Works ("Shockingly") Not On Site

Every now and then, I either come to SHS to find a cover of a song or I find a cover of a song, only to be surprised that the work/original isn't on site since it's relatively well known and was originally released years ago. Three examples that are now on site:

https://secondhandsongs.com/error-report/36629

https://secondhandsongs.com/submission/66488

https://secondhandsongs.com/submission/89886

Scanning just my own submissions, some examples that remain off site (but pending):

https://secondhandsongs.com/submission/84320

https://secondhandsongs.com/submission/67904

https://secondhandsongs.com/submission/67974

https://secondhandsongs.com/submission/68298

https://secondhandsongs.com/case/65142

I could have picked a lot more just from my own submissions. Not looking to accelerate editor review, just curious what other works/originals that other contributors are shocked aren't on site? Also why such relatively well-known songs seemingly aren't covered or covered so rarely that they aren't on site yet?

Here's a few I've submitted ("relatively well known and was originally released years ago") that I was surprised weren't already in the database:

https://secondhandsongs.com/case/66613

https://secondhandsongs.com/case/90593

https://secondhandsongs.com/case/64992

https://secondhandsongs.com/case/64971

https://secondhandsongs.com/case/69280

https://secondhandsongs.com/case/66950

https://secondhandsongs.com/case/86171

First, thanks for your thoughts and examples JC...

Second, at first glance I am not familiar with any of your examples. Just evidences the power of musical preferences.

Perhaps works that date a very long time ago aren't on site due to difficulties in adding the originally released recording at normal standards; however, none of my examples would fall into that category.

After I posted this, I started to wonder if the musicians among us can offer some insights. For example in the U.S. Poco had only two relatively big hits that I can remember, both of which still get some airplay on oldies radio, Nevertheless, why do artists seem to cover Crazy Love but not "Heart Of The Night" from the same album?

I didn't recognize yours, either, VV....

I'm familiar with two of VV's examples (the first two that are now on site) and the last one that JC linked to, though I have at least heard of most of the artists for the remaining examples from VV (Chris de Burgh did "Lady in Red" and "Don't Pay the Ferryman", .38 Special had a number of hits, etc.)

Decided to drop a few Al Stewart covers not on site, and remained surprised (but perhaps not quite shocked) that there are no covers of Time Passages [now on site] here or that I can readily find:

https://www.discogs.com/Al-Stewart-Time-Passages/master/90266

Since likely the most popular song by 10,000 Maniacs ..., another surprise is "Like The Weather":

Now on site: Like the Weather

In My Tribe

https://www.discogs.com/10000-Maniacs-In-My-Tribe/release/11594621

Last edit: 2022-05-11 08:00:09 UTC by Tar Heel

Quote from VirileVagabond

Since likely the most popular song by 10,000 Maniacs ..., another surprise is "Like The Weather":

Very often, songs are just perfect the first time around but I follow your reasoning, it's odd if no one took a stab at this one.

I can think of a number of favourite artists of mine, which are rarely covered: Julian Cope, Andy Partridge, They Might Be Giants, etc

Another not shocked but surprised: Happy Anniversary ..., which is on site as sampled but not covered. Found some leads and a live recording of no personal interest, but nothing of apparent importance....

Now on site with covers: Happy Anniversary

Last edit: 2022-05-11 08:02:07 UTC by Tar Heel

While messing around with a small Andy Gibb related cover dump, still rather shocked that "(Love Is) Thicker Than Water" isn't on site and I can't find a single decent lead:

Now on site: Thicker Than Water

Flowing Rivers

https://www.discogs.com/Andy-Gibb-Flowing-Rivers/master/26805

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/(Love_Is)_Thicker_Than_Water

Bonus Lead: Spanish? Shadow Dancing

Rammiro

https://www.discogs.com/Rammiro-Sombra-Bailadora-Esa-Mujer/release/4008445

Also noted in: https://secondhandsongs.com/topic/76435

I'll also note the disappointed but far from shocked: "Time Is Time"

Now on site: Time Is Time

Andy Gibb's Greatest Hits

https://www.discogs.com/Andy-Gibb-Andy-Gibbs-Greatest-Hits/master/26937

"Spoke" too soon: Submission #92390

Last edit: 2022-05-11 08:06:59 UTC by Tar Heel

Given that Steve Miller Band was/is a rather big artist, surprised that "Heart Like A Wheel" isn't on site and I can't find a single lead:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_of_Love_(Steve_Miller_Band_album)

https://www.discogs.com/Steve-Miller-Band-Circle-Of-Love/master/82440

That wasn't a very popular song apparently. Wikipedia says it only managed to hit #55 on the charts.

