From a Beatles classic to The Clash’s anthem, these famous songs are actually COVERS

FANS were surprised this week when Ed Sheeran admitted he’s borrowing from other acts.

He’s being sued by two artists who say he used part of their song in his hit song Shape Of You, which he denies.

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But he’s not the only star who takes inspiration from others.

Many artists turn lesser-known songs into big hits. Did you know these tracks were covers?

Torn – Natalie Imbruglia

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The THE Neighbors star’s song was recorded three times before making it an international hit in 1997.

First Danish singer Lis Sørensen tried it, followed by American band Ednaswap and finally Norwegian singer Trine Rein with a version.

Tainted Love – Soft Cell

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MARC ALMOND heard this long-forgotten 1964 Gloria Jones B-side at a northern soul club and gave it a synth-pop sound for his band with David Ball.

It became the biggest hit of 1981 in the UK, selling over a million copies.

Girls just wanna have fun – Cyndi Lauper

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THAT ultimate 80’s hit made American singer Cyndi Lauper a household name after becoming a worldwide hit in 1983.

Still, it was first written and published by the little-known Robert Hazard in 1979, when it wasn’t disrupting the charts.

I will always love you – Whitney Houston

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WHEN Dolly Parton heard the first few bars of Whitney Houston’s #1 track in 1992, she says, “It rang but it didn’t hit because she kinda talked it.”

But by the time Whitney got to the chorus, Dolly knew it was a cover of her 1973 song.

Step On – Happy Mondays

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WHEN Shaun Ryder sang “He’s gonna step on you again” in 1990, he repeated the title line from John Kongos’ 1971 track.

It proved to be the Madchester band’s biggest hit, peaking at number 5 in the UK Singles Chart, one spot behind the Kongos original.

Hanging on the phone – blondie

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Jack Lee, who wrote the punk-pop classic for his band The Nerves, willingly gave Blondie permission to cover Hanging On The Telephone in 1978 because he wanted his power cut.

It reached number 5 in the UK charts.

Ray of Light – Madonna

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British duo Curtiss Maldoon’s largely ignored self-titled 1971 album featured a song called Sepheryn, which caught the attention of producer William Orbit 27 years later.

He said it would be a great song for Madonna, who turned it into a Grammy winner.

Blue suede shoes – Elvis Presley

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MANY of The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s best-known songs were actually covers, including this iconic track.

Not only did Carl Perkins write it, he had greater success with it. It sold more than a million copies for Perkins in 1955.

Twist and Shout – The Beatles

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JOHN LENNON and Paul McCartney were one of the most prolific songwriting duos of all time, but the 1963 hit was not among them.

The song flopped when The Top Notes released it in 1961 before doing far better for soul group The Isley Brothers in 1962.

I think we’re alone now – Tiffany

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TOMMY James And The Shondells enjoyed two US #1 hits and several other hit singles, including this one in 1967.

However, it’s the cover version of Tiffany Darwish, which reached #1 in the UK 20 years later, that gets all the airplay.

I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll – Joan Jett and the Blackhearts

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American glam rocker Alan Merrill wrote and released this rock anthem as a B-side for his band The Arrows in 1975.

After Joan Jett snagged it, the song stayed at the top of the US charts for seven weeks in 1982.