The CoverUp

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.

A debut song when the artist was far to young to be so deep, and a pair of covers that recontextualize to opposite extremes. Ol' 55, originally by Tom Waits, covered by Richie Havens, and by Shelby Lynne and Alison Moorer. Outro music is Our Town by Iris DeMent.

We close out 2021 with a song that defined the sound for its genre, and gets taken to a polar opposite place. These Boots are Made for Walkin', originally by Nancy Sinatra, covered by KMFDM. Outro music is I Don't Mind The Thorns (If You're the Rose), by Lee Greenwood.

A brilliant song from a band that is both great, yet under rated, and a cover from so far out of left field that it couldn't work, but does. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, originally by AC/DC, covered by Lesley Gore. Outro music is You Don't Own Me, also by Lesley Gore. She recorded that one at just 17 years old. Let that sink it a bit.

Traditional music gets a thoughtful guitar rock treatment. And then the metalheads show up. Whiskey in the Jar, by The Dubliners, covered by Thin Lizzy, and by Metallica. Outro music is Whiskey Girl, by Gillian Welch.

A hit that was never supposed to chart, and a cover that defies expectations by playing to type. In Bloom, originally by Nirvana, covered by Sturgill Simpson. Outro music is I Against I by Bad Brains.

Pop music royalty's coronation day and a song that launched more careers than you think. ...Baby One More Time, originally by Britney Spears, covered by Travis. Outro music is It's My Life, by Bon Jovi -- co-written by (you guessed it) Max Martin.

A capstone on a brilliant body of work, an amazing recontextualization for an audience that badly needed it, and an artist who loved the song too much. Redemption Song, originally by Bob Marley and the Wailers, covered by Wycelf Jean, and by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros. Outro music is Rock the Casbah by The Clash.

A wild ride through a great song's creepy and disappointing roots, through a reinvention of traditional music. Callin' Baton Rouge, originally by The Oak Ridge Boys, covered by New Grass Revival and by Garth Brooks. Outro music is Blue Moon of Kentucky by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys.

The breakthrough song from a musically and socially vital band, and a cover with some surprising musical choices. Karma Chameleon, originally by Culture Club, covered by Lou Bega. Outro music is The Brandenburg Concerto, by Confucius, which was the working band name for The Hideaways at the time. It'll all make sense, don't worry.

There's definitely some magic at work with a complete takeover of what was actually a really solid original song. Black Magic Woman, originally by Fleetwood Mac, covered by Santana. Outro music is I Feel Lucky by Mary Chapin Carpenter.

We go big for episode 200! Songs so nice they named them twice. Monday Monday, by The Mamas and the Papas, covered by Petula Clark, Mony Mony, by Tommy James and the Shondells, covered by Billy Idol, and Rebel Rebel, by David Bowie, covered by Shaun Cassidy. Outro music is Iko Iko by The Dixie Cups.

Doo-wop in it's purest form delivers a delightfully silly song about serious business. And then Saturday Night Live shows up and runs with it. Rubber Biscuit, originally by The Chips, covered by The Blues Brothers. Outro music is The Theme from Rawhide, also by The Blues Brothers.

The final hit from one of the greatest singer-songwriter voices who had a unique perspective on the stories he told, and a cover that stands up surprisingly well. Working at the Car Wash Blues, originally by Jim Croce, covered The Great Gonzo. Outro music is The Biggest Ball of Twine in Minnesota, by Weird Al Yankovic. As a former Minnesota resident, Rich can confirm it's a doozie.

The rough and tumble Motown music scene producing greatness, living the French dream, and ska. It's The Same Old Song, originally by The Four Tops, covered by Claude François, and by The Pietasters. Outro music is Alexandrie, Alexandra, also by Claude François.

A local band writes a song that punches way above their weight, and then the right band records it as the song deserved -- but reluctantly. Superman, originally by The Clique, covered by REM. Outro music is She'd Rather be With Me, by The Turtes.