The CoverUp

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. 

An enduring song that stands out because of the contribution of an unlikely collaborator, and a cover so steeped in genius it'd be hard to imagine the possibility if you didn't hear it with your own ears. Don't Come Around Here No More, originally by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, covered by Rhiannon Giddens, featuring Silk Road Ensemble and Benmont Tensch.  Outro music is Texas Hold 'Em, by Bey...

The song that launched an enduring genre of music with a combination of brilliance and success in spite of itself, and a cover that succeeds in surprising ways, but has an even more surprising legacy.  Outro music is Girl You Know It's True by Milli Vanilli. 

A perfect representation of the band that started the revolution, but is mostly remembered by there reflection in the revolutionaries who followed, and the master of taking a whole lot of nothing and turning it into something amazing. Radioactivity, originally by Kraftwerk, covered by Fatboy Slim. Outro music is Linus and Lucy by the Vince Gauraldi Trio. 

A song that does manage to really hit the mood even without a ukulele, that missing ukulele, and an artist who does it the hard way but just right. Another Love, originally by Tom Odell, covered by Blanks, and by Josiah and the Bonnevilles.  Outro music is Heart on Fire, also by Blanks, and apparently from that thing we discuss in the show. 

A comeback song that does its job perfectly in spite of an incredible disguise, one of the greatest teams in modern music, and an utterly savvy outside perspective. I'm Still Standing, originally by Elton John, covered by Gold Fang.  Outro music is I Guess That's why They Call It The Blues, also by Elton John. 

A genre-specific tragedy, strife in Eastern Europe, and the golden age of musical charity. Last Kiss, originally by Wayne Cochran, covered by Pearl Jam.  Outro music is Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai. 

A sleeper of a song that doesn't seem to follow the rules for what a song needs to be, but is an indispensable anchor for a brilliant album, and a cover with a stunning pedigree. Tea for the Tillerman, originally by Cat Stevens, covered by Darren Coggan.  Outro music is Poems, Prayers, and Promises by John Denver. 

A rich literary tradition plus an incredible groove builds a great foundation, and goes in unexpected directions from there — including sea shanties? Proud Mary, originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival, covered by Ike and Tina Turner, and by The Longest Johns.  Outro music is Santiana, also by The Longest Johns. 

A 90s country mega-hit that doubles down on charming silliness, has no illusions about what it's trying to be, and does it perfectly, and a cover that probably shouldn't work, but the right band pulls it off wonderfully. Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident), originally by John Michael Montgomery, covered by Backwoods.  Outro music is My Walking Shoes, also by Backwoods. 

The power of glam, the birth of hair metal, and the bane of autocorrect. Cum On Feel The Noize, originally by Slade, covered by Quiet Riot.  Outro music continues our autocorrect hostility with Slade's Mama Weer All Crazee Now.