The CoverUp

A musical journey from Los Angeles to Ukraine, through Sweden, to get hooked on phonics. Hot N Cold, originally by Katy Perry, covered by Los Colorados. Outro music is Johnny Saucep'n, by Moxy Früvous.

New Wave, Glam, Punk, Pop, New Romantic, and Ska? It makes sense in the end. Stand and Deliver, originally by Adam and the Ants, covered by No Doubt. Outro music is Antmusic, also by Adam and the Ants.

A voyage of discovery -- is it the song or the episode? Shotgun, originally by George Ezra, covered by Pomplamoose featuring Dodie. Outro music is Budapest, also by George Ezra, because Rich is convinced Amanda actually knows that one.

A surprise revelation buried under another surprise revelation -- and one of us kinda misses the point (one guess only). I Haven't Seen You In A Long Time, originally by Colin Hay, covered by Great Big Sea. Outro music is Jack Hinks, also by Great Big Sea -- but seriously, spend some time with both of these bands. You won't be disappointed.

Not just the birth of rock and roll, but a song that perfectly captures brilliance, potential, and charm -- and a cover by someone uniquely able to handle all of that. Not Fade Away, originally by Buddy Holly and the Crickets, covered by Sheryl Crow. Outro music is Everyday, also by Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

This week we get killer clowns, Killer Clowns, child prodigies, and the world's best 401k. Tears of a Clown, originally by Smokey Robinson and The Miracles, covered by The English Beat (though it's a little complicated). Outro music is That's the Way That the World Goes Round, by John Prine.

A classic song with a more complicated -- and dramatic -- origin than anyone expected. Ring of Fire, originally by Anita Carter (yes, you read that right), covered by Johnny Cash, and by Social Distortion. Outro music is Ball and Chain, also by Social Distortion.

There's something in the water this week with all kinds of 80s metal trying to find a way to fit in the world -- and some of those choices are unexpected. Breaking the Law, originally by Judas Priest, covered by Stryper. Outro music is We're Not Gonna Take It, by Twisted Sister.

The episode where we run out of superlatives. A brilliantly engaging retelling of an over examined classic, and a reinvention that combines deeply personal with universal. Romeo and Juliet, originally by Dire Straits, covered by Indigo Girls. Outro music is Storybook Love, by Mark Knopfler.

Maximum ballad from a great balladeer, and a giant talent's confusing choices. It all asks the question: How much is too schmoopy. Honesty, originally by Billy Joel, covered by Beyonce. Outro music is Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It), also by Beyonce.

Sweet, sentimental, brilliant, and with the world's most amazing backing band. We speak for everyone when we say "We want to go to the zoo with him, too". Perfect Day, originally by Lou Reed, covered by Duran Duran, and by Kirsty MacColl with Evan Dando. Outro music is Choppin' Broccoli by Dana Carvey, and we're not sorry at all.

Vocal brilliance meeting incredible composition and musicianship when the genres don't match? No problem. Situation, originally by Yaz, covered by Tom Jones. Outro music is Crazy by Andy Bell.

Feather your hair and get ready to stick it to the East Coast french fry king. Rich Girl, originally by Daryl Hall and John Oates, covered by Nina Simone, and by Everclear. Outro music is Sarah Smile, also by Daryl Hall and John Oates.

A massive departure that still fits perfectly into a brilliant body of work, and some musical choices that may have been more about revenge than artistic direction. Saturday Night's Alright (For Fighting), originally by Elton John, covered by Nickelback with Kid Rock and Dimebag Darrell. Outro music is This Love, by Pantera.

Musical greatness finds unexpected substance and social context, a young band nails it, and a mighty band falls. Dancing in the Streets, originally by Martha and the Vandellas, covered by Carpenters, and by The Who. Outro music is My Size by John Entwistle.

A pair of brilliant performers and a show of mutual inspiration and influence. Back to Black, originally by Amy Winehouse, covered by Ronnie Spector. Outro music is (The Best Part Of) Breakin' Up, by The Ronettes.

Sometimes you get a song where the lines between art and artist blur in beautiful ways. And sometimes, someone shows up to cover that song. All Is Full Of Love, originally by Björk, covered by Death Cab for Cutie. Outro music is Time Check, by Buddy Rich and his Orchestra.

A songwriter who is also an iconic performer, and a great performer who sounds like the songwriter because of how it's written -- but not in that order. Girls Talk, originally by Dave Edmunds, covered by Elvis Costello and the Attractions.   Outro music is I Hear You Knocking by Dave Edmunds. 

One of the biggest hits of the 80s and the perfect match between singer and song. What's Love Got To Do With It, originally by Tina Turner, covered by Rose Cousins. Outro music is Owner of a Lonely Heart by Yes, because 1984 was an incredible year for music.

Country that leans heavily on both dance pop and arena rock doesn't seem like it should work. But it might. (If You're Not In It For Love) I'm Outta Here, originally by Shania Twain, covered by Real McCoy. Outro music is Another Night, also by Real McCoy.

One of the most important songs ever recorded, done by one of the most effective and subversive punk bands ever. Welcome to our TED talk. Rock Lobster by The B-52's, covered by Boy Division (not a typo) and by Young Werewolves.  Outro music is also Rock Lobster by The B-52's -- it's the part of the song that blew our minds. No spoilers. 

We've never had three versions of a song that are all this good. A hat trick of masterpieces and a great listener recommendation. The Letter, originally by The Box Tops, covered by Lou Rawls, and by Tedeschi Trucks Band. Outro music is Blueberry Hill, by Fats Domino.

Lush pop, new soul, six layers of misdirection, and more powdered wigs than you could buy at Costco. Walking on Broken Glass, originally by Annie Lennox, covered by Lake Street Dive. Outro music is Unchain My Heart by Hugh Laurie. 

A brilliant musical collaboration, and a bizarre but effective blending of existential dread and free jazz. Under Pressure, originally by Queen and David Bowie, covered by The Used with My Chemical Romance and by Joss Stone. Outro music is Fell In Love With a Boy, by Joss Stone.

Pop's greatest heartbreak song, covered by an extraordinary singer and a band not fit to be her backup dancers. Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now), originally by Phil Collins, covered by Mariah Carey with Westlife. Outro music is the unnamed breakup song by Starlee Kine, from This American Life #339. Give the episode a listen if you want some good songwriting advice from Uncle Phil.