[Liedzeit]

Start with any song by some artist. Next comes a cover song of this artist by some other artist. Then a cover of this artist and so on. And finally you should arrive at the beginning. How long can you make the chain? I had this idea in mind for years and finally managed to arrive at a non-trivial example (more than two) and with only one not very well known song.

Here is what I came up with:

Beatles – Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds
Elton John - Rocket Man
Kate Bush – The Man With The Child In His Eyes
Dusty Springfield – Son Of A Preacher Man
Aretha Franklin – Do Right Woman, Do Right Man
Brenda Lee – I’m Sorry
Ruby and the Romantics – When You’re Young And In Love
Marvelettes – Please Mr. Postman



(What I found fascinating is that I liked the Elton John version of Lucy better than the Beatles and Kate’s version of Rocket Man better than Elton’s.)
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When the stewardess is near do not show any fear.

[MadhattanJack]

So... do tracks recorded for tribute albums count, then? And live albums, and singles? That should make it a little easier (along with access to SecondHandSongs.com, of course... and the internet just in general).

I think most of these are on studio albums, though:

Al Green: Take Me To The River
Talking Heads: Burning Down the House
Bonnie Raitt: I Can't Make You Love Me
Nancy Wilson: You Don't Know How Glad I Am
Sandie Shaw: Girl Don't Come
Cher: Bang Bang My Baby Shot Me Down
Nancy Sinatra: These Boots Are Made for Walkin'
Beau Brummels: Just a Little
Them: Here Comes the Night
David Bowie: Anyway Anyhow Anywhere (or Can't Explain)
The Who: I Can See For Miles (or Acid Queen)
Tina Turner: Let's Stay Together

[Liedzeit]

@ManhattenJack: Very nice!
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When the stewardess is near do not show any fear.

[neilgee]

Here Johnny, I've slightly improved it but the...

Eight Days a Week - Beatles
Across the Universe - David Bowie
The Man Who Sold The World - Lulu
Shout - Isley Brothers
Twist and Shout - Beatles