Here We Go!
Welcome to another Sex Pistols feature on Rotten Record Blog!
This time, we’re taking a look at the original versions of songs covered by the Sex Pistols and their members, along with a few tracks connected to the band’s early history.
From early rock ‘n’ roll and British R&B to garage rock and proto-punk, there’s quite a mixture of music here!
I’ve also put together an Apple Music playlist featuring all 19 tracks, so you can listen to the originals and compare them with the Pistols’ versions.
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🎧 Listen to all 19 original tracks on Apple Music
🧷 Album Releases, Official Recordings and Bootlegs
No Fun
Original artist: The Stooges
Original release: 1969
Sex Pistols release: B-side of the “Pretty Vacant” single
About the artist:
Fronted by Iggy Pop, The Stooges were pioneers of proto-punk. Their raw, destructive sound and outrageous live performances had an enormous influence on punk and alternative rock.
Johnny B. Goode
Original artist: Chuck Berry
Original release: 1958
Sex Pistols release: The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle (as part of a medley)
About the artist:
One of the founding figures of rock ‘n’ roll, Chuck Berry was famous for his distinctive guitar riffs and trademark duckwalk.
Roadrunner
Original artist: Jonathan Richman & The Modern Lovers
Original release: 1976 (recorded in 1972)
Sex Pistols release: The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle (as part of a medley)
About the artist:
Boston-born singer-songwriter Jonathan Richman helped shape proto-punk with his stripped-down, minimalist approach and thoughtful lyrics.
The Modern Lovers’ music offered a rather different take on the emerging punk sound.
Substitute
Original artist: The Who
Original release: 1966
Sex Pistols release: The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle
About the artist:
One of Britain’s most influential rock bands, The Who were closely associated with the Mod movement.
Their explosive performances, deafening volume and notorious instrument-smashing antics helped establish the rebellious attitude later associated with punk.
No Lip (Don’t Gimme No Lip Child)
Original artist: Dave Berry
Original release: 1964
Sex Pistols release: The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle
About the artist:
Dave Berry was a British pop and rock singer who enjoyed success during the 1960s, particularly with songs such as “The Crying Game”.
“Don’t Gimme No Lip Child” originally appeared as the B-side of that single.
The Sex Pistols later transformed it into the much rougher “No Lip”.
I’m Not Your Stepping Stone
Original artist: Paul Revere & The Raiders
Original release: 1966
Sex Pistols release: The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle
About the artist:
Paul Revere & The Raiders were an American garage rock and pop group known for their catchy melodies and energetic performances.
Although they recorded the song first, it became particularly well known through The Monkees’ cover version.
Whatcha Gonna Do About It
Original artist: Small Faces
Original release: 1965
Sex Pistols release: The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle
About the artist:
Led by the powerful voice of Steve Marriott, Small Faces were one of the defining bands of Britain’s 1960s Mod scene.
Their music combined American R&B influences with sharp guitar riffs and soulful vocals.
My Way
Original artist featured: Frank Sinatra
Release: 1969
English lyrics by Paul Anka, based on the French song “Comme d’habitude”.
Sex Pistols-related release: The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle
About the artist:
Frank Sinatra was one of the greatest entertainers of the twentieth century.
Renowned for his distinctive voice, phrasing and commanding presence, he became one of the most celebrated singers in popular music history.
Sid Vicious later recorded his own rather unconventional interpretation of this classic.
Something Else
Original artist: Eddie Cochran
Original release: 1959
Sex Pistols-related release: The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle
About the artist:
Eddie Cochran was an American rockabilly and early rock ‘n’ roll singer whose sharp guitar riffs and driving rhythms influenced generations of British musicians.
His energetic style became an important part of rock ‘n’ roll’s legacy.
C’mon Everybody
Original artist: Eddie Cochran
Original release: 1958
Sex Pistols-related release: The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle
About the artist:
Another Eddie Cochran classic, “C’mon Everybody” captures the excitement and frustrations of teenage life with a lively rhythm and an infectious melody.
Cochran’s career was tragically cut short when he died at just 21 years old.
