Uncovering the Cover

Diego A. Pinzón
  • 5.0 (10)
  • MUSIC
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Every cover song tells two stories: the original vision and the transformation that gives it new life. Uncovering the Cover explores the hidden histories behind iconic covers—where creative risk, cultural context, and unexpected choices turn one artist’s idea into another’s legacy. These aren’t just reinterpretations; they’re conversations across time, identity, and sound. Hosted by Diego Pinzón, the podcast uncovers how music evolves, travels, and connects us... because great songs, like culture, never stand still. Uncovering the Cover: The Hidden Stories Behind Music's Greatest Covers.

Episodes

  1. Respect: How Aretha Franklin took Otis Redding's song and made it a revolution

    6D AGO

    Respect: How Aretha Franklin took Otis Redding's song and made it a revolution

    Before "Respect" was a feminist anthem... before it became a civil rights rallying cry... before Aretha Franklin made it one of the most powerful songs in American history... "Respect" was Otis Redding's funky plea to his wife. In this season premiere, we uncover the incredible transformation of "Respect" from a man's request into a revolution. THE STORY YOU'LL HEAR: 1965: Otis Redding writes (maybe) and records "Respect" with Booker T. and the M.G.'s at Stax Records in Memphis. It's a groove. It's playful. It's about a working man wanting appreciation when he comes home. It hits #5 on the Black Singles chart. 1967: Aretha Franklin has been performing it live for two years, working it out with her sisters Erma and Carolyn. On Valentine's Day, she walks into Atlantic Recording Studios in New York and changes everything. WHAT CHANGED: - Two words: "you can do me wrong" became "I don't wanna" - Three sisters: Aretha's sisters came up with spelling R-E-S-P-E-C-T, the infamous "sock it to me" and "TCB" - One perspective: From a man's entitlement to a woman's agency - A nation's needs: Released at the height of the Civil Rights Movement WHAT YOU'LL DISCOVER: ✨ The mystery of who actually wrote "Respect" (spoiler alert: it might not be Otis Redding) ✨ The magic of the Valentine's Day 1967 recording session ✨ How the Franklin sisters created "sock it to me" and the iconic spelling ✨ Engineer Tom Dowd's reaction: "I know that song! I made it with Otis!" ✨ Otis Redding's playful-but-wistful reaction at Monterey Pop Festival ✨ The tragedy: Otis died just 5 months after hearing Aretha's version ✨ Why Aretha earned ZERO dollars from radio play despite 7 million spins ✨ How one cover became an anthem for Civil Rights, Women's Rights, and human dignity QUOTES YOU'LL HEAR: "This is a song that a girl took away from me." - Otis Redding at Monterey Pop "It was like a festival. Everything worked just right." - Producer Arif Mardin "The fervor in Aretha's voice demanded that respect." - Producer Jerry Wexler This is the story of how perspective can transform art. How the same song can mean completely different things depending on who's singing it and when. Because that's what Uncovering the Cover is all about: the hidden stories behind music's greatest transformations. --- SHOW NOTES: 🎵 LISTEN TO THE SONGS: - Otis Redding - "Respect" (1965) - Aretha Franklin - "Respect" (1967) SOURCES & FURTHER READING: - "Respect: The Life of Aretha Franklin" by David Ritz - "Dreams to Remember: Otis Redding, Stax Records..." by Mark Ribowsky - NPR Music coverage of "Respect" - Rolling Stone's Greatest Songs ranking 📱 FOLLOW UNCOVERING THE COVER: Instagram: @uncoveringthecover TikTok: @uncoveringthecover.podcast Website: pinzondiego.com/podcast 🎙️ NEXT EPISODE: "Bésame Mucho" - A 16-year-old's song that became a global standard Subscribe so you never miss an episode!Hosted by Diego Pinzón Editing: Diego Pinzón Background music composed by Kevin MacLeod, find his music at ⁠incompetech.com⁠. Other music used for educational purposes. © 2026 Uncovering the Cover. All rights reserved. --- Music history • Cover songs • Storytelling

    22 min
  2. NUEVAYoL: How Bad Bunny Used a 1975 Salsa Sample to Conquer the World and the SuperBowl

    FEB 5

    NUEVAYoL: How Bad Bunny Used a 1975 Salsa Sample to Conquer the World and the SuperBowl

