their original studio recording of their musical Evita. The singer Elkie Brooks had previously turned down an offer. Covington's recording of the song "Don't Cry for Me Argentina" reached No. 1 in the UK Singles Chart in February 1977. Later offered the opportunity to originate the role in the stage production of Evita, she declined, which led to Elaine Paige being cast. Speaking in 1985, Covington expressed some regret at this decision, but explained that she did not like Eva Perón and that without some positive feeling for the person she had preferred to turn the role down. As Evita opened in 1978, she instead appeared with the English National Opera as Anna in The Seven Deadly Sins. Paige's successor in Evita, Marti Webb later also played Anna in the ENO's production of The Seven Deadly Sins. In 1978, Covington performed the role of Beth, wife of Parson Nathaniel (Phil Lynott), on the recording of "The Spirit of Man" from Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds. Covington achieved chart success with a cover version of Alice Cooper's "Only Women Bleed" which reached No. 12 on the UK Singles Chart. It is included on reissues of her eponymous 1978 album. After recording a second solo album and guesting on other artists' albums she returned to the theatre, starring in the 1982 National Theatre production of Guys and Dolls, playing Sister Sarah opposite Ian Charleson's Sky Masterson. Russell Davies said that her performance "is of such a special timbre that she isn't easily matched." In 1989 she took part in a British television special with Colm Wilkinson, Carol Woods and Paul Jones called Let's Face the Music of Lennon and McCartney. Her solo performances of "If I Fell" and "In My Life" are available on YouTube. Albums Solo albums While the Music Lasts (1967) The Party's Moving On (1969) The Beautiful Changes (1971) Julie Covington (1978) The Beautiful Changes Plus (1999) Julie Covington Plus (2000) Cast recordings and soundtracks Godspell: Original London Cast Recording (1972) The Adventures of Barry McKenzie (1972) The Rocky Horror Show (1973) Hey You! Songs from Play Away (1975) Evita: An Opera Based on the life of Eva Peron (1919–1952) (1976; re-released 1996) Rock Follies (1976) The Mermaid Frolics (1977) – benefit for Amnesty International Rock Follies of '77 (1977) Jeff Wayne's Musical Version of The War of the Worlds (1978; remastered 2005) Guys