Ten Songs You Might Not Know Were Covers (Vol. 5): You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me (#1)

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It's time to cover up the list of covers for another countdown. I chose this as the #1 song not because it's my favorite, but because the diversity in the two versions might be the biggest shock. Here's the last of this list. #1: You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me This is a repeat day. We had the Stones earlier in the countdown, and here's Gladys Knight & the Pips showing! (They did the original released version of "I Heard it Through the Grapevine.") In 1974 Knight and the Pips released this song to widespread acclaim, as it was a top five hit in pop, "easy listening," and soul/R&B. So where did Gladys first hear this song? It must've been playing on the midnight train to Georgia in its original incarnation by..... RAY PRICE. Yes, that Ray Price. Country music legend, perfecter of the 4/4 shuffle in country music, Hall of Fame great, and one of the biggest acts in the 50s. In the early 70s he went all Nashville sound on us, giving us a string of songs like "For the Good Times," "She's Got to Be a Saint," "I Won't Mention It Again," and this one. I'm glad Price outgrew that phase of his career. I'm glad Knight covered it, too. Thanks for reading. You're the Best Thing That Ever Happened to Me Written by Jim Weatherly Originally recorded by Ray Price, 1973 Famously covered by Gladys Knight & the Pips, 1974 If anyone should ever write my life story: