Episodes

  • Cover songs that are better than the originals

    Cover songs that are better than the originals
    Aug 11 2026
    Sometimes a cover song is so good, so singular that it completely eclipses the original version. Think Sinéad O'Connor doing The Family's “Nothing Compares 2 U,” Jimmy Hendrix lighting up Bob Dylan’s “All Along the Watchtower” or, of course, Whitney Houston’s defining take on Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.” On this week’s show, we share some of our picks for cover songs that are better than the originals, talk about why, and what, exactly, a cover song needs to become a classic.

    NPR Music’s Dora Levite and Lars Gotrich join host Robin Hilton.

    Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

    Featured artists and songs:

    (00:00) Intro and the G.O.A.T.s

    (06:06) Al Green: “I Wanna Hold Your Hand”

    (09:58) Björk: “It’s Oh So Quiet”

    (12:28) Aretha Franklin: “Respect”

    (16:22) Low: “Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me”

    (19:45) Andrew Paul Woodworth: “Fight For Your Right to Party”

    (25:10) Yaeji: “Passionfruit”

    (28:13) Shonen Knife: “Top of the World”

    (32:06) Wednesday: “She’s Actin’ Single (I’m Drinkin’ Double)”

    (34:54) Low: “Fearless”

    (36:37) Harry Nilsson: “Without You”

    (39:57) Beyonce: “Before I Let Go (Homecoming Live Bonus Track)”

    (42:35) Gary Jules: “Mad World”

    (49:19) Chaka Khan: “I Feel For You”


    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

    NPR Privacy Policy
    Show More Show Less
    52 mins
  • Summer’s simple pleasures: Roséwave

    Summer’s simple pleasures: Roséwave
    Jul 7 2026
    Roséwave is a feeling more than a singular sound or genre. It’s the kind of sweetness and sadness that underscores the long, languid days of summer. Long drives with old friends, watching your kids at the pool, backyard barbecues while the sun slowly sets. On this episode we share a mix of songs that offer the perfect soundtrack for your roséwave days and nights, from Linda Ronstadt’s “How Do I Make You” and Marvin Gaye’s “Ain’t That Peculiar,” to Katie Gavin’s “Aftertaste,” Waxahatchee’s “Much Ado About Nothing” and more.

    NPR Music’s Lars Gotrich and contributor Marissa Lorusso join host Robin Hilton.

    Featured artists and songs:

    (00:00) Intro and “Summertime, Summertime” by The Jamies

    (01:57) Wednesday: "Elderberry Wine"

    (04:34) The Lijadu Sisters: "Come on Home"

    (07:35) Katie Gavin: "Aftertaste”

    (12:17) Marvin Gaye: "Ain't That Peculiar"

    (15:46) Leningrad Philharmonic Orchestra: “Gayane Ballet Suite: Adagio”

    (17:02) Haku.: "Looking Through My Subtle Double Eyelids"

    (19:46) Labi Siffre: "My Song"

    (22:45) Azymuth: "Faça de Conta"

    (25:09) Waxahatchee: "Much Ado About Nothing"

    (27:35) Linda Ronstadt: "How Do I Make You"

    (30:29) Addison Rae: "Diet Pepsi," from 'Addison'

    (34:56) Amerie: "Why Don't We Fall in Love"

    Reviews help! Leave us one on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

    Note: A version of this episode originally ran in July 2025.


    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

    NPR Privacy Policy
    Show More Show Less
    37 mins
  • beabadoobee, The Rolling Stones, Four Tet, more

    beabadoobee, The Rolling Stones, Four Tet, more
    Jul 14 2026
    On her stellar new single, “Switchblade,” beabadoobee shreds ‘90s style. The Rolling Stones have still got it on their latest album, Foreign Tongues. And Four Tet surprises us with a new “wingdings” project. We’ve got all that and more as we share our picks for the best new songs of the week.

    NPR Music’s Sheldon Pearce joins host Robin Hilton.

    Featured artists and songs:

    (00:00) Intro

    (01:20) beabadoobee: “Switchblade” from Pylon

    (08:31) Bonobo & Arooj Aftab: “Fire on the Water” from Distance in Static

    (15:09) The Rolling Stones: “Ringing Hollow” from Foreign Tongues

    (25:31) L’rain: “borderline” from fata morgana

    (33:02) Four Tet: "track 3"

    (40:35) Ela Minus, Nick León: “espiral” from qué les pasó a mis amigos?

    Support the show with a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org


    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

    NPR Privacy Policy
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • Sylvan Esso, Phoebe Bridgers, feeble little horse, more

    Sylvan Esso, Phoebe Bridgers, feeble little horse, more
    Jul 21 2026
    We share our picks for the best new tracks out now, including the laid-back dystopia of Sylvan Esso’s “Concrete Glen,” an acoustic take on Phoebe Bridgers’ “Lost Boys,” the glitched-out chaos of feeble little horse and more.

    NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton.

