Songs You May Not Know Were Covers Vol. 6: I Can’t Stop Loving You (#3)

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We’re moving into the top three here on this latest collection of hits that you may have enjoyed for days, years, or eons but never knew that the hit version you love is a cover. This one is on the fence: many people probably do know it’s a cover, but those who don’t might be shocked. Then again.... #3: I Can’t Stop Loving You Hey, Ray, what you said is true Oh, I can’t stop loving you (Sam Halen, “Can’t Stop Loving You”) Ray Charles was, is, and ever shall be a legend. If you have any questions, watch his performance of “Shake a Tail Feather” in The Blues Brothers. In the still-segregated early 60s, Charles decided he’d take a very bold move. He recorded Modern Sounds in Country and Western Music, the 1962 landmark album of country songs where Brother Ray put his indelible stamp on the tunes. As a result, a lot of people were introduced to country music where they may not have otherwise paid attention to it. One of the hits from that album was “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” which gave Charles a #1 hit on American pop and R&B charts, as well as a top ten hit in many other countries. You know the drill. Charles’ version wasn’t even the first hit cover. That went to Kitty Wells, who in 1958 peaked higher on the country charts with her cover than the original version. Normally someone might boo-hoo and belly-ache over “their” version of “their” song getting buried by covers (in this case, twice!). Don Gibson was used to it, I guess. After all, his “Sweet Dreams (Of You)” is hardly remembered as “the” definitive version, thanks to that Patsy Cline cover. And I’m sure Mr. Gibson cried all the way to the bank, singing, “Oh, Lonesome Me” as he went. I Can’t Stop Loving You Written by Don Gibson Originally recorded by Don Gibson, 1958 Famously covered by. Ray Charles, 1962 (Also covered as a hit by Kitty Wells, 1958) They say that time heals a broken heart: