The 885 Greatest Cover Songs Countdown Kicks Off on December 4
WXPN has a history of hosting traditions in music radio with its annual 885-countdown series, delivering themed lists that reflect the tastes, nostalgia, and cultural pulse of its dedicated audience. This year, beginning December 4 at 8:00 a.m. ET, the station is launching one of its highly anticipated playlists yet: The 885 Greatest Cover Songs Countdown. The concept is straightforward but bold—highlighting reinterpretations that flip iconic originals on their heads, infuse them with fresh emotion, or showcase sheer creative brilliance. The countdown will run daily through December 11, culminating in the grand reveal of the #1 cover song as voted by listeners.
Whether it’s a punk rock twist on a folk classic or a soul-stirring acoustic rendition of a once-electric hit, The 885 Greatest Cover Songs aims to celebrate the art of reinterpretation. According to WXPN Acting Program Director Jim McGuinn, the inspiration came from a “Throwback Thursday” programming segment that lit up the station’s phone lines and streaming chats. “It reminded us how much people love hearing a great song reimagined,” McGuinn said. “The playback is going to be a blast, with unexpected choices, big listener passion, and a few fun surprises along the way.”
The 885 Greatest Cover Songs Connects Listeners and Legends
What sets The 885 Greatest Cover Songs Countdown apart is its deep integration with WXPN’s community—a loyal base of listeners who know their music and aren’t shy about sharing their favorites. In fact, the station received over 10,000 submissions for this year’s list, the highest engagement in recent memory. Fans can follow along on air at 88.5 FM or stream online at XPN.org, where a dedicated hub features the countdown in real time, programming staff picks, and a fun listener quiz that tests your cover song knowledge.
From December 4 through December 11, the countdown will unspool each morning with a rich mix of genre-spanning interpretations—some expected, many delightfully obscure. Think Aretha Franklin making “Respect” her own, or Jimi Hendrix reshaping “All Along the Watchtower” into a psychedelic triumph. But it’s not just about hits; it’s about discovery. Every cover song has a story, and the WXPN format provides context, passion, and personal insight along the way. In the evenings, fans can enjoy “post-game” recaps, complete with highlights, stats, and listener commentary.
The 885 Greatest Cover Songs Countdown is fun and essential for music enthusiasts. A cover song is a bridge between generations, between artist and audience, between what was and what can be. For me, one song has always defined that emotional impact: Johnny Cash’s rendition of “Hurt” by Nine Inch Nails.
Originally written by Trent Reznor as a raw, anguished cry from within the machinery of industrial rock, “Hurt” was reborn when Rick Rubin handed it to Cash in his twilight years. Johnny Cash’s version of “Hurt” is not a cover. It is a pure and unadulterated confession. A reckoning. A farewell. I remember the first time I heard it: the world came to a screeching halt. And it has the same affect on me, everytime I hear it.
That voice—weathered, fragile, unapologetic—took a song of self-destruction and turned it into a haunting final chapter. Reznor himself admitted that once he saw the music video, it no longer felt like his song.
That’s what a great cover does. Beyond the homage, it rewrites emotional truth in a new language. And if The 885 Greatest Cover Songs helps even one listener discover “Hurt” or another song that hits them like that, then the countdown will entertain and educate, making a real difference. I’ll be listening.
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