The First Cut is The Deepest --- Cover

"The First Cut Is the Deepest" is a 1967 song written and sung by Cat Stevens, which originally appeared on his album New Masters in 1967. It has been widely covered and has become a hit single for four different artists: P.P. Arnold (1967), Keith Hampshire (1973), Rod Stewart (1977) and Sheryl Crow (2003).

Contents [hide]
1 Cat Stevens original version
2 P. P. Arnold version
3 Keith Hampshire version
4 Rod Stewart version
5 Sheryl Crow version
5.1 Chart performance
5.1.1 Year-end charts
6 Other versions
7 References




[edit] Cat Stevens original version
The song concerns someone apprehensive about entering a new romantic relationship because they are still suffering from being hurt by their first love. Without listening closely, the chorus might seem ambiguous:

"The First Cut is the Deepest" (1967)

Sample of "The First Cut is the Deepest", performed by Cat Stevens. Appears on New Masters.




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The first cut is the deepest, Baby I know —
The first cut is the deepest
'Cause when it comes to being lucky, she's cursed
When it comes to lovin' me, she's worst
But when it comes to being loved, she's first
That's how I know
The first cut is the deepest.
However, the song continues:

I still want you by my side
Just to help me dry the tears that I've cried
And I'm sure gonna give you a try just remember
The first cut is the deepest.
While the Stevens, Arnold and Hampshire recordings sang this chorus intact, the Stewart and Crow renditions omitted the last two lines, an omission which might give the listener a different sense of the song.

Stevens made a demo recording of "The First Cut Is the Deepest" at an earlier date, but originally hoped to become a songwriter.[1] Stevens wrote the song earlier to promote his songs to other artists, but did not record it as his own performance until early October 1967, and it did not appear until his second album, New Masters, was released in December 1967. He sold the song for £30 to P.P. Arnold becoming a huge hit for her,[2] and an international hit, for Keith Hampshire, Rod Stewart, and Sheryl Crow. The song has won Stevens songwriting awards, including two consecutive ASCAP songwriting awards for "Songwriter of the Year" in 2005 and 2006.[3]


[edit] P. P. Arnold version
""The First Cut Is the Deepest""
Single by P.P. Arnold
B-side "Speak to Me"
Released May 1967
Label Immediate Records
Writer(s) Cat Stevens
P.P. Arnold singles chronology
"Everything's Gonna Be Alright" "The First Cut Is the Deepest"
(1967) "The Time Has Come"

African-American expatriate singer P.P. Arnold, had the first hit with the song, reaching #18 on the UK Singles Chart[4] with her cover in May 1967, well ahead of the song appearing on Stevens' album. The Arnold hit featured an up-tempo, soulful vocal set against harpsichord, horns, and strings.

Noted 1960s British filmmaker Peter Lorrimer Whitehead made a primordial music video clip for the song, featuring a non-singing Arnold cavorting on a British beach alongside The Small Faces.

Stevens never released his original recording as a single, because he felt Arnold's version was definitive.


[edit] Keith Hampshire version
Canadian singer Keith Hampshire had a number one hit in Canada in May 1973 with his recording of the song.


[edit] Rod Stewart version
"The First Cut Is the Deepest"
Single by Rod Stewart
from the album A Night on the Town
B-side "I Don't Want to Talk About It"
"The Balltrap" (U.S.)
Released 1977
Format 7-inch
Genre Rock
Length 3:52
Label Warner Bros. Records
Writer(s) Cat Stevens
Producer Tom Dowd
Rod Stewart singles chronology
"Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)"
(1976) "The First Cut Is the Deepest"
(1977) "The Killing of Georgie (Part I and II)"
(1977)

The most popular version of the song in the United Kingdom has been the one by Rod Stewart, which was recorded at Muscle Shoals Sound Studio in Muscle Shoals, Alabama and appeared on his 1976 album A Night on the Town. It was released as a double A-side single with "I Don't Want to Talk About It". As such it was a huge success, and spent four weeks at number one on the UK Singles Chart in May 1977, and also reached #21 on the Billboard Hot 100 in the U.S.

A music video clip was made for this recording, featuring Stewart lip-synching the song as he wandered in a formal garden with an elaborate fountain.

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[papypop1]

Is there a song you can't sing? Your voice makes me shiver.Thank you again.Many of my friends have now discovered your work and they love it.

Jean Paul from France.

[4846steven]

@papypop1 thank you very much jean paul appreciate it very much

[shadez112]

dude id love to here u sing neil young

[4846steven]

have a look on my songs you will find it there my friend

[Maysey1]

Yeah! Very very nice. ENJOYED!!!!! Mark

[4846steven]

thank you very much my friend

[Valkom1978]

So beautiful. Like Neil Young who sing the Cat Stevens song. Thank you for this moment.

Antoine from France.

[Commentsfromheart]

Sir,

where are you from? great great great voices. baby i know part is the most beautiful part for me. Better than sheril crow verssion.

[alexandraxxxxxx]

you sing this as if you wrote this song steven........your channel has so many burried little treasures....its always great to wander round again ..enjoy all your beautiful covers and originals......thank you Guys...;0)

[Aap1one]

Very nice. Mick Taylor look alike btw ha

[BigTimePride]

Awesome

[Defenitee4]

Excellent... One of my favorite covers. :) nice job.

I love your hair by the way.

[maxames1995]

brilliant cover

[kotababyyy]

Please checkout my cover of this song! Loved this