The CoverUp

The song that redefined out popular music shapes culture, and a cover that soothes your mind. Like A Prayer, originally by Madonna, covered by Sarah Menescal.  Outro music is Here Comes The Sun, also by Sarah Menescal. 

A song that hit its stride in a big way with online success by an artist who has a knack for that, and a cover that keeps the soul and impact of the song while still reinventing it. Anxiety, originally by Doechii, covered by Nova Twins.  Outro music is Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon. Or is that Kid Rock? No, we'd never do that to you. 

We wrap up 2025 with what may be our greatest ever listener request, the unlikeliest cover we've ever tackled, and a couple of brilliant songs. I'm Shipping Up To Boston, originally by The Dropkick Murphys, covered by The Wiggles. Outro music is She's A Rainbow, also by The Wiggles, and we couldn't be happier.

We sneak up on the end of 2025 with a tribute episode for someone who was a great talent and a musician's musician, and a cover that aces the hard job of doing the song justice. Play A Train Song, originally by Todd Snider, covered by Jason Isbell.  Outro music is Beer Run, also by Todd Snider. 

The foundations of modern American folk music, one of the biggest Canadian songs ever, and a possibly misplaced application of Christmas cheer. Seasons In The Sun, originally by The Kingston Trio, covered by Terry Jacks, and by Westlife. Outro music is M.T.A., also by The Kingston Trio, because we can't get enough of them — it's a family tradition. 

A perfectly executed song that utterly defines a genre — for good or ill — and a cover that takes a simple start and uses a lot of musical smarts to recontextualize it. All The Small Things, originally by Blink-182, covered by City Mouth.  We've used this outro music before, but it's time to restore the ear worm. The Bumblebee Tuna song by Mephiskapheles. 

A brilliant song that couldn't have been anything else with the level of talent behind it, and a cover that probably took its job a little too seriously. Tell Me Something Good, originally by Rufus, covered by Pink.  Outro music is Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi, and you can totally hear that thing we talk about in the episode. It's unmistakeable. 

A huge hit at the start of a really complicated career, and a band who knows where to take their inspiration. Your Love Is My Drug, originally by Kesha, covered by Blusher.  Outro music is Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2.

One of the great folk songs of the modern era captures the spirit — and the historical record — of maritime tragedy, and the cover that knows it stuff as well as the original. The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald, originally by Gordon Lightfoot, covered by Simon Barr Sinister.  Outro music is the theme from Underdog, because how could it not be. 

The knives come out over whether we've found the perfect love song as we look at another classic episode. 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 with iris DeMent.

We revisit episode 53, with one of the most important songs in the history of rock and roll, an incredible original, a hugely successful but also problematic cover, and … well, a great artist who stepped outside of his comfort zone. Hound Dog, originally by Big Momma Thornton, covered by Elvis Presley, and by James Taylor. Newly added outro music is Ball 'n Chain, also by Big Momma Thornton.

Another archive episode revisited, with a classic song that's been covered countless times, and it just so happens that three of them are brilliant in their own way. People Get Ready, originally by The Impressions, covered by Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart, and by Alicia Keys. Outro music (newly added) is It's All Right, also by The Impressions. 

We pull a classic episode from the archives, back to episode 20, where we take a look at one of the most important bands in Hip Hop, and a cover that couldn't possibly work, but does. 911 Is A Joke, originally by Public Enemy, covered by Duran Duran.  Outro music (which is new to the episode) is Eve of Destruction, a rare cover by Public Enemy.

We pull a classic episode from the archives, one of our longtime favorites from episode 32. A musical theater classic and cover you'd never think to ask for, but once you know about it, you understand the treat you're in for. I Feel Pretty, originally by Marni Nixon, covered by Little Richard.  Outro music is Keep A Knockin', also by Little Richard. 

We pull a classic episode from the archives and dress it up for the modern incarnation of the show. And it's a doozie, with an unforgettable dance / hip-hop classic covered earnestly by one of the least hip-hop superstars still on the stage today. My Humps, originally by The Black Eyed Peas, covered by Alanis Morissette.  Outro music is new to this episode, and we've added King of Pain also by Ala...

A song from a band that shows their typically high concept, but also shares an unusual amount of heart, and a cover to bring us all together. Wish You Were Here, originally by Pink Floyd, covered by Elisapie.  Outro music is Wolf by First Aid Kit. 

A thoughtful and demanding musician brings you a cup of cocoa and a blanket to throw over your feet, and a cover that understands the assignment. Lay Lady Lay, originally by Bob Dylan, covered by Dave Stewart.  Outro music is Queen of New Orleans, by Jon Bon Jovi, but Dave Stewart co-wrote, played guitar, and produced it. 

The greatest band that never existed, but is somehow still touring, and a cover that's a tribute, a laugh, and a great show all at once. Big Bottom, originally by Spinal Tap, covered by Soundgarden.  Outro music is Starcrossed, by Lenny and the Squigtones. 

We decide to dive into a band that's a favorite for one of us, and see if we can find the daylight between our musical tastes. She's Kerosene, originally by The Interrupters, covered by Jake Clayton.  Outro music is By My Side, also by The Interrupters. 

One of the biggest songs of the 90s has a surprising origin with some very surprising originators. But we all know where this episode ends up. Torn, originally by Ednaswap, covered by Natalie Imbruglia.  Outro music is Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You (I Love You Baby) by Lauryn Hill, who was in the same grammy race we discuss in the show. It was a heck of a year, no doubt. 

We celebrate our 400th episode with a song we love. It's a standout for the original band in a number of fascinating ways, and has a cover that turns everything on its head to brilliant effect. Strange Currencies, originally by R.E.M., covered by Louisa Stancioff.  Rich got the name wrong during the episode, but the outro music is Rumble by Link Wray. He was probably overcome by the reverb. 

We hope this is the end of our run of tribute episodes as we remember a remarkable talent and exceptional musician. An exceptional ability for satire, an absurd but resolute sense of humor, and a mirthful approach to life which he imposed on the world around him. Poisoning Pigeons In The Park, originally by Tom Lehrer, covered by Roberta Alexander with David Triestram.  Outro music is The Masochis...

We do a rare instrumental episode remembering an amazing musician who was the sound of a decade — everyone wanted this sound. Feels so good, originally by Chuck Mangione, covered by Alison Brown with Jake Shimabukuro.  Outro music is Give It All You Got, also by Chuck Mangione. 

We pay tribute to one of the greats of rock and metal, and find some surprising range from a former teen heartthrob. Crazy Train, originally by Ozzy Osbourne, covered by Pat Boone. Outro music is Mama I'm Coming Home, also by Ozzy Osbourne.

The secret history of someone who deserves superstar status, one of the biggest songs of the 80s that deserves every accolade, and a cover that chooses to do it the hard way. Bette Davis Eyes, originally by Jackie DeShannon, covered by Kim Carnes, and by JoJo Siwa.  Outro music is Put A Little Love In Your Heart, also by Jackie DeShannon, because wow, we can't get enough of her.