by James Brown (1968), "Whatcha See Is Whatcha Get" by The Dramatics (1971), "Teddy's Jam" by Guy (1988), "Let's Dance (Make Your Body Move)" by West Street Mob (1981), "I Know You Got Soul" by Bobby Byrd (1971), "Funky President" by James Brown (1974), "Pump Me Up" by Trouble Funk (1982), "Give It to Me Baby" by Rick James (1981), "Saturday Night Live From Washington DC Pt. 1" by Trouble Funk (1983) and "AJ Scratch" by Kurtis Blow (1984).
Wikipedia: "Chuck D recalled the track's extravagant looping and production, saying that "we put loops on top of loops on top of loops"."