The CoverUp

Amanda and Rich talk about cover songs. How do they relate to the originals? What's the definitive version of the song? The better version? What makes them interesting musically? Is it a karaoke version? Great but unknown? A horror show? A complete surprise? A Hasselhoff?

330 - If I Had A Boat - The CoverUp 04/22/2024

330 - If I Had A Boat - The CoverUp One of the most lovable and comfy songs ever recorded, by a songwriter who kinda lives there, and a cover from a group that really knows their stuff. If I Had A Boat, originally by Lyle Lovett, covered by Pete Muller & The Kindred Souls. Outro music is If I Were The Woman You Wanted by Nanci Griffith. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/30927163

329 - Beggin' - The CoverUp 04/15/2024

329 - Beggin' - The CoverUp A big shift for a talented but comfortably conventional band, and a cover by a group that conquered Europe. Beggin’, originally by The Four Seasons, covered by Maneskin. Outro music is Zitti E Buoni, also by Maneskin, and the song they used to win Eurovision. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/30820888

328 - You're So Vain - The CoverUp 04/08/2024

328 - You're So Vain - The CoverUp There are so many sides to this song, from the brilliant writing, to the cultural obsession with the secrets behind it, and a huge cast of eligible narcissists ready to play their part. You’re So Vain, originally by Carly Simon, covered by Liza Minnelli, Faster Pussycat, and John Barrowman. Yes, we needed this many versions of it to get to the bottom of things. Outro music is 1987 by Steel Panther, and they are so good. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/30724968

327 - Islands In The Stream - The CoverUp 04/01/2024

327 - Islands In The Stream - The CoverUp One of the biggest duets ever recorded by a pair of artists that were a remarkable team-up, and a cover that’s entirely unexpected, but really did its homework to find the spirit of the song. Outro music is Grease by Frankie Valli, which was written by the Bee Gees, which totally fits if you know what’s up. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/30616323

326 - Graceland - The CoverUp 03/25/2024

326 - Graceland - The CoverUp A controversial song which is still beyond brilliant and with durable and positive musical impact, and a cover that does a complete musical relocation of the song without losing the magic. Graceland, originally by Paul Simon, covered by Willie Nelson. Outro music is In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel, but it’s the bit at the end where we get to hear the stunning Wolof singing by Youssou N’Dour — and which came out in the same year as Graceland. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/30521203

325 - You Don't Own Me - The CoverUp 03/18/2024

325 - You Don't Own Me - The CoverUp A song that redefined a career and charted a new course for an entire generation, a cover that looks back on that new course and smiles, and a version that fit the film because that’s the job it had to do. You Don’t Own Me, originally by Lesley Gore, covered by Joan Jett, and by The Blow Monkeys. Outro music is Bad Reputation, also by Joan Jett. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/30407793

324 - Here Comes The Rain Again - The CoverUp 03/11/2024

324 - Here Comes The Rain Again - The CoverUp One of the most impactful songs of the 80s by a band impossibly deep with talent, and a cover that, honestly, shouldn’t have worked but succeeded brilliantly thanks to the right artist with the right plan. Here Comes The Rain Again, originally by Eurythmics, covered by Macy Gray. Outro music is Macy Gray’s cover of Colby Caillat’s Bubbly — which apparently features Idris Elba, but we don’t think he shows in the clip, so listen to the whole thing. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/30309213

323 - Mother - The CoverUp 03/04/2024

323 - Mother - The CoverUp The biggest song by the Godfather of American Metal, a cover that captures the essence of a regional sound, and the shame of a Beach Boy. Mother, originally by Danzig, covered by The Delorean Sisters. Outro music is She Bop, by Cindy Lauper. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/30214528

322 - Abracadabra - The CoverUp 02/26/2024

322 - Abracadabra - The CoverUp A song that may not have stood the test of time, but definitely lives rent free in your head — and a band that may well do the same. Abracadabra, originally by The Steve Miller Band, covered by Sugar Ray. Outro music is My Own Worst Enemy by Lit. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/30103348

321 - I'm a Man - The CoverUp 02/19/2024

321 - I'm a Man - The CoverUp A huge song from a band that should have taken over the world, an early cover from a band that kinda did, and a family band that can hold their own with both of them. I’m a Man, originally by Spencer Davis Group, covered by Chicago Transit Authority, and by Los Lonely Boys. Outro music is 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago, where they really let the horns go wild. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/30003148

320 - Unchained Melody - The CoverUp 02/12/2024

320 - Unchained Melody - The CoverUp An unforgettable song with origins we never would have expected, and a wild ride of popularity nobody could have predicted. Unchained Melody, originally by Todd Duncan, covered by The Righteous Brothers. Outro music is Christmas in Prison by John Prine. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/29897743

319 - Riptide - The CoverUp 02/05/2024

319 - Riptide - The CoverUp Get out your striped socks and your blue foods for an ultra-listenable song that had massive success, and a cover that understood the assignment better than anyone could have expected. Riptide, originally by Vance Joy, covered by Stealth. Outro music is Pokerface, by Lady Gaga. Also we have a reading assignment for you this week, and we guarantee you’ll thank us for it. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/29793768

318 - Go Your Own Way - The CoverUp 01/29/2024

318 - Go Your Own Way - The CoverUp We’re not saying that doubling down on emotionally abusive high school BS is the way to write great music, but wow, there’s some great music steeped in emotionally abusive high school BS. Go Your Own Way, originally by Fleetwood Mac, covered by The Cranberries. Outro music is (They Long To Be) Close To You, but the cover version by The Cranberries. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/29681828

317 - War Pigs - The CoverUP 01/22/2024

317 - War Pigs - The CoverUP The most important song in the history of Heavy Metal has a lot more substance than you might think, as does that song’s most unexpected cover. War Pigs, originally by Black Sabbath, covered by T-Pain. Outro is Fortunate Son, by Creedence Clearwater Revival. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/29587528

316 - Sledgehammer - The CoverUp 01/15/2024

316 - Sledgehammer - The CoverUp One of the biggest - and most impactful - songs of the 80s, when art rock turned into party rock without losing any of the art. And a cover that shows off a special kind of genius steeped in the purest fandom. Sledgehammer, originally by Peter Gabriel, covered by Lowland Hum. Outro music is Higher Love, by Steve Winwood. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/29480063

315 - Just One Smile - The CoverUp 01/08/2024

315 - Just One Smile - The CoverUp We start with an artist you know, but probably don’t know you know, and finish with one you definitely know, but maybe didn’t know like this. Just One Smile, originally by Gene Pitney, covered by Sheena Easton. Outro music is A Love Bizarre, by Sheila E, because we couldn’t help ourselves. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/29375043

314 - Twenty Flight Rock - The CoverUp 01/01/2024

314 - Twenty Flight Rock - The CoverUp We kick off the new year with a foundational song by a tragic but influential artist, check out a cover by a band that learned all the right lessons, and listen to a version that only exists because network TV executives have no idea how to do their jobs. Twenty Flight Rock, originally by Eddie Cochran, covered by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, and by Conan O’Brien, featuring Jack White. Outro music is 25 Minutes to Go, by Shel Silverstein. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/29287983

313 - Tom's Diner - The CoverUp 12/25/2023

313 - Tom's Diner - The CoverUp An art project that had a shocking degree of influence on literally all of modern music, and a cover that tries really hard to … well, it tries really hard. Tom’s Diner, originally by Suzanne Vega, covered by AnnenMayKantereit with Giant Rooks. Outro music is Keep On Moving by Soul II Soul. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/29222798

312 - Down Under - The CoverUp 12/18/2023

312 - Down Under - The CoverUp This week, we focus on New Wave greatness, Patriotism, and questionable sandwich spreads. Down Under, originally by Men At Work, covered by Nick Cunningham, and by Leftover Crack. Outro music is Kookaburra, by Octopretzel. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/29123098

311 - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go - The CoverUp 12/11/2023

311 - Wake Me Up Before You Go Go - The CoverUp You don’t want to miss this. We find deep context, make profound connections, and enjoy some impossibly good — and important — tunes. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, originally by Wham!, covered by Shawn Mullins. Outro music is Cecilia, by Simon and Garfunkel. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/29013118

310 - Wild Horses - The CoverUp 12/04/2023

310 - Wild Horses - The CoverUp A brilliant but deeply troubled band, a band whose fame almost matches their egos, and an under appreciated band that knew exactly how to get the most out of their music. Wild Horses, originally by The Flying Burrito Brothers, covered by The Rolling Stones (yes, really, we explain it), and by The Sundays. Outro music is She’s a Rainbow, by The Rolling Stones, because even Rich will admit they have one good song. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/28907863

