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?

412 - The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald - The CoverUp 11/17/2025

412 - The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald - The CoverUp One of the great folk songs of the modern era captures the spirit — and the historical record — of maritime tragedy, and the cover that knows it stuff as well as the original. The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald, originally by Gordon Lightfoot, covered by Simon Barr Sinister. Outro music is the theme from Underdog, because how could it not be. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/39056085

411 - (191) The Book Of Love - The CoverUp 11/10/2025

411 - (191) The Book Of Love - The CoverUp The knives come out over whether we’ve found the perfect love song as we look at another classic episode. The Book Of Love, originally by The Magnetic Fields, covered by Peter Gabriel, and by Gavin James. Outro music is In Spite Of Ourselves, by John Prine with iris DeMent. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/38972180

410 - (53) Hound Dog - The CoverUp 11/03/2025

410 - (53) Hound Dog - The CoverUp We revisit episode 53, with one of the most important songs in the history of rock and roll, an incredible original, a hugely successful but also problematic cover, and … well, a great artist who stepped outside of his comfort zone. Hound Dog, originally by Big Momma Thornton, covered by Elvis Presley, and by James Taylor. Newly added outro music is Ball ’n Chain, also by Big Momma Thornton. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/38884190

409 - (41) People Get Ready - The CoverUp 10/27/2025

409 - (41) People Get Ready - The CoverUp Another archive episode revisited, with a classic song that’s been covered countless times, and it just so happens that three of them are brilliant in their own way. People Get Ready, originally by The Impressions, covered by Jeff Beck and Rod Stewart, and by Alicia Keys. Outro music (newly added) is It’s All Right, also by The Impressions. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/38628070

408 - (20) 911 Is A Joke - The CoverUp 10/20/2025

408 - (20) 911 Is A Joke - The CoverUp We pull a classic episode from the archives, back to episode 20, where we take a look at one of the most important bands in Hip Hop, and a cover that couldn’t possibly work, but does. 911 Is A Joke, originally by Public Enemy, covered by Duran Duran. Outro music (which is new to the episode) is Eve of Destruction, a rare cover by Public Enemy. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/38627965

407 - 32 I Feel Pretty - TheCoverUp 10/13/2025

407 - 32 I Feel Pretty - TheCoverUp We pull a classic episode from the archives, one of our longtime favorites from episode 32. A musical theater classic and cover you’d never think to ask for, but once you know about it, you understand the treat you’re in for. I Feel Pretty, originally by Marni Nixon, covered by Little Richard. Outro music is Keep A Knockin’, also by Little Richard. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/38553765

406 - (42) My Humps - The CoverUp 10/06/2025

406 - (42) My Humps - The CoverUp We pull a classic episode from the archives and dress it up for the modern incarnation of the show. And it’s a doozie, with an unforgettable dance / hip-hop classic covered earnestly by one of the least hip-hop superstars still on the stage today. My Humps, originally by The Black Eyed Peas, covered by Alanis Morissette. Outro music is new to this episode, and we’ve added King of Pain also by Alanis Morissette, from her MTV Unplugged show. It’s super cool. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/38473215

405 - Wish You Were Here - The CoverUp 09/29/2025

405 - Wish You Were Here - The CoverUp A song from a band that shows their typically high concept, but also shares an unusual amount of heart, and a cover to bring us all together. Wish You Were Here, originally by Pink Floyd, covered by Elisapie. Outro music is Wolf by First Aid Kit. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/38385455

404 - Lay Lady Lay - The CoverUp 09/22/2025

404 - Lay Lady Lay - The CoverUp A thoughtful and demanding musician brings you a cup of cocoa and a blanket to throw over your feet, and a cover that understands the assignment. Lay Lady Lay, originally by Bob Dylan, covered by Dave Stewart. Outro music is Queen of New Orleans, by Jon Bon Jovi, but Dave Stewart co-wrote, played guitar, and produced it. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/38297180

403 - Big Bottom - The CoverUp 09/15/2025

403 - Big Bottom - The CoverUp The greatest band that never existed, but is somehow still touring, and a cover that’s a tribute, a laugh, and a great show all at once. Big Bottom, originally by Spinal Tap, covered by Soundgarden. Outro music is Starcrossed, by Lenny and the Squigtones. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/38217110

402 - She's Kerosene - The CoverUp 09/08/2025

402 - She's Kerosene - The CoverUp We decide to dive into a band that’s a favorite for one of us, and see if we can find the daylight between our musical tastes. She’s Kerosene, originally by The Interrupters, covered by Jake Clayton. Outro music is By My Side, also by The Interrupters. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/38119380

401 - Torn - The CoverUp 09/01/2025

401 - Torn - The CoverUp One of the biggest songs of the 90s has a surprising origin with some very surprising originators. But we all know where this episode ends up. Torn, originally by Ednaswap, covered by Natalie Imbruglia. Outro music is Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You (I Love You Baby) by Lauryn Hill, who was in the same grammy race we discuss in the show. It was a heck of a year, no doubt. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/38035820

400 - Strange Currencies - The CoverUp 08/25/2025

400 - Strange Currencies - The CoverUp We celebrate our 400th episode with a song we love. It’s a standout for the original band in a number of fascinating ways, and has a cover that turns everything on its head to brilliant effect. Strange Currencies, originally by R.E.M., covered by Louisa Stancioff. Rich got the name wrong during the episode, but the outro music is Rumble by Link Wray. He was probably overcome by the reverb. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/37943055

399 - Poisoning Pigeons In The Park - The CoverUp 08/18/2025

399 - Poisoning Pigeons In The Park - The CoverUp We hope this is the end of our run of tribute episodes as we remember a remarkable talent and exceptional musician. An exceptional ability for satire, an absurd but resolute sense of humor, and a mirthful approach to life which he imposed on the world around him. Poisoning Pigeons In The Park, originally by Tom Lehrer, covered by Roberta Alexander with David Triestram. Outro music is The Masochism Tango, also by Tom Lehrer. Because he was generous enough to release all of his music into the public domain, we've included the entire song as the outro. It's a great one, and we think you should listen to the whole thing. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/37849200

398 - Feels So Good - The CoverUp 08/11/2025

398 - Feels So Good - The CoverUp We do a rare instrumental episode remembering an amazing musician who was the sound of a decade — everyone wanted this sound. Feels so good, originally by Chuck Mangione, covered by Alison Brown with Jake Shimabukuro. Outro music is Give It All You Got, also by Chuck Mangione. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/37749070

397 - Crazy Train - The CoverUp 08/04/2025

397 - Crazy Train - The CoverUp We pay tribute to one of the greats of rock and metal, and find some surprising range from a former teen heartthrob. Crazy Train, originally by Ozzy Osbourne, covered by Pat Boone. Outro music is Mama I’m Coming Home, also by Ozzy Osbourne. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/37656260

396 - Bette Davis Eyes - The CoverUp 07/28/2025

396 - Bette Davis Eyes - The CoverUp The secret history of someone who deserves superstar status, one of the biggest songs of the 80s that deserves every accolade, and a cover that chooses to do it the hard way. Bette Davis Eyes, originally by Jackie DeShannon, covered by Kim Carnes, and by JoJo Siwa. Outro music is Put A Little Love In Your Heart, also by Jackie DeShannon, because wow, we can’t get enough of her. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/37567980

395 - Different Drum - The CoverUp 07/21/2025

395 - Different Drum - The CoverUp A charming song by one of our favorite songwriters, and a band that carved out its place in history, and the cover where everyone realized the world had changed in an important way. Different Drum, originally by the Greenbriar Boys, covered by Stone Poneys. Outro music is Papa Gene’s Blues, by The Monkees, because we don’t often get to share a song where Mike Nesmith is credited as the lead vocalist. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/37472775

394 - Espresso - The CoverUp 07/14/2025

394 - Espresso - The CoverUp A song that’s a worldwide sensation by an artist with the tools to get it done, and a satisfying cover by someone who shows that you don’t know what forms success will take. Espresso, originally by Sabrina Carpenter, covered by Madilyn Bailey. Outro music is Titanium, as covered by Madilyn Bailey. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/37393315

393 - LA Freeway - The CoverUp 07/07/2025

393 - LA Freeway - The CoverUp A pivotal figure in outlaw country with a song that was always going to be his to sing, and songwriter behind the song shows the power of telling your own story. LA Freeway, originally by Jerry Jeff Walker, covered by Guy Clark. Outro music is Love at the Five and Dime by Nanci Griffith. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/37299905

