The CoverUp

It was hard to be the kid that recorded one of the best songs ever. Covering that song is hard for much more benign reasons. We look at three attempts that each have very different motivation. I Want You Back, originally by The Jackson 5, covered by Sheryl Crow, Colbie Caillat, and Taylor Swift.

Outro music is Crash Into You by Dave Matthews Band (and it totally belongs there).

A classic song and a brilliant example of song craft by an art/prog/pop triple threat, and some covers that show how hard and how satisfying it can be to tackle genius head-on. In The Air Tonight, originally by Phil Collins, covered by Barenaked Ladies and by Larkin Poe.

Outro music is Annabel Lee by Stevie Nicks.

A classic song and a brilliant example of song craft by an art/prog/pop triple threat, and some covers that show how hard and how satisfying it can be to tackle genius head-on. In The Air Tonight, originally by Phil Collins, covered by Barenaked Ladies and by Larkin Poe.

Outro music is Annabel Lee by Stevie Nicks.

One of the greats delivers a brilliant example of how good a sad Christmas song can be. And A brilliant band takes that idea and runs with it to a beautifully intense conclusion. If We Make It Through December, Originally by Merle Haggard and the Strangers, covered by Over The Rhine.

Outro music is All I Need Is Everything, also by Over The Rhine.

One of the greats delivers a brilliant example of how good a sad Christmas song can be. And A brilliant band takes that idea and runs with it to a beautifully intense conclusion. If We Make It Through December, Originally by Merle Haggard and the Strangers, covered by Over The Rhine.

Outro music is All I Need Is Everything, also by Over The Rhine.

The final hit from a brilliant talent, a lovely interpretation from one of the biggest talents in popular music, and the fulfillment of the promise of an interesting song. It Doesn't Matter Anymore, originally by Buddy Holly, covered by Linda Ronstadt and by Flat Duo Jets.

Outro Music is Fell in Love With a Girl by The White Stripes.

The final hit from a brilliant talent, a lovely interpretation from one of the biggest talents in popular music, and the fulfillment of the promise of an interesting song. It Doesn't Matter Anymore, originally by Buddy Holly, covered by Linda Ronstadt and by Flat Duo Jets.

Outro Music is Fell in Love With a Girl by The White Stripes.

One of the best New Order songs that absolutely everyone knows, but nobody knows they know -- ya' know? Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order, covered by Frente!.

Outro music is Pocket Calculator by Kraftwerk. Please listen to their Computer World album as soon as you finish this episode.

One of the best New Order songs that absolutely everyone knows, but nobody knows they know -- ya' know? Bizarre Love Triangle by New Order, covered by Frente!.

Outro music is Pocket Calculator by Kraftwerk. Please listen to their Computer World album as soon as you finish this episode.

This turned into such a strange rabbit hole, and 1969 was clearly The Upside-down. We look at the biggest Saturday Morning Cartoon song ever, Sugar Sugar, originally by The Archies, covered by Wilson Pickett, and by Ike and Tina Turner.

Outro music is the Spider-Man theme, by The Ramones (I swear to God I am not making that up).