The unlikeliest of artists remakes a reliable formula to create the unlikeliest of mega hits, and a band that does their thing well, but nobody really knows why. Scatman, originally by Scatman John, covered by The Axel Boys Quartet.

Outro music is Only You, also by Scatman John, which we desperately hoped would be a Yaz cover. It’s not, but it’s fun none the less.

A hugely successful song that was only coincidentally perfect for a movie, and a serious cover that knew where not to take the original too seriously. Wicked Game, originally by Chris Isaak, covered by Daisy Gray.

Outro music is Threads by Portishead.

A song that is as unexpected as it is utterly satisfying, and a cover so far beyond insightful it’s hard to fathom. Lost Cause, originally by Beck, covered by Willie Nelson.

Outro music is Keep Me In Your Heart by Warren Zevon, which is another one of those songs that just hits you, and which Willie Nelson included on the album we discuss here. Are we foreshadowing a future episode?

One of the songs that put Motown and the Motown sound on the map and a cover by a troubled but flawless band — with probably more surprise musical contributions than we’ve had in any three episodes. Stick around for the world’s greatest hype man.

Outro music is 911 Is A Joke by Public Enemy, which we also discussed way back in episode 20— that one is a similarly wild ride.

A song very much of its time that’s stood the test of time, and a cover that takes it into a new space and context. Forever Young, originally by Alphaville, covered by Brandi Carlile.

Outro music is Big in Japan, also by Alphaville.

A song with roots so hidden, yet so obviously appropriate they never should have been hidden, a big star does a cover no one bothers to forget, and an obvious path from a non-obvious choice. Mercury Blues, Originally by KC Douglas Trio, covered by Alan Jackson and by Meat Loaf.

Outro music is Houd Dog, by Big Mama Thornton — so we get really great bookends on this one.

If you think you can explain prog rock, you don’t understand prog rock — so listen while we try to explain it. Breakfast in America, originally by Supertramp, covered by Gomez.

Outro music is Roundabout by Yes.

An iconic song by a band that had mastered not just their sound, but their feel and approach to being a band, and a cover by a master of her craft. I Need You Tonight, originally by INXS, covered by Bonnie Raitt.

Outro music is Lazaretto, by Jack White.