The CoverUp

Pop's greatest heartbreak song, covered by an extraordinary singer and a band not fit to be her backup dancers. Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now), originally by Phil Collins, covered by Mariah Carey with Westlife.

Outro music is the unnamed breakup song by Starlee Kine, from This American Life #339. Give the episode a listen if you want some good songwriting advice from Uncle Phil.

A debut song when the artist was far to young to be so deep, and a pair of covers that recontextualize to opposite extremes. Ol' 55, originally by Tom Waits, covered by Richie Havens, and by Shelby Lynne and Alison Moorer.

Outro music is Our Town by Iris DeMent.

We close out 2021 with a song that defined the sound for its genre, and gets taken to a polar opposite place. These Boots are Made for Walkin', originally by Nancy Sinatra, covered by KMFDM.

Outro music is I Don't Mind The Thorns (If You're the Rose), by Lee Greenwood.

A brilliant song from a band that is both great, yet under rated, and a cover from so far out of left field that it couldn't work, but does. Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, originally by AC/DC, covered by Lesley Gore.

Outro music is You Don't Own Me, also by Lesley Gore. She recorded that one at just 17 years old. Let that sink it a bit.

Traditional music gets a thoughtful guitar rock treatment. And then the metalheads show up. Whiskey in the Jar, by The Dubliners, covered by Thin Lizzy, and by Metallica.

Outro music is Whiskey Girl, by Gillian Welch.

A hit that was never supposed to chart, and a cover that defies expectations by playing to type. In Bloom, originally by Nirvana, covered by Sturgill Simpson.

Outro music is I Against I by Bad Brains.

Pop music royalty's coronation day and a song that launched more careers than you think. ...Baby One More Time, originally by Britney Spears, covered by Travis.

Outro music is It's My Life, by Bon Jovi -- co-written by (you guessed it) Max Martin.

A capstone on a brilliant body of work, an amazing recontextualization for an audience that badly needed it, and an artist who loved the song too much. Redemption Song, originally by Bob Marley and the Wailers, covered by Wycelf Jean, and by Joe Strummer and the Mescaleros.

Outro music is Rock the Casbah by The Clash.

A wild ride through a great song's creepy and disappointing roots, through a reinvention of traditional music. Callin' Baton Rouge, originally by The Oak Ridge Boys, covered by New Grass Revival and by Garth Brooks.

Outro music is Blue Moon of Kentucky by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys.

The breakthrough song from a musically and socially vital band, and a cover with some surprising musical choices. Karma Chameleon, originally by Culture Club, covered by Lou Bega.

Outro music is The Brandenburg Concerto, by Confucius, which was the working band name for The Hideaways at the time. It'll all make sense, don't worry.