The CoverUp

A full set of listener requests leads us to a musical titan at his best, and two covers that run as fast as possible in opposite directions. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, originally by Elton John, covered by Sara Bareilles, and by Queens of the Stone Age.

Outro music is Sorry Not Sorry by Demi Lovato.

An 80s triumph of power pop folk rock has vastly more coherence than the genre implies. It gets a genuine folk rock cover as well as an aggressive new wave treatment. The Whole of the Moon, originally by The Waterboys, covered by Peter Mulvey and by Fiona Apple.

Outro music is Wild World by Me First and the Gimme Gimmes.

The evolution of a folk song, from its rootsiest roots to a marvel of orchestration and production. Sloop John B, originally recorded by The Cleveland Simmons Group, covered by The Kingston Trio, and by The Beach Boys.

Outro music is Sixteen Tons by The Weavers.

A great song by the wrong band, and saved by the right band -- who nobody expects should ever be the right band, but they always are. Heart and Soul, originally by Exile, covered by Huey Lewis and the News.

Outro music is Somebody to Love, by Queen.

We close out our third year of the podcast with a look at another beloved artist lost to the mess of 2020. Kiss an Angel Good Mornin', originally by Charley Pride, covered by Roy Clark, and by Tom Jones.

Outro music is You Never Even Called Me By My Name, by David Allan Coe.

The greatest diss track ever recorded, the 60s version of the Masked Singer, inspiration by the Velvet Fog, and a successful torch passing. You're a Mean One Mr. Grinch, covered by Aimee Mann, and by Pentatonix. You'll have to listen to the episode to learn the original artist, because there's a story there.

Outro music is Sixteen Tons, by Tennessee Ernie Ford.

Undeniable synth-pop perfection that ended up being foundational to both our musical lives and the pop world after it, covered by enduring talents and a surprise virtuoso. Only You, originally by Yaz, covered by Enrique Iglesias and by Kylie Minogue with James Corden. Outro music is The Loco-Motion, also by Kylie Minogue (sadly, without James Corden).

One of the defining songs of rock and roll, the archetype of the evolution of blues, and an ultra-cringey musical moment that makes you not want to listen to it with your parents in the car. And that's just the original. Whole Lotta Love, originally by Led Zeppelin, covered by Tina Turner, and by Hozier.

Outro music is I Can See For Miles by The Who.

The quintessential intersection of hard rock and glam meets the intersection of TexMex and country, or something like that. Dr. Feelgood, originally by Mötley Crüe, covered by The Mavericks.

Outro music is Jockey Full Of Bourbon, by Tom Waits.

This week's episode is something to be thankful for. One of the defining songs not just of rock and roll, but of modern teen culture, by the only two artists who could have defined a culture so completely in a 2 minute song. Blue Suede Shoes, originally by Carl Perkins, covered by Elvis Presley.

Outro music is Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie, for obvious reasons.