The CoverUp

An attitude song by a consummate attitude performer finds another life on TV — and gets even more attitude. But the tough guys also find out who's really in charge. Red Right Hand (now the theme song for Peaky Blinders), originally by Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, covered by Snoop Dog.

Outro music is Way Down in the Hole, by Tom Waits.

A song so foundational to a branch of rock that it's hard to imagine the world without it, and a cover that takes it in a shockingly different direction. Iron Man, originally by Black Sabbath, covered by The Cardigans (no really, this actually happened).

Outro music is The Original Doctor Who Theme, by Murray Gold — and it totally makes sense.

This week we take on a topical song that's so good it should never have had to have been rediscovered. It's covered by an an artist who has a rare gift of bringing something new and inventive to a song that's already basically perfect in every way. It's a heck of a week as we take on Long Long Time, originally by Linda Ronstadt, covered by Sid Sriram.

Outro music is Anthimaalai Neram, also sung by Sid Sriram.

And yes, we have spoilers for Last of Us — and Game of Thrones, and Girl with All the Gifts, and the remake of True Grit. Sorry, but it's still worth it, so you should just listen.

A young artist has a brilliant song, while looking ahead at overshadowing himself, and one of the most effective and innovative comebacks in modern music. I Feel For You, originally by Prince, covered by Chaka Khan.

Outro music is Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, by Wham! That was a heck of a year.

The roots of rock and roll, stealth gospel, unstoppable innovators, and hair with tons of personality. This week it's All Shook Up, originally by Elvis Presley, covered by the Jeff Beck Group.

Outro music is Dig a Little Deeper by The Jordanaires.

We pay tribute to the irreplaceable David Crosby by discussing an incredibly innovative and influential song. Eight Miles High, originally by The Byrds, covered by Leo Kottke.

Outro music is The Byrds' cover of Bob Dylan's Mr. Tambourine Man.

We riff on riffs, investigate the value of distortion, and look at some of the hilariously dirty underbelly of the music biz with a guilty pleasure song. Talk Dirty To Me, originally by Poison, covered by Reel Big Fish.

Outro music is How Does It Feel, by Slade.

A band with loads of talent starts with a big splash, and vocal royalty takes it from there. The Boy from New York City, originally by The Ad-Libs, covered by The Manhattan Transfer.

Outro music is Yakety Yak by The Coasters.

We both geek out this week, sometimes in different directions, with a song that starts out looking a little silly, but reveals a ton of depth -- as a writing effort and in performance. 25 Minutes to Go, originally by Shel Silverstein, covered by Johnny Cash.

Outro music is A Front Row Seat to Hear Ole Johnny Sing, also by Shel Silverstein. It's like he knew we were planning this episode.

Join us in celebration of the fifth anniversary of our show as we pay tribute to the astonishing Christine McVie. Two original songs this week -- Don't Stop, originally by Fleetwood Mac, covered by Lisa Loeb, and Songbird, originally by Fleetwood Mac, covered by Rita Wilson and Josh Groban.

Outro music is Say Hello, also by Lisa Loeb.