I’m enjoying the ‘Songs You Didn’t Know Were Covers’ series so much I’ve decided to stretch it into a third week. I like the idea of “discovering” a new song that isn’t quite new. It’s like meeting an alternate universe version of an old friend.
Today’s song is best known as a 2007 recording by Amy Winehouse for the Mark Ronson album Version. As the album’s title suggests, it features cover versions of songs given a retro makeover in Ronson’s favored Motown style.
I didn’t know about the song’s origin, so I’ve always assumed it was a Winehouse original. Most of Winehouse’s compositions sound like they were written in the 1960s, anyway.
It turns out ‘Valerie’ was written not long before Winehouse got a hold of it. Dave McCabe, lead singer of English rock band The Zutons, penned the track for the 2006 album Tired of Hanging Around. It reached the top ten in the UK, capturing Winehouse’s attention in the process.
Winehouse and Ronson’s version fared even better, making it to #2 in the UK and the top five in several other countries.
Well sometimes I go out by myself
And I look across the water
And I think of all the things, what you’re doing
And in my head I make a picture
[Chorus]
Cause since I’ve come on home, well my body’s been a mess
And I’ve missed your ginger hair and the way you like to dress
Won’t you come on over, stop making a fool out of me
Why won’t you come on over Valerie?
[Verse 1]
Did you have to go to jail
Put your house on up for sale
Did you get a good lawyer?
I hope you didn’t catch a tan
I hope you find the right man who’ll fix it for you
[Verse 2]
Are you shopping anywhere
Changed the color of your hair
Are you busy?
And did you have to pay the fine
You were dodging all the time
Are you still dizzy?
[Chorus]
Cause since I’ve come on home, well my body’s been a mess
And I’ve missed your ginger hair and the way you like to dress
Won’t you come on over, stop making a fool out of me
Why won’t you come on over Valerie?
[Pre-Chorus]
Well sometimes I go out by myself
And I look across the water
And I think of all the things, what you’re doing
And in my head I make a picture
[Chorus]
Cause since I’ve come on home, well my body’s been a mess
And I’ve missed your ginger hair and the way you like to dress
Won’t you come on over, stop making a fool out of me
Why won’t you come on over Valerie?
Meet Me In Montauk 
I’m down for another week of covers!
I didn’t think today’s song was written by or for Winehouse, but assumed it was from the 60s or 70s. Motown era.
I’m digging the original. I can see why Winehouse wanted to cover it. The song first came on my radar through Daniel’s HS band, though I, too, thought they were covering an older song.