The CoverUp

There's a difference between a great song and a great record. It's pretty clear this week that one band understood how to bridge that gap. Hanging on the Telephone, originally by The Nerves, covered by Blondie. Outro music is A Little Bit Me, A Little Bit You by The Monkees.

One of the weirdest yet oddly satisfying songs of the 90s, covered by a band that couldn't be more serious while acting like real goofs. She Don't Use Jelly by The Flaming Lips, covered by Ben Folds Five. Outro music is Love Will Keep Us Together by Captain and Tennille.

Just a few days before recording, the world lost Adam Schlesinger -- of Fountains of Wayne and so much more -- to COVID19. We have so many positive feelings about his music, we wanted to spend some time looking at his breadth, his impact, and a career that was shockingly successful if you'd only ever known Stacy's Mom. If you're already a fan of his, we hope we did OK for you. If a lot of this is new to you, we hope you enjoy the music as much as we do. Thanks, Adam, we miss you already.

One of the best written songs from one of the best songwriters, reimagined by the only person who could find more song in it. All Along The Watchtower, originally by Bob Dylan, covered by The Jimi Hendrix Experience and by Dave Matthews Band. Outro music is Elvis is Everywhere by Mojo Nixon and Skid Roper (and I promise, it makes sense to me even if it doesn't to you. Wheels within wheels).

This is a classic everyone knows and everyone loves -- unless you're from Athens, GA. King of the Road, originally by Roger Miller, covered by REM and by The Proclaimers. Outro music is Queen of the House by Jody Miller (no relation).

One of the greatest songs in folk rock gets off to a rough start -- in the hands of a successful folk rock artist, and we still get to smell what The Rock is cooking. California Dreamin', originally by barry McGuire, covered by The Mamas and the Papas, Bobby Womack, and Sia. Outro music is Hang on Sloopy, by the McCoys.

Every musical generation gets one of these. The song was huge, and the speedos in the video were tiny. Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO, covered by Noah Guthrie. Outro music is I'm Too Sexy, by Right Said Fred.

One of the huge songs of the country music canon, by one of its most beloved artists -- and she's all over this episode. Jolene, originally by Dolly Parton, covered by The White Stripes, by Miley Cyrus, and by Pentatonix featuring Dolly Parton. Outro music is Coat of Many Colors, also by Dolly Parton.

A brilliant debut with a heartbreaking classic, and some shockingly good interpretations. Ain't No Sunshine, originally by Bill Withers, covered by Ladysmith Black Mambazo with Des'Ree, and by Hanson. Outro music is Rain Rain Beautiful Rain, also by Ladysmith Black Mambazo. And thank you, Joseph Shabalala for so many years of wonderful music.

A classic song written by the masters of the form, delivered exactly as it should be. And then the 80s land and permanently reimagine it. Always Something There To Remind Me, originally by Lou Johnson, covered by Dionne Warwick, by Jose Feliciano, and by Naked Eyes. Outro music is In My Life by Jose Feliciano.

A perfect introduction to a band everyone knows and likes, a terrible miss with a version we wanted to be great, and a band that needed a Saturday detention with Emilio Estevez and Molly Ringwald. Breakdown by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, covered by Grace Jones and by The Replacements. Outro music is No More The Moon Shines On Lorena by The Carter Family.

This week we walk with giants. The birth of psychedelic rock, and its perfect transformation into glam and hard rock. Shapes of Things, originally by The Yardbirds, covered by David Bowie and by Rush. Outro music is YYZ, also by Rush. And thank you, Neil Peart, for so many years of so much brilliant music.

Motown misses by failing to recognize the R&B potential of a song. I know, I don't get it either. Devil With A Blue Dress, originally by Shorty Long, covered by Mitch Ryder and The Detroit Wheels, and by The Cramps. Outro music is Good Golly Miss Molly by Little Richard.

A song with a complicated origin and non-collaborative collaboration that became a signature sound, unexpected country, and the Nashville machine. Wagon Wheel, originally by Old Crow Medicine Show, covered by Nathan Carter and by Darius Rucker. Outro music is I'm On My Way by Rhiannon Giddens with Francesco Turrisi.

It's not often that we get two versions of the same song that are so incredibly different, but still utterly delightful. It's a shame that it also comes with a big does of tragedy. A New England by Billy Bragg, covered by Kirsty MacColl. Outro music is the title theme from The Simpsons by Danny Elfman.