The CoverUp

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.

A superstar both at her peak and at her best, and a serious musician who makes cool sound effortless. A Little More Love, originally by Olivia Newton-John, covered by Juliana Hatfield. Outro music is That Song In My Head, by Julianne Hough.

A Queen song so good, even Queen can barely perform it, utterly deceptive in its simplicity. And a pair of covers that are touching for entirely different reasons. Love Of My Life, originally by Queen, covered by Extreme featuring Brian May, and by The Scorpions. Outro music is Dust In The Wind by The Scorpions.

A happy pop song with brilliant musical choices from an anti-pop band, and some gutsy, inventive reimaginings. Just Like Heaven, originally by The Cure, covered by Dinosaur Jr., and by Kat Edmonson. Outro music is My Heart Will Go On, by Kenny G. Seriously, stick around for it.

A brilliant song by a musical giant, overshadowed by a fantastic cover, and the passing of a genuine musical pioneer. This week is a lot, but we look at Hard to Handle, originally by Otis Redding, covered by The Black Crowes, and by Gov't Mule with Toots Hibbert. Outro music is Do The Reggay by Toots and the Maytals. And yes, the spelled it like that. Are you really going to argue with the man?

A foundational song by a foundational folk artist, international controversy, and prescient TV producers who know just what's needed. Peace Train, originally by Cat Stevens, covered by 10,000 Maniacs, and by Richie Havens. Outro music is In the Still of the Night by Debbie Gibson, from a certain TV show that will make sense after you listen to the episode.

A brilliantly experimental song by a band bent on maximum experimentation, Canadian calypso, and a cello make for a great week. This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody), originally by The Talking Heads, covered by Arcade Fire, and by The Lumineers. Outro Music is Rubber Duckie by Ernie.

America's most impactful vocal band, a teen sensation who probably dreamed of being Danny Bonaduce, and a carload of Scottish punks. Must be Surfing' USA, originally by The Beach Boys, covered by Leif Garrett, and by The Jesus & Mary Chain. Outro music is Mother by Danzig.

A fairly sweet, incredibly listenable, and shockingly unproblematic song does a world tour of jazz-influence. Patience, originally by Guns n Roses, covered by Sixth Finger featuring Dew, and by Sawa Kobayashi. Outro music is Chandelier by Sia.

The most recognizable song from an instantly recognizable artist, and a pair of transformations that couldn't be more complete or more different. Oh, Pretty Woman, originally by Roy Orbison, covered by Count Basie, and by Van Halen. Outro music is Wagner's Ride of the Valkyries performed by The Royal Philharmonic.

A band collapsing on itself pulls out their greatest song, a master of her craft completely reinvents it, and a nihilistic egomaniac does whatever nihilistic egomaniacs do. Back on the Chain Gang, originally by The Pretenders, covered by Selena, and by Morrissey. Outro music is In A Big Country by Big Country.