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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

25:37

180 - I Want You to Want Me - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/06/07

Overly humble beginnings of a chaotically brilliant band, and an express flight from Rockford to Bakersfield. I Want You to Want Me, originally by Cheap Trick, covered by Dwight Yoakam. Outro music is also I Want You to Want Me by Cheap Trick, but it's the version you expected to hear.

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21:01

179 - We Belong - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/05/31

A gorgeous song by one of the great women of 80s rock, and a singer-songwriter reinvention by the singer-songwriters who wrote it. We Belong, originally by Pat Benatar, covered by Lowen and Navarro. Outro music is Cry by Lowen and Navarro.

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25:57

178 - Rainbow Connection - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/05/24

The sweetest song ever -- possibly too sweet -- sung by the worlds most beloved amphibian and covered by the ultimate family band. Rainbow Connection, originally by Kermit the Frog, covered by The Carpenters. Outro music is It's Not Easy Being Green by Ray Charles.

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25:42

177 - I Heard It Through The Grapevine - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/05/17

The greatest song ever recorded, immediately overshadowed by the song that inspired it, kinda? And musical greats who are outclassed but still good enough that it doesn't matter. I Heard It Through The Grapevine, originally by Gladys Knight and the Pips, covered by Marvin Gaye, and by Amy Winehouse with Paul Weller. Outro music is In the Modern World by The Jam.

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23:09

176 - Jailhouse Rock - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/05/10

The undeniable roots of rock and roll, and band that couldn't help but force rock to evolve, and bongo drums. Jailhouse Rock, originally by Elvis Presley, covered by Jeff Beck Group and by John Mellencamp. Outro music is Yakety Yak by The Coasters.

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24:26

175 - The Passenger - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/05/03

An incredibly compelling song by the greatest living punk, and a cover so full of depth, musical richness, and complexity that the band can hardly be called punk, but always is. The Passenger, originally by Iggy Pop, covered by Siouxsie and The Banshees. Outro music is Trust In Me by Sterling Holloway, as the voice of Kaa.

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17:13

174 - We Found Love - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/04/26

An enormously successful song with the rare combination of being entirely danceable and wonderfully listenable -- and a cover that shows surprising depth to an apparently thin story. We Found Love, originally by Rihanna with Calvin Harris, covered by Jessie J. Outro music is Cherry Cherry, by Neil Diamond.

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21:17

173 - Achy Breaky Heart - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/04/19

We promise, this is more interesting than you might think. One of the biggest country songs and debut singles ever, covering a serviceable but uninspiring original, and the only change was adding mullets -- ALL the mullets. As far as the eye can see. Achy Breaky Heart, originally by The Marcy Brothers, covered by Billy Ray Cyrus. Outro music is Achy Breaky Heart by Alvin and the Chipmunks, with Billy Ray Cyrus. We're serious about this one. Give it a chance.

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20:56

172 - (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and...

The CoverUp ·

2021/04/12

The best song nobody ever knew, except the one guy who had to know it, so he made it huge and unforgettable. (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love, and Understanding, originally by Brinsley Schwarz, covered by Elvis Costello and the Attractions. Outro music is Cruel To Be Kind, by Nick Lowe.

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17:58

171 - Istanbul (Not Constantinople) - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/04/05

Classic comedy, brass mayhem, and cartoon minarets. What more could you ask for in a song? Istanbul (Not Constantinople), originally by The Four Lads, covered by They Might Be Giants. Outro music is The Teddy Bears' Picnic, sung by Bing Crosby.

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25:13

170 - Layla - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/03/29

The song with the greatest amount of controversy ever around its cover-song-status, guitar rock greatness, blues/jazz greatness, and stopping in at the honky-tonk in between. Layla, originally by Derek and the Dominos, covered by Charlie Daniels, and by Eric Clapton (yes, we know). Outro music is Alive by Pearl Jam (unplugged).

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24:29

169 - Brown Eyed Girl - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/03/22

An artist's most beloved work, that he kinda' hates because of a terrible business deal made at a desperate time, radar-evading maneuvers, and a bouncy castle full of trumpets. This week is Brown Eyed Girl, originally by Van Morrison, covered by Jimmy Buffett, and by Reel Big Fish. Outro music is Talk Dirty To Me, by Poison.

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22:10

168 - Fairytale of New York - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/03/15

A Christmas Song? In March? Absolutely, if it's this Christmas song. By far the UK's most successful, and arguably the most relatable, despite the absence of sleigh bells and reindeer. Fairytale of New York, originally by The Pogues with Kirsty MacColl, covered by KT Tunstall with Ed Harcourt, and by Jon Bon Jovi. Outro music is Chemical Rush, by Brian McFadden. It's appropriate to the episode, so we're only a little sorry about that.

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13:11

167 - Break-a-Way - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/03/08

A hidden gem of a song with all the feel and style of Motown, and a cover that ended a musical career in the best possible way. Break-a-way, originally by Irma Thomas, covered by Tracey Ullman. Outro music is (The Best Part of) Breakin' Up, by The Ronettes.

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21:50

166 - If You Could Read My Mind - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/03/01

Quick, which version of the song is thoughtfully arranged with respect to its roots and current musical context: folk or disco version? Did you say both? If You Could Read My Mind, originally by Gordon Lightfoot, covered by Viola Wills. Outro music is Save A Prayer by Duran Duran.

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17:47

165 - Time After Time - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/02/22

One of the greatest pop songs of the 80s, and a musician who was out to redefine modern music. These are probably the two smartest songs we've had in the same episode. Time After Time, originally by Cyndi Lauper, covered by Miles Davis. Outro music is Human Nature by Michael Jackson.

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15:10

164 - You Are So Beautiful - The CoverUP

The CoverUp ·

2021/02/15

The idea that the original song wasn't released as a single is a crime. It's brilliant work by an impossibly talented musician, overtaken by a singer who exists to overtake brilliant songs. You Are So Beautiful, originally by Billy Preston, covered by Joe Cocker. Outro music is In Your Eyes, by Peter Gabriel.

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24:55

163 - Sharp Dressed Man - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/02/08

One of the biggest songs by the longest running bands ever. It was a moment of transformation in a band that worked harder at keeping their music fresh than anyone gives them credit for. And a cover version by a band that has always known exactly what they were about. Sharp Dressed Man, originally by ZZ Top, covered by Ministry. Outro music is I Love L.A., by Randy Newman.

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29:11

162 - While My Guitar Gently Weeps - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/02/01

A rare - or maybe not so rare -- self-diss-track rich in text and subtext, covered brilliantly on instruments that shouldn't be covering it. While My Guitar Gently Weeps, originally by The Beatles, covered by Jake Shimabukuro, and by Regina Spektor. Outro music is Bohemian Rhapsody, also by Jake Shimabukuro.

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21:36

161 - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2021/01/25

A full set of listener requests leads us to a musical titan at his best, and two covers that run as fast as possible in opposite directions. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, originally by Elton John, covered by Sara Bareilles, and by Queens of the Stone Age. Outro music is Sorry Not Sorry by Demi Lovato.

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398 results

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