Rock Around the Clock
Original artist featured: Bill Haley & His Comets
Release: 1954
Sex Pistols-related release: The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle
About the artist:
Bill Haley & His Comets played a major role in bringing rock ‘n’ roll to a worldwide audience.
The song became a huge international hit after appearing in the 1955 film Blackboard Jungle, helping establish rock ‘n’ roll as a major force in youth culture.
You Need Hands
Original artist featured: Max Bygraves
Release: 1958
Sex Pistols-related release: The Great Rock ‘n’ Roll Swindle (vocals by Malcolm McLaren)
About the artist:
Max Bygraves was a popular British entertainer, singer and comedian, well known for his light-hearted performances and traditional variety-show style.
His cheerful music was certainly a long way from punk rock!
Through My Eyes
Original artist: The Creation
Original release: 1966
Sex Pistols release: Sex Pistols (3CD box set, SEXBOX1) — demo recording
About the artist:
The Creation were a British psychedelic and Mod rock band who developed a cult following.
Guitarist Eddie Phillips was particularly known for using a violin bow on his electric guitar, an unusual technique that would later be associated with other rock musicians.
Understanding
Original artist: Small Faces
Original release: 1965 (B-side of “I’ve Got Mine”)
Sex Pistols release: Sex Pistols (3CD box set, SEXBOX1) — live recording
About the artist:
Small Faces brought an explosive British interpretation to American R&B and soul music.
Although their original line-up was together for only a relatively short period, their influence extended well beyond the 1960s, reaching punk and even Britpop.
Silver Machine
Original artist: Hawkwind
Original release: 1972
Sex Pistols performance: Reunion-era live performances (bootleg recordings)
About the artist:
Hawkwind were a British space rock band known for their psychedelic sound, hypnotic rhythms and science-fiction-inspired imagery.
The band also featured Lemmy Kilmister, who later founded Motörhead.
🧷 Live Performances and Rare Covers
Psychotic Reaction
Original artist: Count Five
Original release: 1966
Sex Pistols performance: Reported live performance (bootleg recording unconfirmed)
About the artist:
Count Five were a Californian garage rock band best known for their 1966 hit “Psychotic Reaction”.
The song features distorted guitar, harmonica and dramatic tempo changes, making it a classic example of American garage rock.
Born To Lose
Original artist: Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers
Original release: 1977
Sex Pistols performance: 25 December 1977, Ivanhoe’s, Huddersfield — charity concert (vocals by Sid Vicious)
About the artist:
Formed by former New York Dolls guitarist Johnny Thunders, The Heartbreakers were one of the defining bands of the New York punk scene.
Their loose, raw rock ‘n’ roll sound and self-destructive attitude became an important part of punk history.
Chinese Rocks
Original artist featured: Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers
Original release: 1977
Songwriting: Dee Dee Ramone and Richard Hell, with additional songwriting credits associated with The Heartbreakers’ recording
Sex Pistols performance: 25 December 1977, Ivanhoe’s, Huddersfield — charity concert (vocals by Sid Vicious)
About the artist:
Written in the New York punk scene and closely associated with Johnny Thunders & The Heartbreakers, “Chinese Rocks” became one of the era’s best-known punk songs.
Its rough-edged sound and uncompromising subject matter captured the darker side of the 1970s New York scene.
🧷 The Audition
I’m Eighteen
Original artist: Alice Cooper
Original release: 1970
Sex Pistols connection: Reportedly performed by John Lydon during his audition for the band. No official Sex Pistols recording exists.
About the artist:
Alice Cooper helped establish shock rock with his theatrical stage performances featuring elaborate props, fake blood and even guillotines.
“I’m Eighteen”, with its themes of teenage frustration and confusion, became one of his defining songs.
According to the well-known account, John Lydon sang along to the song on a jukebox during his audition at Malcolm McLaren’s shop.
🧷 Bonus: Pre-Sex Pistols and Early Rehearsal Songs
This section covers songs listed in Lee Wood’s book Sex Pistols Day by Day, documenting the band’s early repertoire before and shortly after John Lydon joined.
