The CoverUp

A brilliant but deeply troubled band, a band whose fame almost matches their egos, and an under appreciated band that knew exactly how to get the most out of their music. Wild Horses, originally by The Flying Burrito Brothers, covered by The Rolling Stones (yes, really, we explain it), and by The Sundays.  Outro music is She's a Rainbow, by The Rolling Stones, because even Rich will admit they hav...

A classic song by a band that filled their musical space better than anyone, and a surprising duet that's a complete departure, that's still utterly faithful to the original. Have You Ever Seen The Rain, originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival, covered by Willie Nelson featuring Paula Nelson.  Outro music is It Happens by Sugarland, so we know you'll get your recommended daily allowance of twan...

One of the most innovative and iconic bands really gets the ball rolling - and leans hard on some under appreciated bandmates. And the kings of New Wave work some black magic on it. Psycho Killer, originally by Talking Heads, covered by Duran Duran featuring Victoria De Angelis.  In honor of David Byrne's French accent, outro music is Prisencolinensinainciusol, by Adriano Celentano. He's an Italia...

A brilliant reaches huge success thanks to a combination of musical ability and absurdly savvy marketing, covered by an artist who does her thing as well as anyone. Crazy, originally by Gnarls Barkley, covered by Shawn Colvin.  Outro is Gone Daddy Gone, also by Gnarls Barkley. 

A remarkable amount of synthesizer and vocal genius this week as we tackle a song made and covered by pioneering artists who brought an uncommon level of sophistication to their work. Steppin' Out, originally by Joe Jackson, covered by Trevor Horn featuring Seal.  Outro music is Kiss From A Rose, also by Seal, and also produced by Trevor Horn. 

A hugely successful song proves polarizing, and an artful cover only makes the discussion more complicated. Probably because of Satanists. Teenage Dirtbag, originally by Wheatus, covered by Phoebe Bridgers.  Outro music is Run To The Hills, by Iron Maiden, baby. 

A pioneering song by the band that reinvented the notion of pioneering, and a cover that changes all of the context, but keeps the magic. Strawberry Fields Forever, originally by The Beatles, covered by Cyndi Lauper.  Outro music is Nothing from Nothing by Billy Preston. 

One of the greatest vocal bands ever — which was actually so much more — and a vocalist everyone knows is great, but is all too often overlooked. The Tracks of My Tears, originally by The Miracles, covered by Adam Lambert.  Outro music is Chandelier, also by Adam Lambert. Also, that album of his is High Drama, if you're keeping score and want to check it out. You're welcome. 

We take a look at a foundational songs of modern music by one of the greats who was gone far too early, and follow up with a cover by one of the greats who may have made more people smile more often than any other human. Hey Good Lookin', originally by Hank Williams, covered by Jimmy Buffett — he was supported by a ton of important people in this song, but it's about Jimmy Buffett this week.  Outr...

Curl up on your couch in your Kierkegaard Snuggie and get ready for the universe to show up with some judgement — good times!. God's Comic, originally by Elvis Costello, covered by Craig Cardiff.  Outro music is Veronica, by The Unwieldies, which we'll probably have to talk about some time on the show. 

Episode 300 is a nice milestone to take on the song that served as the initial inspiration when we started this show. A huge song with one of the most important and impactful covers ever. I Will Always Love You, originally by Dolly Parton, covered by Whitney Houston.  Outro music is I Still Miss Someone, also by Dolly Parton. 

Three shockingly different takes on a song written by the godfathers of outlaw country show us everything a country song can be, and then some. There are way more surprises than you think. Just Dropped In (To See What Condition My Condition Was In), originally by Jerry Lee Lewis, covered by The First Edition, and by Gretchen Peters.  Outro music is Luckenbach, Texas, by Waylon Jennings. 

One of the foundational songs of Americana, roots, and southern rock, by one of the most influential bands ever, covered by the most super of super-groups, and by someone who understood the original better than anyone expected. The Weight, originally by The Band, covered by Diana Ross and the Supremes and the Temptations, and by Joan Osborne. If you're keeping count, that's three versions.  Outro...

A brilliant songwriter tells a story that is uniquely personal, but also nearly universal. And then Nashville works with the right performer, but takes the song half way. Silver Thunderbird, originally by Marc Cohn, covered by Jo Dee Messina.  Outro music is I'm Alright also by Jo Dee Messina. 

One of the biggest and most impactful songs of the late 80s taught us who we were. A new cover raises all sorts of questions about what we've become. We Didn't Start The Fire, originally by Billy Joel, Covered by Fall Out Boy.  Outro music is The Downeaster 'Alexa', also by Billy Joel. 

We open up the Great American Songbook to visit an artist who broke ground in ways well ahead of her time, and to pay tribute to two of the most significant voices in modern music. Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered, originally by Vivienne Segal, covered by Tony Bennett, and by Sinead O'Connor. Outro music is Sister Sinead, by Kris Kristofferson. And honestly, there were so many choices for this...

One of the biggest songs from one of the biggest artists in rap and its literary strengths, and a kindred spirit who couldn't be more different. Lose Yourself, originally by Eminem, covered by Kasey Chambers.  Outro music is Jack and Diane by John Mellencamp. 

A song and an artist who cemented the birth of R&B doesn't take himself too seriously, and a brilliant folk singer takes a big swing. Another Saturday Night, originally by Sam Cooke, covered by Cat Stevens.  Outro music is Just The Way You Are, by Gheorghe Zamfir. 

One of the biggest and most compelling songs in the history of rock and roll gets the flamenco treatment, and takes an unusual turn. Hotel California, originally by The Eagles, covered by Gipsy Kings, and by Nancy Sinatra.  Outro music is Layla by Derek and The Dominos, but just the long piano bit from the end, which  will make total sense by the time you listen to the episode. 

A page directly from The Great American Songbook, with three wildly different perspectives on culture and meaning. Irving Berlin's Puttin' On The Ritz, originally recorded by Leo Reisman and his Orchestra, covered by Taco, and by Neil Diamond.  Outro music is Irving Berlin's Cheek to Cheek, recorded by Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. 

An absolutely astonishing collection of songs this week. And an amazing story, with surprise appearances, proper villains, and music that endures in remarkable ways. Killing Me Softly With His Song, originally by Lori Lieberman, covered by Roberta Flack, and by The Fugees.  Outro music is Schoolhouse Rock! The Great American Melting Pot, sung by Lori Lieberman. 

Artists who are absolutely dominant in their time give a song their all. And, well, they definitely leave their marks. Bad, originally by Michael Jackson, covered by Billie Eilish.  Outro music is I Have Learned to Do Without You, by Mavis Staples. 

The pop punk version of a power ballad turns into a great song that may have been a victim of its own success — and a lack of active listening skills. Plus, a secret supergroup, and a band who understood the assignment. Good Riddance (Time of Your Life), originally by Green Day, covered by Albert Lee and Hogan's Heroes, and by Wolf Alice. Outro music is Hole Hearted, by Extreme, and wow, Nuno Bett...

A massive song by the best worst family band ever, an incredibly smart cover, and a production deadline. Woderwall, originally by Oasis, covered by Ryan Adams, and by Little Big Town. Outro music is Girl Crush, also by Little Big Town. 

This week is a rare treat where we look at a song with two completely different, and both utterly definitive versions. With these performers, it couldn't have gone any other way. I Don't Know Where I Stand, originally by Fairport Convention, covered by Joni Mitchell, and by Barbra Streisand.  Outro is Don't Rain on My Parade, from Funny Girl, also by Barbra Streisand.