The CoverUp

The most lean-into-it power ballad you'll ever find that's always working hard at something, and a cool cover about making it work. Keep On Loving You, originally by REO Speedwagon, covered by Cigarettes After Sex. Outro music is Lorelei, by the Cocteau Twins.

We always knew music would save the world. This week, we take it a bit more literally as we tackle Golden, originally by Huntrix (yes, we know it's complicated), covered by Our Last Night. For outro music, we check in with our boy Morten Harket for some vocal range on A-Ha's Take On Me.

A legendary musician opens up in a typical yet profound way, and a cover that revives a whole bunch of special things. Jealous Guy, originally by John Lennon, covered by Men Without Hats. Outro music is I Love The 80s, also by Men Without Hats, from that same album, On The Moon.

The defining song for an all-time-great band that defies definition, a cover that reimagines as hard as any cover has, and another that brings its own world to the song. Tom Sawyer, originally by Rush, covered by Emmerson Nogueira, and by The Lost Fingers. Outro music is Owner of a Lonely Heart, another cover by Emmerson Nogueira.

A song that crushes it across genres, styles, and settings by an artist who of course can pull of something of this scale. And a cover that gives it the old college try. 9 to 5, originally by Dolly Parton, covered by Home Free. Outro music is The Job That Ate My Brain, by The Ramones.

A song-of-the-summer redefines a band through a period of musical maturation, and puts a spotlight on the downfall of MTV. And a cover reveals hidden depths. Still Into You, originally by Paramore, covered by Lewis Capaldi. Outro music is the theme song from Dr. Who, because there's a Capaldi in this episode, and it may be our only chance to pull that tune out.

A breakthrough mega hit that defied the odds and stood the test of time, and a band that might not have. Or maybe they did. Honestly, it's not obvious. Groove Is In The Heart, originally by Deee-Lite, covered by Blues Traveler. Outro music is the theme song from Green Acres, sung by Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor.

An influential band's signature song that found its place for multiple generations, and a cover by an artist who seems to look into our world through her own special lens. Rasputin, originally by Boney M, covered by AURORA. Outro music is In The Dark Of The Night, which is Rasputin's villain song in Anastasia. Even better, it's sung for the film by Jim Cummings, who is also the voice of Winnie the Pooh. Take a moment to collect your thoughts.

A modern and compelling take on protest songs that doesn't lean on outrage so much as "there but for the grace of God", and a cover by an artist who redefined what this kind of song can do in the world. Beautiful Strangers, originally by Kevin Morby, covered by Mavis Staples. Outro music is I Ain't Got No Home In This World Anymore by Woody Guthrie.

We look at one of the best songs from one of the best debut albums ever, and follow with a pair of covers that teach us a lot about how music works and what it really means in the world. Honestly, we didn't see this one coming. Baby Can I Hold You, originally by Tracy Chapman, covered by Luciano Pavarotti, and by Billy Ocean. Outro music is The Ride of the Valkyries by Wagner, as performed by the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.

A song that defined a band, in spite of their many successful reinventions, and a cover by two unlikely artists — or at least ones we thought were unlikely. Sweet Emotion, originally by Aerosmith, covered by Leo Kottke and Mike Gordon. Outro music is Jack Fig by Leo Kottke, because you need to hear what he's about.

Lots of country music is sad stories. This is that, and there's a sad story under it, but it has way more at work than you might think — and it launched one of the most important careers in the history of country music. Delta Dawn, originally by Alex Harvey, covered by Tanya Tucker. Outro music is Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses by Kathy Mattea.

The song that redefined out popular music shapes culture, and a cover that soothes your mind. Like A Prayer, originally by Madonna, covered by Sarah Menescal. Outro music is Here Comes The Sun, also by Sarah Menescal.

A song that hit its stride in a big way with online success by an artist who has a knack for that, and a cover that keeps the soul and impact of the song while still reinventing it. Anxiety, originally by Doechii, covered by Nova Twins. Outro music is Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon. Or is that Kid Rock? No, we'd never do that to you.

We wrap up 2025 with what may be our greatest ever listener request, the unlikeliest cover we've ever tackled, and a couple of brilliant songs. I'm Shipping Up To Boston, originally by The Dropkick Murphys, covered by The Wiggles. Outro music is She's A Rainbow, also by The Wiggles, and we couldn't be happier.

We sneak up on the end of 2025 with a tribute episode for someone who was a great talent and a musician's musician, and a cover that aces the hard job of doing the song justice. Play A Train Song, originally by Todd Snider, covered by Jason Isbell. Outro music is Beer Run, also by Todd Snider.

The foundations of modern American folk music, one of the biggest Canadian songs ever, and a possibly misplaced application of Christmas cheer. Seasons In The Sun, originally by The Kingston Trio, covered by Terry Jacks, and by Westlife. Outro music is M.T.A., also by The Kingston Trio, because we can't get enough of them — it's a family tradition.

A perfectly executed song that utterly defines a genre — for good or ill — and a cover that takes a simple start and uses a lot of musical smarts to recontextualize it. All The Small Things, originally by Blink-182, covered by City Mouth. We've used this outro music before, but it's time to restore the ear worm. The Bumblebee Tuna song by Mephiskapheles.

A brilliant song that couldn't have been anything else with the level of talent behind it, and a cover that probably took its job a little too seriously. Tell Me Something Good, originally by Rufus, covered by Pink. Outro music is Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi, and you can totally hear that thing we talk about in the episode. It's unmistakeable.

A huge hit at the start of a really complicated career, and a band who knows where to take their inspiration. Your Love Is My Drug, originally by Kesha, covered by Blusher. Outro music is Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2.