    Bad Bunny performing at Super Bowl LX, is iconic. Despite the controversy surrounding the NFL's decision, he becomes the first predominantly Spanish-language halftime show in Super Bowl history. Conservatives are furious. Trump called it "ridiculous." There was a petition to replace him with George Strait, and even an alternative "All-American" halftime show headlined by Kid Rock. But what everyone's missing is the real story: It's a "this is how the world has changed" moment. A historic feat . In this episode, we trace the direct line from Atlanta trap music to Bad Bunny's Grammy-winning album "Debí Tirar Más Fotos." We break down how T.I.'s 2003 album "Trap Muzik" didn't just name a genre, it created the template that would eventually give birth to Latin trap, and ultimately, the biggest Latin artist in history. We dive deep into and Uncover "NUEVAYoL," the opening track of Bad Bunny's album that samples El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico's salsa classic "Un Verano en Nueva York" and wraps it in trap-influenced reggaeton beats. We explore how Bad Bunny uses sampling not just for nostalgia, but as a tool for cultural preservation, ensuring that Puerto Rican musical heritage reaches a new generation. You'll learn: How trap music evolved from Atlanta's underground to global dominanceWhy T.I. naming the genre in 2003 was crucial for Latin trap's emergenceThe story of De La Ghetto and the birth of Latin trap in 2007How Bad Bunny's sampling strategy honors the past while creating something revolutionaryWhy "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" becoming the first Spanish-language Album of the Year Grammy winner is more than just a music achievement, it's a cultural milestoneThe real reason behind the Super Bowl backlash (hint: it's not about language)This isn't just a story about one artist. It's about how Black American music and Puerto Rican culture fused to create a sound that now dominates global charts. It's about immigration, identity, and the real American story: one of fusion, not division. Whether you're a Bad Bunny superfan, a hip-hop head, or someone trying to understand why the Super Bowl halftime show has become a political flashpoint, this episode gives you the full context. Perfect for: Music lovers, cultural commentators, anyone curious about the intersection of hip-hop and Latin music, Super Bowl watchers wanting context Featured Music: Bad Bunny, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, T.I., De La Ghetto, Héctor & Tito Episode Length: 34 minutes --- SHOW NOTES: [00:00] Intro: The Sample That Started It All El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico's "Un Verano en Nueva York" (1968)Bad Bunny's "NUEVAYoL" and the Grammy win[04:57] Act One: The Song and the Album "Debí Tirar Más Fotos" track-by-track breakdownCultural preservation through samplingWhy this album matters beyond music[10:51] Act Two: Sampling in Latin Trap What makes Latin trap different from American trapHow sampling fights cultural erasure[16:07] Act Three: T.I. and the Invention of Trap Setting the record straight: Did T.I. invent trap?Shawty Redd and the real trap sound origins"Trap Muzik" (2003) and mainstream legitimacy[20:51] Act Four: The Atlanta to Puerto Rico Pipeline How Latin artists adapted the trap template[27:56] Act Five: Full Circle - "NUEVAYoL" and What Photos Can't Capture Intergenerational connection through musicMusic as proof of cultural fusion📱 Follow Uncovering the Cover: Instagram: [@uncoveringthecover]TikTok: [@uncoveringcover.podcast]Website: [pinzondiego.com/podcast]CREDITS: Host, Producer, Editor: Diego Pinzón SUPPORT THE SHOW: If you enjoyed this episode: ✅ Subscribe to the show✅ Leave a 5-star review✅ Share with a friend✅ Follow us on social media DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the host and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any artist, label, or organization mentioned. All music samples are used for educational and commentary purposes under fair use doctrine.

    34 min

  3. SEASON 3 TRAILER

    WE'RE BACK! Season 3

    We're back after five years! Every music cover tells a story. A story of transformation. Of perspective. Of how the same song can mean completely different things... depending on who's singing it, and when. After five years away, we're bringing back Uncovering the Cover, the podcast that explores the hidden stories behind music's greatest transformations. We're going deeper. We're uncovering covers that crossed borders, generations, and changed history, regardless of their language. From Adele to Smash Mouth. From Quiet Riot to The Beatles. From Bad Bunny to Frank Sinatra. Because before Aretha Franklin made it a feminist anthem., "Respect" belonged to a man who just wanted his wife to appreciate him. Before "La Bamba" became a rock & roll staple, it was a 300-year-old Mexican wedding song. And before "Killing Me Softly" defined two generations, it was inspired by a mystery performer that no one can quite agree on. We’ll uncover the songs that have sampled and crossed over, the ones that have made you fall in love, get up and dance, smile, or just vibe along… These aren't just covers. They're conversations. They're revolutions. They're proof that sometimes... the second version reveals what the first one couldn't see. New episodes drop weekly. Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen. This is Uncovering the Cover - the podcast that explores the hidden stories behind music's greatest transformations. Because every cover is a conversation. Every transformation tells a story.

