The CoverUp

Could there be a more appropriate song for us to use to pay tribute after the passing of one of the great icons of modern music? The Best, originally by Bonnie Tyler, covered by the incomparable Tina Turner.  Outro music is Better Be Good To Me, also by Tina Turner.

A massive sound in a blend of styles that just shouldn't work, by an artist who has a 200IQ approach to the music business, and a substantial cover that stands on its own. River, originally by Bishop Briggs, covered by Porter and Sayles. Outro music is Maggie's Farm by Bob Dylan.

An impossibly successful song with deeper roots than anyone imagined — both musically and inspirationally, and a cover which shares the love of both. Day O (The Banana Boat Song), originally by Edric Connor and the Caribbeans, covered by Harry Belafonte, and by Donovan.  Outro music is Jump in the Line, also by Harry Belafonte. 

A massive rock star gets his biggest hit by breaking his own rules, and an unlikely cover that works because a wonderful artist paid attention. Dancing in the Dark, originally by Bruce Springsteen, covered by Mary Chapin Carpenter.  Outro music is This Shirt, also by Mary Chapin Carpenter, because y'all need to listen to more of her music. 

A brilliant song by one of Canada's greatest artists which probably reveals a bit too much about a troubled soul, and the unlikeliest of covers at the unlikeliest of times. Sundown, originally by Gordon Lightfoot, covered by Depeche Mode.  Outro music is F You (but the radio version, because we try to be family friendly), by CeeLo Green. 

One of the most amazing voices in blues and soul, covered by a band that was great in their own way even before finding a particular muse. Ain't No Love in the Heart of the City, originally by Bobby "Blue" Bland, covered by Whitesnake.  Outro music is Here I Go Again, also by Whitesnake — but it's the original 1982 version from Saints and Sinners that isn't quite like you remember the song to be....

A classic of mid-70s pop with a surprising — and amazingly serendipitous — origin. Also, the unlikeliest of covers. Rhinestone Cowboy, originally by Larry Weiss, covered by Glen Campbell and by Radiohead.  Outro music is Bend Me Shape Me by The American Breed — and which is itself a cover, so keep an eye on that one. 

Spend a nice day on the river, and throw in a bit of piracy, just to keep the local economy going. Also, Canada is funnier than England — who knew? The Last Saskatchewan Pirate, originally by The Arrogant Worms, covered by The Longest Johns.  Outro music is Hoist Up The Thing, also by The Longest Johns, because England is still funny. 

A hidden battle between artist and studio, producers trying to outdo themselves, and a quick trip to Alaska. Don't Cha, originally by Tori Alamaze, covered by The Pussycat Dolls featuring Busta Rhymes, and by The Baseballs. Outro music is Hey There Delilah by Plain White T's. 

A brilliant classic of rock and R&B, which flirted with bubblegum, and a cover that goes full-Wonka. I Think We're Alone Now, originally by Tommy James and the Shondells, covered by Tiffany.  Outro music is Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows, by Leslie Gore.

A brilliant and surprisingly innovative dance track from a band that minted them daily, and a cover that can't decide between parody and madness. Lay All Your Love On Me, originally by ABBA, covered by Brian David Gilbert.  Outro music is Batty Bat, by Count Von Count, voiced by the incomparable and departed Jerry Nelson. 

A brilliant and classic song, overshadowed by a perfectly serviceable, but odd, cover of a cover, and a little help from James Gunn. Hooked on a Feeling, originally by BJ Thomas, covered by Blue Swede.  Outro music is Listen to Your Heart, by Roxette.

We dive into a listener request that achieves maximum atmosphere, and then takes it a step or two farther. I Follow Rivers, originally by Lykki Li, covered by Marika Hackman.  Outro music is Save a Prayer by Duran Duran. 

A classic born to of '30s Yiddish theater with roots and history that are worth remembering — and more twists and turns than you'd think were possible. Bay Mir Bitsu Shayn, byJacob Jacobs and Sholom Secunda, covered by The Andrews Sisters.  Outro music is Makin' Whoopee! by Eddie Cantor. 

An attitude song by a consummate attitude performer finds another life on TV — and gets even more attitude. But the tough guys also find out who's really in charge. Red Right Hand (now the theme song for Peaky Blinders), originally by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, covered by Snoop Dog.  Outro music is Way Down in the Hole, by Tom Waits. 

A song so foundational to a branch of rock that it's hard to imagine the world without it, and a cover that takes it in a shockingly different direction. Iron Man, originally by Black Sabbath, covered by The Cardigans (no really, this actually happened). Outro music is The Original Doctor Who Theme, by Murray Gold — and it totally makes sense. 

This week we take on a topical song that's so good it should never have had to have been rediscovered. It's covered by an an artist who has a rare gift of bringing something new and inventive to a song that's already basically perfect in every way. It's a heck of a week as we take on Long Long Time, originally by Linda Ronstadt, covered by Sid Sriram.  Outro music is Anthimaalai Neram, also sung b...

A young artist has a brilliant song, while looking ahead at overshadowing himself, and one of the most effective and innovative comebacks in modern music. I Feel For You, originally by Prince, covered by Chaka Khan.  Outro music is Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, by Wham! That was a heck of a year. 

The roots of rock and roll, stealth gospel, unstoppable innovators, and hair with tons of personality. This week it's All Shook Up, originally by Elvis Presley, covered by the Jeff Beck Group. Outro music is Dig a Little Deeper by The Jordanaires.

We pay tribute to the irreplaceable David Crosby by discussing an incredibly innovative and influential song. Eight Miles High, originally by The Byrds, covered by Leo Kottke. Outro music is The Byrds' cover of Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man.

We riff on riffs, investigate the value of distortion, and look at some of the hilariously dirty underbelly of the music biz with a guilty pleasure song. Talk Dirty To Me, originally by Poison, covered by Reel Big Fish. Outro music is How Does It Feel, by Slade.

A band with loads of talent starts with a big splash, and vocal royalty takes it from there. The Boy from New York City, originally by The Ad-Libs, covered by The Manhattan Transfer. Outro music is Yakety Yak by The Coasters.

We both geek out this week, sometimes in different directions, with a song that starts out looking a little silly, but reveals a ton of depth -- as a writing effort and in performance. 25 Minutes to Go, originally by Shel Silverstein, covered by Johnny Cash. Outro music is A Front Row Seat to Hear Ole Johnny Sing, also by Shel Silverstein. It's like he knew we were planning this episode.

Join us in celebration of the fifth anniversary of our show as we pay tribute to the astonishing Christine McVie. Two original songs this week -- Don't Stop, originally by Fleetwood Mac, covered by Lisa Loeb, and Songbird, originally by Fleetwood Mac, covered by Rita Wilson and Josh Groban. Outro music is Say Hello, also by Lisa Loeb.

One of the greatest songs of the 80s, which drove the success of one of the biggest movies of the 80s, by on of the most compelling stars of the 80s. Who could possibly cover that? Oh, OK. Flashdance... What a Feeling, originally by Irene Cara, covered by Celine Dion. Outro music is Fame, also by Irene Cara.