Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan

Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan

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!
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Most Recent Episode

Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
"All Along the Watchtower" by Bob Dylan and Jimi Hendrix

The fifth season of "Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan" concludes with a very special guest: U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo. A highly acclaimed writer and artist in her own right, Harjo joined the podcast to discuss Bob Dylan's “All Along the Watchtower," as well as Jimi Hendrix's classic cover.

00:28:14
Jan 2, 2026 1:0 AM
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More Episodes

Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
"Home" by Stephanie Mills and Diana Ross

In this episode of "Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan," Jordan Embrack, a vocalist and graduate of the University of Maryland, joins Stephanie to discuss "Home," Dorothy's finale song in the 1975 Broadway musical The Wiz. "Home" was first performed by Stephanie Mills, and Diana Ross sang it for the film adaptation of The Wiz that premiered in 1978. Jordan and Stephanie discuss the song's national impact and the personal meaning it holds for Jordan as she begins her career as a singer and entertainer.

00:28:16
Dec 26, 2025 2:0 PM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
"Bound" by Ponderosa Twins Plus One and "Bound 2" by Kanye West

In this episode of "Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan," University of Maryland graduate Mekhi Abbott joined Stephanie to discuss the thematic differences between “Bound” by Ponderosa Twins Plus One and “Bound 2” by Kanye West. The original song, released in 1969, is full of affection and yearning, and was relatively unknown until Kanye West sampled it in 2013. But Kanye's interpretation of the song is a lot more coarse, and it’s often viewed as a dark twist on a love song.

00:28:19
Dec 19, 2025 2:0 PM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
"The Way We Were" by Barbra Streisand and Beyoncé

University of Maryland Associate Director of Bands Andrea Brown joins Stephanie Shonekan on this episode of "Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan" to discuss "The Way We Were" by Barbra Streisand and Beyoncé. The tear-jerking ballad was produced for a film by the same name in 1973, and the feeling of longing for a love gone by is still just as touching decades later.

00:28:59
Dec 12, 2025 7:1 AM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
"Living After Midnight" by Judas Priest and The Donnas

In this season premiere of Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan, Stephanie sits down with KBIA Morning Edition host Darren Hellwege to discuss "Living After Midnight" by Judas Priest. It's a rebellious track about running amok under the cover of night. The Donnas covered it in 2001.

