The CoverUp

The best of the rest of the British Invasion, the birth of modern metal guitar, and The Pit of Disco Despair. This week we look at Glad All Over, originally by The Dave Clark Five, covered by Quiet Riot and by Pet Shop Boys. Outro music is Cum On Feel The Noize, by a post-Rhoads Quiet Riot.

We say this a lot, but this episode has everything: The formative moment of modern country music, the improbably invention of jazz-country, an utterly avant garde take on a classic, and frog-related childhood trauma. Your Cheatin Heart, originally by Hank Williams, covered by Leon Redbone and by Beck. Outro music is the theme from Mr. Belvedere, also by Leon Redbone, who did more with that song than you probably realized during the 80s.

A classic song created by a bunch of crypto-non-Australians, popularized in the evolution of punk rock, and brought to heel by the quintessential Spice Girl. I Want Candy, originally by The Strangeloves, covered by Bow Wow Wow, and by Melanie C. Outro Music is Punk Rock Girl by The Dead Milkmen.

It shouldn't be a surprise that a song with such a universal sentiment was picked up by other musicians. This one stayed universal in an entirely different musical universe. Take This Job and Shove It, originally by Johnny Paycheck, covered by The Dead Kennedys and by the supergroup of Bobby Bare Sr., Radney Foster, Buck Owens, and Jeff Tweedy. Outro music is Just Call Me Lonesome by Radney Foster.

The 80s-est song that ever 80s-ed didn't do so well when it tried to 64 . This week we look at Tainted Love, originally by Gloria Jones, covered by Soft Cell and by Marilyn Manson. Outro music is Toxic by Britney Spears.

Nobody ever doubted this week's song was incredibly successful. But it's also a lot more substantial than we expected. Don't judge a book by the bandaid on its cover. Hot in Herre, originally by Nelly, covered by Jenny Owen Youngs. Outro Music is Welcome to the Hellmouth by Jenny Owen Youngs and Kristin Russo.

A complete transformation of a song leads to, arguably, the complete transformation of a national identity. Overstating it? Not for the best music movie ever! Try A Little Tenderness, originally by the Ray Noble Orchestra, covered by Otis Redding and by The Commitments. Outro music is Mustang Sally, also by The Commitments. Yes, we really like The Commitments.

Beautiful voices, old white people, after-school TV reruns, and just how much difference the right room makes. Dream a Little Dream of Me, originally by Ozzie Nelson and his orchestra, covered by Doris Day, and by The Mamas and The Papas. Outro music is If I Had A Hammer by Peter, Paul, and Mary.

Magic guitar playing can't make up for really icky lyrics, but it sure can distract you -- unless you double down. Hey Joe, by The Jimi Hendrix Experience, covered by Willy DeVille and by The Offspring. Outro music is Pleasant Valley Sunday by The Monkees.

We are completely serious about this. A song that turned out to be way bigger than anyone ever expected, a cynical exercise with market power, and CGI-based musical redemption. Bad Day, originally by Daniel Powter, covered by Kids Bop (really), and by Alvin and the Chipmunks. Outro music is Witch Doctor by David Seville.

One of the greatest songs ever recorded, one of the biggest mistakes a band ever made, the actual Greatest of All Time. Oh, and the soundtrack from Final Fantasy XV, of course. Stand By Me, originally by Ben E. King, covered by Muhammad Ali and by Florence + The Machine. Outro music is Under The Boardwalk by The Drifters.

The literal beginnings of punk rock and a survey course in the wonderful ways the right band can shape a song. Sheena Is A Punk Rocker, originally by The Ramones, covered by Husker Du and by Shonen Knife. Outro music is the theme song from Hello Kitty -- you'd better believe it.

You're probably sitting there right now wondering "What would it sound like if Echo and the Bunnymen made an outlaw country album?". This week, we do _even_better_ than that. Love Vigilantes, originally by New Order, covered by Poi Dog Pondering and by Iron and Wine. Requested by podcast listener Ken -- Thanks Ken! Outro music is Just Like Heaven by The Cure.

We hit pretty much every emotional reaction - and possibly every stage of grief - this week. Message In A Bottle, originally by The Police, covered by Excel, by John Mayer, and by 30 Seconds to Mars. Outro music is Late At Night by Buffalo Tom, and if you don't get the connection, I'm sorry you missed out.

Wow, this one is a wild story with a brilliant song and a genuinely shocking cover. Zombie, originally by The Cranberries, covered by Bad Wolves. Outro music is Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2 -- which I hope I didn't have to explain.