Songs You May Not Know Were Covers Vol. 6: Fox on the Run (#9)

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First things first: NOT THE SWEET SONG. If there’s any doubt, re-read that sentence. Today’s song is one that most people won’t know, but I have to include it simply because I find this rather humorous. But then, I’m weird. Here’s the song. #9: Fox on the Run Every genre has its “staples,” songs that seemingly have been around for eons. There are a boatload of them in bluegrass music, and this is one of them. I first heard “Fox on the Run” by a local bluegrass band called Bluegrass Alliance. Don’t go looking for them in the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, but they had a couple of famous alums (Sam Bush and Vince Gill [not at the same time]). The first bluegrass recording of this song came from Country Gentlemen member Bill Emerson, who left the Gentlemen to form a duet with Cliff Waldron (Emerson & Waldron). From there, it seems like everybody in bluegrass did the song. Tom T. Hall’s transition from country to bluegrass more or less began with his version of the song in the mid-70s. Not only is this legendary bluegrass song a cover, it’s a ROCK cover. “Fox on the Run” was originally a British hit for Manfred Mann. Yes, the “Doo-Wah Diddy,” “Quinn the Eskimo” Manfred Mann. There’s a lot of cross-pollination in music. Elvis didn’t really start it (back in the 40s Syd Nathan had country artists on King Records covering R&B songs, and R&B act on the sister Queen label covering country songs [given that Nathan owned the publishing rights, he was looking to make more money off the songs by introducing it to diverse audiences]). It continues today, and you’ll see another example later in the countdown. I just find it hilarious that this “traditional bluegrass” song is a rock classic. Fox on the Run Written by Tony Hazzard Originally recorded by Manfred Mann, 1968 First covered in bluegrass by Emerson & Waldron, 1969 Famously covered by Tom T. Hall, 1976 Pick it, bluegrassers!