Some claim the 1963 hit single Sally Go Round The Roses by The Jaynetts is the first recorded psychedelic pop tune. While this may or may not be true, it’s certainly a beautifully hypnotic, circular number with mysterious and whimsical lyrical imagery. It’s also, I’ve discovered, one of the most covered songs ever so I’ve decided to line up most of the versions I’ve found. Play ‘em one after the other or mix and match to make your own trance-inducing rose parade. Let’s begin with the original. I have no proof, but it’s claimed that the drummer on this session was Buddy Miles, later of Jimi Hendrix’s Band of Gypsies.

 
The U.K.‘s Lyn Cornell (later of The Pearls) chimes in with her own reverb-soaked rendition:

 
A questionable Nashville knock off:

 
The lovable, bespectacled Nana Mouskouri does Sally in French:

 
The Great Society with Grace Slick go truly psychedelic and invent Krautrock at the same time!:

 
The Pentangle’s 1969 UK hit single version:

 
Donna Summer’s first single from 1971, credited to Donna Gaines. Hot !

 
Everyone’s favorite all-female band named after naughty bits, Fanny:

 
And finally, coming ‘round the roses full circle is the Jaynetts again doing a Christmas cash-in version. Yes, it’s called Snowman Snowman, Sweet Potato Nose and does prominently feature jew’s harp and ocarina, natch.

Of course I had to leave out plenty of others. Whomever put up this awesome version by Yvonne Elliman didn’t want to let others embed it. What are your favorites that I’ve left out ?

Thanks James Grigsby and Annette Zilinskas !

The Del Byzanteens (Jim Jarmusch’s old band) did a cool version in the early 80’s.

thanks Brad,good stuff, particularly interesting if Buddy Miles is indeed the drummer, it does sounds like a black r+b band backing her.

the theme seems to be along the lines of “Ruby, don’t take you love to town. “

Tim Buckley covered it as well and the Jaynetts’ version was - at least during his years at the 47th St. ‘Factory’ - Andy Warhol’s favorite record.

Perfect, the repetition !

this song has made it onto so many of my all girl mixes…..

The Donna Summer/Gaines version is pretty great.

Voice Farm did a nice version in 1982