00:28:34
Dec 5, 2025 1:0 PM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
"Bein' Green" by Kermit the Frog and Ray Charles
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.
00:28:59
Jan 3, 2025 6:1 AM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
"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.
00:28:59
Dec 27, 2024 6:1 AM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
"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.
00:28:59
Dec 20, 2024 6:1 AM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
"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.
00:28:59
Dec 13, 2024 6:1 AM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
"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.
00:28:59
Dec 6, 2024 6:1 AM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
"Emotion" by The Bee Gees and Destiny's Child
On this final episode of the season, Stephanie Shonekan brought in a special guest: her daughter, Ojurere Shonekan. Together, they unpack “Emotion,” a song by the Bee Gees released in 1994. Destiny’s Child covered it in 2001. The song is a vulnerable confession that the loss of a relationship is taking a serious emotional toll. As Stephanie and Ojurere discuss the song and its reinterpretation from disco to R&B, they take some time to reflect on their own shared memories of loss.
00:28:59
Dec 29, 2023 6:1 AM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
“Lately” by Stevie Wonder and Jodeci
Stephanie Shonekan sat down with her sister dean, Kimberly Griffin, to talk about “Lately,” a classic breakup song that Stevie Wonder released in 1980. The song itself is a crushing glimpse into a relationship that’s slowly becoming one-sided. And when Jodeci covered the song in 1993, the group members infused it with their own range of emotion (because there’s lots of it to go around during a breakup, even the one-sided kind). In this episode, Stephanie and Kimberly break down the artists’ different approaches to “Lately” and reminisce over the era of ‘90s boy groups.
00:28:59
Dec 22, 2023 6:0 AM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
“You Can’t Hurry Love” by The Supremes and Phil Collins
On this episode, Tom Flynn joins host Stephanie Shonekan to talk about “You Can’t Hurry Love,” an original song by The Supremes that Phil Collins covered in 1982. Though the songs were released a couple decades apart, the message is timeless – and, perhaps a bit frustrating: love takes time. Tom and Stephanie discuss their memories of youth, wanting love and how the song can stand as a light-hearted reminder to hold on.
00:28:59
Dec 15, 2023 6:0 AM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
“Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler and Eddie and Gerald Levert
Heather Gray joins Stephanie Shonekan during this episode to discuss the Bette Midler and Eddie and Gerald Levert versions of “Wind Beneath My Wings,” a song about love, death and what it does to those who live on. It’s a ballad that especially resonates with people who lost loved ones to the September 11 attacks in 2001. And in this episode, Stephanie and Heather also discuss how this song helps them treasure their relationships with their parents.
00:28:59
Dec 8, 2023 6:0 AM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
“Killing Me Softly” by Roberta Flack and The Fugees
The third season of Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan is kicking off with a guest who’s pretty familiar with the show by now: our recording engineer, Nat Kuhn. Nat and Stephanie discuss “Killing Me Softly” and the power music holds to make us feel known, even at a level that’s surprisingly personal. Plus, Nat plugs in his bass to bring you an in-studio performance that mashes up elements of both Roberta Flack and The Fugees’ versions of the song.
00:28:59
Dec 1, 2023 6:0 AM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
“I’m Here,” by Fantasia and Cynthia Erivo
This episode is dedicated to the memory of George Warren. Host Stephanie Shonekan chats with her good friend, Brian Booton about a song that’s very personal to him - “I’m Here" by Fantasia and Cynthia Erivo.
00:28:59
Feb 17, 2023 11:0 PM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
“Respect” Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin
This is Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan, a podcast where we take apart the song covers we love and take a deep dive into the stories behind them. Today, I'm chatting with special guest Jeremy Root about “Respect” Otis Redding and Aretha Franklin
00:28:59
Feb 10, 2023 11:0 PM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
“Everything I Own” by Ken Boothe and Bread
This is Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan, a podcast where we take apart the song covers we love and take a deep dive into the stories behind them. Today, I'm chatting with special guest Sheri-Marie Harrison about “Everything I Own” by Ken Booth and Bread
00:28:59
Feb 3, 2023 11:0 PM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
Rage Against the Machine vs Bruce Springsteen “Ghost of Tom Joad”
This is Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan, a podcast where we take apart the song covers we love and take a deep dive into the stories behind them. Today, I'm chatting with special guest Ian Chang about “Ghost of Tom Joad” by Bruce Springsteen and Rage Against the Machine
00:28:59
Jan 27, 2023 11:0 PM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
I Believe in You and Me
This is Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan, a podcast where we take apart the song covers we love and take a deep dive into the stories behind them. Today, I'm chatting with Tomiwa Shonekan about “I Believe in You and Me” by the Four Tops and Whitney Houston.
00:28:59
Jan 20, 2023 11:0 PM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
I Will Always Love You
This is Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan, a podcast where we take apart the song covers we love and take a deep dive into the stories behind them. Today, I’m chatting with my good friend, Dr. Brandon Boyd, who is, up to this point, the only professional musician I’ve had on this show. And the song we’ll be discussing is one of my favorites, actually, one I had in mind when I first conceived of the idea behind the show. And that song? I Will Always Love You
00:30:02
Mar 18, 2022 8:0 PM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
Before I Let Go
This is Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan, a podcast where we take apart the song covers we love and take a deep dive into the stories behind them. Today, I’m chatting with my daughter Faremala Shonekan to talk about a song we both love…Before I Let Go, first released by Frankie Beverly and Maze and covered by Beyonce.
00:23:00
Mar 18, 2022 7:59 PM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
Yesterday
This is Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan, a podcast where we take apart the song covers we love and take a deep dive into the stories behind them. Today's guest is a good friend and colleague, Dr. Keona Ervin. She’s a professor in the Department of History at the University of Missouri, and also someone I’ve talked with at length about music. And so when I came up with the concept of the show, I knew she had to be one of my first guests. And so I reached out and asked her to choose a song to chat about. And that choice? Donny Hathaway’s live cover of Yesterday by the Beatles.
00:29:17
Mar 18, 2022 7:57 PM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
Piece of My Heart
This is Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan, a podcast where we take apart the song covers we love and take a deep dive into the stories behind them. Janis Joplin’s Piece of My Heart remains one of the most iconic songs of the ‘60s. Released in 1968, it reached #12 on Billboard Hot 100, thanks in part to Joplin’s impassioned and unique vocal delivery. At the time, Billboard called it “dynamite”. It’s remembered as one of her most popular songs. And yet, it wasn’t hers at all. Just a year earlier, Erma Franklin -- as in older sister to Aretha Franklin -- released her version. It didn’t do nearly as well, peaking at #62 on Billboard’s Pop Singles Chart. So which one’s the better version?
00:25:20
Mar 18, 2022 7:55 PM
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Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan
Nothing Compares 2 U
This is Cover Story with Stephanie Shonekan, a podcast where we take apart the song covers we love and take a deep dive into the stories behind them. Nothing Compares 2 U was written by Prince in 1984 for his band, the Family. One version was recorded in 1984, but wasn’t actually released until only recently...in 2018. Instead, the song debuted on the Family’s 1985 self-titled album, released under the Paisley Park Records label. Neither version had much of a splash. Fast forward 5 years when, in 1990, a 24 year old Irish singer-songwriter by the name of Sinéad O'Connor released her version, and it became a breakout hit, thanks in part to the song’s music video, made up almost entirely of a closeup shot of the singer’s face. So, which one is the better version? Stephanie talks to her good friend Jeremy Root...about the songs... how they compare to one another, and by the end, they’ll reveal their top pick.
00:31:58
Mar 17, 2022 5:7 AM
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