The CoverUp

A listener prods us to dive into one of the great songs in American music, and in the process we flirt with musical diabetes. Lean On Me, originally by Bill Withers, covered by Club Nouveau.

Outro music is The Candy Man by Sammy Davis Jr.

An impossibly compelling songs from one of the most important writers and performers in American music, and a great band tries something different. Dancing Barefoot, originally by the Patti Smith Group, covered by U2.

Outro music is Desire, also by U2.

Absolute pop genius from a song that wasn't supposed to be pop at all, and a cover that's a terrible fit which helps to make it even more awesome. Call Me Maybe, originally by Carly Rae Jepsen, covered by Leo Moraccioli.

Outro music is We Are Young, by Fun, just to remind you that the bar was high in 2012.

A brilliant debut single that defied genre, expectation, and the industry it was breaking into, and a cover that takes it a bit literally, but nails it anyway. Sultans of Swing, originally by Dire Straits, covered by Pink Turtle.

Outro music is Brothers in Arms, also by Dire Straits.

A massively popular yet still underrated song by an incredibly talented yet still underrated artist, and a cover that takes on an impossible task and winds up still on their feet. Wrecking Ball, originally by Miley Cyrus, covered by Abandoning Sunday.

Outro music is Piece of My Heart by Janis Joplin.

The song that brought K-Pop to the rest of the world in spectacular fashion, and a cover that's totally not punk, but really is underneath it all. Gangnam Style, originally by Psy, covered by The Cleverlys.

Outro music is Born To Be Chicken, by Korean bluegrass band Country Gongbang.

A powerful, insightful, and moving song from someone who, on the surface, is the unlikeliest source, and two covers that drive the point home in an unbelievably compelling way. Only Women Bleed, originally by Ailce Cooper, covered by Etta James, and by Ike Turner featuring Tina Turner.

Outro music is Welcome To My Nightmare, also by Alice Coper.

It's spring, so we have a song about the impending winter because cover songs don't exist in a conventional timeline. And not just any winter, but one that completely fails to anticipate Olivia Rodrigo. Stick Season, originally by Noah Kahan, covered by Alex Melton.

Outro music is Good 4 U by the aforementioned Olivia Rodrigo, who isn't heard anywhere else in the episode — just to be clear.

It's an emotional week at CoverUp HQ. We dig into one of the most profound ways a songwriter had ever decided to say goodbye, and a tribute so moving it couldn't have hit harder. Keep Me In Your Heart, originally by Warren Zevon, covered by The Wailin' Jennys.

Outro music is Poor Poor Pitiful Me, also by Warren Zevon.

The most lean-into-it power ballad you'll ever find that's always working hard at something, and a cool cover about making it work. Keep On Loving You, originally by REO Speedwagon, covered by Cigarettes After Sex.

Outro music is Lorelei, by the Cocteau Twins.