Today’s classic song where the cover performed better than the original of the day is “Superstar.” It was first recorded by Delaney and Bonnie (didn’t go anywhere), then Rita Coolidge (as part of Joe Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour), then Bette Midler (which got more attention), then the Carpenters (a big hit).
“Superstar” tells the story of a groupie waiting for the return of her favorite rock star. The idea behind the song came from singer Rita Coolidge, who had been observing the relationships of female groupies on the road while singing backup on tour for Delaney and Bonnie Bramlett. Bonnie Bramlett and Leon Russell, who was also on that tour, turned Ms. Coolidge’s idea into a song.
Bonnie Bramlett and her husband Delaney recorded “Superstar,” originally titled “Groupie (Superstar),” and released it as the B-side of the “Comin’ Home” single in December of 1969. The performing credit on the single was listed as Delaney & Bonnie and Friends featuring Eric Clapton and the backing musicians included Mr. Clapton on lead guitar, Dave Mason on guitar, Bobby Whitlock on organ, Carl Radle on bass, Jim Gordon on drums, and Rita Coolidge on background vocals. Unfortunately, “Comin’ Home” only reached #84 on the Billboard Hot 100 and few people flipped it over to hear the B-side. (For what it’s worth, Bonnie Bramlett later released another version of the tune on her 2002 solo album, I’m Still the Same.)
The next year Joe Cocker put together his (in)famous Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour. During that tour Rita Coolidge took the lead vocal duties on the song “Superstar,” and that version was recorded for Cocker’s 1970 Mad Dogs & Englishmen live album.
Budding superstar Bette Midler heard one of those two versions of “Superstar” and decided to add it to her live act. (She eventually recorded it on her 1972 debut album, The Divine Miss M.) Ms. Midler’s version was more painfully emotional than either Ms. Bramlett’s or Ms. Coolidge’s and got additional exposure when she performed it live on the February 15, 1971, episode of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson.
One person who was watching the Carson show that night was Richard Carpenter, who was stricken with the song and thought it would be a great fit for himself and his sister Karen. The Carpenters recorded their version of the song a few weeks later with Karen singing lead, Richard playing piano and contributing backing vocals, Earle Dumier doing the oboe part, Joe Osborn playing bass, and Hal Blaine contributing the alternatingly sensitive and heavy drumming. (Richard made one slight radio-friendly alteration to the lyrics, changing “And I can hardly wait to sleep with you again” to the less risqué “And I can hardly wait to be with you again.” )
Karen Carpenter’s vocals were recorded in a single take—what was intended to be the guide vocal. She allegedly sang it from lyrics that brother Richard had scribbled on a napkin. Karen’s emotional yet soothing voice was perfect for the tune’s melancholic subject matter, although she didn’t initially think much of the song:
“For some reason that tune didn’t hit me in the beginning. It’s the only one. Richard looked at me like I had three heads. He said: ‘Are you out of your mind?’ When I heard his arrangement of it I fell over, and now it’s one of my favorites too.”
The Carpenters’ version of “Superstar” was released on August 12, 1971. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and Cash Box Top 100 and #1 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary chart. (Rod Stewart’s “Maggie May” kept it out of the top position on the Hot 100.) The single sold more than a million copies (RIAA Gold) and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Arrangement Accompanying Vocalist. (It lost to Paul & Linda McCartney’s “Uncle Albert/Admiral Halsey.”)
“Superstar” has been covered by many other artists, including Cher, Luther Vandross, Ruben Stoddard, and Roberta Flack. My favorite cover (aside from the Carpenters’ version, of course) was recorded by Sonic Youth for the 1994 Carpenters tribute album, If I Were a Carpenter. That version actually charted in the U.K., peaking at #45.
I’m also a fan of singer Gayle McCormick’s 1971 recording of “Superstar.” (You remember her as the lead singer of the band Smith on their dynamic version of “Baby It’s You,” a hit back in 1969.) The arrangement is a little pedestrian, but her performance is killer. She’s a big, soulful singer, and she brings a dynamic to the song that is exciting.
Finally, here’s a clip of a young Bette Midler back in 1971, performing “Superstar” at the Continental Baths in NYC. (And, yes, that’s Barry Manilow accompanying her on piano.) This is before Bette hit it big, and her performance here is emotional and heartrending. It’s one of those performances that reminds you want a real talent Ms. Midler was back in the day. This is one for the ages.
Which version is your favorite?
