The CoverUp

The song with the greatest amount of controversy ever around its cover-song-status, guitar rock greatness, blues/jazz greatness, and stopping in at the honky-tonk in between. Layla, originally by Derek and the Dominos, covered by Charlie Daniels, and by Eric Clapton (yes, we know). Outro music is Alive by Pearl Jam (unplugged).

An artist's most beloved work, that he kinda' hates because of a terrible business deal made at a desperate time, radar-evading maneuvers, and a bouncy castle full of trumpets. This week is Brown Eyed Girl, originally by Van Morrison, covered by Jimmy Buffett, and by Reel Big Fish. Outro music is Talk Dirty To Me, by Poison.

A Christmas Song? In March? Absolutely, if it's this Christmas song. By far the UK's most successful, and arguably the most relatable, despite the absence of sleigh bells and reindeer. Fairytale of New York, originally by The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl, covered by KT Tunstall with Ed Harcourt, and by Jon Bon Jovi. Outro music is Chemical Rush, by Brian McFadden. It's appropriate to the episode, so...

A hidden gem of a song with all the feel and style of Motown, and a cover that ended a musical career in the best possible way. Break-a-way, originally by Irma Thomas, covered by Tracey Ullman. Outro music is (The Best Part of) Breakin' Up, by The Ronettes.

Quick, which version of the song is thoughtfully arranged with respect to its roots and current musical context: folk or disco version? Did you say both? If You Could Read My Mind, originally by Gordon Lightfoot, covered by Viola Wills. Outro music is Save A Prayer by Duran Duran.

One of the greatest pop songs of the 80s, and a musician who was out to redefine modern music. These are probably the two smartest songs we've had in the same episode. Time After Time, originally by Cyndi Lauper, covered by Miles Davis. Outro music is Human Nature by Michael Jackson.

The idea that the original song wasn't released as a single is a crime. It's brilliant work by an impossibly talented musician, overtaken by a singer who exists to overtake brilliant songs. You Are So Beautiful, originally by Billy Preston, covered by Joe Cocker. Outro music is In Your Eyes, by Peter Gabriel.

One of the biggest songs by the longest running bands ever. It was a moment of transformation in a band that worked harder at keeping their music fresh than anyone gives them credit for. And a cover version by a band that has always known exactly what they were about. Sharp Dressed Man, originally by ZZ Top, covered by Ministry. Outro music is I Love L.A., by Randy Newman.

A rare - or maybe not so rare -- self-diss-track rich in text and subtext, covered brilliantly on instruments that shouldn't be covering it. While My Guitar Gently Weeps, originally by The Beatles, covered by Jake Shimabukuro, and by Regina Spektor. Outro music is Bohemian Rhapsody, also by Jake Shimabukuro.

A full set of listener requests leads us to a musical titan at his best, and two covers that run as fast as possible in opposite directions. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, originally by Elton John, covered by Sara Bareilles, and by Queens of the Stone Age. Outro music is Sorry Not Sorry by Demi Lovato.

An 80s triumph of power pop folk rock has vastly more coherence than the genre implies. It gets a genuine folk rock cover as well as an aggressive new wave treatment. The Whole of the Moon, originally by The Waterboys, covered by Peter Mulvey and by Fiona Apple. Outro music is Wild World by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.

The evolution of a folk song, from its rootsiest roots to a marvel of orchestration and production. Sloop John B, originally recorded by The Cleveland Simmons Group, covered by The Kingston Trio, and by The Beach Boys. Outro music is Sixteen Tons by The Weavers.

A great song by the wrong band, and saved by the right band -- who nobody expects should ever be the right band, but they always are. Heart and Soul, originally by Exile, covered by Huey Lewis and the News. Outro music is Somebody to Love, by Queen.

We close out our third year of the podcast with a look at another beloved artist lost to the mess of 2020. Kiss an Angel Good Mornin', originally by Charley Pride, covered by Roy Clark, and by Tom Jones. Outro music is You Never Even Called Me By My Name, by David Allan Coe.

The greatest diss track ever recorded, the 60s version of the Masked Singer, inspiration by the Velvet Fog, and a successful torch passing. You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch, covered by Aimee Mann, and by Pentatonix. You'll have to listen to the episode to learn the original artist, because there's a story there. Outro music is Sixteen Tons, by Tennessee Ernie Ford.

Undeniable synth-pop perfection  that ended up being foundational to both our musical lives and the pop world after it, covered by enduring talents and a surprise virtuoso. Only You, originally by Yaz, covered by Enrique Iglesias and by Kylie Minogue with James Corden.    Outro music is The Loco-Motion, also by Kylie Minogue (sadly, without James Corden).

One of the defining songs of rock and roll, the archetype of the evolution of blues, and an ultra-cringey musical moment that makes you not want to listen to it with your parents in the car. And that's just the original. Whole Lotta Love, originally by Led Zeppelin, covered by Tina Turner, and by Hozier. Outro music is I Can See For Miles by The Who.

The quintessential intersection of hard rock and glam meets the intersection of TexMex and country, or something like that. Dr. Feelgood, originally by Mötley Crüe, covered by The Mavericks. Outro music is Jockey Full Of Bourbon, by Tom Waits.

This week's episode is something to be thankful for. One of the defining songs not just of rock and roll, but of modern teen culture, by the only two artists who could have defined a culture so completely in a 2 minute song. Blue Suede Shoes, originally by Carl Perkins, covered by Elvis Presley. Outro music is Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie, for obvious reasons.

A massive song from a foundational band on their breakthrough album proves a challenging song to cover. Enjoy The Silence, originally by Depeche Mode, covered by Moriarty, and by Nada Surf. Outro music is Elaine, Elaine by Victor and Penny, demonstrating the value of the jazz ukulele.

We wanted to go big for episode 150, and it's unlikely we could have gone bigger than this. An impossibly important song by impossibly important artists -- and someone else, too. Heroes, originally by David Bowie, covered by Peter Gabriel, and by David Hasselhoff. Yes, we said David Hasselhoff. Outro music is Space Oddity by William Shatner, which is a whole other thing, too.

An original largely unknown in the US, peculiarities of UK culture, and way more Christmas than we ever expected when we sat down to record this one. Mad World, originally by Tears for Fears, covered by Gary Jules with Michael Andrews, and by Seal. Outro music is Christmas is All Around by Bill Nighy

The best known song of 1997 by the least understood band of its generation, covered by the most brilliantly confusing band in popular music. Tubthumping, originally by Chumbawumba, covered by They Might Be Giants. Outro music is Dust In The Wind, by Kansas.

The biggest gospel song ever, done by three amazing sets of groundbreaking performers. Everyone made an impact with this song. I'll Fly Away, originally by The Selah Jubilee Singers, covered by The Chuckwagon Gang, and by Gillian Welch and Alison Krauss. Outro music is I Don't Know Why, by Alison Krauss and Union Station.

A song that surprises a brilliant musician with its greatness, and a surprisingly effective - and touching - cover. Black Hole Sun, originally by Soundgarden, covered by Norah Jones. Outro music is Roundabout by Yes.