“Heard It Through The Grapevine” is a timeless classic that has been covered by many musicians over the years. With its catchy lyrics, infectious beat, and recognizable melody, it’s no surprise that so many artists have tried their hand at recording the song.
Originally written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown Records in 1966, “Heard It Through The Grapevine” was first recorded by Gladys Knight & The Pips. However, it wasn’t until Marvin Gaye released his version of the song two years later that it became a massive hit.
Since then, countless other artists have put their unique spin on the track. From rock to country to soulful renditions, “Heard It Through The Grapevine” continues to inspire generations of music lovers.
But just how many artists have covered this iconic tune? Let’s take a closer look at some of the most notable recordings.
1. Marvin Gaye (1968)
As mentioned earlier, Marvin Gaye’s soulful version is arguably the most famous cover of “Heard It Through The Grapevine.” His interpretation spent seven weeks at number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in 1968 and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
2. Creedence Clearwater Revival (1970)
In 1970, rock band Creedence Clearwater Revival took on “Heard It Through The Grapevine,” putting their own gritty spin on the track. Their version turned out to be quite successful too – reaching number four on Billboard’s pop singles chart.
3. Smokey Robinson &Miracles(1969)
Another well-known cover came from Smokey Robinson &The Miracles in 1969.The group added their signature harmonies and sophisticated arrangements to create an elegant rendition of “Grapevine”.
4.The California Raisins(1987)
In perhaps one of the most unconventional covers on this list, The California Raisins – an animated singing and dancing group made of raisins – recorded their version in 1987. Despite the novelty factor, the cover became a hit and propelled the Raisins to pop culture fame.
5.Cardi B(2018)
In more recent times, Cardi B grabbed everyone’s attention with her sampling of “Grapevine” in her single “I Like It” featuring J Balvin & Bad Bunny.The song topped Billboard’s Hot 100 charts for several weeks making it another successful release containing Grapevines samples.
6.Michael Bolton(1991)
Michael Bolton put his own soulful spin on “Heard It Through The Grapevine” when he covered it for his 1991 album “Time, Love & Tenderness.” His rendition was slower-paced than some other versions but still managed to capture the song’s essence beautifully.
7.Amy Winehouse (2007)
Amy Winehouse delivered a hauntingly beautiful interpretation of “Heard It Through The Grapevine” during a live performance in London back in 2007. Her raw vocals gave new life to the classic tune and earned her widespread praise from critics and fans alike.
There are many other notable artists who have also taken on this legendary song over the years, including Aretha Franklin, Michael McDonald, Diana Ross&The Supremes among others.
But one thing is clear: no matter how many times it’s been covered or reimagined by different musicians across various genres throughout history -“Heard It through The grapevine”, remains a timeless masterpiece whose influence will continue to be felt for generations to come.
“Heard It Through The Grapevine” is more than just a catchy tune; it’s a timeless classic that proves to be an enduring favorite for many generations. The song’s infectious beat, recognizable melody, and unforgettable lyrics continue to captivate people all over the world.
Originally written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong for Motown Records in 1966, “Heard It Through The Grapevine” was first recorded by Gladys Knight &The Pips. However, it wasn’t until Marvin Gaye released his version of the song two years later that it became a massive hit.
Marvin Gaye’s soulful interpretation spent seven weeks at number one on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in 1968 and earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
Since then, numerous other artists have put their unique spin on the track. Some remain faithful to the original while others have gone in entirely new directions with their adaptations of this beloved classic.
Creedence Clearwater Revival took on “Grapevine” in 1970 ,putting their own gritty rock spin on the track. Their version proved successful too – reaching number four on Billboard’s pop singles chart. Smokey Robinson&The Miracles also covered “Grapevine”, adding their signature harmonies and sophisticated arrangements to create an elegant rendition of the song back in 1969.
In perhaps one of the most unconventional covers on this list, animated singing group California Raisins recorded their synth-drenched funk version featuring squeaky voiced backups which helped them break into mainstream success.The cover ultimately propelled them to pop culture fame despite its novelty factor .
More recently, Cardi B sampled “Grapevine” for her single “I Like It”. She featured J Balvin & Bad Bunny resulting in another successful release containing iconic “grapevine” samples.The song went to top billboard hot [100]chart for several consecutive weeks.
Michael Bolton put his own soulful spin on “Heard It Through The Grapevine” as well. He covered it for his 1991 album “Time, Love & Tenderness.” His rendition was slower-paced than some other versions but still managed to capture the song’s essence perfectly.
Another unforgettable cover came from the late Amy Winehouse who delivered a hauntingly beautiful interpretation of “Grapevine” during one of her live performances back in London in 2007. Her raw vocals gave new life to the classic tune and earned her widespread praise from critics and fans alike earning Amarican Music Inspiration Award that year .
It’s important to note that there are many other notable artists including Aretha Franklin, Michael McDonald or Diana Ross & The Supremes among others who have also taken on this legendary song over the years; demonstrating its everlasting popularity and influence across endless generations.
In conclusion – “Heard It through The grapevine”, is not only an iconic melody with catchy lyrics we cannot get out of our head but also a timeless masterpiece whose inspiration would continue to be felt by budding musicians all over- making it one of those rare compositions that will endure forever.