309 - Have You Ever Seen The Rain - The CoverUp 11/27/2023

309 - Have You Ever Seen The Rain - The CoverUp A classic song by a band that filled their musical space better than anyone, and a surprising duet that’s a complete departure, that’s still utterly faithful to the original. Have You Ever Seen The Rain, originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival, covered by Willie Nelson featuring Paula Nelson. Outro music is It Happens by Sugarland, so we know you’ll get your recommended daily allowance of twang. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/28793723

308 - Psycho Killer - The CoverUp 11/20/2023

308 - Psycho Killer - The CoverUp One of the most innovative and iconic bands really gets the ball rolling - and leans hard on some under appreciated bandmates. And the kings of New Wave work some black magic on it. Psycho Killer, originally by Talking Heads, covered by Duran Duran featuring Victoria De Angelis. In honor of David Byrne’s French accent, outro music is Prisencolinensinainciusol, by Adriano Celentano. He’s an Italian musician who wrote and performed the song to sound English, even though it has no actual English in it. Because he had big ideas too. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/28714838

307 - Crazy - The CoverUp 11/13/2023

307 - Crazy - The CoverUp A brilliant reaches huge success thanks to a combination of musical ability and absurdly savvy marketing, covered by an artist who does her thing as well as anyone. Crazy, originally by Gnarls Barkley, covered by Shawn Colvin. Outro is Gone Daddy Gone, also by Gnarls Barkley. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/28606228

306 - Steppin' Out - The CoverUp 11/06/2023

306 - Steppin' Out - The CoverUp A remarkable amount of synthesizer and vocal genius this week as we tackle a song made and covered by pioneering artists who brought an uncommon level of sophistication to their work. Steppin’ Out, originally by Joe Jackson, covered by Trevor Horn featuring Seal. Outro music is Kiss From A Rose, also by Seal, and also produced by Trevor Horn. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/28523033

305 - Teenage Dirtbag - The CoverUp 10/30/2023

305 - Teenage Dirtbag - The CoverUp A hugely successful song proves polarizing, and an artful cover only makes the discussion more complicated. Probably because of Satanists. Teenage Dirtbag, originally by Wheatus, covered by Phoebe Bridgers. Outro music is Run To The Hills, by Iron Maiden, baby. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/28455956

304 - Strawberry Fields Forever - The CoverUp 10/23/2023

304 - Strawberry Fields Forever - The CoverUp A pioneering song by the band that reinvented the notion of pioneering, and a cover that changes all of the context, but keeps the magic. Strawberry Fields Forever, originally by The Beatles, covered by Cyndi Lauper. Outro music is Nothing from Nothing by Billy Preston. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/28389173

303 - The Tracks of My Tears - The CoverUp 10/16/2023

303 - The Tracks of My Tears - The CoverUp One of the greatest vocal bands ever — which was actually so much more — and a vocalist everyone knows is great, but is all too often overlooked. The Tracks of My Tears, originally by The Miracles, covered by Adam Lambert. Outro music is Chandelier, also by Adam Lambert. Also, that album of his is High Drama, if you’re keeping score and want to check it out. You’re welcome. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/28319435

302 - Hey Good Lookin' - The CoverUp 10/09/2023

302 - Hey Good Lookin' - The CoverUp We take a look at a foundational songs of modern music by one of the greats who was gone far too early, and follow up with a cover by one of the greats who may have made more people smile more often than any other human. Hey Good Lookin’, originally by Hank Williams, covered by Jimmy Buffett — he was supported by a ton of important people in this song, but it’s about Jimmy Buffett this week. Outro music is End of the Line by The Traveling Wilburys. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/28259471

301 - God's Comic - TheCoverUp 10/02/2023

301 - God's Comic - TheCoverUp Curl up on your couch in your Kierkegaard Snuggie and get ready for the universe to show up with some judgement — good times!. God’s Comic, originally by Elvis Costello, covered by Craig Cardiff. Outro music is Veronica, by The Unwieldies, which we’ll probably have to talk about some time on the show. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/28192934

The CoverUp

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