The Music Show

Never Tear Us Apart began its life as a bluesy demo by INXS’s keyboardist and songwriter Andrew Farris. Frontman Michael Hutchence gave it lyrics, producer Chris Thomas gave it synthesisers, and the public gave it a place on every Australian Music best-of list. 
And the covers come from far and wide: you’ll hear English, American, Welsh, French and Lanarkshire accents amongst the covers. 
Andy’s guests are ABC Classic’s Alice Keath, and Double J’s Al Newstead. 
Every great song gets covered. Sometimes beautifully, sometimes badly, and sometimes by people who clearly should have known better.
Cover Story, returning for its third series, hunts down the best, the worst, and the downright strange versions of classic songs, and asks the question: why does this version give us goosebumps while that one makes our skin crawl?
Never Tear Us Apart
Words by Michael Hutchence, music by Andrew FarrisFirst performed by INXSOn the album Kick, 1987
Versions heard in the show:
Joe Cocker - Respect Yourself (2002)
Tom Jones feat. Natalie Imbruglia - Reload (1999)
The National - Songs for Australia (2020)
The Ten Tenors - Wish You Were Here (2017)
Courtney Barnett - Rehearsal Room Recording (2018)
The Twilight Sad - single (2011)
Paloma Faith - John Lewis Ad (2012)
INXS with Ben Harper and Mylene Farmer - Original Sin (2010)
Next time on Cover Story: The Beatles’ Can’t Buy Me Love.
Technical production by Tegan Nicholls
The show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

Alina Pash was last on the show back in 2021, before the Russian invasion of her country began. At that point, Pash said that she wanted to stay in Ukraine and be part of a strong emerging music scene there. Circumstances changed and Alina is now based in the USA, but she returned home last year with the Belgian-Canadian producer Apashe. Together, they recorded with local choirs in Kyiv, drawing on the traditional music of Ukraine to create something very modern.
Singer-songwriter Kristina Olsen has been a regular guest on the Music Show over the years, playing folk, jazz, and blues. But her latest work sees her taking on a new challenge - choral compositions. With a suite of works inspired by the equinoxes and solstices, Olsen is connecting with local choirs on her latest tour across Australia.
Kristina Olsen's full tour dates are available here
Music heard in this program:
Title: Winter Solstice EveArtist: Kristina Olsen, Angie Doctor, Kim Scanlon, Ed Johnson, Avi JacobsonComposer: Kristina Olsen
Title: KyivArtist: Apashe & Alina PashComposer: Apashe & Alina PashAlbum: Hymns of ResilienceLabel: Majestic Collective
Title: EverestArtist: What So Not ft. Alina PashComposer: Chris Emerson, Alina PashAlbum: Everest singleLabel: Independant release
Title: PortalArtist: Alina Pash & David AugustComposer: Alina PashAlbum: Alina Pash Coven DeluxeLabel: Bad Witch Good Corporation
Title: VoyagerArtist: PJ HarveyComposer: PJ HarveyAlbum: Voyager SingleLabel: Partisan Records
Title: I Still Do Miss You Pierre (live)Artist: Kristina OlsenComposer: Kristina OlsenAlbum: Live performance
Title: Maybe Better (live)Artist: Kristina OlsenComposer: Kristina OlsenAlbum: ChemistryLabel: Take A Break Productions
Title: Never Tear Us ApartArtist: INXSComposer: Michael Hutchence, Andrew FarrisAlbum: KickLabel: WEA
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country
Technical production by Tegan Nicholls and Marcus Hobbs

