16 Beloved Songs With Artists Everyone Thinks Are Someone Else
Ever found yourself confidently singing along to a song, absolutely certain you know who performs it, only to discover you’ve been wrong this whole time?
You’re not alone in this musical mix-up!
Tons of classic hits get credited to the wrong artists all the time, leaving music fans scratching their heads when the truth comes out.
1. Stuck in the Middle with You by Stealers Wheel
That raspy, harmonica-filled tune from the 70s sounds exactly like something Bob Dylan would croon, right?
Wrong!
Stealers Wheel delivered this folk-rock masterpiece, and honestly, the Dylan comparison makes total sense given the vocal style and acoustic vibe.
The song became even more famous decades later thanks to a certain Quentin Tarantino film.
Just saying, if you’ve been giving Dylan credit all these years, you’re in seriously good company.
2. Take On Me by a-ha
With those soaring synths and that iconic falsetto, many people assume this 80s banger belongs to Duran Duran.
Surprise!
Norwegian trio a-ha created this new wave masterpiece, complete with that unforgettable animated music video.
The mix-up happens because both bands dominated the same era with similar synth-pop sounds.
Though honestly, once you hear Morten Harket hit those impossible high notes, you’ll never confuse them again.
3. I Can’t Tell You Why by Eagles
Timothy B. Schmit’s smooth, high vocals on this Eagles track sound so much like Toto that even die-hard fans get confused.
The soft rock production and emotional lyrics add to the mistaken identity crisis.
This deeper cut from The Long Run album doesn’t get the same radio play as Hotel California, which might explain why people miss the connection.
However, those signature Eagles harmonies should give it away!
4. A Horse with No Name by America
Neil Young’s voice and guitar style seem written all over this desert-wandering anthem.
Nope!
America crafted this dreamy folk-rock journey, though the resemblance to Young’s sound is absolutely uncanny.
The acoustic fingerpicking and nasally vocals could fool even the most devoted music scholars.
Fun fact: this song actually knocked Neil Young’s own song off the charts, which makes the confusion even more deliciously ironic.
5. Baker Street by Gerry Rafferty
That legendary saxophone riff screams Supertramp to countless listeners who’ve gotten this wrong for years.
Actually, Gerry Rafferty created this masterpiece with one of rock’s most recognizable instrumentals.
The sophisticated arrangement and smooth production do mirror Supertramp’s style, making this mix-up totally forgivable.
Raphael Ravenscroft played that unforgettable sax solo, cementing this track in music history forever.
6. Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf
The heavy, psychedelic vibe of this rock anthem makes everyone think Jim Morrison and The Doors recorded it.
Wrong band!
Steppenwolf (yes, the Born to Be Wild folks) delivered this trippy journey through sound.
Both bands shared that late-60s psychedelic rock sound, which explains why brains get scrambled on this one.
If you’ve been crediting The Doors, don’t worry – you’re riding that magic carpet with millions of others!
7. Come and Get Your Love by Redbone
Creedence Clearwater Revival gets credit for this funky jam way more often than they should.
Redbone, a Native American rock group, actually created this groove-filled classic that got a major revival thanks to a certain dancing space guardian.
The swampy, roots-rock sound does resemble CCR’s style, making this mistaken identity totally understandable.
8. Don’t Fear the Reaper by Blue Öyster Cult
Black Sabbath seems like the obvious answer for this dark, haunting rock song about mortality.
Plot twist alert!
Blue Öyster Cult delivered this surprisingly romantic meditation on eternal love.
The heavy guitar riffs and ominous tone do sound Sabbath-esque, which trips up rock fans constantly.
Plus, that famous cowbell (needs more cowbell!) has become one of music’s most beloved inside jokes among comedy fans everywhere.
9. Everybody’s Talkin’ by Harry Nilsson
Simon & Garfunkel’s fingerprints seem to be all over this gentle, folksy tune from the Midnight Cowboy soundtrack.
Actually, Harry Nilsson sang this Fred Neil cover that became his signature hit.
The soft harmonies and acoustic guitar work do mirror Simon & Garfunkel’s sound perfectly, creating endless confusion.
10. In a Big Country by Big Country
U2’s anthemic sound seems stamped all over this soaring 80s rocker with its huge chorus and echoing guitars.
However, Scottish band Big Country created this masterpiece using guitars that mimicked bagpipe sounds.
The Edge’s guitar effects and Bono’s passionate vocals do share similarities with this track’s production style.
11. All the Young Dudes by Mott the Hoople
David Bowie wrote this glam rock anthem, so naturally everyone assumes he performed it too.
Wrong!
Mott the Hoople actually sang this career-defining hit that Bowie generously gifted them.
The confusion makes perfect sense since Bowie’s songwriting DNA runs through every note and lyric.
Ian Hunter’s vocals do carry that Bowie-esque theatrical flair, which only adds more fuel to this mistaken identity fire.
12. Tainted Love by Soft Cell
Madonna’s name gets attached to this synth-pop banger way more than it should.
Soft Cell’s electronic version became the definitive take on this Gloria Jones cover from the 80s.
Marc Almond’s dramatic vocals and the dark synth production do share some qualities with Madonna’s early work.
13. Spirit in the Sky by Norman Greenbaum
George Harrison’s spiritual themes and guitar work seem perfectly suited to this gospel-rock classic.
Nope!
Norman Greenbaum, a Jewish songwriter, created this Christian-themed rock song that became a cross-cultural phenomenon.
The fuzzy guitar tone and religious lyrics do echo Harrison’s post-Beatles spiritual journey.
The irony of a Jewish artist writing one of rock’s most famous Christian songs just adds another layer to this already fascinating mix-up!
14. Sister Golden Hair by America
Crosby, Stills & Nash’s harmonies and folk-rock style seem woven into every note of this mellow 70s classic.
America strikes again with another song that gets constantly misattributed!
The three-part harmonies and acoustic guitars do mirror CSN’s signature sound almost perfectly.
Both bands defined the California soft-rock scene, which explains why even seasoned music fans mix them up regularly without feeling too embarrassed about it.
15. Black Velvet by Alannah Myles
Stevie Nicks’s raspy, powerful voice seems like the only possible source for this smoky Elvis tribute.
Canadian rocker Alannah Myles actually belted out this bluesy powerhouse that dominated late-80s radio.
The husky vocals and mystical lyrics do sound remarkably similar to Nicks’s signature style.
This song about the King of Rock and Roll became Myles’s own crowning achievement, proving she’s vocal royalty in her own right!
16. Life in Technicolor by Coldplay
U2’s atmospheric, soaring instrumentals seem to echo through every note of this wordless wonder.
Coldplay actually created this dreamy opener from their Viva la Vida album without any vocals.
The Edge’s guitar effects and U2’s epic soundscapes do share DNA with Coldplay’s approach here.
