The CoverUp

Lots of country music is sad stories. This is that, and there's a sad story under it, but it has way more at work than you might think — and it launched one of the most important careers in the history of country music. Delta Dawn, originally by Alex Harvey, covered by Tanya Tucker.

Outro music is Eighteen Wheels and a Dozen Roses by Kathy Mattea.

The song that redefined out popular music shapes culture, and a cover that soothes your mind. Like A Prayer, originally by Madonna, covered by Sarah Menescal.

Outro music is Here Comes The Sun, also by Sarah Menescal.

A song that hit its stride in a big way with online success by an artist who has a knack for that, and a cover that keeps the soul and impact of the song while still reinventing it. Anxiety, originally by Doechii, covered by Nova Twins.

Outro music is Werewolves of London by Warren Zevon. Or is that Kid Rock? No, we'd never do that to you.

We wrap up 2025 with what may be our greatest ever listener request, the unlikeliest cover we've ever tackled, and a couple of brilliant songs. I'm Shipping Up To Boston, originally by The Dropkick Murphys, covered by The Wiggles.

Outro music is She's A Rainbow, also by The Wiggles, and we couldn't be happier.

We sneak up on the end of 2025 with a tribute episode for someone who was a great talent and a musician's musician, and a cover that aces the hard job of doing the song justice. Play A Train Song, originally by Todd Snider, covered by Jason Isbell.

Outro music is Beer Run, also by Todd Snider.

The foundations of modern American folk music, one of the biggest Canadian songs ever, and a possibly misplaced application of Christmas cheer. Seasons In The Sun, originally by The Kingston Trio, covered by Terry Jacks, and by Westlife.

Outro music is M.T.A., also by The Kingston Trio, because we can't get enough of them — it's a family tradition.

A perfectly executed song that utterly defines a genre — for good or ill — and a cover that takes a simple start and uses a lot of musical smarts to recontextualize it. All The Small Things, originally by Blink-182, covered by City Mouth.

We've used this outro music before, but it's time to restore the ear worm. The Bumblebee Tuna song by Mephiskapheles.

A brilliant song that couldn't have been anything else with the level of talent behind it, and a cover that probably took its job a little too seriously. Tell Me Something Good, originally by Rufus, covered by Pink.

Outro music is Livin' On A Prayer by Bon Jovi, and you can totally hear that thing we talk about in the episode. It's unmistakeable.

A huge hit at the start of a really complicated career, and a band who knows where to take their inspiration. Your Love Is My Drug, originally by Kesha, covered by Blusher.

Outro music is Sunday Bloody Sunday by U2.

One of the great folk songs of the modern era captures the spirit — and the historical record — of maritime tragedy, and the cover that knows it stuff as well as the original. The Wreck of The Edmund Fitzgerald, originally by Gordon Lightfoot, covered by Simon Barr Sinister.

Outro music is the theme from Underdog, because how could it not be.