The CoverUp

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. 

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. 

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.

A great issue song even if the issue gets misplaced sometimes, and the real dance rock pedigree. Beds are Burning, originally by Midnight Oil, covered by Novaspace and by Murray Head. 

Outro music is One Night In Bangkok from Chess, by Murray Head. 

A breakthrough song that took a while to break through and probably still deserves a little side eye in spite of its importance — and covers that reveal entirely different perspectives. Roxanne, originally by The Police, Covered by George Michael, and by Lacey Sturm. 

Outro music is Wasted on You by Evanescence. 

An attitude song that has a reach which may exceed its grasp, and a cover by a noteworthy performer who gets the point, but can still miss the boat. That’s Not My Name, originally by The Ting Tings, covered by Dizzee Rascal. 

Outro music is This Is How It Feels, by Inspiral Carpets. 

A song that perfectly conveys the themes of a film without sounding plastic or artificial, like you might expect. And a cover that plays so strongly to type no other band in history could have pulled it off. I’m Just Ken, originally by Ken played by Ryan Gosling, covered by GWAR. 

Outro music is Rarrr by Heavysaurus. 

The birth of New Wave channeled through satisfying melancholy, and covers that find polar opposites in the same song. More Than This, originally by Roxy Music, covered by Lucy Kaplansky, and by Missy Higgins. 

Outro music is The Second Act, also by Missy Higgins. 

An enduring song that stands out because of the contribution of an unlikely collaborator, and a cover so steeped in genius it’d be hard to imagine the possibility if you didn’t hear it with your own ears. Don’t Come Around Here No More, originally by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, covered by Rhiannon Giddens, featuring Silk Road Ensemble and Benmont Tensch. 

Outro music is Texas Hold ‘Em, by Beyonce, which features Rhiannon Giddens on banjo. 

The song that launched an enduring genre of music with a combination of brilliance and success in spite of itself, and a cover that succeeds in surprising ways, but has an even more surprising legacy. 

Outro music is Girl You Know It’s True by Milli Vanilli.