"Better Than The Original" tonight on BBC4. The history of the cover version and its role in popular music, packed with insightful analysis - it's all the better for focusing on ten intelligently chosen classic covers rather than just being a run through of the usual old favourites. Fantastic Friday night telly.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b06n9q8y (According to this link, it was actually first broadcast in 2015 but I must have missed it)
Worth watching for the contributions from Deborah Evans Strickland of Flying Lizards alone. Absolutely priceless. My favourite two lines of hers, delivered with exquisitely clipped deadpan poshness:
"I expect you're wondering why we did cover versions. I suppose one answer might be there are plenty of good ideas, why bother to have any more?"
"People may wonder why I speak the songs instead of singing them. The answer is really very straightforward. Um... Singing is more difficult."
I don't think I've ever truly appreciated before quite how brilliant their version of Money actually is. It's a masterclass in how a great idea can overcome a lack of talent.