The CoverUp

Week two of Beyonce-MayOne of the biggest songs in the history of country music completely reinvented by one of the biggest artists in the world. Jolene, originally by Dolly Parton, covered by Beyoncé.

Outro music is Sorry, also by Behoncé.

Welcome to the first week of Beyonce-May! We look at a song that’s simple and pretty, with deeper roots that aren’t exactly hidden, but also aren’t exactly front and center, and a cover that knows its history and knows where it’s going. Blackbird, originally by The Beatles, covered by Beyoncé (named Blackbiird in Beyoncé’s cover).

Outro music is Daddy Lessons, also by Beyoncé featuring The Chicks.

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.