Who doesn't love a good Christmas song -- particularly one designed to wipe the floor with Bing Crosby. Merry Christmas Baby, originally by Johnny Moore's Three Blazers, covered by Billy Idol, and by Melissa Etheridge.

Outro music is Linus and Lucy, by Vince Guaraldi Trio.

We embark on the Monsters of Pop Punk tour and find hidden depths. Basket Case, originally by Green Day, covered by Avril Lavigne.

Outro music is Don't Want to Know If You Are Lonely, by Hüsker Dü -- and we hope those umlauts don't break the download.

A master of a modern craft, a plucky band does the impossible, and a new context for maximum impact. Praise You, originally by Fatboy Slim, covered by The Belligerents, and by Jordyn Shellhart.

Outro music is You Don't Get to Get to Me, also by Jordyn Shellhart.

A band far too good to be so stealthy, a talent much bigger than her time, cynical awards shows, and a Lucille Ball cameo. Georgy Girl, originally by The Seekers, covered by Carol Burnett. And a wonderful intro from listener Janie.

Outro music is Born Free, by Andy Williams, who gets the one-raised-eyebrow look for this one.

It's easy to forget one of these bands had a huge hand in inventing heavy heavy blues rock, and it's surprising when a band they inspired phones it in. Oh Well, originally by Fleetwood Mac, covered by Jimmy Page with the Black Crowes.

Outro music is Evergreen, also by the Black Crowes.

The brilliant foundation of a band with unbelievable potential and a band with incredible focus that mastered an under appreciated craft. Surfin' Safari, originally by The Beach Boys, covered by The Ramones.

Outro music is Surf City by Jan and Dean.

Traditional music beats the modern in a classic battle, delivered with a wink and then by a band that only winks. The Devil Went Down to Georgia, originally by Charlie Daniels Band, covered by Primus.

Outro music is Welcome to Bucketheadland, by Buckethead.

And thanks, Zach, for another great suggestion.

A band with big ideas puts some deep thoughts into a musical blender, and a cover from the age of bedroom music studios. Sorrow, originally by Bad Religion, covered by Switchfoot.

Outro music is Stepping Stone, by Minor Threat.

A love song to a city that exposes all of its sorrow and failings, but is still the perfect song about what makes it great. I Love LA, originally by Randy Newman, covered by OMC, and by Eric Church.

Outro music is The Most Beautiful Girl (In the Room), by Flight of the Conchords.

We do something a little different this week. One of the biggest and most impactful songs of the 90s relied heavily on sampling and was subsequently significantly parodied. Both of those use the music of a nearby song to tell a new story, and it sheds some light on how the business of cover songs works. Gangsta's Paradise, originally by Coolio, sampled Pastime Paradise by Stevie Wonder, and parodied in Amish Paradise by Weird Al Yankovic.

Outro music is Eat It, also by Weird Al Yankovic.