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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

23:11

405 - Wish You Were Here - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/09/29

A song from a band that shows their typically high concept, but also shares an unusual amount of heart, and a cover to bring us all together. Wish You Were Here, originally by Pink Floyd, covered by Elisapie. Outro music is Wolf by First Aid Kit.

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20:56

404 - Lay Lady Lay - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/09/22

A thoughtful and demanding musician brings you a cup of cocoa and a blanket to throw over your feet, and a cover that understands the assignment. Lay Lady Lay, originally by Bob Dylan, covered by Dave Stewart. Outro music is Queen of New Orleans, by Jon Bon Jovi, but Dave Stewart co-wrote, played guitar, and produced it.

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24:18

403 - Big Bottom - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/09/15

The greatest band that never existed, but is somehow still touring, and a cover that’s a tribute, a laugh, and a great show all at once. Big Bottom, originally by Spinal Tap, covered by Soundgarden. Outro music is Starcrossed, by Lenny and the Squigtones.

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16:04

402 - She's Kerosene - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/09/08

We decide to dive into a band that’s a favorite for one of us, and see if we can find the daylight between our musical tastes. She’s Kerosene, originally by The Interrupters, covered by Jake Clayton. Outro music is By My Side, also by The Interrupters.

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18:38

401 - Torn - The CoverUp

The CoverUp ·

2025/09/01

One of the biggest songs of the 90s has a surprising origin with some very surprising originators. But we all know where this episode ends up. Torn, originally by Ednaswap, covered by Natalie Imbruglia. Outro music is Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You (I Love You Baby) by Lauryn Hill, who was in the same grammy race we discuss in the show. It was a heck of a year, no doubt.

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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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383 results

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