The CoverUp

A lively song from a young band that shows a lot more musical maturity than you might expect, and a cover by an equally young band that knows what they're about, even if the industry isn't ready for it yet. Going Down To Liverpool, originally by The Waves (who had not yet given Katrina top billing), covered by The Bangles.  Outro music is Walking On Sunshine, also by Katrina and the Waves. Let us...

It's hard to find a song - or a singer - who nails it better than this, which makes covering it an impossible task. We found a band that did it. Someone Like You, originally by Adele, covered by Water From Your Eyes.  Outro music is Love at the Five and Dime, by Nanci Griffith — and you should really go back and check out that episode if you missed it the first time.

An iconic song with an origin story that defies all understanding, and a cover by a singer with more talents than any six people should be trusted with. All The Young Dudes, originally by Mott the Hoople, covered by Bruce Dickinson.  Outro music is Bang a Gong, by T.Rex, who makes a surprise appearance in this episode — let us know if you spot it.  

A song that knows its genre better than anyone could have expected, but also understands its roots in a way that elevates the sound, and a cover that does its country proud. A Bar Song (Tipsy), originally by Shaboozey, covered by Twenty One Two.  Outro music is Sweat Honey Buckiin by Beyoncé featuring Shaboozey. 

An ideal pop song that was far enough ahead of its time it got to come around again for a second try, and a cover with all the right bits and pieces. There She Goes, originally by The La's, covered by The Wombats.  Outro music is Sweet Emotion, by Aerosmith. And we promise that makes sense. 

We embrace the Christmas spirit with a top-tier listener request and absolute classic of a song, and a cover that has equal measures of heart and musical greatness. The Heat Miser Song, originally performed by George S. Irving, covered by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.  Outro music is Put One Foot In Front Of The Other, from Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town, another Rankin Bass Classic. 

A song from an experimental phase that is utterly complete and fully formed, and a cover that should sound like a gimmick but a brilliant band makes it polished and natural. Eleanor Rigby, originally by The Beatles, covered by Kansas with the London Symphony Orchestra.  Outro music is Mama Told Me Not To Come, by Three Dog Night with the London Symphony Orchestra. 

A subtle song from band that never took over the world, but is a perfect representative of a rich and often overlooked time in music history, and a cover that leaves it all on the table. Always The Last To Know, originally by Del Amitri, covered by Jill Jackson.  Outro music is Tell Her This, also by Del Amitri, who continue their tradition of naming their songs just a little differently than you...

Maximum attitude and acres of style when music wasn't really going that way, and a cover that definitely hits the mark the band aimed at. A Girl Like You, originally by Edwyn Collins, covered by Random Hearts.  Outro music is You Only Get What You Give, by New Radicals. 

The unlikeliest of artists remakes a reliable formula to create the unlikeliest of mega hits, and a band that does their thing well, but nobody really knows why. Scatman, originally by Scatman John, covered by The Axel Boys Quartet.  Outro music is Only You, also by Scatman John, which we desperately hoped would be a Yaz cover. It's not, but it's fun none the less. 

A hugely successful song that was only coincidentally perfect for a movie, and a serious cover that knew where not to take the original too seriously. Wicked Game, originally by Chris Isaak, covered by Daisy Gray.  Outro music is Threads by Portishead. 

A song that is as unexpected as it is utterly satisfying, and a cover so far beyond insightful it's hard to fathom. Lost Cause, originally by Beck, covered by Willie Nelson.  Outro music is Keep Me In Your Heart by Warren Zevon, which is another one of those songs that just hits you, and which Willie Nelson included on the album we discuss here. Are we foreshadowing a future episode? 

One of the songs that put Motown and the Motown sound on the map and a cover by a troubled but flawless band — with probably more surprise musical contributions than we've had in any three episodes. Stick around for the world's greatest hype man.  Outro music is 911 Is A Joke by Public Enemy, which we also discussed way back in episode 20— that one is a similarly wild ride. 

A song very much of its time that's stood the test of time, and a cover that takes it into a new space and context. Forever Young, originally by Alphaville, covered by Brandi Carlile.  Outro music is Big in Japan, also by Alphaville. 

A song with roots so hidden, yet so obviously appropriate they never should have been hidden, a big star does a cover no one bothers to forget, and an obvious path from a non-obvious choice. Mercury Blues, Originally by KC Douglas Trio, covered by Alan Jackson and by Meat Loaf.  Outro music is Houd Dog, by Big Mama Thornton — so we get really great bookends on this one. 

If you think you can explain prog rock, you don't understand prog rock — so listen while we try to explain it. Breakfast in America, originally by Supertramp, covered by Gomez.  Outro music is Roundabout by Yes. 

An iconic song by a band that had mastered not just their sound, but their feel and approach to being a band, and a cover by a master of her craft. I Need You Tonight, originally by INXS, covered by Bonnie Raitt. Outro music is Lazaretto, by Jack White. 

An impossibly bold debut song that was an obvious choice to the only genius in the room, and a cover that speaks to a brilliant, but often unsung collaboration. Wuthering Heights, originally by Kate Bush, covered by Pat Benatar.  Outro music is Mamas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys (Chipmunks), by Alvin and the Chipmunks, off the timeless Urban Chipmunk album. 

One of the biggest songs ever, by one of the biggest performers ever, from one of the biggest movies ever, and a cover from a band that only knows how to go big. My Heart Will Go On, originally by Celine Dion, covered by Dragonforce.  Outro music is Tears in Heaven, by Eric Clapton. 

A song that defines a band for casual listeners while giving the real fans a breather, and a cover that almost nails it. Friday I'm In Love, originally by The Cure, covered by David Gray.  Outro music is Shiny Happy People by R.E.M.

A great issue song even if the issue gets misplaced sometimes, and the real dance rock pedigree. Beds are Burning, originally by Midnight Oil, covered by Novaspace and by Murray Head.  Outro music is One Night In Bangkok from Chess, by Murray Head. 

A breakthrough song that took a while to break through and probably still deserves a little side eye in spite of its importance — and covers that reveal entirely different perspectives. Roxanne, originally by The Police, Covered by George Michael, and by Lacey Sturm.  Outro music is Wasted on You by Evanescence. 

An attitude song that has a reach which may exceed its grasp, and a cover by a noteworthy performer who gets the point, but can still miss the boat. That's Not My Name, originally by The Ting Tings, covered by Dizzee Rascal.  Outro music is This Is How It Feels, by Inspiral Carpets. 

A song that perfectly conveys the themes of a film without sounding plastic or artificial, like you might expect. And a cover that plays so strongly to type no other band in history could have pulled it off. I'm Just Ken, originally by Ken played by Ryan Gosling, covered by GWAR.  Outro music is Rarrr by Heavysaurus. 

The birth of New Wave channeled through satisfying melancholy, and covers that find polar opposites in the same song. More Than This, originally by Roxy Music, covered by Lucy Kaplansky, and by Missy Higgins.  Outro music is The Second Act, also by Missy Higgins.