On this special season finale of "Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan," Cheryl Henson and Nick Raposo join the podcast to discuss "Bein' Green," a song from our beloved childhood friend Kermit the Frog. Cheryl Henson is the daughter of Jim Henson, Kermit’s original voice actor and creator of The Muppets. And Nick Raposo is the son of Joe Raposo, a songwriter and composer who was one of the producers for Sesame Street. Together, they break down the cultural significance of Kermit’s song and how Ray Charles interpreted the universal ode to self-acceptance just a few years later.
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"Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood" by Nina Simone and The Animals
Nina Simone's "Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood," released in 1964, is both a personal plea for acceptance and a collective cry for justice. The Animals' version of the song — released just a few months later — maintains the same lyrics, but has a much lighter sound. On this episode of "Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan," Craig Thompson joins Stephanie to discuss the two versions and how they reflect the cultural landscape of the 1960s.
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"Superstar" by the Carpenters and Luther Vandross
Kelvin McIlwain joins Stephanie Shonekan on this episode of "Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan" to discuss the song "Superstar." It was originally released in 1969 by Delaney & Bonnie under the name "Groupie," a word that describes someone who follows around a celebrity in the hopes of one day meeting them. The Carpenters released their own version of the song in 1971 and named it "Superstar." Luther Vandross released a cover of "Superstar" in 1983. Shonekan and McIlwain unpack the differences in the Carpenters and Vandross versions of the song, as well as the legacy the artists have left behind.
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"Biko" by Peter Gabriel and Joan Baez
In this episode of "Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan," Michelle Appel joins Shonekan to discuss Peter Gabriel's "Biko." They explore the song's embodiment of the anti-apartheid movement and how Joan Baez's version resonated with Appel's story as a young activist in the 80s.
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"Jolene" by Dolly Parton and Beyoncé
The fourth season of Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan is kicking off with "Jolene," a song by Dolly Parton that burst back into the forefront of our minds when Beyoncé released her own version of the song earlier this year on her album "Cowboy Carter." Susan Rivera, the dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the University of Maryland, sits down with Stephanie Shonekan to discuss how the song has evolved across 50 years.
A podcast that uncovers the covers — that is, the stories, meanings, and histories behind our most classic songs. How does a song take on a different connotation when a different artist approaches it, or “covers” it, across generations, cultures, and time? Each episode features host and musicologist Stephanie Shonekan and one guest. Together they take one classic song, two popular renditions, and discuss: Who did it better, and why?On the surface, this is a show about the music we love. But the conversations uncover intimate stories about our own cultural backgrounds and personal idiosyncrasies, how these songs were first encountered, and about our personal connections with the songs. Ultimately, “Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan” reminds us all to reconnect with great music and to reconsider the diverse perspectives, histories, and identities of the artists and the fans who consume the music. Join us! “Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan” is produced by Janet Saidi, Kristofor Husted, Fernando Narro, Rehman Tungekar, and Ryan Famuliner, with host and producer Stephanie Shonekan. The series is edited by Rehman Tungekar and Ryan Famuliner. “Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan” is a collaboration between KBIA and Vox Magazine, with funding from MU’s College of Arts & Science and the Missouri School of Journalism. You can follow the podcast and other special projects on Twitter at @VoxMag, and @KBIA, and on Instagram at @voxmagazine and @kbianews. See you there!
USA