Claim OwnershipThe CoverUp
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© Amanda and Richard Friedeman 2022
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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?
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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.
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.
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 bottom of things. Outro music is 1987 by Steel Panther, and they are so good.
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 stunning Wolof singing by Youssou N’Dour — and which came out in the same year as Graceland.
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 apparently features Idris Elba, but we don’t think he shows in the clip, so listen to the whole thing.
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.
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.
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 wild.
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.
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 you’ll thank us for it.
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.
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.
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 Airmen, and by Conan O’Brien, featuring Jack White. Outro music is 25 Minutes to Go, by Shel Silverstein.
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.
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.
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