A love song, a football anthem, and a weapon of war for men with acoustic guitars: Noel Gallagher said he thought Wonderwall was an annoying song when he wrote it. 
Cover Story dips more than a toe into the world of Britpop with composer and ex-Go-Between Amanda Brown, and conductor, composer and singer Dan Walker. 
Every great song gets covered. Sometimes beautifully, sometimes badly, and sometimes by people who clearly should have known better.
Cover Story, returning for its third series, hunts down the best, the worst, and the downright strange versions of classic songs, and asks the question: why does this version give us goosebumps while that one makes our skin crawl?
Wonderwall
Words and music by Noel GallagherFirst performed by OasisOn the album (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?, 1995
Versions heard in the show:
The Mike Flowers Pops - single (1995)
Cat Power - John Peel Session live at the BBC (2000)
Bring Me the Horizon, single (2025)
Paul Anka - Rock Swings (2005)
Brad Mehldau - Brad Mehldau Trio Live (2008)
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra - The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra Plays The Music of Oasis (1997)
Ryan Adams - Love Is Hell (2004)
The Killers - Live At Lollapalooza Chile (2018)
Oasis - Live in Dublin August 2025
Next time on Cover Story: the nation’s favourite Australian song, Never Tear Us Apart by INXS.
Technical production by Antonia Gauci
The show this week was made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.

As one-half of A.B. Original, Trials was responsible for one of the key moments in Australian hip-hop over the last decade with the album Reclaim Australia. Away from that collaboration he’s worked with everyone from Paul Kelly to the Hilltop Hoods. His latest work though marks a debut of sorts - his first solo release, called Hendle.
Shadow puppetry, dance theatre, and music are all part of a new show called In Shadows, featuring a live composition by Hantu. Isobel D’Cruz Barnes explores the myths and traditions behind her latest work.
Music heard in this program:
Title: Tree of LIfeArtist: HantuComposer: HantuAlbum: In ShadowsLabel: Live Recording
Title: run to the riverArtist: TrialsComposer: Daniel RankineAlbum: hendleLabel: Universal Music Australia
Title: whistle while I walkArtist: TrialsComposer: Daniel RankineAlbum: hendleLabel: Universal Music Australia
Title: what’s the colour of love?Artist: TrialsComposer: Daniel RankineAlbum: hendleLabel: Universal Music Australia
Title: That's How I PrayArtist: Vika & LindaComposer: Vika Bull, Francesca De Valence, Karen Jacobsen, Mark SholtezAlbum: Where Do You Come From?Label: Mushroom
Title: PartyArtist: HantuComposer: HantuAlbum: In ShadowsLabel: Live Recording
Title: Tree of LIfeArtist: HantuComposer: HantuAlbum: In ShadowsLabel: Live Recording
Title: WonderwallArtist: OasisComposer: Noel GallagherAlbum: (What's The Story) Morning Glory?Label: Epic
The Music Show is made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country Country
Technical production by Antonia Gauci

Cover Story makes a long overdue visit to the songwriting of Carole King, who with her then-husband Gerry Goffin wrote Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow as songwriters-for-hire in the Brill Building music factory of 1960s New York. Originally recorded and made famous by The Shirelles, King's own version of the song on 1971's Tapestry might be its most famous iteration, but there are many brilliant, unforgivable, and indefinable versions for Andy and his guests, Felix Cross and Laura Case, to dig their teeth into. 
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Music by Carole King, lyrics by Gerry GoffinFirst released by The Shirelles on Tonight’s The Night, 1960
Versions heard in this episode:
Carole King - Tapestry (1971)
Johnny O’Keefe - B-side to single ‘Rock'n'Roll Will Stand’ (1964)
Linda Ronstadt - Silk Purse (1970)
Amy Winehouse - Lioness: Hidden Treasures (2011)
Taylor Swift - Carole King Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction (2021)
Dana Valery - single (1976)
Andy Gibb/P.P. Arnold - Andy Gibbs Greatest Hits (1980)
Ann Hampton Callaway - Slow (2005)
Carole King & James Taylor from Live at the Troubadour (2010)
Next time on Cover Story: Oasis's britpop anthem Wonderwall
Technical production by Tegan Nicholls
The show was made on Gadigal, Gundungurra, and Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Country.