Clementine

[jdman]

I'm curious as to why Jan & Dean got writers credit for Clementine. I know they may have changed some lyrics. But the music seems different too. It's the only rocking version of that song that I've heard.
Were they getting credit for changing the music too?

[Admin]

I'm curious as to why Jan & Dean got writers credit for Clementine. I know they may have changed some lyrics. But the music seems different too. It's the only rocking version of that song that I've heard.
Were they getting credit for changing the music too?

It was an old standard that was in the public domain, so they could legally put their names on it for their version. The vocals pretty much used the classic melody with a rock 'n roll arrangement. The lyrical tweaks were minimal.

[jdman]

Thanks Mark. I just noticed that Bobby Darin's version(which does not resemble Jan and Dean's) was credited to Woody Harris as writer.

[1Jay1]

its a great arrangment,and production,