The CoverUp

We always love a song with a complicated origin story, and here we get to pay tribute to an amazing songwriter and still indulge our favorite plot twists. Help Me Make It Through The Night, originally released by Percy Sledge, with versions by Kris Kristofferson, and by Gladys Knight and the Pips.

Outro music is Jump In The River by Sinead O'Connor — and if you don't know about the connection between Kris Kristofferson and Sinead O'Connor, you need to dig into that, because it's amazing.

A lively song from a young band that shows a lot more musical maturity than you might expect, and a cover by an equally young band that knows what they're about, even if the industry isn't ready for it yet. Going Down To Liverpool, originally by The Waves (who had not yet given Katrina top billing), covered by The Bangles.

Outro music is Walking On Sunshine, also by Katrina and the Waves. Let us know if it helps you figure out who's actually singing in the first song, because we're still confused.

It's hard to find a song - or a singer - who nails it better than this, which makes covering it an impossible task. We found a band that did it. Someone Like You, originally by Adele, covered by Water From Your Eyes.

Outro music is Love at the Five and Dime, by Nanci Griffith — and you should really go back and check out that episode if you missed it the first time.

An iconic song with an origin story that defies all understanding, and a cover by a singer with more talents than any six people should be trusted with. All The Young Dudes, originally by Mott the Hoople, covered by Bruce Dickinson.

Outro music is Bang a Gong, by T.Rex, who makes a surprise appearance in this episode — let us know if you spot it.

A song that knows its genre better than anyone could have expected, but also understands its roots in a way that elevates the sound, and a cover that does its country proud. A Bar Song (Tipsy), originally by Shaboozey, covered by Twenty One Two.

Outro music is Sweat Honey Buckiin by Beyoncé featuring Shaboozey.

An ideal pop song that was far enough ahead of its time it got to come around again for a second try, and a cover with all the right bits and pieces. There She Goes, originally by The La's, covered by The Wombats.

Outro music is Sweet Emotion, by Aerosmith. And we promise that makes sense.

We embrace the Christmas spirit with a top-tier listener request and absolute classic of a song, and a cover that has equal measures of heart and musical greatness. The Heat Miser Song, originally performed by George S. Irving, covered by Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Outro music is Put One Foot In Front Of The Other, from Santa Claus Is Comin' To Town, another Rankin Bass Classic.

A song from an experimental phase that is utterly complete and fully formed, and a cover that should sound like a gimmick but a brilliant band makes it polished and natural. Eleanor Rigby, originally by The Beatles, covered by Kansas with the London Symphony Orchestra.

Outro music is Mama Told Me Not To Come, by Three Dog Night with the London Symphony Orchestra.

A subtle song from band that never took over the world, but is a perfect representative of a rich and often overlooked time in music history, and a cover that leaves it all on the table. Always The Last To Know, originally by Del Amitri, covered by Jill Jackson.

Outro music is Tell Her This, also by Del Amitri, who continue their tradition of naming their songs just a little differently than you think they should.

Maximum attitude and acres of style when music wasn't really going that way, and a cover that definitely hits the mark the band aimed at. A Girl Like You, originally by Edwyn Collins, covered by Random Hearts.

Outro music is You Only Get What You Give, by New Radicals.