The CoverUp

Nov 18 2024 300 ep. 22 mins 783
The CoverUp Podcast artwork

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?

  Music
RSS feed Share
Copy RSS


Subscribe on Podcast Addict


360 - Wicked Game - The CoverUp

Nov 18 2024 17 mins  
A hugely successful song that was only coincidentally perfect for a movie, and a serious cover that knew where not to take the original too seriously. Wicked Game, originally by Chris Isaak, covered by Daisy Gray. Outro music is Threads by Portishead.

359 - Lost Cause - The CoverUp

Nov 11 2024 17 mins  
A song that is as unexpected as it is utterly satisfying, and a cover so far beyond insightful it’s hard to fathom. Lost Cause, originally by Beck, covered by Willie Nelson. Outro music is Keep Me In Your Heart by Warren Zevon, which is another one of those songs that just hits you, and which Willie Nelson included on the album we discuss here. Are we foreshadowing a future epis

358 - Please Mr Postman - The CoverUp

Nov 04 2024 31 mins  
One of the songs that put Motown and the Motown sound on the map and a cover by a troubled but flawless band — with probably more surprise musical contributions than we’ve had in any three episodes. Stick around for the world’s greatest hype man. Outro music is 911 Is A Joke by Public Enemy, which we also discussed way back in episode 20— that one is a similarly wild ride.

357 - Forever Young - The CoverUp

Oct 28 2024 15 mins  
A song very much of its time that’s stood the test of time, and a cover that takes it into a new space and context. Forever Young, originally by Alphaville, covered by Brandi Carlile. Outro music is Big in Japan, also by Alphaville.

356 - Mercury Blues - The CoverUp

Oct 21 2024 24 mins  
A song with roots so hidden, yet so obviously appropriate they never should have been hidden, a big star does a cover no one bothers to forget, and an obvious path from a non-obvious choice. Mercury Blues, Originally by KC Douglas Trio, covered by Alan Jackson and by Meat Loaf. Outro music is Houd Dog, by Big Mama Thornton — so we get really great bookends on this one.

355 - Breakfast in America - The CoverUp

Oct 14 2024 17 mins  
If you think you can explain prog rock, you don’t understand prog rock — so listen while we try to explain it. Breakfast in America, originally by Supertramp, covered by Gomez. Outro music is Roundabout by Yes.

354 - I Need You Tonight - The CoverUp

Oct 07 2024 20 mins  
An iconic song by a band that had mastered not just their sound, but their feel and approach to being a band, and a cover by a master of her craft. I Need You Tonight, originally by INXS, covered by Bonnie Raitt. Outro music is Lazaretto, by Jack White.

353 - Wuthering Heights - The CoverUp

Sep 30 2024 24 mins  
An impossibly bold debut song that was an obvious choice to the only genius in the room, and a cover that speaks to a brilliant, but often unsung collaboration. Wuthering Heights, originally by Kate Bush, covered by Pat Benatar. Outro music is Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys (Chipmunks), by Alvin and the Chipmunks, off the timeless Urban Chipmunk album.

352 - My Heart Will Go On - The CoverUp

Sep 23 2024 27 mins  
One of the biggest songs ever, by one of the biggest performers ever, from one of the biggest movies ever, and a cover from a band that only knows how to go big. My Heart Will Go On, originally by Celine Dion, covered by Dragonforce. Outro music is Tears in Heaven, by Eric Clapton.

351 - Friday I'm In Love - The CoverUp

Sep 16 2024 14 mins  
A song that defines a band for casual listeners while giving the real fans a breather, and a cover that almost nails it. Friday I’m In Love, originally by The Cure, covered by David Gray. Outro music is Shiny Happy People by R.E.M.