The CoverUp

An incredible debut single, a cover version that's actually an original version, a surprising yet inevitable producer, and glam. We look at Our Lips Are Sealed, originally by The Go-Go's, covered by Fun Boy Three, and by Peppermint Creeps. Outro music is Cherish by The Association. How could it be anything else?

The biggest song of 2003 isn't just a party anthem, it's a genre-defining master work that remakes popular music in its own image. This week we look at Hey Ya, originally by OutKast, covered by Obadiah Parker. Outro music is Polaroid by Keith Urban.

The original Swedish Supergroup starts a run of hits that puts them on top for a almost a decade, their biggest fans do a song their way, and someone in England makes a really creepy movie with a soundtrack with unexpected substance. SOS, originally by ABBA, covered by Erasure and by Portishead. Outro music is A Little Respect by Bjorn Again, who is covering Erasure.

A song that is simultaneously one of the greatest Done-Me-Wrong songs and one of the greatest artist transformations in popular music meets al kinds of jazz. You Oughta Know, originally by Alanis Morisette, covered by Jordana Talsky and by Scary Pockets featuring Crystal Lewis. Outro music is How Far I'll Go, also by Scary Pockets featuring Whitney Avalon.

A song that absolutely everyone knows, with a rich and amazing history that's an incredibly well kept secret. House of the Rising Sun, originally by Clarence 'Tom' Ashley and Gwen Foster, covered by Lead Belly, by Dave Van Ronk, and by The Animals. Outro music is Do Wah Diddy Diddy by Manfred Mann (which took the Animals' #1 spot in 1964).

One of the most influential songs of the 20th century taken on by one of the most brilliantly thoughtful musicians alive today. Atomic Dog, originally by George Clinton, covered by Meshell Ndegeocello. Outro music is Waterfalls, also by Meshell Ndegeocello.

A classic song with a surprising backstory, an unexpected level of focus, and a hidden gem that's actually a mountain of a song. Oh, and probably the best outro music we've ever had. Hopelessly Devoted To You, originally by Olivia Newton John, covered by Less Than Jake and by Rival Sons. Outro music is the Bumblebee Tuna Song by Mephiskapholes (and I'm not even going to check whether I spelled tha...

Some artists are absolutely timeless. And some, you can't move on from the time in your life when you discovered them. I Wanna Be Seduced, originally by Peggy Lee, covered by Leon Redbone. Outro music is Fever by Peggy Lee.

You know what this show needs more of? Androgynous bisexual rock stars communing with alien intelligences. I mean, what else could it have been? Ziggy Stardust, originally by David Bowie, covered by Bauhaus, and by The Gourds. Outro music is Animal by Def Leppard.

This might be the perfect sad song, made delightfully listenable in three brilliant performances. Red Dirt Girl, originally by Emmylou Harris, covered by Brandi Carlile and by First Aid Kit. Outro music is Emmylou by First Aid Kit.

There are songs in the world that everybody knows and loves. And then there are songs so universal they're part of our DNA. We look at one of those songs this week with When A Man Loves A Woman, originally by Percy Sledge, covered by Bette Midler, and by Michael Bolton. Outro music is Jack Sparrow featuring Michael Bolton from Saturday Night Live.

Can you name an absolutely perfect pop song? Blues Song? Jazz song? No, you're not repeating yourself. This week we look at Billie Jean, originally by Michael Jackson, covered by Chris Cornell and by The Civil Wars. Outro Music is Michael Jackson's Pepsi Generation.

The second of two episodes paying tribute to John Prine. In this one, we look at the covers John recorded, diving into You Never Can Tell, originally by Chuck Berry, Lulu Walls, originally by The Carter Family, and Cold Cold Heart, originally by Hank Williams. Outro music is Burn One With John Prine by Kacey Musgraves.

The first of two episodes paying tribute to the amazing John Prine, shortly after his death from COVID-19. We focus more on John as a songwriter this time, looking at his songs Paradise, Blue Umbrella, and Hello In There. Covers are by Dwight Yoakam, Steve Goodman, and 10,000 Maniacs. Outro music is If A Song Could Be President by Over The Rhine.

There's a difference between a great song and a great record. It's pretty clear this week that one band understood how to bridge that gap. Hanging on the Telephone, originally by The Nerves, covered by Blondie. Outro music is A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You by The Monkees.

One of the weirdest yet oddly satisfying songs of the 90s, covered by a band that couldn't be more serious while acting like real goofs. She Don't Use Jelly by The Flaming Lips, covered by Ben Folds Five. Outro music is Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain and Tennille.

Just a few days before recording, the world lost Adam Schlesinger -- of Fountains of Wayne and so much more -- to COVID19. We have so many positive feelings about his music, we wanted to spend some time looking at his breadth, his impact, and a career that was shockingly successful if you'd only ever known Stacy's Mom. If you're already a fan of his, we hope we did OK for you. If a lot of this is...

One of the best written songs from one of the best songwriters, reimagined by the only person who could find more song in it. All Along The Watchtower, originally by Bob Dylan, covered by The Jimi Hendrix Experience and by Dave Matthews Band. Outro music is Elvis is Everywhere by Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper (and I promise, it makes sense to me even if it doesn't to you. Wheels within wheels).

This is a classic everyone knows and everyone loves -- unless you're from Athens, GA. King of the Road, originally by Roger Miller, covered by REM and by The Proclaimers. Outro music is Queen of the House by Jody Miller (no relation).

One of the greatest songs in folk rock gets off to a rough start -- in the hands of a successful folk rock artist, and we still get to smell what The Rock is cooking. California Dreamin', originally by Barry McGuire, covered by The Mamas and the Papas, Bobby Womack, and Sia. Outro music is Hang on Sloopy, by the McCoys.

Every musical generation gets one of these. The song was huge, and the speedos in the video were tiny. Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO, covered by Noah Guthrie. Outro music is I'm Too Sexy, by Right Said Fred.

One of the huge songs of the country music canon, by one of its most beloved artists -- and she's all over this episode. Jolene, originally by Dolly Parton, covered by The White Stripes, by Miley Cyrus, and by Pentatonix featuring Dolly Parton. Outro music is Coat of Many Colors, also by Dolly Parton.

A brilliant debut with a heartbreaking classic, and some shockingly good interpretations. Ain't No Sunshine, originally by Bill Withers, covered by Ladysmith Black Mambazo with Des'Ree, and by Hanson. Outro music is Rain Rain Beautiful Rain, also by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. And thank you, Joseph Shabalala for so many years of wonderful music.

A classic song written by the masters of the form, delivered exactly as it should be. And then the 80s land and permanently reimagine it. Always Something There To Remind Me, originally by Lou Johnson, covered by Dionne Warwick, by Jose Feliciano, and by Naked Eyes. Outro music is In My Life by Jose Feliciano.

A perfect introduction to a band everyone knows and likes, a terrible miss with a version we wanted to be great, and a band that needed a Saturday detention with Emilio Estevez and Molly Ringwald. Breakdown by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, covered by Grace Jones and by The Replacements. Outro music is No More The Moon Shines On Lorena by The Carter Family.