Cover Songs
Cover Versions of Johnny’s Songs
There are hundreds of artists that have recorded and performed Johnny Mercer’s songs throughout his career and since his death. Johnny Mercer has been cited as inspiration to musicians and songwriters from all walks of life and every genre of music. Here are a few more recent covers of Johnny Mercer’s songs that demonstrate that his influence goes beyond genre:
- In 2018, Frank Ocean released a cover of “Moon River.”
- Rapper and actress Queen Latifah‘s rendition of “Trav’lin’ Light.”
- R&B artist Seal covered “Autumn Leaves.”
- Eric Clapton and B.B. King‘s cover version of “Come Rain or Come Shine.”
- The great Aretha Franklin took on “Accentuate the Positive” in 1962.
- Metal band Freak Kitchen presents a totally different spin of “Goody, Goody.”
- And, finally, punk icon Iggy Pop covers “One for My Baby.”
Johnny’s Continuing Legacy
Johnny Mercer’s talent as a songwriter and singer continue to influence today’s biggest artists. Bob Dylan has extensively covered Johnny Mercer, including featuring three of his songs – “Skylark,” “That Old Black Magic,” and “Come Rain Or Come Shine” – on his 2016 cover album Fallen Angels. In 2018, country music legend Willie Nelson released a Frank Sinatra tribute album titled My Way that includes two Mercer songs – “Summer Wind” and “One for My Baby (And One More for the Road).”
Other artists and bands that have covered Johnny Mercer include: John Mayer, Rod Stewart, Etta James, Elvis Presley, Don Henley, Norah Jones, The Killers, Elton John, Morrissey, R.E.M., Widespread Panic, Amy Winehouse, The Beatles, Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Michael, Carly Simon and many, many others.
There have also been a number of covers of Mercer’s music by writers and actors. Seth MacFarlane, Hugh Laurie, Jack Keroac, and Lynda Carter have all recorded Mercer tunes.