The CoverUp

A band collapsing on itself pulls out their greatest song, a master of her craft completely reinvents it, and a nihilistic egomaniac does whatever nihilistic egomaniacs do. Back on the Chain Gang, originally by The Pretenders, covered by Selena, and by Morrissey. Outro music is In A Big Country by Big Country.

An incredible debut single, a cover version that's actually an original version, a surprising yet inevitable producer, and glam. We look at Our Lips Are Sealed, originally by The Go-Go's, covered by Fun Boy Three, and by Peppermint Creeps. Outro music is Cherish by The Association. How could it be anything else?

The biggest song of 2003 isn't just a party anthem, it's a genre-defining master work that remakes popular music in its own image. This week we look at Hey Ya, originally by OutKast, covered by Obadiah Parker. Outro music is Polaroid by Keith Urban.

The original Swedish Supergroup starts a run of hits that puts them on top for a almost a decade, their biggest fans do a song their way, and someone in England makes a really creepy movie with a soundtrack with unexpected substance. SOS, originally by ABBA, covered by Erasure and by Portishead. Outro music is A Little Respect by Bjorn Again, who is covering Erasure.

A song that is simultaneously one of the greatest Done-Me-Wrong songs and one of the greatest artist transformations in popular music meets al kinds of jazz. You Oughta Know, originally by Alanis Morisette, covered by Jordana Talsky and by Scary Pockets featuring Crystal Lewis. Outro music is How Far I'll Go, also by Scary Pockets featuring Whitney Avalon.

A song that absolutely everyone knows, with a rich and amazing history that's an incredibly well kept secret. House of the Rising Sun, originally by Clarence 'Tom' Ashley and Gwen Foster, covered by Lead Belly, by Dave Van Ronk, and by The Animals. Outro music is Do Wah Diddy Diddy by Manfred Mann (which took the Animals' #1 spot in 1964).

One of the most influential songs of the 20th century taken on by one of the most brilliantly thoughtful musicians alive today. Atomic Dog, originally by George Clinton, covered by Meshell Ndegeocello. Outro music is Waterfalls, also by Meshell Ndegeocello.

A classic song with a surprising backstory, an unexpected level of focus, and a hidden gem that's actually a mountain of a song. Oh, and probably the best outro music we've ever had. Hopelessly Devoted To You, originally by Olivia Newton John, covered by Less Than Jake and by Rival Sons. Outro music is the Bumblebee Tuna Song by Mephiskapholes (and I'm not even going to check whether I spelled that right)

Some artists are absolutely timeless. And some, you can't move on from the time in your life when you discovered them. I Wanna Be Seduced, originally by Peggy Lee, covered by Leon Redbone. Outro music is Fever by Peggy Lee.

You know what this show needs more of? Androgynous bisexual rock stars communing with alien intelligences. I mean, what else could it have been? Ziggy Stardust, originally by David Bowie, covered by Bauhaus, and by The Gourds. Outro music is Animal by Def Leppard.

This might be the perfect sad song, made delightfully listenable in three brilliant performances. Red Dirt Girl, originally by Emmylou Harris, covered by Brandi Carlile and by First Aid Kit. Outro music is Emmylou by First Aid Kit.

There are songs in the world that everybody knows and loves. And then there are songs so universal they're part of our DNA. We look at one of those songs this week with When A Man Loves A Woman, originally by Percy Sledge, covered by Bette Midler, and by Michael Bolton. Outro music is Jack Sparrow featuring Michael Bolton from Saturday Night Live.

Can you name an absolutely perfect pop song? Blues Song? Jazz song? No, you're not repeating yourself. This week we look at Billie Jean, originally by Michael Jackson, covered by Chris Cornell and by The Civil Wars. Outro Music is Michael Jackson's Pepsi Generation.

The second of two episodes paying tribute to John Prine. In this one, we look at the covers John recorded, diving into You Never Can Tell, originally by Chuck Berry, Lulu Walls, originally by The Carter Family, and Cold Cold Heart, originally by Hank Williams. Outro music is Burn One With John Prine by Kacey Musgraves.

The first of two episodes paying tribute to the amazing John Prine, shortly after his death from COVID-19. We focus more on John as a songwriter this time, looking at his songs Paradise, Blue Umbrella, and Hello In There. Covers are by Dwight Yoakam, Steve Goodman, and 10,000 Maniacs. Outro music is If A Song Could Be President by Over The Rhine.