    4 min
  4. El Último Beso

    03/26/2021

    El Último Beso

    Este episodio fue publicado originalmente en inglés en febrero de 2020. Esta es la versión en español de la historia detrás de “Last Kiss”, la emblemática canción de Pearl Jam a finales de los 90. El de inglés es hasta hoy, nuestro episodio con más descargas, y como varios de ustedes lo pidieron y por el éxito que ha tenido este episodio, aquí está la versión de este episodio en español… ¡es como si le hubiéramos hecho un cover! Ya pasó un mes desde el Día de San Valentín, un día que se celebra sobretodo en los Estados Unidos, pero que recientemente ha tenido una amplia acogida en los demás países alrededor del mundo. Durante esos días cercanos al 14 de febrero, probablemente escuchaste e incluso dedicaste una gran cantidad de canciones de amor que parece ya no podemos soportar ... Bien, si has tenido una sobredosis de canciones de amor, aquí hay algo para ti. Muchos considerarían a esta como una canción de amor, pero te sorprendería saber que el subgénero de música al que pertenece esta canción se conoce como “La Canción de Tragedia Adolescente” y en realidad, es menos romántico de lo que piensas. La de Pearl Jam es quizás la versión más reconocible de esta canción.  Una canción que casi por accidente se convirtió en la más popular hasta el día de hoy, de la Banda de grunge de Seattle. Una canción que se convirtió también en un éxito con otras dos bandas de rock n roll. Es una canción que trascendió a tres generaciones diferentes de fanáticos del rock que infiltraron la canción en las listas de éxitos populares en las décadas de 1960, 1970 y 1990. Esta canción también tiene un impacto profundo en la música latinoamericana, ya que posee una larga tradición en el folclore y la cultura latinoamericana, la mayoría de la gente cree incluso que la canción era originalmente en español debido a los éxitos que se popularizaron en versión bolero.  La canción se convirtió en la insignia de un subgénero musical muy singular que enganchó a los adolescentes en Estados Unidos durante los años 50 y 60, con canciones sobre la muerte, el amor adolescente y accidentes automovilísticos fatales. Pero a pesar de todo lo anterior, la versión original de esta canción fue un rotundo fracaso comercial. Esto es Uncovering the Cover: El Último Beso. Visítanos en PinzonDiego.com/podcast y síguenos en Instagram.com/uncoveringthecover "Last Kiss", episodio en inglés: https://pinzondiego.com/last-kiss-uncovering-the-cover-podcast/

    49 min
  5. ¡En español! Episodios en TU idioma en la Temporada 2

    02/06/2021 · BONUS

    ¡En español! Episodios en TU idioma en la Temporada 2

    ¡Sí, en español! Uncovering the Cover regresa con su segunda temporada este próximo mes de febrero dispuesto a arruinar tu canción favorita. Tu podcast favorito ahora será también en tu idioma. Conoce la historia detrás de las canciones más famosas de la música en español, aquellas canciones que nos han marcado de por vida. ¿Quieres saber todo acerca de esa canción que te recuerda a tu infancia? ¿Quieres prepararte para tu próxima noche de karaoke o para sacar a bailar a tu tía en las próximas fiestas navideñas? Pop, rock, música de plancha, salsa, merengue, balada... todas tienen una historia, y si es un cover, aquí conocerás su historia. A partir de ahora se vienen cosas emocionantes en Uncovering the Cover, porque además que también tendremos episodios en español, tú serás quién decida qué canción descubrimos en el capítulo siguiente y, por supuesto, también seguiremos teniendo nuestros episodios en inglés, descubriendo los cóvers más emblemáticos en la historia de la música. Comenzando con nuestro regreso al final de este mes, recibirás automáticamente un capítulo en inglés y uno en español, para que sigas conectándote con tu podcast favorito. Uncovering the Cover, donde te contamos la historia real detrás de las canciones que han capturado nuestra imaginación… a través de cada generación. No te vas a querer perder esta segunda temporada, porque te VA. A. VOLAR. LA. CABEZA. ¡Uncovering the Cover, el podcast para melómanos como tú regresa a tu plataforma de podcast favorita! Suscríbete ahora mismo para ser el primero en escuchar nuestros nuevos episodios, y si aún no has escuchado los episodios de la primera temporada, ve ahora mismo y disfruta. Uncovering the Cover, donde la música va más allá de la memoria. PinzonDiego.com/podcast, y síguenos en Instagram @uncoveringthecover

