Evil Woman (Don't Play Your Games With Me) - Crow/Black Sabbath/Ike & Tina Turner (1970) 10/22/21

Interesting backstory on today's "Great Song of 1970!"

If you're a Black Sabbath fan, you're probably aware that the first single they ever released (albeit only in Europe) was 1970's "Evil Woman (Don't Play Your Games With Me)."

It never charted, but Black Sabbath was never a "singles group" anyway, and the song wasn't officially released in North America until 2002, when it appeared on the compilation album "Symptom of the Universe: The Original Black Sabbath 1970-1978."

That said, it may surprise you to learn that their version was a cover!

In late 1969, the Minneapolis group "Crow" released the song...and it got enough US airplay (mostly in the Midwest for obvious reasons) to reach #19 on Billboard's Hot 100 in January of 1970!

Obviously, Black Sabbath took note.

Both versions are "Great Songs' in their own way...but there's a THIRD great version that was released later in '70--with a slight title change: "Evil Man" by Ike & Tina Turner.

Crow turned out to be a one hit wonder...but when that one hit inspires Black Sabbath as well as Ike & Tina Turner...that's quite a consolation prize! (Note: Believe it or not,

Crow is still out there playing gigs in the Midwest.)

"Evil Woman/Man (Don't Play Your Games With Me):" A "Great Song of 1970," times 3!

Crow:

Black Sabbath:

Ike & Tina Turner: