The CoverUp

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.

Who doesn't love a good Christmas song -- particularly one designed to wipe the floor with Bing Crosby. Merry Christmas Baby, originally by Johnny Moore's Three Blazers, covered by Billy Idol, and by Melissa Etheridge. Outro music is Linus and Lucy, by Vince Guaraldi Trio.

We embark on the Monsters of Pop Punk tour and find hidden depths. Basket Case, originally by Green Day, covered by Avril Lavigne. Outro music is Don't Want to Know If You Are Lonely, by Hüsker Dü -- and we hope those umlauts don't break the download.

A master of a modern craft, a plucky band does the impossible, and a new context for maximum impact. Praise You, originally by Fatboy Slim, covered by The Belligerents, and by Jordyn Shellhart. Outro music is You Don't Get to Get to Me, also by Jordyn Shellhart.

A band far too good to be so stealthy, a talent much bigger than her time, cynical awards shows, and a Lucille Ball cameo. Georgy Girl, originally by The Seekers, covered by Carol Burnett. And a wonderful intro from listener Janie. Outro music is Born Free, by Andy Williams, who gets the one-raised-eyebrow look for this one.

It's easy to forget one of these bands had a huge hand in inventing heavy heavy blues rock, and it's surprising when a band they inspired phones it in. Oh Well, originally by Fleetwood Mac, covered by Jimmy Page with the Black Crowes. Outro music is Evergreen, also by the Black Crowes.

The brilliant foundation of a band with unbelievable potential and a band with incredible focus that mastered an under appreciated craft. Surfin' Safari, originally by The Beach Boys, covered by The Ramones. Outro music is Surf City by Jan and Dean.

Traditional music beats the modern in a classic battle, delivered with a wink and then by a band that only winks. The Devil Went Down to Georgia, originally by Charlie Daniels Band, covered by Primus. Outro music is Welcome to Bucketheadland, by Buckethead. And thanks, Zach, for another great suggestion.

A band with big ideas puts some deep thoughts into a musical blender, and a cover from the age of bedroom music studios. Sorrow, originally by Bad Religion, covered by Switchfoot. Outro music is Stepping Stone, by Minor Threat.

A love song to a city that exposes all of its sorrow and failings, but is still the perfect song about what makes it great. I Love LA, originally by Randy Newman, covered by OMC, and by Eric Church. Outro music is The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room), by Flight of the Conchords.

We do something a little different this week. One of the biggest and most impactful songs of the 90s relied heavily on sampling and was subsequently significantly parodied. Both of those use the music of a nearby song to tell a new story, and it sheds some light on how the business of cover songs works. Gangsta's Paradise, originally by Coolio, sampled Pastime Paradise by Stevie Wonder, and parodi...

We celebrate 250 episodes with a listener request that blew up on us a little. A classic song with deeper roots and more variations than anyone saw coming. Mack the Knife, originally sung by Kurt Gerron, covered by Gerald Price, Bobby Darin, Ella Fitzgerald, The Doors, and The Psychedelic Furs. Outro music is Put Your Head on My Shoulder, by Paul Anka.

Post-punk, the birth of industrial music, one-man bands, and a goth icon. Check your eyeliner for this week's episode. Dead Souls, originally by Joy Division, covered by Nine Inch Nails. Outro music is Superman (It's Not Easy), by Five for Fighting. It doesn't sound like it fits, but it totally fits.

Covering one of the greatest living singers when they record a basically perfect song is a bold choice. Wonder how that works out. Rolling in the Deep, originally by Adele, covered by Linkin Park and by Greta Van Fleet. Outro is Final Masquerade, also by Linkin Park.

Pop royalty writes a song for a band that deserves pop royalty status, and an impassioned defense of skater trash. I'm a Believer, originally by The Monkees, covered by Smash Mouth. Outro music is also I'm a Believer, this time by Eddie Murphy, performing as Donkey.

One of the oldest blues recordings inspires an almost perfect hit, and some not-so-great choices. Black Betty, originally by James "Iron Head" Baker and Group, covered by Ram Jam, and by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. Outro music is Teenage Dirtbag by Wheatus.