A song with roots so hidden, yet so obviously appropriate they never should have been hidden, a big star does a cover no one bothers to forget, and an obvious path from a non-obvious choice. Mercury Blues, Originally by KC Douglas Trio, covered by Alan Jackson and by Meat Loaf. Outro music is Houd Dog, by Big Mama Thornton — so we get really great …

If you think you can explain prog rock, you don’t understand prog rock — so listen while we try to explain it. Breakfast in America, originally by Supertramp, covered by Gomez. Outro music is Roundabout by Yes.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

An iconic song by a band that had mastered not just their sound, but their feel and approach to being a band, and a cover by a master of her craft. I Need You Tonight, originally by INXS, covered by Bonnie Raitt. Outro music is Lazaretto, by Jack White.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

An impossibly bold debut song that was an obvious choice to the only genius in the room, and a cover that speaks to a brilliant, but often unsung collaboration. Wuthering Heights, originally by Kate Bush, covered by Pat Benatar. Outro music is Mamas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys (Chipmunks), by Alvin and the Chipmunks, off the timeles…

One of the biggest songs ever, by one of the biggest performers ever, from one of the biggest movies ever, and a cover from a band that only knows how to go big. My Heart Will Go On, originally by Celine Dion, covered by Dragonforce. Outro music is Tears in Heaven, by Eric Clapton.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

A song that defines a band for casual listeners while giving the real fans a breather, and a cover that almost nails it. Friday I’m In Love, originally by The Cure, covered by David Gray. Outro music is Shiny Happy People by R.E.M.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

A great issue song even if the issue gets misplaced sometimes, and the real dance rock pedigree. Beds are Burning, originally by Midnight Oil, covered by Novaspace and by Murray Head. Outro music is One Night In Bangkok from Chess, by Murray Head.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

A breakthrough song that took a while to break through and probably still deserves a little side eye in spite of its importance — and covers that reveal entirely different perspectives. Roxanne, originally by The Police, Covered by George Michael, and by Lacey Sturm. Outro music is Wasted on You by Evanescence.…

An attitude song that has a reach which may exceed its grasp, and a cover by a noteworthy performer who gets the point, but can still miss the boat. That’s Not My Name, originally by The Ting Tings, covered by Dizzee Rascal. Outro music is This Is How It Feels, by Inspiral Carpets.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

A song that perfectly conveys the themes of a film without sounding plastic or artificial, like you might expect. And a cover that plays so strongly to type no other band in history could have pulled it off. I’m Just Ken, originally by Ken played by Ryan Gosling, covered by GWAR. Outro music is Rarrr by Heavysaurus.…

The birth of New Wave channeled through satisfying melancholy, and covers that find polar opposites in the same song. More Than This, originally by Roxy Music, covered by Lucy Kaplansky, and by Missy Higgins. Outro music is The Second Act, also by Missy Higgins.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

An enduring song that stands out because of the contribution of an unlikely collaborator, and a cover so steeped in genius it’d be hard to imagine the possibility if you didn’t hear it with your own ears. Don’t Come Around Here No More, originally by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, covered by Rhiannon Giddens, featuring Silk Road Ensemble and Benm…

The song that launched an enduring genre of music with a combination of brilliance and success in spite of itself, and a cover that succeeds in surprising ways, but has an even more surprising legacy. Outro music is Girl You Know It’s True by Milli Vanilli.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

A perfect representation of the band that started the revolution, but is mostly remembered by there reflection in the revolutionaries who followed, and the master of taking a whole lot of nothing and turning it into something amazing. Radioactivity, originally by Kraftwerk, covered by Fatboy Slim. Outro music is Linus and Lucy by the Vince Gauraldi…

A song that does manage to really hit the mood even without a ukulele, that missing ukulele, and an artist who does it the hard way but just right. Another Love, originally by Tom Odell, covered by Blanks, and by Josiah and the Bonnevilles. Outro music is Heart on Fire, also by Blanks, and apparently from that thing we discuss in the show.…

A comeback song that does its job perfectly in spite of an incredible disguise, one of the greatest teams in modern music, and an utterly savvy outside perspective. I’m Still Standing, originally by Elton John, covered by Gold Fang. Outro music is I Guess That’s why They Call It The Blues, also by Elton John.…

A genre-specific tragedy, strife in Eastern Europe, and the golden age of musical charity. Last Kiss, originally by Wayne Cochran, covered by Pearl Jam. Outro music is Virtual Insanity by Jamiroquai.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

A sleeper of a song that doesn’t seem to follow the rules for what a song needs to be, but is an indispensable anchor for a brilliant album, and a cover with a stunning pedigree. Tea for the Tillerman, originally by Cat Stevens, covered by Darren Coggan. Outro music is Poems, Prayers, and Promises by John Denver.…

A rich literary tradition plus an incredible groove builds a great foundation, and goes in unexpected directions from there — including sea shanties? Proud Mary, originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival, covered by Ike and Tina Turner, and by The Longest Johns. Outro music is Santiana, also by The Longest Johns.…

A 90s country mega-hit that doubles down on charming silliness, has no illusions about what it’s trying to be, and does it perfectly, and a cover that probably shouldn’t work, but the right band pulls it off wonderfully. Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident), originally by John Michael Montgomery, covered by Backwoods. Outro music is My Walking…

The power of glam, the birth of hair metal, and the bane of autocorrect. Cum On Feel The Noize, originally by Slade, covered by Quiet Riot. Outro music continues our autocorrect hostility with Slade’s Mama Weer All Crazee Now.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

The most iconic song from the prince of heavy dance music, covered by a band that lives to make it weird — and a huge musical surprise. Head Like A Hole, originally by Nine Inch Nails, covered by Devo. Outro music is I Love Rock And Roll by Tiny Tim. If you want to know what’s up with that, you’ll have to go back and listen to episode 65.…

An archetypical song from an utterly unmistakable band, and a cover with tons of pedigree and set in a context nobody can dislike. People Are Strange, originally by The Doors, covered by Echo and the Bunnymen. Outro music is Lost in the Shadows by Lou Gramm.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

Week two of Beyonce-MayOne of the biggest songs in the history of country music completely reinvented by one of the biggest artists in the world. Jolene, originally by Dolly Parton, covered by Beyoncé. Outro music is Sorry, also by Behoncé.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

Welcome to the first week of Beyonce-May! We look at a song that’s simple and pretty, with deeper roots that aren’t exactly hidden, but also aren’t exactly front and center, and a cover that knows its history and knows where it’s going. Blackbird, originally by The Beatles, covered by Beyoncé (named Blackbiird in Beyoncé’s cover). Outro music is Da…

A huge song that captures a bit of the magic and musical range of the mid-90s, and still holds up today. Mr. Jones, originally by Counting Crows, covered by The Album Cover. Outro music is Alan’s Morissette’s Hand In My Pocket, also by The Album Cover.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

One of the most lovable and comfy songs ever recorded, by a songwriter who kinda lives there, and a cover from a group that really knows their stuff. If I Had A Boat, originally by Lyle Lovett, covered by Pete Muller & The Kindred Souls. Outro music is If I Were The Woman You Wanted by Nanci Griffith.…

A big shift for a talented but comfortably conventional band, and a cover by a group that conquered Europe. Beggin’, originally by The Four Seasons, covered by Maneskin. Outro music is Zitti E Buoni, also by Maneskin, and the song they used to win Eurovision.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

There are so many sides to this song, from the brilliant writing, to the cultural obsession with the secrets behind it, and a huge cast of eligible narcissists ready to play their part. You’re So Vain, originally by Carly Simon, covered by Liza Minnelli, Faster Pussycat, and John Barrowman. Yes, we needed this many versions of it to get to the bott…

One of the biggest duets ever recorded by a pair of artists that were a remarkable team-up, and a cover that’s entirely unexpected, but really did its homework to find the spirit of the song. Outro music is Grease by Frankie Valli, which was written by the Bee Gees, which totally fits if you know what’s up.…

A controversial song which is still beyond brilliant and with durable and positive musical impact, and a cover that does a complete musical relocation of the song without losing the magic. Graceland, originally by Paul Simon, covered by Willie Nelson. Outro music is In Your Eyes by Peter Gabriel, but it’s the bit at the end where we get to hear the…

A song that redefined a career and charted a new course for an entire generation, a cover that looks back on that new course and smiles, and a version that fit the film because that’s the job it had to do. You Don’t Own Me, originally by Lesley Gore, covered by Joan Jett, and by The Blow Monkeys. Outro music is Bad Reputation, also by Joan Jett.…

One of the most impactful songs of the 80s by a band impossibly deep with talent, and a cover that, honestly, shouldn’t have worked but succeeded brilliantly thanks to the right artist with the right plan. Here Comes The Rain Again, originally by Eurythmics, covered by Macy Gray. Outro music is Macy Gray’s cover of Colby Caillat’s Bubbly — which ap…

The biggest song by the Godfather of American Metal, a cover that captures the essence of a regional sound, and the shame of a Beach Boy. Mother, originally by Danzig, covered by The Delorean Sisters. Outro music is She Bop, by Cindy Lauper.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

A song that may not have stood the test of time, but definitely lives rent free in your head — and a band that may well do the same. Abracadabra, originally by The Steve Miller Band, covered by Sugar Ray. Outro music is My Own Worst Enemy by Lit.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

A huge song from a band that should have taken over the world, an early cover from a band that kinda did, and a family band that can hold their own with both of them. I’m a Man, originally by Spencer Davis Group, covered by Chicago Transit Authority, and by Los Lonely Boys. Outro music is 25 or 6 to 4 by Chicago, where they really let the horns go …

An unforgettable song with origins we never would have expected, and a wild ride of popularity nobody could have predicted. Unchained Melody, originally by Todd Duncan, covered by The Righteous Brothers. Outro music is Christmas in Prison by John Prine.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

Get out your striped socks and your blue foods for an ultra-listenable song that had massive success, and a cover that understood the assignment better than anyone could have expected. Riptide, originally by Vance Joy, covered by Stealth. Outro music is Pokerface, by Lady Gaga. Also we have a reading assignment for you this week, and we guarantee y…

We’re not saying that doubling down on emotionally abusive high school BS is the way to write great music, but wow, there’s some great music steeped in emotionally abusive high school BS. Go Your Own Way, originally by Fleetwood Mac, covered by The Cranberries. Outro music is (They Long To Be) Close To You, but the cover version by The Cranberries.…

The most important song in the history of Heavy Metal has a lot more substance than you might think, as does that song’s most unexpected cover. War Pigs, originally by Black Sabbath, covered by T-Pain. Outro is Fortunate Son, by Creedence Clearwater Revival.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

One of the biggest - and most impactful - songs of the 80s, when art rock turned into party rock without losing any of the art. And a cover that shows off a special kind of genius steeped in the purest fandom. Sledgehammer, originally by Peter Gabriel, covered by Lowland Hum. Outro music is Higher Love, by Steve Winwood.…

We start with an artist you know, but probably don’t know you know, and finish with one you definitely know, but maybe didn’t know like this. Just One Smile, originally by Gene Pitney, covered by Sheena Easton. Outro music is A Love Bizarre, by Sheila E, because we couldn’t help ourselves.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

We kick off the new year with a foundational song by a tragic but influential artist, check out a cover by a band that learned all the right lessons, and listen to a version that only exists because network TV executives have no idea how to do their jobs. Twenty Flight Rock, originally by Eddie Cochran, covered by Commander Cody and His Lost Planet…

An art project that had a shocking degree of influence on literally all of modern music, and a cover that tries really hard to … well, it tries really hard. Tom’s Diner, originally by Suzanne Vega, covered by AnnenMayKantereit with Giant Rooks. Outro music is Keep On Moving by Soul II Soul.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

This week, we focus on New Wave greatness, Patriotism, and questionable sandwich spreads. Down Under, originally by Men At Work, covered by Nick Cunningham, and by Leftover Crack. Outro music is Kookaburra, by Octopretzel.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

You don’t want to miss this. We find deep context, make profound connections, and enjoy some impossibly good — and important — tunes. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go, originally by Wham!, covered by Shawn Mullins. Outro music is Cecilia, by Simon and Garfunkel.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman

A brilliant but deeply troubled band, a band whose fame almost matches their egos, and an under appreciated band that knew exactly how to get the most out of their music. Wild Horses, originally by The Flying Burrito Brothers, covered by The Rolling Stones (yes, really, we explain it), and by The Sundays. Outro music is She’s a Rainbow, by The Roll…

A classic song by a band that filled their musical space better than anyone, and a surprising duet that’s a complete departure, that’s still utterly faithful to the original. Have You Ever Seen The Rain, originally by Creedence Clearwater Revival, covered by Willie Nelson featuring Paula Nelson. Outro music is It Happens by Sugarland, so we know yo…

One of the most innovative and iconic bands really gets the ball rolling - and leans hard on some under appreciated bandmates. And the kings of New Wave work some black magic on it. Psycho Killer, originally by Talking Heads, covered by Duran Duran featuring Victoria De Angelis. In honor of David Byrne’s French accent, outro music is Prisencolinens…

A brilliant reaches huge success thanks to a combination of musical ability and absurdly savvy marketing, covered by an artist who does her thing as well as anyone. Crazy, originally by Gnarls Barkley, covered by Shawn Colvin. Outro is Gone Daddy Gone, also by Gnarls Barkley.De către Amanda and Rich Friedeman