    Support the show with a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

    Featured artists and songs:

    (00:00) Intro

    (01:28) Sylvan Esso: “Concrete Glen”

    (07:49) feeble little horse: “DMT”

    (14:07) Phoebe Bridgers: “Lost Boys (Acoustic)”

    (22:15) Snõõper: “RECESS”

    (26:50) The Olivia Tremor Control: “Garden of Light”

    (33:53) @: “Autosmile”


    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

    NPR Privacy Policy
    Show More Show Less
    42 mins
  • How to love the Grateful Dead

    How to love the Grateful Dead
    Jul 28 2026
    Once in a while you get shown the light in the strangest places, if you look at it right. And if you get confused, just listen to the music play. This week, resident Deadheads Isabella Gomez Sarmiento and Felix Contreras help host Robin Hilton hear what he’s been missing in the music of the Grateful Dead.

    Are you a Deadhead? Share your memories of the Grateful Dead and we may include them in a big series we're launching about the band on Aug. 1.

    Support the show with a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

    Featured songs:

    (00:00) Intro and “King Solomon’s Marbles”

    (08:54) “China Cat Sunflower / I Know You Rider” Alpine Valley, WI 7.17.89

    (11:03) “Help On the Way / Slipknot / Franklin’s Tower”

    (16:39) “Ripple”

    (23:34) “Morning Dew (Europe ‘72)”

    (26:17) “I Shall Be Released (Live)”

    (30:05) “Black Muddy River”

    (31:34) “One More Saturday Night”

    (32:09) “Sunrise”

    (33:21) “Shady Grove”

    (39:14) “Birdsong”

    (41:45) “Uncle John’s Band”


    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

    NPR Privacy Policy
    Show More Show Less
    46 mins
  • Remembering Glen Hansard, plus Slayyyter, King Princess covers Neil Young, more

    Remembering Glen Hansard, plus Slayyyter, King Princess covers Neil Young, more
    Aug 4 2026
    We open this week’s show by reflecting on the loss of Glen Hansard, an artist who was critical to shaping the sound and spirit of All Songs Considered in its earliest days. We then share some of our favorite new tracks of the week, including a King Princess cover of Neil Young’s “Helpless,” cheeky pop from Coco & Clair Clair, a stunning ambient track from Adam Wiltzie and the late composer Jóhann Jóhannsson and more.

    NPR Music’s Dora Levite joins host Robin Hilton.

    Support the show with a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

    Featured artists and songs:

    (00:00) Intro and remembering Glen Hansard

    (03:24) Coco & Clair Clair: “Coldplay”

    (08:34) Claudia Isaki: “Origami”

    (15:30) Slayyyter: “brand new chanel$”

    (23:17) King Princess: “Helpless”

    (31:01) Dawuna: “I am a woman too...”

    (36:50) Adam Wiltzie & Jóhann Jóhannsson: “White Gloves & Turtlenecks”


    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

    NPR Privacy Policy
    Show More Show Less
    41 mins
  • Weezer, Colin Stetson, Jlin, Meredith Monk more

    Weezer, Colin Stetson, Jlin, Meredith Monk more
    Aug 18 2026
    On this week’s show, Weezer gives the people what they want, plus a breathless “dirt dance” from saxophonist Colin Stetson and bagpiper Brìghde Chaimbeul, the scruffy cello-pop of yeemz, works by composer and vocalist Meredith Monk, electronic artist Jlin and more.

    NPR Music’s Tom Huizenga joins host Robin Hilton as we share our picks for the best new songs of the week.

    Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

    Featured artists and songs:

    (00:00) Intro

    (00:51) Weezer: “C.E.O.”

    (08:24) Colin Stetson, Brìghde Chaimbeul: “Dirt dance”

    (18:16) slimdan: “Let’s Start A Cult!”

    (25:09) Phaedra Ensemble: “Phantom Strings” (Meredith Monk)

    (31:43) yeemz: “Brace for Impact” (single)

    (37:36) PUBLIQuartet: “Baobab” (Jlin)


    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

    NPR Privacy Policy
    Show More Show Less
    45 mins
  • The best Sunday morning albums

    The best Sunday morning albums
    Aug 25 2026
    Is Sunday morning the best time for music? Whether you prefer solitude, get-togethers with family or friends, or steeling yourself for the week to come, we’ve got the perfect album to score your early hours.

    NPR Music’s Hazel Cills and Lars Gotrich join host Robin Hilton.

    Leave us a review on Apple or Spotify wherever you listen to podcasts.

    Questions, comments, suggestions or feedback of any kind always welcome: allsongs@npr.org

    Featured songs and artists:

    (00:00) Intro / Miles Davis: “So What”

    (02:32) Astrud Gilberto: “Once I Loved”

    (06:29) The Congos: “Fisherman”

    (08:48) Madredeus: “Três Ilusoses - Amargura”

    (13:02) Laurie Spiegel: “Patchwork”

    (17:03) BAD OPERATION: “Bagel Rooks”

    (20:10) Django Reinhardt: “Exactly Like You”

    (24:05) Tirzah: “Holding On”

    (28:13) Margo Guryan: “Sunday Morning”

    (33:32) Ishman Williams & the William Singers: “The Old Ship Zion”

    (37:42) Electrelane: “Gone Under Sea”

    (41:35) Woo: “Make Me Tea”

    (45:17) St. Germain: “So Flute”

    Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one. This show’s perks include bonus episodes and sponsor-free listening. Learn more at plus.npr.org.

    Note: A version of this episode originally ran in 2025

    See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for sponsorship and to manage your podcast sponsorship preferences.

    NPR Privacy Policy
    Show More Show Less
    50 mins