    4 min
  6. SEASON 2 TRAILER! Coming this February

    SEASON 2 TRAILER

    SEASON 2 TRAILER! Coming this February

    Uncovering the Cover is back! This February 2021, we're coming with a second season that will BLOW. YOUR. MIND. All the songs that remind you of your childhood, the ones you blasted on your first iPod when you had just gotten your heart broken, and all the real stories behind the songs that have captured our imagination… throughout several generations!  There are a couple of amazing updates for Season 2. First, and the best part, you get to be part of the show! Starting with the first episode which is dropping at the end of the month, you will get to decide which song gets uncovered for the following episode! And, second, because so many of you requested it,  Uncovering the Cover is now also going to be available en ESPAÑOL! Starting with our first episode, we’ll be dropping another episode entirely in spanish, para todos ustedes que quieren conocer la historia detrás de los cóvers más famosos de la música latina, and for those of you who want to practice your spanish! Uncovering the Cover, the podcast for music fans is coming back to whatever platform you get your podcasts from! Stay tuned and subscribe to be the first one to listen to our new episodes once they get published. And if you haven’t listened to Season 1, you’re still on time to start binge-listening! Uncovering the Cover, where music becomes more than a memory! PinzonDiego.com/podcast, and follow us on Instagram @uncoveringthecover

    3 min
  7. Papa Don’t Preach, and how Madonna has shaped history

    06/22/2020

    Papa Don’t Preach, and how Madonna has shaped history

    This episode we examine the music of Madonna using “Papa Don’t Preach” as the starting point, but diving deep into “Like A Prayer” and her clash with the Catholic Church. We take a look at the Madonna icon of music, fashion, sex, feminism and determination. She is the best-selling female recording artist of all time, selling more than 300 million records worldwide, she’s the most successful solo artist in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 chart - and only behind The Beatles, overall. She’s also the most successful solo artist on tour, amassing more than 1.4 Billion dollars in concert tickets, has been inducted to the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame since 2008, and she even has a few Guinness Records. She definitely is a phenomenon. Perhaps, one of the most famous people in the world. This Fathers’ Day, we have something most fathers don’t want to hear from their teenage daughter: that they’re pregnant. It is certainly what they least expect on Father’s Day, but it’s definitely a conversation worth having specially when young women are faced with such a life defining moment. Although safe sex should be the nucleus of this type of conversations, when a teenager is pregnant the debate usually revolves between having the child or abortion. And that’s what today’s episode is all about. A song that sparked the debate between pro-life and abortion groups, that even both seemed to praise it and hate it at the same time, a song that fueled the rivalry between Madonna and the Catholic Church after she dedicated it to Pope John Paul II. The music video for the song even catapulted an actor’s career and derived in a response song from another actor in the video. This is Uncovering the Cover: Papa Don’t Preach, and how Madonna has shaped history.

    49 min
  8. Whiskey In The Jar, from folk Ireland to American heavy metal

    05/26/2020

    Whiskey In The Jar, from folk Ireland to American heavy metal

    How did a 17th century Irish folk song transcend throughout so many generations that even Metallica won a Grammy Award with it?  Rock has traditionally looked into folk music for inspiration. From the early adaptations of black musical genres by rock and roll musicians in the late 40s to the guitar chords and raspy voices of the counterculture of the 60s, and dating all the way back to the disputed origins of punk in the South American country of Peru. Rhythm and blues, country, jazz and soul, all of them among other genres have become the foundation of what we know today as rock music. Elvis Presley was vastly inspired by gospel music from black churches in Memphis and if he was the King, Chuck Berry, one of Elvis’ biggest inspirations, was the Father of Rock n Roll and the one responsible for evolving rhythm and blues into the hip shaking, guitar-led genre that Elvis popularized. Just like Presley, The Beatles couldn’t have been as successful as they were without traditional folk music genres. After all, Paul McCartney jokingly said to Musician magazine in 1985: “We were the biggest nickers in town – plagiarists extraordinaire.” But, plagiarism or simply creating their own music based on the music that has influenced them, rock artists have often fallen on traditional folk songs to either boost up their discography with their own creations, or to cover them. And that’s what brings us to today’s episode. A song that has been covered by several rock bands in different times, with various degrees of success. A song that has a heavy metal version… a psychedelic rock cover… and a more conventional hard rock version that became an international hit by an Irish band… A song that actually inspired an anthem for Irish Americans fighting in the Civil War. In fact, it is originally an Irish traditional folk song that dates as far back as the 17th century. Welcome to Uncovering the Cover. The podcast where we tell the story of the songs that have captured our imagination… throughout several generations. I’m your host, Diego Pinzón. Today, we’re uncovering the covers that made this song one of the most beloved Irish ballads… This is Uncovering the Cover: Whiskey in the Jar.

