The Rolling Stones’ First No. 1 in the UK Was a Soul Cover

Before they had a string of Mick Jagger/Keith Richards originals topping charts, the Rolling Stones scored their first UK number one with a cover: “It’s All Over Now.” The song hit the top spot in July 1964, replacing the Beatles’ “A Hard Day’s Night.”

The track was originally written and recorded by Bobby Womack and his brother-in-law Shirley Womack, performed by Womack’s group The Valentinos in early 1964. The Stones heard the single, rushed their own version into the studio, and turned it into a snarling, harmonica-heavy stomper—keeping Womack’s vocal melody but adding that signature early-Stones swagger. Bobby Womack later said he didn’t mind the cover because it paid for his wedding.