Yet MORE Songs You may Not Have Known Were Covers: And When I Die (#4)

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Every now and then one song will start a countdown idea. This fourth round of songs that you may not have known were cover versions started with this one. So if you've enjoyed this particular collection of covers up until now, credit this song...and if not, blame it. Here it is. #4: And When I Die This is one of those songs I remember hearing from my brother's music collection, which was vastly different from mine (he had "The Immigrant Song" by Led Zeppelin, while I was listening to Buck Owens). It was one of Blood, Sweat, and Tears' big hits. "And When I Die" was written by the late Laura Nyro when she was 17. Now, Laura was considered as a replacement for Al Kooper as a member of BS&T before David Clayton-Thomas became the lead singer in the "classic" era, so it's not too far of a stretch to see BS&T doing one of her songs. (Trivia: she also wrote "Wedding Bell Blues," which was a hit for the 5th Dimension.) But even Laura Nyro's version wasn't the first recorded rendition. That honor goes to...... ....wait for it...... I'm telling you, this surprised me...... Peter, Paul, and Mary. In 1966 the folk trio made the first recording of "And When I Die." They omitted the "don't wanna go by the devil, don't wanna go by the demons" part, while Nyro's version a year later included it. And, of course, it's in the classic Blood, Sweat, and Tears version that was such a big hit. Who'd ever guess that such a rocking classic with a little jazz thrown in originated with a folk group? And When I Die Written by Laura Nyro Originally recorded by Peter, Paul, and Mary, 1966 Also recorded by Laura Nyro, 1967 Famously covered by Blood, Sweat, and Tears, 1969 Here's the 1966 PP&M version: