Donny Hathaway, Jealous Guy | COVERS

In the fifth edition of COVERS (2026), Donny Hathaway delivers a compelling rendition of “Jealous Guy,” originally performed by John Lennon.

[otw_shortcode_dropcap label=”A” size=”large” border_color_class=”otw-no-border-color” shadow=”shadow” square=”square”]h, it’s time to get cozy and cover up! In COVERS, we highlight a musician or band covering songs by another musician (likely a popular musician). COVERS focuses solely on the musician who covers.  It is open to established musicians and lesser-known musicians. In the fifth edition of COVERS (2026), Donny Hathaway delivers a compelling rendition of “Jealous Guy”, originally performed by John Lennon.[/otw_shortcode_dropcap]

[nx_pullquote]“I was dreaming of the past,  / And my heart was beating fast,”[/nx_pullquote] Donny Hathaway (1945 – 1979) sings, and continues, “I began to lose control / I began to lose control.” Word.  Those lyrics appear in the first verse of the song, “Jealous Guy”, written and originally performed by John Lennon (1940 – 1980).  Hathaway, who had a knack for transformative covers, makes Lennon’s original sound like it could’ve originally been his song. “Jealous Guy – Studio Version” is the 29^th track on his compilation, Someday We’ll All Be Free.  “Jealous Guy – Live”, meanwhile, is the seventh track on Hathaway’s live album, Live, released in 1973.

“Jealous Guy,” whether recorded in the studio or live, exhibits top-notch musicianship. Focusing on the studio recording, the playful, bluesy piano riffs are everything.  Piano makes everything better, and the pianoing in “Jealous Guy” is a prime example. At about 2:15 in the studio version, there is a sick, ultra-playful piano solo. The solo emphasizes the right-hand, tinkling those treble notes.  Hathaway hams it up, and it’s nothing short of delightful!  Beyond the keys, there are superb guitar riffs and a robust bass line.  The accompaniment is stellar, but it’s Hathaway’s sincere, soulful vocals that are truly the star of the show.  The verses are sublime as Donny sincerely shares his feelings of jealousy.  Feeling insecure about losing her, he sings, “I was shivering inside,” in the second verse.  The chorus is the crème de la crème:

“I didn’t mean to hurt you

And I’m sorry I made you cry

I didn’t want to hurt you, no, I didn’t

I’m just a jealous guy.”

At least he’s honest, right?  To reiterate, in the hands of Donny Hathaway, “Jealous Guy” sounds like it could have his song, not a cover.  Enough said!