Covers, N: "Theme from 'New York, New York'"/"New York," Frank Sinatra/Cat Power

The "Original"

From the album Trilogy: Past Present Future

Frank Sinatra:   Web site

DJ comments: OK, I know this isn't the original version, but honestly: do you know "Theme from 'New York, New York'" any other way? Ol' Blue Eyes' owns this song. And as a Yankees fan, I love hearing this song, as it usually means victory for the Bronx Bombers. — cwc

I had to cry, kick and scream in order to get this song on the playlist. Chris actually beat me over it. It's ok, though. With every blunt strike I love him a little more. — BJ

The Cover

From the album Jukebox

Cat Power:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This isn't just some karaoke rendition; Chan Marshall makes a whole new gem here. Of course, she's had a lot of practice with this whole "cover" thing, what with at least two albums' worth under her belt. — cwc

Covers, O: "Ocean of Noise," Arcade Fire/Calexico

The Original

From the album Neon Bible

Arcade Fire:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I must admit, I hadn't paid much attention to this song until I heard the Calexico version. Didn't jump out at me while listening to Neon Bible. It does now. — cwc

Yeah, Neon Bible as a whole never really popped for me. I just like the percussion on Funeral so much, and NB was totally lacking on that end. — BJ

The Cover

From the Arcade Fire's 7" single for Intervention

Calexico:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: As much as I like Arcade Fire, it was Calexico's more subtle (or perhaps what I mean is less melodramatic) version of the song that works for me. Not that the AF version sucks; I just prefer what Calexico has done here. Pretty cool that Arcade Fire gave up the b-side real estate for their friends to showcase their talents; also, two of the Calexico fellas played on the Arcade Fire original. (I think Brittany Jade is going to see Calexico soon...correct?) — cwc

Covers, P: "Psycho Killer," Talking Heads/James Hall

The Original

From the album Talking Heads: 77

Talking Heads:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Brittany Jade and I played this song on our general pre-Soup show, and got a phone call about 15 seconds into the song. The caller remarked, "This song is an old one!" which we thought was meant to be an admonishing statement. We got all defensive about it, but were relieved when the caller explained it was out of gratitude that he called. So yeah, some of you geeks actually have some taste. — cwc

Good story, Chris. No, really. That was a fun moment. We relished in the moment. I think Chris actually cried a little. The little man trapped inside of him was happy. — BJ

The Cover

From the album Psycho: Music from and Inspired by the Motion Picture

DJ comments: I have no idea who this dude is (his common name made linking to anything next to impossible), but I grabbed the "soundtrack" to the 1998 Van Sant remake of Psycho after hearing this version of the Talking Heads classic. I also like the opening credits music, originally done by Bernard Herrmann, which Danny Elfman does quite well. — cwc

Covers, Q: "Quicksand," David Bowie/Dinosaur Jr.

The Original

From the album Hunky Dory

David Bowie:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Like I'm not going to embed the performance with Robert Smith from Bowie's 50th birthday bash. — cwc

According to my good friend Wikipedia, this song was inspired by Buddhism and Nietzsche's concept of Übermensch (Superman/Overman) -- man is something which should be overcome. In honor, Chris and I have created our own branch of the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn and will be burning incense in studio. — BJ

The Cover

From the ep Whatever's Cool with Me

Dinosaur Jr.:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This isn't a lyrically faithful cover, but cool all the same (and the second time it's been played on the Soup...some letters are tougher than others). — cwc

Other covers include the Portuguese version heard on the Aquatic Life soundtrack and Seal's MTV recording. Mmm... Seal. — BJ

Covers, R: "Rock and Roll," Velvet Underground/Jane's Addiction

The Original

From the album Loaded

The Velvet Underground:   Rock and Roll Hall of Fame page

DJ comments: Even in 1993, it would have been cool to see these guys live. In fact, it would probably be a lot healthier than their shows with the Andy Warhol traveling circus, the Exploding Plastic Inevitable. — cwc

Random note from Britt: Have you ever seen The Rolling Stone's Rock N' Roll Circus? You should check it out if you haven't! The Rolling Stones put on a big concert in a circus tent. It's not just the Rolling Stones, though. It's John Lennon, Eric Clapton and a ton of other people. My favorite part is when they span the audience and you see John Lennon flailing about, obviously tripping his ass off. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH3cZb8XZek&NR=1 Not that scene, but a real scream of a performance with Yoko Ono. — BJ

The Cover

From the album Jane's Addiction

Jane's Addiction:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: This is one of 10 songs from Jane's Addiction's...interesting debut. I'm old enough to remember how truly important Jane's was to the alt scene. (Then they had to go and release that crappy Strays album...) — cwc

And now Perry Ferrel is one of the biggest tools in the industry. Heard of Satellite Party? — BJ

Covers, S: "Superstar," Carpenters/Sonic Youth

The "Original"

From the album Carpenters

The Carpenters:   Web site

DJ comments: Like the Sinatra tune, this is not really a Carpenters original, but it is their song. — cwc

It is their song. Karen Carpenters heart-wrenching story-turned-movie is called Superstar, because that's what she was: the easy listening superstar of the 20th Century. You go, girl. Go straight to a McDonalds. (Too soon?) — BJ

