The CoverUp

The birth of the power ballad, disdain for the power ballad, and a proper sendup of the power ballad, which actually outclasses it in some important ways. Keep on Loving You, originally by REO Speedwagon, covered by The Donnas, and by Tenacious D. Outro music is Rock and Roll Creation, by Spinal Tap.

A song so over-the-top it can't help but always be a crowd pleaser, and the most eclectic possible cover. Eye of the Tiger, originally by Survivor, covered by Walk off the Earth. Outro music is Yesterday, by Gheorghe Zamfir, and we swear it makes sense that it's there.

We remember one of Nashville's most delightful but under appreciated singer songwriters, and hear her work interpreted through one of its greatest vocalists. Nanci Griffith's Love at the Five and Dime, covered by Kathy Mattea. Outro music is John Prine's Speed of the Sound of Loneliness, performed by Nanci Griffith and John Prine.

The birth of recorded blues straight through its evolution to mayhem-based guitar rock. Baby Please Don't Go, originally by Big Joe William, covered by Muddy Waters, and by AC/DC. Outro music is Wild Cow Blues, also by Big Joe Williams, because how could we not pick that.

A contentious episode where style and talent make for very different opinions about a great (nor not so great) song. The Book of Love, originally by The Magnetic Fields, covered by Peter Gabriel, and by Gavin James. Outro music is In Spite of Ourselves, by John Prine, featuring iris DeMent.

We look at one of the greatest love songs ever written, one that has been covered countless times. We take on versions by three giants of their times. Something, originally by the Beatles, covered by Frank Sinatra, and by Billie Eilish. Outro music is I'm Every Woman, by Chaka Khan, as a continuing tribute to Pattie Boyd. Chaka's looking at you, George.

Singer songwriter greatness from the ultimate journeyman rocker to a band that completely closes the Americana circle, to a thoughtful tribute from a longtime friend. Wildflowers, originally by Tom Petty, covered by The Wailin' Jennys, and by Lucinda Williams. Outro music is If I Had A Boat by Lyle Lovett.

A song that everyone knows, by a band that you'd never know for this song, and the cover everyone knows if they know the actual song, even if they don't know the band, because the version everyone knows isn't even the real song. Wait, what? Love Is All Around, originally by The Troggs, covered by Wet Wet Wet. Outro music is the oddly canonical version, Christmas is All Around, by Bill Nighy.

One of the biggest songs - and biggest videos - of the 80s, a look back at one of the worst concert tragedies ever, and a band that completely flips the script and pulls it all together. Addicted to Love, originally by Robert Palmer, covered by Eagles of Death Metal, and by Florence and the Machine. Outro music is I Love You All The Time, also by Eagles of Death Metal, from their return to Paris a...

A brilliant song that plays with the balance of musical and story expectations, a version from the aether, and the first meeting of the CoverUp Book Club. Chandelier, originally by Sia, covered by Josh Pyke, and by Damien Rice. Outro music is Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil.

Head trips, industrial mashups, and crypto-rhinestone cowboys? This week we look at Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2, originally by Pink Floyd, covered by Korn. Outro music is Streets of Bakersfield, by Dwight Yoakam and Buck Owens, and I swear we had a reason to put it there.

The spirit of Kerri Strug, Welsh meat loaf, and the Reagan administration's deep-state. Clearly, we're talking about Have You Ever Seen The Rain, originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival, covered by Bonnie Tyler, and by The Spin Doctors. Outro music is Hot Patootie/Bless My Soul by Meat Loaf from The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Life is tough for your friendly neighborhood rock star, and we hear all about it in the classic Turn The Page. Originally by Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band, covered by Waylon Jennings and by Metallica. Outro music is Poor Poor Pitiful Me by Warren Zevon.

We do something different for Father's Day. This week, we look at 5 songs where the artist is covering a song originally recorded by their father. It's a lot of songs this week. Natalie Cole covers Unforgettable, Hank Williams Jr and III cover Move It On Over, Roseanne Cash covers I Still Miss Someone, Wilson Phillips cover God Only Knows, and Lily Winwood covers Higher Love. Outro music is Papa D...

Some of the best of 80s New Wave by a band that didn't want to embrace the implications of their sound, and a cover that teaches about focus and the wages of distraction. It's My Life, originally by Talk Talk, covered by No Doubt. Outro music is Ascension Day, also by Talk Talk, from their couldn't-be-more-different album Laughing Stock.

Overly humble beginnings of a chaotically brilliant band, and an express flight from Rockford to Bakersfield. I Want You to Want Me, originally by Cheap Trick, covered by Dwight Yoakam. Outro music is also I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick, but it's the version you expected to hear.

A gorgeous song by one of the great women of 80s rock, and a singer-songwriter reinvention by the singer-songwriters who wrote it. We Belong, originally by Pat Benatar, covered by Lowen and Navarro. Outro music is Cry by Lowen and Navarro.

The sweetest song ever -- possibly too sweet -- sung by the worlds most beloved amphibian and covered by the ultimate family band. Rainbow Connection, originally by Kermit the Frog, covered by The Carpenters. Outro music is It's Not Easy Being Green by Ray Charles.

The greatest song ever recorded, immediately overshadowed by the song that inspired it, kinda? And musical greats who are outclassed but still good enough that it doesn't matter. I Heard It Through The Grapevine, originally by Gladys Knight and the Pips, covered by Marvin Gaye, and by Amy Winehouse with Paul Weller. Outro music is In the Modern World by The Jam.

The undeniable roots of rock and roll, and band that couldn't help but force rock to evolve, and bongo drums. Jailhouse Rock, originally by Elvis Presley, covered by Jeff Beck Group and by John Mellencamp. Outro music is Yakety Yak by The Coasters.

An incredibly compelling song by the greatest living punk, and a cover so full of depth, musical richness, and complexity that the band can hardly be called punk, but always is. The Passenger, originally by Iggy Pop, covered by Siouxsie and The Banshees. Outro music is Trust In Me by Sterling Holloway, as the voice of Kaa.

An enormously successful song with the rare combination of being entirely danceable and wonderfully listenable -- and a cover that shows surprising depth to an apparently thin story. We Found Love, originally by Rihanna with Calvin Harris, covered by Jessie J. Outro music is Cherry Cherry, by Neil Diamond.

We promise, this is more interesting than you might think. One of the biggest country songs and debut singles ever, covering a serviceable but uninspiring original, and the only change was adding mullets -- ALL the mullets. As far as the eye can see. Achy Breaky Heart, originally by The Marcy Brothers, covered by Billy Ray Cyrus. Outro music is Achy Breaky Heart by Alvin and the Chipmunks, with Bi...

The best song nobody ever knew, except the one guy who had to know it, so he made it huge and unforgettable. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding, originally by Brinsley Schwarz, covered by Elvis Costello and the Attractions. Outro music is Cruel To Be Kind, by Nick Lowe.

Classic comedy, brass mayhem, and cartoon minarets. What more could you ask for in a song? Istanbul (Not Constantinople), originally by The Four Lads, covered by They Might Be Giants. Outro music is The Teddy Bears' Picnic, sung by Bing Crosby.