Cover songs that are better than the originals
Summary
NPR Music hosts Lars Gotrich, Dora Levitt, and Robin Hilton debate cover songs that surpass their originals. They establish a "Mount Rushmore" of definitive covers, including Whitney Houston’s "I Will Always Love You" and Aretha Franklin’s "Respect." The trio then shares personal picks like Al Green’s "I Want to Hold Your Hand" and Beyoncé’s "Before I Let Go," analyzing how reinterpretations reveal new emotional depths or transform genres.
Topics discussed
Intro and show setup
Topic: Covers better than originals
Sinead O'Connor and Johnny Cash covers
Jeff Buckley's Hallelujah
Whitney Houston's I Will Always Love You
Al Green's cover of Beatles' Baby, You're a Rich Man
Untouchable artists and Joe Cocker
Bjork's It's Oh So Quiet
Aretha Franklin's Respect
Covers as entry points to artists
John Cale's cover of The Smiths
Beastie Boys' Sabotage vs. acoustic covers
Yeji's cover of Drake's Passion Fruit
Shonen Knife's Top of the World
Wednesday's She's Acting Single
Harry Nilsson's Without You
Beyonce's Before I Let Go
Gary Jules' Mad World
Rapid fire picks and Chaka Khan
Outro and sponsors
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