A song that knows its genre better than anyone could have expected, but also understands its roots in a way that elevates the sound, and a cover that does its country proud. A Bar Song (Tipsy), originally by Shaboozey, covered by Twenty One Two. 

Outro music is Sweat Honey Buckiin by Beyoncé featuring Shaboozey. 

An ideal pop song that was far enough ahead of its time it got to come around again for a second try, and a cover with all the right bits and pieces. There She Goes, originally by The La’s, covered by The Wombats. 

Outro music is Sweet Emotion, by Aerosmith. And we promise that makes sense. 

We embrace the Christmas spirit with a top-tier listener request and absolute classic of a song, and a cover that has equal measures of heart and musical greatness. The Heat Miser Song, originally performed by George S. Irving, covered by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy. 

Outro music is Put One Foot In Front Of The Other, from Santa Claus Is Comin’ To Town, another Rankin Bass Classic. 

A song from an experimental phase that is utterly complete and fully formed, and a cover that should sound like a gimmick but a brilliant band makes it polished and natural. Eleanor Rigby, originally by The Beatles, covered by Kansas with the London Symphony Orchestra. 

Outro music is Mama Told Me Not To Come, by Three Dog Night with the London Symphony Orchestra. 

A subtle song from band that never took over the world, but is a perfect representative of a rich and often overlooked time in music history, and a cover that leaves it all on the table. Always The Last To Know, originally by Del Amitri, covered by Jill Jackson. 

Outro music is Tell Her This, also by Del Amitri, who continue their tradition of naming their songs just a little differently than you think they should. 

Maximum attitude and acres of style when music wasn’t really going that way, and a cover that definitely hits the mark the band aimed at. A Girl Like You, originally by Edwyn Collins, covered by Random Hearts. 

Outro music is You Only Get What You Give, by New Radicals. 

The unlikeliest of artists remakes a reliable formula to create the unlikeliest of mega hits, and a band that does their thing well, but nobody really knows why. Scatman, originally by Scatman John, covered by The Axel Boys Quartet. 

Outro music is Only You, also by Scatman John, which we desperately hoped would be a Yaz cover. It’s not, but it’s fun none the less. 

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. 

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 episode? 

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.