Quote from Oldiesmann

That wasn't a very popular song apparently. Wikipedia says it only managed to hit #55 on the charts.

If the artist was some one hit wonder I'd agree, but there are Miller tributes and he's been covered enough. Not shocked, but surprised so I'm pushing my original concept here....

Even popular artists have flops now and then. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Quote from Oldiesmann

Even popular artists have flops now and then. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Yes, but flops by popular artists are still covered from time to time. There are far deeper cuts from Miller on site than "Heart". My position is taking in all of the facts and circumstances, and I'd bet that the track appears on most of his "best of" compilations since the song's release.

To contrast, I wasn't shocked or surprised that "Limelight" by APP wasn't on site, though I did manage to find a cover by a well known artist:

Submission #69525

Now on site: Limelight

Last edit: 2022-05-11 08:09:15 UTC by Tar Heel

Came across an autogen for the cover of "You Love The Thunder" by Hank Williams, Jr. and revised the open submission. Still a bit shocked the original not on site and apparently no one has found another cover:

Case #65127

Now on site: You Love the Thunder

Last edit: 2022-05-11 08:10:16 UTC by Tar Heel

Apparently Big Head Todd and The Monsters had no staying power. Not a single original on site. I would be only interest in a cover of "Bittersweet", but came up empty. Not even a lead....

There are just a few Jackson Browne songs that I really like, "That Girl Could Sing" being one of them. Struck out without even a lead each time I look:

Now on site: That Girl Could Sing

Hold Out

https://www.discogs.com/Jackson-Browne-Hold-Out/master/26012

Big enough hit and 5 tribute releases currently on site, yet not a single cover....

Same for "You Love The Thunder", but I did find two of those:

Case #65127

Last edit: 2022-05-11 08:12:19 UTC by Tar Heel

I guess Triumph was so overshadowed by Rush, no one covers even their better known originals. Currently only one original with one cover on site. Did some quick searching for more related to the band, but ended up with only a dead-end lead for "Magic Power" (now under review):

https://www.discogs.com/Hugo-Time-On-Earth/release/2369870

Regardless of the Rush competition, still rather shocked that the page is rather barren....

Last edit: 2023-02-02 23:02:49 UTC by Tar Heel

It always surprised me that I had to newly create works for traditional basics such as “Happy Birthday”, “Waltzing Matilda” and “God Save the Queen” so omission of popular songs is no surprise. Maybe one day someone will add “O Canada”...

Quote from Rodders200

It always surprised me that I had to newly create works for traditional basics such as “Happy Birthday”, “Waltzing Matilda” and “God Save the Queen” so omission of popular songs is no surprise. Maybe one day someone will add “O Canada”...

Now on site: O Canada

I made a similar comment recently about "1812 Overture" (though maybe on site under a different title). I've always assumed that classical and super familiar works are just too difficult for the editors to research and setup per site rules that are generally designed for more contemporary originals (i.e. better documented). Walkürenritt was only added about a year ago.

The thing is, artists do cover "Happy", Waltzing" (I suppose), and "God Save", we just haven't documented those covers on site. Said in another way, it's not the lack of covers but rather the lack of the will/interest by the editors.

While, not limited to what I was thinking of, I created this thread to discuss why there are no covers to add of some works. No covers not due a failure of will/interest but rather due to a failure to exist. Consider Berlin: We currently have 17 versions of The Metro but nothing for "No More Words". There simply are no known covers of the later to add.

Last edit: 2022-05-11 08:14:57 UTC by Tar Heel