Some of these performances are not known to survive as recordings, but the book provides an interesting glimpse into the music the band were playing in their earliest days.
Wally Nightingale Era (Before John Lydon Joined)
Build Me Up Buttercup
- Artist: The Foundations
- Original release: 1968
- About the artist: The Foundations were a British multiracial soul and pop group whose Motown-influenced melodies and catchy sound brought them international success.
It’s All Over Now
- Artist: The Rolling Stones (originally recorded by The Valentinos, featuring Bobby Womack)
- Original release: 1964
- About the artist: The Rolling Stones became one of the most influential bands in British rock, drawing heavily on American blues and R&B. Their version of “It’s All Over Now” gave them their first UK number-one single.
Three Button Hand Me Down
- Artist: Faces
- Original release: 1970
- About the artist: Featuring Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood, who later joined The Rolling Stones, Faces were known for their loose, bluesy rock ‘n’ roll and rough-and-ready live performances.
A Day Without Love
- Artist: The Love Affair
- Original release: 1968
- About the artist: Fronted by Steve Ellis, The Love Affair were a British pop group whose orchestral arrangements and catchy songs brought them several hits in 1968.
After John Lydon Joined
All or Nothing
- Artist: Small Faces
- Original release: 1966
- About the artist: One of Small Faces’ best-known songs, featuring Steve Marriott’s powerful vocals and the band’s energetic Mod-influenced sound. The single reached number one in the UK.
My Mind’s Eye
- Artist: Small Faces
- Original release: 1966
- About the artist: This song marked a move towards a more melodic and experimental sound, incorporating acoustic textures and influences beyond the band’s original R&B style.
Hey Girl
- Artist: Small Faces
- Original release: 1966
- About the artist: Written by Steve Marriott and Ronnie Lane, “Hey Girl” is an energetic early single built around strong R&B rhythms and a memorable vocal performance.
Sha La La La Lee
- Artist: Small Faces
- Original release: 1966
- About the artist: One of the group’s early hits, combining a catchy pop melody with the energetic sound of the British Mod scene.
Holy Cow
- Artist: Lee Dorsey
- Original release: 1966
- About the artist: A New Orleans R&B singer closely associated with songwriter and producer Allen Toussaint. His music combined infectious rhythms with a playful vocal style.
Slow Death
- Artist: Flamin’ Groovies
- Original release: 1972
- About the artist: An American rock band from San Francisco whose raw, Stones-influenced rock ‘n’ roll helped pave the way for punk.
I’m Not Like Everybody Else
- Artist: The Kinks
- Original release: 1966
- About the artist: Led by brothers Ray and Dave Davies, The Kinks were one of Britain’s most influential rock bands. Featuring Dave on lead vocals, this song became an enduring anthem of individuality and nonconformity.
I’m a Boy
- Artist: The Who
- Original release: 1966
- About the artist: Written by Pete Townshend, this unusual single explores themes of identity and gender expectations. It reached number two on the UK Singles Chart.
Shake
- Artist: The Creation (as credited in the book)
- Original release: Unconfirmed
- Note: Lee Wood’s Sex Pistols Day by Day lists “Shake” by The Creation among the songs rehearsed in October 1975. However, I have been unable to identify a corresponding recording by The Creation, so the exact song remains unconfirmed.
🧷 Apple Music Playlist
I’ve also put together an Apple Music playlist with all 19 original tracks from this article.
Have a listen and compare them with the Sex Pistols’ versions!
Sex Pistols Covered: The Originals
You can listen to previews even without an Apple Music subscription.
🧷 Final Thoughts
Putting these songs together, it’s quite surprising how varied the original material is!
From Mod bands such as The Who and Small Faces to Eddie Cochran’s rock ‘n’ roll and the proto-punk sound of The Stooges, it’s a real mixture.
Listening to the originals before going back to the Pistols’ versions makes the covers even more interesting.
I’ve also put together an Apple Music playlist, so why not give the originals a listen and compare them for yourself?
byebye 👋
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