The CoverUp

A comeback song that does its job perfectly in spite of an incredible disguise, one of the greatest teams in modern music, and an utterly savvy outside perspective. I'm Still Standing, originally by Elton John, covered by Gold Fang.

Outro music is I Guess That's why They Call It The Blues, also by Elton John.

A genre-specific tragedy, strife in Eastern Europe, and the golden age of musical charity. Last Kiss, originally by Wayne Cochran, covered by Pearl Jam.

Outro music is Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai.

A sleeper of a song that doesn't seem to follow the rules for what a song needs to be, but is an indispensable anchor for a brilliant album, and a cover with a stunning pedigree. Tea for the Tillerman, originally by Cat Stevens, covered by Darren Coggan.

Outro music is Poems, Prayers, and Promises by John Denver.

A rich literary tradition plus an incredible groove builds a great foundation, and goes in unexpected directions from there — including sea shanties? Proud Mary, originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival, covered by Ike and Tina Turner, and by The Longest Johns.

Outro music is Santiana, also by The Longest Johns.

A 90s country mega-hit that doubles down on charming silliness, has no illusions about what it's trying to be, and does it perfectly, and a cover that probably shouldn't work, but the right band pulls it off wonderfully. Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident), originally by John Michael Montgomery, covered by Backwoods.

Outro music is My Walking Shoes, also by Backwoods.

The power of glam, the birth of hair metal, and the bane of autocorrect. Cum On Feel The Noize, originally by Slade, covered by Quiet Riot.

Outro music continues our autocorrect hostility with Slade's Mama Weer All Crazee Now.

The most iconic song from the prince of heavy dance music, covered by a band that lives to make it weird — and a huge musical surprise. Head Like A Hole, originally by Nine Inch Nails, covered by Devo.

Outro music is I Love Rock And Roll by Tiny Tim. If you want to know what's up with that, you'll have to go back and listen to episode 65.

An archetypical song from an utterly unmistakable band, and a cover with tons of pedigree and set in a context nobody can dislike. People Are Strange, originally by The Doors, covered by Echo and the Bunnymen.

Outro music is Lost in the Shadows by Lou Gramm.

Week two of Beyonce-MayOne of the biggest songs in the history of country music completely reinvented by one of the biggest artists in the world. Jolene, originally by Dolly Parton, covered by Beyoncé.

Outro music is Sorry, also by Behoncé.

Welcome to the first week of Beyonce-May! We look at a song that's simple and pretty, with deeper roots that aren't exactly hidden, but also aren't exactly front and center, and a cover that knows its history and knows where it's going. Blackbird, originally by The Beatles, covered by Beyoncé (named Blackbiird in Beyoncé's cover).

Outro music is Daddy Lessons, also by Beyoncé featuring The Chicks.