The Cover

From the album If I Were a Carpenter

Sonic Youth:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: If you don't own the album this came from (no, not the Juno soundtrack), If I Were a Carpenter, you suck. — cwc

What a beautiful album concept and name. What would your cover concept album be Chris? Mine would be If I Were An A-Ha. Take on me, Chris. Take On Me... — BJ

If I Were Straight Outta Compton — cwc

Covers, T: "Teardop," Massive Attack/Jose Gonzalez

The Original

From the album Mezzanine

Massive Attack:   Web site

DJ comments: Hey, it's the House theme song! — cwc

I'll be honest -- I had no idea who Massive Attack was until I heard everyone responding to Jose Gonzalez covering "Teardrop." — BJ

The Cover

From the album In Our Nature

Jose Gonzalez:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Hey, it's some dude from Sweden named Gonzalez (who put on a most killer show in a chapel in St. Louis a couple of weeks ago) covering the House theme song! — cwc

I enjoyed this show with Mr. Christopher. I vote it "Most Relaxing Show Ever."

Covers, U: "Up Around the Bend," CCR/Elton John

The Original

From the album Cosmo's Factory

Creedence Clearwater Revival:   Web site

DJ comments: Two CCR songs make the Covers Project! I always liked the Creedence mention in The Big Lebowski. — cwc

Good cover-related story: the band's first big hit, "Suzie Q," was a cover of the Dale Hawkins song. — BJ

The Cover

From the album Reg Dwight's Piano Goes Pop

Elton John:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: [cwc comment deleted for inappropriate content]

Is that legit or is Chris trying to be funny? That would be a first. --BJ

[Another cwc comment deleted for inappropriate content]

Covers, V: "Velouria," Pixies/Weezer

The Original

From the album Bossanova

Pixies:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I once argued that Kim Deal was hotter than Cindy Crawford. I stand by that statement! — cwc

I love the end scene in Empire Records where they compare Primus and the Pixies, then go into this great debate as to why they broke up. — BJ

The Cover

From the album Where Is My Mind?

Weezer:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I believe I saw a report that Weezer's next album might be titled Weezer. Yeah, just like the 1994 album, and the 2001 album. Big thumbs-up, Rivers, you nerd. — cwc

He's so artistic. I mean, he wears glasses! — BJ

Covers, W: "Walking with a Ghost," Tegan & Sara/The White Stripes

The Original

From the album So Jealous

Tegan & Sara:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: If I was single, I would try to marry one of these Canadian lasses — for the universal health care, you see. They are playing a show in St. Louis next month, maybe I'll go see them! — cwc

T&A from T&S. Go Chris, go. Maybe you won't have to resort to sex with two hot indie Canadian chicks... If Clinton is elected, we'll have universal health care anyway, right? — BJ

The Cover

From the album

White Stripes:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: I have to admit, I didn't know the original until after hearing this version. An equally impressive take on the tune, if you ask me. A lot of T&S fans diss this version in the YouTube comments section. Let it be known: the Stripes large fan base is now turned on to Tegan & Sara thanks to this cover. Then again, perhaps it's the hipsters being territorial with their beloved indie duo. (shrug) — cwc

I'm sooo cool because I heard the T&S version first. Yeah, I was a total hipster-wannabe Frosh year. — BJ

Covers, X: "Xanadu," Olivia Newton-John/Lightspeed Champion

The Original

From the album Xanadu

Olivia Newton-John:   Web site

DJ comments: Xanadu got some love from the show Lost recently. It's about time this cinematic (and musical) gem gets some dap. — cwc

If we ever decide to do a "Best of Alphabet Soup" show -- this moment will probably make #1. Yes, ONJ is on our show. We rule. — BJ

The Cover

From the album Falling Off the Lavender Bridge (bonus disc)

Lightspeed Champion:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: It's a brave soul who tries to tackle this song. Good job, Lightspeed Champion. — cwc

It was a moment of beauty when Chris realized that the Lightspeed Champion song that started with "X" had the same name as an Olivia Newton John song. The lightbulbs exploded in the room at the exact moment. — BJ

Covers, Y: "You Made Me Realise," My Bloody Valentine/Silver Sun

The Original

From the ep You Made Me Realise

My Bloody Valentine:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Reunited after many, many years, they need to play over here. Or put out another masterpiece. I'm easy to please. — cwc

The Cover

From the album Neo Wave

Silver Sun:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: Not to be confused with Silversun Pickups (whom I actually like). — cwc

Covers, Z: "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah," James Baskett/Jackson 5

The Original

From the movie Song of the South

James Baskett:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: It's satisfactual! This song won an Oscar; Baskett was the first African American to win an Academy Award. — cwc

I feel so happy now. We're promoting a social cause (on the day MLK, JR. was shot) and having a Zip-a-dee-doo-dah day! YEAH! — cwc

The Cover

From the album Diana Ross Presents the Jackson 5

Jackson 5:   Web site   MySpace

DJ comments: We send you off on a wonderful FAC with this. You can thank us later. — cwc

And following up with a song from a man who is the ultimate anti-social causes. Not only did he change from a black man to a white woman, but he also screws little boys. Good choice, Chris. — BJ