<P> Stevens made a demo recording of "The First Cut Is the Deepest" in 1965, but originally hoped to become a songwriter . He wrote the song earlier to promote his songs to other artists, but did not record it as his own performance until early October 1967 with guitarist Big Jim Sullivan, and it did not appear until his second album, New Masters, was released in December 1967 . He sold the song for £ 30 to P.P. Arnold, and it became a huge hit for her, as well as an international hit for Keith Hampshire, Rod Stewart, and Sheryl Crow . The song has won Stevens songwriting awards, including two consecutive ASCAP songwriting awards for "Songwriter of the Year" in 2005 and 2006 . </P> <Ul> <Li> Cat Stevens - lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, piano </Li> <Li> Big Jim Sullivan - electric guitar </Li> <Li> Herbie Flowers - bass guitar </Li> <Li> Chris Hunt - drums </Li> </Ul> <Li> Cat Stevens - lead and backing vocals, acoustic guitar, piano </Li> <Li> Big Jim Sullivan - electric guitar </Li>

Who sang the first cut is the deepest