    40 min
  9. I Love Rock N Roll, a tribute to Alan Merrill

    04/13/2020

    I Love Rock N Roll, a tribute to Alan Merrill

    Today, we’re paying tribute to Alan Merrill, one of the artists who have died after contracting the coronavirus, someone who devoted almost all of his 69 years in this world to make us fall in love with rock n roll, and in the process he came up with one of the most covered songs in music history. Merrill's song has evolved so much throughout the years that it’s become a favorite of female pop singers, and barely anyone remembers the original version was sung by a man. There are more than 250 identified covers of this song, including the only number one hit for Joan Jett & The Blackhearts and the 2002 version from Britney Spears. We'll also be exploring the relevant connection between Merrill, Jett and Miley Cyrus, and how Merrill became one of the biggest teen pop idols in Japan back in the 70s. Welcome to Uncovering the Cover, the podcast where we tell the stories of the songs that have captured our imagination… throughout several generations. I’m your host Diego Pinzón… and today we’re paying tribute to Alan Merrill, a music icon in Japan, England and the U.S. Born in New York City, Merrill had a prolific career ranging from glam rock, to pop and to heavy metal, who died at 69 years old last March 29, due to coronavirus complications. This is Uncovering the Cover: I Love Rock N Roll, a tribute to Alan Merrill. Follow us on Instagram @UncoveringTheCover and Twitter @UncoveringCover.

    51 min
  10. The Baseballs

    03/17/2020

    The Baseballs

    What happens when you mix Elvis Presley, Rihanna, 50 Cent, Britney Spears and Maroon 5, all into the same pot? You get the most fascinating celebration of 50s and 60s rock & roll. A trip to the future and the future with a final stop in the past. Usually, what we do in this podcast is we take one song that has been covered by many different artists, making it a success in its own right, but on today's episode, we’re doing things a bit differently; we’re talking about one music act that has covered several songs from different artists, with some success, and have carried Elvis Presley's legacy while doing so. This is Uncovering the Cover: The Baseballs. The Baseballs are a German rock and roll band from Berlin founded in 2007. Sam, Digger and Basti, perform contemporary hits in a style resembling Elvis Presley. Together with pompadour hairstyles and long sideburns as Elvis institutionalized in the 50s, The Baseballs first rose to fame with their cover of Rihanna feat. Jay-Z's “Umbrella”, which was released just two years after Rihanna’s took over the world. We're going deep into the sounds of this rockabilly band that have covered songs from contemporary pop artists. Uncovering the Cover is the podcast for music fans, where we tell the stories of the songs that have captured our imagination… throughout several generations.  You can support Uncovering the Cover via: https://anchor.fm/cover/support | Contact: @PinzonDiego or PinzonDiego.com.

    34 min
  11. Last Kiss

    02/24/2020

    Last Kiss

    Almost by accident, this song became Pearl Jam’s most popular ever up to this day, a song that grew into a one-hit wonder with two different rock n roll bands. A song that transcended three different generations of rock fans who infiltrated the song into the pop charts in 1960s, 1970s and 1990s. This song also has a profound impact in Latin American music, having a long tradition on Latino folklore and culture, to the point that most people actually believe the song was originally in Spanish. It became the flagship of a very unique music subgenre that hooked teenagers in America during the 50s and 60s, with songs about death, young love and fatal car accidents. But despite all of it, the original version of this song was a total commercial flop. Welcome to Uncovering the Cover. The podcast where we tell the story of the songs that have captured our imagination… throughout several generations. Today, we’re uncovering the covers that made this song one of the most dedicated, depressing, prophetic, tragic and one of the most covered songs in history… This is Uncovering the Cover: Last Kiss. Contact: @PinzonDiego or pinzondiego.com.

    44 min

  12. TRAILER

    Uncovering the Cover (Trailer)

    Uncovering the Cover

    1 min

Trailers

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out of 5
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About

Every cover song tells two stories: the original vision and the transformation that gives it new life. Uncovering the Cover explores the hidden histories behind iconic covers—where creative risk, cultural context, and unexpected choices turn one artist’s idea into another’s legacy. These aren’t just reinterpretations; they’re conversations across time, identity, and sound. Hosted by Diego Pinzón, the podcast uncovers how music evolves, travels, and connects us... because great songs, like culture, never stand still. Uncovering the Cover: The Hidden Stories Behind Music's Greatest Covers.

Information

  • Creator
    Diego A. Pinzón
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    12
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Diego A. Pinzón
  • Show Website
    Uncovering the Cover