The first cut is the deepest
| The first cut is the deepest | |
|---|---|
| PP Arnold | |
| publication | May 1967 |
| length | 3:03 |
| Author (s) | Cat Stevens |
| Cover versions | |
| 1967 | Cat Stevens |
| 1973 | Keith Hampshire |
| 1977 | Rod Stewart |
| 1994 | Dawn Penn |
| 1995 | Papa Dee |
| 2003 | Sheryl Crow |
The First Cut Is the Deepest is a song written by Cat Stevens in 1967 . It was first published in May 1967 by PP Arnold . Cat Stevens released his own version on his New Masters album in December 1967.
The song was covered many times and became a hit single by six different performers: PP Arnold (1967), Keith Hampshire (1973), Rod Stewart (1977), Dawn Penn (1994), Papa Dee (1995) and Sheryl Crow (2003).
Version by Cat Stevens
Stevens made a demo recording of "The First Cut Is the Deepest" in 1965 in hopes of becoming a songwriter. He wrote the song earlier to promote his songs to other artists, but didn't record it as his own gig with guitarist Big Jim Sullivan until early October 1967, and it didn't appear on his second album New Masters, which was released in December 1967 has been. He sold the song to PP Arnold for £ 30, and it became a huge hit for her. Over the decades it also became an international hit for Keith Hampshire, Rod Stewart and Sheryl Crow. The song won Stevens Songwriting Awards, including two consecutive ASCAP Songwriting Awards for Songwriter of the Year in 2005 and 2006.
Version by PP Arnold
The overseas-based American singer PP Arnold had the first hit with the song and reached # 18 on the UK singles chart with her version in May 1967, well ahead of the song that appeared on Stevens' album. The Arnold hit offered a soulful vocal use with harpsichord, horns and strings. He also appeared in the feature film Seven Psychopaths .
Version by Sheryl Crow
Sheryl Crow's version of "The First Cut Is The Deepest" is the first single from their 2003 album The Very Best of Sheryl Crow . It became one of their greatest radio hits, reached # 14 on the US Billboard Hot 100, and became their first Top 40 solo country hit following their success with Kid Rock . The song stayed on the Hot 100 for 36 weeks and went gold. It also reached first place on the Billboard Adult Contemporary and the Adult Top 40. Internationally, it was a Top 20 song in Hungary , Ireland and New Zealand .
Music video
Wayne Isham directed the song's music video . The video, which was shot in Utah , shows her in a rocky desert while singing with her guitar, riding a horse. The single was nominated for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance and the Grammy Awards , but lost to "Sunrise" by Norah Jones .
Chart placements
Weekly charts
| Chart placements (2003-2004) | Top ranking |
|---|---|
| Australia | 50 |
| Austria | 51 |
| Germany | 61 |
| Hungary | 20th |
| Ireland | 13 |
| Netherlands | 79 |
| New Zealand | 19th |
| Poland | 42 |
| Scotland | 22nd |
| Switzerland | 45 |
Year-end charts
| Chart (2004) | position |
|---|---|
| US Billboard Hot 100 | 28 |
Awards
| region | Award | Plates sold |
|---|---|---|
| United States | gold | 500,000 |
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Lifeline. In: YUSUF Islam. July 21, 2011, accessed May 20, 2020 .
- ↑ Cat Stevens Biography on Yahoo! Music. March 10, 2007, accessed May 20, 2020 .
- ↑ Sheryl Crow - The First Cut Is The Deepest . YouTube . December 23, 2010. Accessed February 13, 2018.
- ↑ Ultimate Guitar. Retrieved May 20, 2020 .
- ↑ Top 100 Songs of 2004 - Billboard Year End Charts . In: Bobborst.com . Retrieved February 23, 2019.