10 Rock Songs You Didn't Know Were Covers

10. Blinded By the Light - Manfred Mann's Earth Band

Manfred Mann tends to be one of the unsung heroes of the golden age of rock and roll. Compared to other acts coming up in the late '60s, most of the more glamorous bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones had far more clout that this little jam band. Once they were folded into Manfred Mann's Earth Band, Blinded by the Light became the one record that brought them to the big time.

At the same time, the song's origins are not really in the jam band scene. As opposed to the typical version, the original incarnation of this song was actually written by Bruce Springsteen and even turned up on Springsteen's first album Greetings From Asbury Park. The original version pales in comparison to Manfred Mann's version though, being more of a rambly story song in the vein of Bob Dylan than the musical adventure that it would eventually become.

Once these Brits got ahold of it though, they added a guitar lick for the ages, which was amplified by organ swells and a powerhouse vocal performance out front. Though Springsteen gave his all to his recording, the kind of screams they have on here could certainly give The Boss a run for his money. For as much of an icon that Springsteen became later down the line, this is the one song that really benefited from being pulled from the heartland.