The CoverUp

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112 - Always Something There To Remind Me - The CoverUp Feb 17, 2020

Show notes

A classic song written by the masters of the form, delivered exactly as it should be. And then the 80s land and permanently reimagine it. Always Something There To Remind Me, originally by Lou Johnson, covered by Dionne Warwick, by Jose Feliciano, and by Naked Eyes.

Outro music is In My Life by Jose Feliciano.

111 - Breakdown - The CoverUp Feb 10, 2020

Show notes

A perfect introduction to a band everyone knows and likes, a terrible miss with a version we wanted to be great, and a band that needed a Saturday detention with Emilio Estevez and Molly Ringwald. Breakdown by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, covered by Grace Jones and by The Replacements.

Outro music is No More The Moon Shines On Lorena by The Carter Family.

110 - Shapes of Things - The CoverUp Feb 03, 2020

Show notes

This week we walk with giants. The birth of psychedelic rock, and its perfect transformation into glam and hard rock. Shapes of Things, originally by The Yardbirds, covered by David Bowie and by Rush.

Outro music is YYZ, also by Rush. And thank you, Neil Peart, for so many years of so much brilliant music.

109 - Devil With A Blue Dress - The CoverUp Jan 27, 2020

Show notes

Motown misses by failing to recognize the R&B potential of a song. I know, I don't get it either. Devil With A Blue Dress, originally by Shorty Long, covered by Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels, and by The Cramps.

Outro music is Good Golly Miss Molly by Little Richard.

108 - Wagon Wheel - The CoverUp Jan 20, 2020

Show notes

A song with a complicated origin and non-collaborative collaboration that became a signature sound, unexpected country, and the Nashville machine. Wagon Wheel, originally by Old Crow Medicine Show, covered by Nathan Carter and by Darius Rucker.

Outro music is I'm On My Way by Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi.

107 - A New England - The CoverUp Jan 13, 2020

Show notes

It's not often that we get two versions of the same song that are so incredibly different, but still utterly delightful. It's a shame that it also comes with a big does of tragedy. A New England by Billy Bragg, covered by Kirsty MacColl.

Outro music is the title theme from The Simpsons by Danny Elfman.

106 - I Want You Back - The CoverUp Jan 06, 2020

Show notes

It was hard to be the kid that recorded one of the best songs ever. Covering that song is hard for much more benign reasons. We look at three attempts that each have very different motivation. I Want You Back, originally by The Jackson 5, covered by Sheryl Crow, Colbie Caillat, and Taylor Swift.

Outro music is Crash Into You by Dave Matthews Band (and it totally belongs there).

105 - In The Air Tonight - The CoverUp Dec 30, 2019

Show notes

A classic song and a brilliant example of song craft by an art/prog/pop triple threat, and some covers that show how hard and how satisfying it can be to tackle genius head-on. In The Air Tonight, originally by Phil Collins, covered by Barenaked Ladies and by Larkin Poe.

Outro music is Annabel Lee by Stevie Nicks.

104 - If We Make It Through December - The CoverUp Dec 23, 2019

Show notes

One of the greats delivers a brilliant example of how good a sad Christmas song can be. And A brilliant band takes that idea and runs with it to a beautifully intense conclusion. If We Make It Through December, Originally by Merle Haggard and the Strangers, covered by Over The Rhine.

Outro music is All I Need Is Everything, also by Over The Rhine.

103 - It Doesn't Matter Anymore Dec 16, 2019

Show notes

The final hit from a brilliant talent, a lovely interpretation from one of the biggest talents in popular music, and the fulfillment of the promise of an interesting song. It Doesn't Matter Anymore, originally by Buddy Holly, covered by Linda Ronstadt and by Flat Duo Jets.

Outro Music is Fell in Love With a Girl by The White Stripes.

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