392 - Surfer Girl - The CoverUp 06/30/2025

392 - Surfer Girl - The CoverUp We pay tribute to a musical giant, focusing on the moment where is started to get the recognition he deserved, and a cover where everyone reinforced that recognition. Surfer Girl, originally by The Beach Boys, covered by Paul Simon. Outro music is Brian Wilson, by Barenaked Ladies. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/37209530

391 - Everyday People - The CoverUp 06/23/2025

391 - Everyday People - The CoverUp An episode remembering a towering talent who broke new ground in unexpected ways, and covers by a couple of other remarkable talents who are clearly appreciated, but not enough and for not enough reasons. Everyday People, originally by Sly and the Family Stone, covered by Taj Mahal, and by Jeff Buckley. Outro music is Underdog, also by Sly and the Family Stone. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/37106595

390 - I Can See Clearly Now - The CoverUp 06/16/2025

390 - I Can See Clearly Now - The CoverUp A beautiful song that subtly obscures its musical roots by an artist with surprising connections to the genre, and a cover that goes all in on everything. I Can See Clearly Now, originally by Johnny Nash, covered by Hothouse Flowers. Outro music is Closer to Fine by Indigo Girls, and we guarantee it will all make sense. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/37015665

389 - Pink Pony Club - The CoverUp 06/09/2025

389 - Pink Pony Club - The CoverUp A no-nonsense dance hit that has depth beyond what you usually see in a no-nonsense dance hit, and a cover that embraces the story and an artists peculiar place in the world. Pink Pony Club, originally by Chappell Roan, covered by Rick Astley. Outro music is Together Forever, also by Rick Astley. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/36911900

388 - Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo - The CoverUp 06/02/2025

388 - Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo - The CoverUp A lifetime of curious musical collaborations and a killer song that needed to find the right band. Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo, originally by Johnny Winter And, covered by Rick Derringer. Outro music is an utterly improbable cover of Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo by Mean Gene Okerlund. If you know you know, and if you don’t you’re going to want to take a look at the video link we post. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/36808645

387 - Life On Mars? - The CoverUp 05/26/2025

387 - Life On Mars? - The CoverUp A stunning song that perfectly captures the complexity of a musical and cultural genius, and a cover that strips the song down to almost nothing, but has so much to offer. Life On Mars?, originally by David Bowie, covered by Seu Jorge. Outro music is Bowie’s Starman, also covered by Seu Jorge, because we can’t get enough of this guy. We think you’ll agree. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/36704100

386 - Without You - The CoverUp 05/19/2025

386 - Without You - The CoverUp Rather than debating who put whose chocolate in which peanut butter, we see the results of someone really knowing what to do with some good ingredients. Without You, originally by Badfinger, covered by Harry Nilsson. Outro music is Whiter Shade of Pale, by Procul Harum. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/36613790

385 - Save Tonight - The CoverUp 05/12/2025

385 - Save Tonight - The CoverUp An enduring song that finds the perfect balance of catchy and smart, and a band that was a little enigmatic for us, makes strange choices, but clearly has the right stuff. Save Tonight, originally by Eagle-Eye Cherry, covered by Silos. Outro music is Mind Eraser, also by Silos. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/36523055

384 - Karma Police - The CoverUp 05/05/2025

384 - Karma Police - The CoverUp A breakthrough song on a breakthrough album from a band that’s generationally influential, with a couple of covers that fully transform but still respect the spirit of the original. Karma Police, originally by Radiohead, covered by Scary Pockets featuring Monica Martin, and by Pierce the Veil. Outro music is Radiohead’s Creep, also covered by Scary Pockets, this time featuring India Carney, where circumstances allow them to bring a little more funk. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/36432920

383 - Alone - The CoverUp 04/28/2025

383 - Alone - The CoverUp One of the biggest songs of the 80s that started out with almost all the right people, but needed some time for everyone to settle into the right role before it could become absolutely iconic. Alone, originally by I-Ten, covered by Heart, and by Celine Dion. Outro music is Eternal Flame, by The Bangles, which was also written by the guys from I-Ten, who are really all over this episode. /episode/index/show/thecoverupcast/id/36330125

The CoverUp

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