The CoverUp

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.

Low-key greatness from an artist at the top of his game, and a cover that doubles down on everything that makes the original great. Somebody's Baby, originally by Jackson Browne, covered by Stories featuring Jennah Bell. Outro music is Fishing in the Dark by Nitty Gritty Dirt Band.

A brilliant song reaches improbable success on the charts, and a band shows gumption covering the un-coverable. Ana Ng, originally by They Might Be Giants, covered by Star F*cking Hipsters (yes, it's not _exactly_ their name, but you can see the leap, right?). Outro music is Protect Ya Neck by Wu-Tang Clan, which we never thought would be possible on this show, but love that it finally happened.

We have a first for the show, with a listener sharing their story behind the request. Personal rediscovery of a song, separating art from artists, and artists assumptions that don't pan out. Everyday is Like Sunday, originally by Morrissey, covered by The Pretenders. Outro music is Willow by Joan Armatrading.

Genius, personality, tragedy, and dance-induced trauma. This week is The House is Rockin', originally by Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble, covered by Brian Setzer Orchestra.    Outro music is I Remember You by Skid Row.

You think you'll file this one under "didn't know it was a cover". And you could. But it's really in a category all its own. I've Got My Mind Set On You, originally by James Ray with the Hutch Davie Orchestra & Chorus, covered by George Harrison. Outro music is "(This Song is Just) Six Words Long", by Weird Al Yankovic.

A confusing origin and timeline, one of the saddest stories in rock and roll, and Billy Baldwin. But Rich doesn't care, because he's all nostalgic. Real Real Gone, originally by Tom Fogerty (yes, that's not a typo), covered by Van Morrison. Outro music is Train to Nowhere, also by Tom Fogerty.

A band that perfectly blended innovation with powerhouse performances find their feet -- and ends up standing with Florida Man. Don't Change, originally by INXS, covered by Limp Bizkit. Outro music is Suicide Blonde, also by INXS.

A group of musicians pivotal to multiple popular music genres, golden age and modern variety shows, and titans of their style. Cupid, originally by Sam Cooke, Covered by Bernadette Peters, and by Boyz II Men. Outro music is Blue Moon, by Rod Stewart featuring Eric Clapton, who managed to outclass Tony Bennet that year -- Just listen. Everything will be clear.

Artists going their own way, a surprise songwriter, and brilliantly malicious compliance. For No One, originally by The Beatles, covered by Emmylou Harris, and by Rickie Lee Jones. Outro music is Up A Lazy River, by Bing Crosby and Louis Armstrong.

A brilliant and beloved song that didn't work like expected, a fascinating charity album, and a pretty darned good roll on a d20. Nightswimming, originally by REM, covered by Okay Kaya, and by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit. Outro music is I've Been to Memphis, by Lyle Lovett.