The CoverUp

Latest Episodes:

326 - Graceland - The CoverUp Mar 25, 2024

Show notes

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.

325 - You Don't Own Me - The CoverUp Mar 18, 2024

Show notes

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.

324 - Here Comes The Rain Again - The CoverUp Mar 11, 2024

Show notes

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.

323 - Mother - The CoverUp Mar 04, 2024

Show notes

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.

322 - Abracadabra - The CoverUp Feb 26, 2024

Show notes

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.

321 - I'm a Man - The CoverUp Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

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.

320 - Unchained Melody - The CoverUp Feb 12, 2024

Show notes

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.

319 - Riptide - The CoverUp Feb 05, 2024

Show notes

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.

318 - Go Your Own Way - The CoverUp Jan 29, 2024

Show notes

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.

317 - War Pigs - The CoverUP Jan 22, 2024

Show notes

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.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected