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PODCAST

The CoverUp

Amanda and Rich Friedeman

Amanda and Rich talk about cover songs. How do they relate to the originals? What"s the definitive version of the song? The better version? What makes them interesting musically? Is it a karaoke version? Great but unknown? A horror show? A complete surprise? A Hasselhoff?

music music commentary

All Episodes

20:52

400 - Strange Currencies - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/08/25

We celebrate our 400th episode with a song we love. It’s a standout for the original band in a number of fascinating ways, and has a cover that turns everything on its head to brilliant effect. Strange Currencies, originally by R.E.M., covered by Louisa Stancioff. Rich got the name wrong during the episode, but the outro music is Rumble by Link Wray. He was probably overcome by the reverb.

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31:33

399 - Poisoning Pigeons In The Park - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/08/18

We hope this is the end of our run of tribute episodes as we remember a remarkable talent and exceptional musician. An exceptional ability for satire, an absurd but resolute sense of humor, and a mirthful approach to life which he imposed on the world around him. Poisoning Pigeons In The Park, originally by Tom Lehrer, covered by Roberta Alexander with David Triestram. Outro music is The Masochism Tango, also by Tom Lehrer. Because he was generous enough to release all of his music into the public

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24:17

398 - Feels So Good - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/08/11

We do a rare instrumental episode remembering an amazing musician who was the sound of a decade — everyone wanted this sound. Feels so good, originally by Chuck Mangione, covered by Alison Brown with Jake Shimabukuro. Outro music is Give It All You Got, also by Chuck Mangione.

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34:49

397 - Crazy Train - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/08/04

We pay tribute to one of the greats of rock and metal, and find some surprising range from a former teen heartthrob. Crazy Train, originally by Ozzy Osbourne, covered by Pat Boone. Outro music is Mama I’m Coming Home, also by Ozzy Osbourne.

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32:37

396 - Bette Davis Eyes - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/07/28

The secret history of someone who deserves superstar status, one of the biggest songs of the 80s that deserves every accolade, and a cover that chooses to do it the hard way. Bette Davis Eyes, originally by Jackie DeShannon, covered by Kim Carnes, and by JoJo Siwa. Outro music is Put A Little Love In Your Heart, also by Jackie DeShannon, because wow, we can’t get enough of her.

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22:06

395 - Different Drum - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/07/21

A charming song by one of our favorite songwriters, and a band that carved out its place in history, and the cover where everyone realized the world had changed in an important way. Different Drum, originally by the Greenbriar Boys, covered by Stone Poneys. Outro music is Papa Gene’s Blues, by The Monkees, because we don’t often get to share a song where Mike Nesmith is credited as the lead vocalist.

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22:19

394 - Espresso - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/07/14

A song that’s a worldwide sensation by an artist with the tools to get it done, and a satisfying cover by someone who shows that you don’t know what forms success will take. Espresso, originally by Sabrina Carpenter, covered by Madilyn Bailey. Outro music is Titanium, as covered by Madilyn Bailey.

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25:14

393 - LA Freeway - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/07/07

A pivotal figure in outlaw country with a song that was always going to be his to sing, and songwriter behind the song shows the power of telling your own story. LA Freeway, originally by Jerry Jeff Walker, covered by Guy Clark. Outro music is Love at the Five and Dime by Nanci Griffith.

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20:37

392 - Surfer Girl - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/06/30

We pay tribute to a musical giant, focusing on the moment where is started to get the recognition he deserved, and a cover where everyone reinforced that recognition. Surfer Girl, originally by The Beach Boys, covered by Paul Simon. Outro music is Brian Wilson, by Barenaked Ladies.

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31:56

391 - Everyday People - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/06/23

An episode remembering a towering talent who broke new ground in unexpected ways, and covers by a couple of other remarkable talents who are clearly appreciated, but not enough and for not enough reasons. Everyday People, originally by Sly and the Family Stone, covered by Taj Mahal, and by Jeff Buckley. Outro music is Underdog, also by Sly and the Family Stone.

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17:09

390 - I Can See Clearly Now - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/06/16

A beautiful song that subtly obscures its musical roots by an artist with surprising connections to the genre, and a cover that goes all in on everything. I Can See Clearly Now, originally by Johnny Nash, covered by Hothouse Flowers. Outro music is Closer to Fine by Indigo Girls, and we guarantee it will all make sense.

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18:31

389 - Pink Pony Club - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/06/09

A no-nonsense dance hit that has depth beyond what you usually see in a no-nonsense dance hit, and a cover that embraces the story and an artists peculiar place in the world. Pink Pony Club, originally by Chappell Roan, covered by Rick Astley. Outro music is Together Forever, also by Rick Astley.

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21:37

388 - Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/06/02

A lifetime of curious musical collaborations and a killer song that needed to find the right band. Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo, originally by Johnny Winter And, covered by Rick Derringer. Outro music is an utterly improbable cover of Rock and Roll Hoochie Koo by Mean Gene Okerlund. If you know you know, and if you don’t you’re going to want to take a look at the video link we post.

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22:05

387 - Life On Mars? - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/05/26

A stunning song that perfectly captures the complexity of a musical and cultural genius, and a cover that strips the song down to almost nothing, but has so much to offer. Life On Mars?, originally by David Bowie, covered by Seu Jorge. Outro music is Bowie’s Starman, also covered by Seu Jorge, because we can’t get enough of this guy. We think you’ll agree.

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20:35

386 - Without You - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/05/19

Rather than debating who put whose chocolate in which peanut butter, we see the results of someone really knowing what to do with some good ingredients. Without You, originally by Badfinger, covered by Harry Nilsson. Outro music is Whiter Shade of Pale, by Procul Harum.

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19:14

385 - Save Tonight - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/05/12

An enduring song that finds the perfect balance of catchy and smart, and a band that was a little enigmatic for us, makes strange choices, but clearly has the right stuff. Save Tonight, originally by Eagle-Eye Cherry, covered by Silos. Outro music is Mind Eraser, also by Silos.

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25:14

384 - Karma Police - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/05/05

A breakthrough song on a breakthrough album from a band that’s generationally influential, with a couple of covers that fully transform but still respect the spirit of the original. Karma Police, originally by Radiohaed, covered by Scary Pockets featuring Monica Martin, and by Pierce the Veil. Outro music is Radiohead’s Creep, also covered by Scary Pockets, this time featuring India Carney, where circumstances allow them to bring a little more funk.

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24:26

383 - Alone - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/04/28

One of the biggest songs of the 80s that started out with almost all the right people, but needed some time for everyone to settle into the right role before it could become absolutely iconic. Alone, originally by I-Ten, covered by Heart, and by Celine Dion. Outro music is Eternal Flame, by The Bangles, which was also written by the guys from I-Ten, who are really all over this episode.

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22:10

382 - Your Love - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/04/21

A one hit wonder with a surprising number of hits, and an artist that managed to always be herself when the whole entertainment industry expected otherwise. Your Love, originally by The Outfield, covered by Kelly Clarkson. Outro music is Since You’ve Been Gone, also by The Outfield. Yes, you read that right, and you’ll just have to listen to find out.

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20:34

381 - Talk To Ya Later - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/04/14

A killer song that almost killed the band, and a musical friendship that lead to some surprising results. Talk To Ya Later, originally by The Tubes, covered by Richard Marx. Outro music is Save It For Later by The English Beat, not that anyone was ever confused preparing for this episode.

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398 results

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