Question 1

Ray Charles, Donny Hathaway, and the Carpenters all sang "A Song for You." Whose pen was it, and who cut it first?

Accepted Answer

Leon Russell. Leon Russell wrote it and recorded it first in 1970, and before long Donny Hathaway, the Carpenters, Peggy Lee, and Willie Nelson were all taking their turn. Ray came to it late; hear the man who started it.

Question 2

Amy Winehouse sang "A Song for You," a tune also cut by Donny Hathaway, the Carpenters and Willie Nelson. Who wrote it and recorded it first?

Accepted Answer

Leon Russell. Leon Russell wrote this one and got to it first, and after him came Donny Hathaway, the Carpenters, Peggy Lee, Willie Nelson, and eventually Amy. Play his before hers and you'll hear the song every one of them was answering.

Question 3

Willie Nelson recorded "A Song for You," which Donny Hathaway and the Carpenters also sang. Who wrote it and recorded it first?

Accepted Answer

Leon Russell. Leon Russell wrote it and cut it first, and Donny Hathaway, the Carpenters, and Peggy Lee all got to it before Willie did. Play the writer's version, then hear what Willie kept.